Is this a suitable longboard/or fun board for a novice?

[johnsonmac]

Hi I'm in the market for a funboard/longboard since the last time I surfed was almost 12 years ago. Looking around for an used board to get back in the game until I'm good enough to move on from there.

I found no luck within my town's CL so I'm going out of town for one, which one of these is best?

I'm considering the first option but the repair history is kinda giving me second thoughts, I just recently purchased a triathlon bike so I'm super broke right now but I've been here for 3 months now with the ocean less than a mile I'm itching to get back into surfing after missing out for 12 years.

9'2" longboard with repaired buckle
https://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/5272536852.html

7'0 fun board
https://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/5244713019.html

fun board swallow tail
https://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/5244669378.html

fastlane longboard
https://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/5288568056.html

might consider these but they are pricier (yes..i'm broke to the point where 200 is expensive)
fun board
https://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/5230399856.html

$100..needs repair though
https://ventura.craigslist.org/spo/5259123364.html



Please give me your opinion based off of price and what you think is a better buy money/life wise (I know it is hard to tell without actually seeing it in person) but I hope you experts can help out.. thank you!

[jaffa1949]

Ok for $200 as your max you should be able to get a better board than any of these.
Most of these board are old enough to die of old age or break in half.
Buying a board that will collapse in a short time is false economy.
Aim higher! visit surf shops etc.

[johnsonmac]

Ok for $200 as your max you should be able to get a better board than any of these.
Most of these board are old enough to die of old age or break in half.
Buying a board that will collapse in a short time is false economy.
Aim higher! visit surf shops etc.

Hi Jaffa,
I've checked 3 surf shops around and out of town so far and none of them have a used longboard that is below $200, they are all around $350-500 range. If you had to choose one for the time being what would you recommend? (Out of the list)

thanks.

[jaffa1949]

The only one I would remotely consider would be the second last one , the 7'8" Roberts.
I had a look at Ventura Craigs list My full advice is to take more time and check regularly and be sharp in going for what you want.

[Big H]

Save money and expand your budget to bring better quality boards in reach would be my suggestion. Jaffa's comment about a "false economy" is classic and absolute truth....you are going to get so many hours of enjoyment out of a well selected board that the "cost" for all of those fun hours will quickly become a very good value....Conversely, a heavy, ill repaired, waterlogged or otherwise badly handled board will give you nothing but problems, most likely will have existing repairs that will need to be addressed again to be truly watertight, will quickly develop new issues - ding easily, cracks in the glass, fin boxes ripping out, etc. due to age of the board or previous poor handling (left in a hot room/car frequently, stored in the sun, etc.) and will wind up BEING MORE EXPENSIVE than a better quality board you could have bought at a higher initial price. The worst part, after you have spent the additional time and money repairing and maintaining the junker board, IT WON'T PERFORM AS WELL AS THE BOARD WITH THE HIGHER INITIAL INVESTMENT because it is heavy, out of balance, water damaged, glassed in fins are reglassed in at a bad angle, etc.

Investment is a good word; save your money and invest in a board that is good quality and in good nick....you will not be sorry.

Otherwise just get a wavestrom....it's better than any of the beaters you've put up.

[johnsonmac]

Thanks guys,

I haven't been thinking right recently i guess because I really want to get back in the water again, I'll slow it down a notch and take my time. Thanks for the advice Jaffa and Big H.

[jaffa1949]

Nice, the advice we give is to encourage and help you get the best experience from your surfing. We understand budgets and the rush to get surfing are often in opposition. But frustration is worse it can drive people from surfing not some we wish to see! I say we because encouragement is our aim sincerely but not seriously, poking fun at the whole thing of surfing is there too! Body surf , ride a mat or boogie board. Jus get in as much as possible, catch the Stoke! Your triathlons will give you a great edge in fitness to enhance when you get the right board!

[Big H]

BTW, I've done both....bought a board that was above what I wanted to pay but been rewarded as it was a quality board, what I really wanted even if more than I'd planned on, and has held up well and given me hours of enjoyment.....conversely I have bought a "bargain" that spent half the time in the shop....seemed like it would ding if I looked at it cross eyed....glassing was really brittle probably due to mis handling in its lifetime....sold it after 4 times in the shop and not that many hours of fun.....it was a little heavy too, made it hard to catch waves or even just paddle for that matter. I like to learn the hard way; sharing so others don't have to.