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buying a used board

Bird Answers This Most Asked Question: Whats Your Classic Board Worth?

July 28, 2021 by ADMIN Leave a Comment

WHATS MY BOARD WORTH?

Quite often, I get requests to appraise surfboards, either from a historical standpoint or a monetary one. Although just about all surfboards are different in a wide variety of ways, the same basic point needs to be touched on. Below is my response to the latest inquiry. I hope you find it of some interest.

Bill asked to have his Skip Frye appraised. It was heavily used and not in great condition. With the prices of Frye boards escalating rapidly, many feel they are all worth big bucks, but thats not the case. There is a big difference of having a solid rider and a wall hanger.

“Howzit Bill,”

“There are generally three types of people who like old boards. One is the investor/collector. These types of folks generally seek out boards in the 8-10 scale of condition. Some are very knowledgeable, but most are not. These people will spend serious dollars on the right board.”

“Another group of buyers is the decor/buyer. They generally know little if anything about boards, using them as props or more of a decorative item. They can spend dollars, but it’s hard to get it out of them.”

“The last group of people is the I want: the ‘to ride it’ group. Condition is of little importance since it’s all about the ride and not the glitz or glamour. As you would expect, this crew operates on a strict budget.”

 

shawn-parkin-surfers-journal-skip-frye
Some used boards are of a higher value than others due to many reasons. Skip Frye Quiver 2016. Photo: Shawn Parkin

“Your board falls into a very limited appeal group, and this is reflected in its value. Finding a badly weathered board and bringing it back to a respectable level is not a hard thing to do. To completely cover an entire board with a hot-coat pigment rather than polishing it to a high luster is a bit time consuming and is generally not a recommended way to go. Yes, you can hide ALL previous damage and sun-burned areas. BUT the board loses 90 percent of its soul.”

“No wooden stringer to view or possible markings on that stringer. Money buyers realize this instantly and shy away from it. A decor buyer might step up. Preserving a board by leaving all of its damaged areas exposed is the preferred way to go. The board’s overall condition tells a story and captivates all who look at it as they think about where the board has been and all of the waves that it’s been ridden on. A nice seal job with a lightly sanded finish is very cost-effective, thus making the board more affordable and interesting than one that has been covered up. In this scenario less is best.”

“Five to six years ago, your board could have sold in the $1,200 range if presented to the right group of buyers. These days, you’d be looking at a price range of between $600 to $800 — again, if presented to the right group of folks.”

“At the present time, I have a professionally sealed and polished early 1960s Hobie that has a great logo and no less that six stringers. It is priced at $595 and has been here for two months. The board market may recover in time, but I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting.”

“For another gauge of its value and a possible sale, list it on eBay and see who bites and what type of offers are coming in. As is often the case, your local shop or group of beach buddies will tell you I’m nuts and the board is worth big bucks. Every one has an opinion, and they are usually giving it to you for free. Getting the money that  people say it’s worth is a whole other ball game.”

“In closing, I’ll leave you with this; Skip [Frye] does fine work and is a credit to the profession. The board you have is unique in its own way, complete with the stories you have about it. I’d say enjoy all that it has to offer and be proud of what you have helped bring back to life.”

With respect,

Bird

Original post from SD News 2014

Filed Under: Journal Tagged With: buying a used board, educational, how to buy a used board, how to value a used board, used surfboard

THE SHED TIP OF THE DAY: How To Shop For In A Used Board

July 24, 2021 by ADMIN Leave a Comment

HOW TO SHOP FOR A USED BOARD

Here at Birds Surf Shed, We love all things related to the surfboard. New, used, old, clean or beat. Each board carries its own unique story and history that speaks to each individual person. You never know what you might find on our racks, but know that we are here to help match you up with the perfect board for your surfing needs.

As much as we would all love to go buy a new board off-the-rack, sometimes you can find incredible deals in the used board area of the shop. Old team rider boards, trade ins and classic wall hangers all make their way into the used board section of the surf shop.  Here are a few tips on how to properly inspect the entire board to save you stress and money in the future.

Make Sure ALL Wax is removed and Nose/Tail Guards are Off

There are many dings that can hide beneath the layers of old wax. Its best to strip it off before hand if the shop hasn’t already done so.  Another common area that dings are likely to gather is under the rubber nose guards or tail deck pads. While you may not want to take these off, make sure you give those areas a good once-over. If there are no open dings or soft spots, thats a good sign.

 

Look for Stringer Cracks and De-lamination(Delam)

It is important when buying a used board to feel the deck area to make sure there are no soft spots or de-lamination. De-lam is when the glass has seperated from the foam core making the board susceptible to breaking and poor performance.  If the de-lam is small and in these areas, don’t be alarmed, it can be repaired. However if it is a large area make sure you ask the sales clerk for more information.

Next, check the stringer that runs along the center of the board. Look for cracks and if you find them make sure there are no stress cracks or soft areas in the area. This would be a “weak point” that could cause trouble down the road.

 

Beware of Excessive Spray Paint

People like to give their board a little personality with spray paints and fun colors. When buying a board that is covered extensively in spray paint, chances are something could be covered up underneath. It is like buying a used car and seeing that the hood has been repainted, which brings you to question its condition. If the board is covered in spray paint make sure to ask the seller questions about any previous repairs or damage. Use your intuition to make that decision on whether or not it is a good buy; your gut is your best instinct in that situation.

 

Check for Multiple “small” dings

When a board looks like it is in good shape aesthetically, although has a bunch of “small dings” all over—it is time to weigh your costs. Even if it is a small ding, chances are it is still going to leak water. Make sure that the board is water-tight and ready to ride and has been well-maintained by the previous owner.

 

Analyze Fin Areas

When buying a board always inspect around the hardware (fin boxes and leash plug). Check for fiberglass crack lines around the plugs and boxes, salt marks, or yellowing discoloration. If there are minor surface cracks, it will generally be okay, however if the box/plug is pushed in or popped out, it is going to have to be replaced.

Another typical stress crack that appears is at the end of longboard fin boxes. This is not concerning unless there is notable water damage in the foam which can be seen by the discoloration. It too is normal wear and tear. Just be sure to look out for broken boxes and plugs because they can be an extra expense if you need to have them fixed.

Original Post from Joe Ropers Righteous Repairs

Birds Surf Shed goes through each board to make sure all these concerns are addressed and we stand behind all the boards we sell: New or used.

Filed Under: Journal Tagged With: birds surf tips, buying a used board, buying guide, how to, surfboards, tip of the day, used board, used surfboard

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