Buying a used surfboard can be a great deal, especially if you are on a tight budget. But it's important to know what to look board in a used surfboard in order to avoid costly repairs. Here's our quick guide on what to look for or ask about when looking at used boards.
1. Look for dings: You'll either find no dings, repaired dings, or not-repaired dings. If the dings are repaired, look closely at how well the repair was taken care of: it should be flushed with the board, smooth, and free of cracks or yellow spots. If it's not repaired, you can bargain on the board for repair costs to fix it, which can put you in a good position as a buyer.
2. Get a clean slate: If you can, get the owner (or his or her permission) to strip the board of stickers, wax, or pads. This will help you identify any major or minor repairs, and know exactly what you're paying for.
3. Check the fins: Cracks and discoloration around the fins is a sign for worry, signaling a bad board or one that needs a lot of repair. If the fins or fin plugs are stressed or there are minor cracks, these could be easy fixes. But if they are permanent fins, you'll have better luck looking elsewhere.
4. Consider the tail: The rail of the tail is an important spot, so if it's cracked or dinged, steer clear. This is harder to repair, and will likely crack again.
5. Use the buckle test: With permission, push down on middle of the board with your palm: if the test reveals bubbles in the stinger, that buckle can be slight or big. A crease in the crack is a minor fix. Fixing the buckle can mean a stronger board with an excellent repair job, but if the blank or stringer is cracked, you can't be sure whether or not the board will be the same.
Buy using this checklist, you'll be in a better position to know the condition of the board, and what the real price of it will be. To look at some of our used surfboards for sale, contact us.
No comments:
Post a Comment