How to figure out the date of used equipment

[Bub]

I just bought a used Tim Bessell custom board. I'm trying to figure out how old/which year this board was made. After scouting around on the web, I can't seem to find any photos of my particular board anywhere.or answers as to what year these items were made. Since the websites for each company usually only shows their current year products, what is the best way to do internet research to figure out what year my board was designed? I also have a friend who bought a used Rusty shortboard from a guy back way back in 1993. He has no idea what year (in the 80's) this board was made. Does anyone know the fastest/easiest way to research the web to figure out the dates of particular board designs/paint/logos etc.? I would just like to know.

[tomcat360]

Well most shapers number their boards, and if you can contact someone who would know a reference to their numbers you could probably find it out. Other than that there isn't a lot of ways to do it, you can get the general era based on the construction/shape.

Wanna post up some pics for us?

[Bub]

Tomcat, here is a picture of my used Tim Bessell board I just bought off Craigslist about a month ago. Looking at his TB's new website of his new boards he's shaping, if I were to guess the one I bought might be an older model of the "Basic Beat" but not really sure. The logo on TB boards looks different on his new boards than mine as well.

Maybe I'll just ask the "Antique Roadshow" guy!

Hey Tomcat, surf has looked pretty good in our area lately and in the near forecast. Getting out much?

[tomcat360]

Heck give him a call!

I got in the water oh....2 weeks ago? when that nice swell came through. I missed the peak by a bit, and got destroyed out in the water. I was in Corolla the day it was going off in Rodanthe and then I was in Rodanthe the next day, with a bunch of guys who don't surf.

I'm gonna try to pick up some leftovers friday at VaB.

You?

[RJD]

My longbord sais it was made at 23/3/92 or something...?

[Rico]

radiocarbon dating

[Jonah_Fro]

Cut it in half and count the rings

[drowningbitbybit]

'Best before' date.

[Bub]

Heck give him a call!

I got in the water oh....2 weeks ago? when that nice swell came through. I missed the peak by a bit, and got destroyed out in the water. I was in Corolla the day it was going off in Rodanthe and then I was in Rodanthe the next day, with a bunch of guys who don't surf.

I'm gonna try to pick up some leftovers friday at VaB.

You?

Yeah, the guy I bought it from was the 2nd owner so he didn't know how old it was either. There is a phone number on the Bessell website, maybe someone there would have a clue if I forwarded a picture of it (or just describe it on the phone).

Tomcat, I think I'm going to be in OC on Friday. 1st time in water since last August I think, I missed the whole fall because I was just too busy with family stuff. Man its been a long time, I can't wait. Yeah, some more experienced guys I know went out a week or 2 ago when things went over 8-10ft. and they got destroyed as well.