Surfing Waves

Hi all,

I have been surfing for the past 4 months (3-4 times a week) with a 8'0'' Wavestorm and I've been thinking to "upgrade" to a hard-top long board to up my skills at turning and eventually progress to practicing nose-riding! I'm 32, 5'9'' and 165 lbs and based in SoCal (I mainly surf Doheny, San O, Blackies and Bolsa Chica). First question is: What is the right height and dimensions to be aiming for? I am guessing something like ~ 9' x 23" x 3".

My other goal is to get something second hand so that I don't have to spend too much on a board (something less than $400 would be ideal). It would be really great to get people's opinion on some 2nd hand boards I have found looked around craigslist and Fb (posted below) to see if there is a winner there. Alternatively, I wouldn't spending a bit more for a new board, like a Torq 9'0", if that is a better option!

Any input or other suggestions/feedback/tips would be much appreciated! Thanks!

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/d/san-clemente-surfboard-longboard-stewart/7157237539.html

https://ventura.craigslist.org/for/d/ventura-surfboard/7157773726.html

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/spo/d/san-diego-ukulele-9-longboard/7153905094.html

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/d/carlsbad-big-guy-longboard-92-long-23/7153141384.html

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/328539464847532/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/735389017207101/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/735389017207101/

- Stewart looks pretty good
- ukulele has lots of crease marks on the bottom, high risk
- Lance Ohata longboard - looks pretty good
- aloha - has had a lot of repairs. Probably fine but seems too expensive against other options given its condition. Also 9'4 is bigger than you need
- the mike gee - if thats a professional repair, I hate to see what the damage looked like. Suspect its been snapped Avoid.

Waikikichan (one of our posters) might know/know of Lance Ohata and offer some suggestions

Anyway, there you go - I've picked the most expensive boards as the recommendations! Either the Stewart or the Lance Ohata from what I can see. The latter is cheaper and looks to be in good condition, obviously working off photos so a real life inspection is necessary

As to what board - you arent that heavy, you could probably get a board that was 9 x 22 x 2 3/4 or thereabouts; 3 inches is pretty thick and 23 is pretty wide. It wont cause any issues if you get a wider or thicker board, but you could expand your search range a bit if you wanted.

dtc wrote:Waikikichan (one of our posters) might know/know of Lance Ohata and offer some suggestions.

Ditto, exactly what dtc said.

But to add, the Stewart and the Ukulele both seem to use O'fishl side fins. Older system and hard to find fins. If you intend to noseride, aim more for a 2+1 fin set up, not a thruster like the Stewart has.

Lance Ohata is a big guy and knows how to shape for the larger surfer.

Thank you dtc and waikikichan for your input! I really am a newbie to all of this, so all of this info is really appreciated ! I will try to expand my search to include 9 x 22 x 2 3/4 with 2+1 fins.

My take from all of this is: although the Stewart and the Lance Ohata are the best of the bunch, perhaps neither is exactly ideal for what I am looking for.

I did manage to find a few more that might be better options below that might be better fits and deals. I'm also planning to go to some local surf shops to see the conditions/prices of 2nd hand boards. Sorry to spam with more listings, but it is difficult to know how these compare to one another in terms of best buy!


https://offerup.com/item/detail/536273936/

https://offerup.com/item/detail/843113444/

https://offerup.com/item/detail/445297199/

https://offerup.com/item/detail/893754500/

https://offerup.com/item/detail/912251010/

https://offerup.com/item/detail/171260732/

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/spo/d/san-diego-longboard-9-leash-boots-gloves/7159576397.html

skgtdsp wrote:My take from all of this is: although the Stewart and the Lance Ohata are the best of the bunch, perhaps neither is exactly ideal for what I am looking for.

The Lance Ohata I think will be fine; at your level there is no 'ideal' - there are boards that are less good (shorter etc) and boards that are better; but there is no perfect board. Most standard longboards will do the job you need it to do. Just find one that somewhere around the right dimensions and is in good shape, and get it. Honestly, you wont be able to tell the difference between most of these boards.

Of the other boards you have listed, I cant access the 'offer up' site, maybe because I'm overseas? Tells me its locking me out for security reasons

The craigslist celadon (green) board looks pretty good but I'm not sure what the side fin system is? waikichan will know (looks like futures but not quite?). However, you can always surf it as a single fin which will be fine for you (although you would need to buy a bigger fin), so dont let that put you off. The tail looks like it may need some minor repairs but you should be able to do them yourself no issues, a bit of solarrez or a standard repair kit will be all that is required. So this seems to be a good option.

I would never use a 2nd hand leash, so factor in buying a new and good quality longboard leash.

I wish the San Diego board for $320 was closer to $250 without the gloves and boots. On closer inspection, you can see the stress fractures at the back on the center fin box. It's either going to snap or water going to get in.

Dang, that's too bad the site blocks out overseas!

Ok I'll attach some the Offerup's in a few replies to see what your guys' opinion are on these boards.

OfferUp #1
9'0'' Iron Cross (doesn't say dimensions); Price $250


Offerup #2
Torq 9’0 x 22 3/4” x 3 1/8” ; Price $400 (seems steep but perhaps I can knock this down)


Offerup #3
(unknown) 9’1 x 22 x 2 11/12(?); Price $325

Offerup #4
Wind and Sea 9'0'' (doesn't mention dimensions) Price $400 (again I could see how low he's willing to go)


Offerup #5
9'0" Guy Takayama, Single Fin Price $400


Offerup #6
9'2'' Ukuele, Price $300

Last one I promise!

Offer 7
9'0'' Price $250


Offer 8
9'2'' Price $250


Offer 9


9'0'' Price $350

Offer #7 most definitely !

Offer #9 Joe Blair is okay too.

I'll just add that the Torq is a great beginners board, but I think (looking very quickly online) that its not that much more expensive brand new with fins. However, the Torq is probably the newest made of the boards you have listed, not that it matters all that much (older boards are perfectly fine, I have a 1994 board that is still in great condition). I guess with the Torq you can look it up and get some info about it and that might give you some comfort. If you could knock a bit off then might be worth a look

As wkk says, #7 looks a nice board and a good price.

4 6 8 & 9 for me. You don't weigh a lot, I would go thinner for more performance, but thicker if you think you still need the stability

skgtdsp wrote:Hi all,

I have been surfing for the past 4 months (3-4 times a week) with a 8'0'' Wavestorm and I've been thinking to "upgrade" to a hard-top long board to up my skills at turning and eventually progress to practicing nose-riding! I'm 32, 5'9'' and 165 lbs and based in SoCal (I mainly surf Doheny, San O, Blackies and Bolsa Chica). First question is: What is the right height and dimensions to be aiming for? I am guessing something like ~ 9' x 23" x 3".

My other goal is to get something second hand so that I don't have to spend too much on a board (something less than $400 would be ideal). It would be really great to get people's opinion on some 2nd hand boards I have found looked around craigslist and Fb (posted below) to see if there is a winner there. Alternatively, I wouldn't spending a bit more for a new board, like a Torq 9'0", if that is a better option!

Any input or other suggestions/feedback/tips would be much appreciated! Thanks!

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/spo/d/san-clemente-surfboard-longboard-stewart/7157237539.html

https://ventura.craigslist.org/for/d/ventura-surfboard/7157773726.html

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/spo/d/san-diego-ukulele-9-longboard/7153905094.html

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/d/carlsbad-big-guy-longboard-92-long-23/7153141384.html

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/328539464847532/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/735389017207101/

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/735389017207101/

It's awesome that you've been actively surfing and are now looking to transition to a hard-top longboard to advance your skills. Considering your height, weight, and surfing goals, aiming for a board around 9' x 23" x 3" sounds like a reasonable choice. This size should provide stability while allowing for better maneuverability, crucial for practicing turns and nose-riding.

As for your budget-friendly approach, exploring the second-hand market is a great idea. It allows you to find a quality board without breaking the bank. The boards you've found on Craigslist and Facebook can be excellent options. If possible, consider examining them in person to check for any dings or repairs and ensure they meet your criteria.

The Torq 9'0" is also a reputable choice for a new board, known for its durability and performance. If it fits within your budget and preferences, it could be a solid investment.

Here are a few tips:

Test Before You Buy: If possible, test ride the board before purchasing to get a feel for its performance and responsiveness.

Check for Damage: Inspect any second-hand board for dings, repairs, or any signs of damage. Minor repairs may be acceptable, but it's crucial to be aware of the board's condition.

Consider Local Shapers: Explore if any local shapers in your area offer budget-friendly options. They may have used boards or more affordable custom options.

Ask for Advice: Seek advice from fellow surfers or local surf shops. They might have valuable insights on specific models or brands that suit your skill level and goals.

Remember, finding the right board is a personal choice, and what matters most is how it feels for you in the water. Good luck with your search, and may you find the perfect board to take your surfing to the next level!

Happy surfing,