Advice for buying used windsurf gear Lagoon2018-02-10T12:45:06+00:00 Which windsurf equipment is best for me – helpful hints There is no getting away from the fact that windsurfing is a technical sport and the equipment plays a really important part in your progress and enjoyment. It is important to buy the right used windsurf equipment otherwise your progress and fun can stall. New windsurfing equipment can be expensive and many people sensibly consider buying a used windsurf board. With a bit of advice and research this can save you a lot of money and you can get some really good quality kit. Choosing the right size for your used windsurf board is the most important thing. Do not make the mistake of seeing a board on eBay with beautiful graphics at a killer price and buying it if it is the wrong size. The primary measure for a windsurfing board is the volume in litres. Make sure you know what volume of board you are looking for. Once you know the size of board it will really help focus your options, next would be choosing a brand. If you stick to the main brands like Fanatic windsurfing boards, Starboard, RRD, JP, Naish, Goya, BIC and Quatro you will not go too far wrong. There are many other small great brands and if you see a board from outside this list perhaps seek some advice. If you rule out any boards over 5 years old you will be pretty safe in terms of getting a pretty current design and one you should not grow out of. The condition of the board is something you can only really get to grips with by seeing the board in person and you should consider the points listed below. I would advise going to see a used windsurf board before purchasing it. If this is not possible due to purchasing online then I would advise making sure you ask the following questions and check on your position regarding returning the used board if you are not happy with your purchase. Is the used board water tight. A good way to tell is to check the weight of the board. Does it feel heavy ? Does it feel heavy at one end? You don’t want a board with water in, it has a much higher chance of breaking and will perform badly. Time to walk away. Has the used windsurf board had any repairs? If so how major and who completed them? You can usually spot repairs as it is very hard to to get a perfect paint match. In most cases there is nothing wrong with small repairs, particularly professionally done ones. Larger repairs are more of a judgement call. Make sure they have been carried out professionally and the price should definitely reflect this. If in doubt walk away or get some advice. More tips Has the used windsurf board had any repairs? If so how major and who completed them? You can usually spot repairs as it is very hard to to get a perfect paint match. In most cases there is nothing wrong with small repairs, particularly professionally done ones. Larger repairs are more of a judgement call. Make sure they have been carried out professionally and the price should definitely reflect this. If in doubt walk away or get some advice. Does the board have any soft patches on the deck or bottom? Press with your thumb randomly over the surface of the board, medium hard, there should be no give in the surface. Areas prone to soft spots are around the mast track, fins, nose, tail, deck pads and straps. A soft patch in a used windsurf board can be a very bad sign. If you are not experienced in board damage and repairs, or do not know someone that is, then stay away from this board. It may be very minor and not an issue but if it is it could be a big (expensive one). Check the boards paint work for marks and scratches. As long as the damage is only cosmetic this is no problem unless it bothers you and it should be reflected in the price. Check the condition of the fin. Fins are expensive so check for chips It is worth giving the fin a wobble to check it is a firm fit in the box and that there is no movement in the box. Check the footstraps for wear and tear and that they they fit well to the board. Make sure the deck pads are well stuck down. This can be easily fixed with a contact adhesive. The answers you get back should reflect the price. There is nothing wrong with some scratches, marks and dents as long as you are happy with the board and the price. Some minor damage can be an advantage as you can get a really good deal and you don’t have to worry about damaging it yourself. The key issues are making sure the board is the right size for you and is water tight. Call 01273 42 48 42 Opt 2 Contact Us Share this post Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google + Email Author Lagoon