Buying a second hand short board

[Johno]

I am looking at buying a second hand short board, what should I look out for,

If it has got dinged and not been repaired does this meen it could be water loged and if it is can you dry a board out,

Any advise would be much appreciated

[drowningbitbybit]

If it has got dinged and not been repaired does this meen it could be water loged and if it is can you dry a board out

All used custom boards will have pressure dings - that is dings on the deck from where the feet (and sometimes hand/knees) are. These are nothing to worry about.

A ding can be repaired (and most boards will have at least a couple).

The thing to watch for is -
Unrepaired dings (why didnt they repair it? And has water got it?)
Delamination - where the top fibreglass layer is coming away from the foam. If its got this, walk way.
Yellowing - all boards go a bit yellow over time, particularly in the sun, but if its 'very yellow' or even brown patchs, then this means its been waterlogged at some point.

A board can be dried out, but it'll never be the same, and it'll be prone to delaminating at some point.

Obivously, if you know what you're doing, you can get a ding'd up board for peanuts, repair it, and you've got a bargain board. But as you dont know what you're looking for, best avoid all those symptoms of a trashed board.

[surf patrol]

Have you checked the Surfboard Buying Guide?

[drowningbitbybit]

Have you checked the Surfboard Buying Guide?

Flippin' 'eck, if I'd thought of that, I could've save myself some typing...

[Johno]

Cheers got the guid now didnt even now it was on this sight

[Johno]

I have been looking at short boards on Ebay, some look realy nice going for around £80, my gut feeling is that it would be the wrong place to buy as they would proberly be shxt?

any one else got them selves a bargin board of ebay or should I stay away?

[surf patrol]

I would never buy a second hand board without having a good look at it.

[Bewilderbeast]

I would never buy a second hand board without having a good look at it.

Couldn't agree more. In fact, unless it was from a shaper that I knew well and had bought more than a few boards from before, I wouldn't even buy a new board blind!

[ralarcon]

I'm looking at buying a second hand board.

Are these marks something to worry about?

Cheers

[ralarcon]

Sorry, managed to ask the owner...and I'm told it is sand!
8P

[RJD]

Thats a bic. Cheap and nasty popout but okish for a learner.

I wouldnt.

[ralarcon]

I know the BIC are cheap and nasty for the better surfer. But I'm a learner and I'm always renting one of them everytime i go surfing. Only £120, So buying this one should work out cheaper since i can always sell it for some money later to put towards a better board.

What do you think about Hawaiian soul??? I've seen a 6'10", WIDTH: 20 1/2", THICKNESS: 2 7/8", for £140. Looks in good condition but not sure it would be suitable for a learner. I found the 7'2" NSP easy to ride but not sure if 4" less would make a huge difference.

[hiimbong]

check for repairs and stickers/decals.
lots of people hide dings with them.
also ask for repainting.