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How much does a good surfboard cost???
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Like could I get a top of the line one for 1200 bucks??? or would 600-800 get me a legit one???? never surfed much, but looks like im going to have the opportunity to start and the $$$ to buy one, where ill be, all ill need is board shorts, no wetsuits needed.
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [IRONwolf] [ In reply to ]
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First, see if you can rent real surf boards while you are learning (not those blue foam crappy tourist ones). You need to figure out what kind of a board you want/like/can ride. Buying used is always a decent option, but examine the glass carefully to check for dings, and make sure if there are any, that they were properly repaired and that the board isn't water-logged. $1200 will buy you a GREAT surfboard---for that amount of $$ I'd buy a travel board.

For a first surfboard, especially for learning, buy something wide, stable & a bit bigger than what you think you'll need. A longboard is fine, but you need to know what kind of longboard you want as learning on some of those (noseriders for example) aren't alot of fun. There are several performance longboard makers that do a good job. You could also buy a 7-9' fish, which is a good all-around board for playing in all types of surf conditions.

It took me years before I could properly buy a surfboard that suited my surfing style & preferences. Its much like buying & getting fitted on a tri-bike, between rocker, tail, fins, etc there are quite a few variables & all of them affect the ride differently.

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [IRONwolf] [ In reply to ]
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Depends on the surf. $750 should be a good place to start with most boards. My first board was HIC. It was too short for a beginner so err on the side of too long.

Or, Google how to spot abused/damaged boards then buy used.
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [IRONwolf] [ In reply to ]
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i just picked up a nice board for $150 from craigslist. If you have a buddy who has been surfing for a while, ask them to help you check out craigslist. Most of my shortboards are from craigslist or second hand from pros who come out here for the winter then just sell their boards after. I feel like craigslist best sales are surfboards (I do live in hawaii though might have to do with that)
but 700-800 can get you a very nice board...$1200 you can have one shaped to your exact specs.
I assume you have surfed a bit before..in that case you should know what size your looking for. Like previous posters-wide and thick are better for beginners and summer swells.
if you can tell us more about your surfing experience and where you are surfing we can probably give some advice.
Last edited by: Little Mike: May 3, 11 2:41
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [Little Mike] [ In reply to ]
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Sure, I have surfed in Cali, oregon and washington, Im not very good but I can get up on the board and about 75% of the time can ride for awhile after that......im not a pro. This board im looking to buy will be for use in southeast asia Thailand, Vietnam, CAmbodia. I want to try to buy it there and ill probably sell it before I come back, ill be there for a minimum of 1 year so Ill have a good chance to use it. If the cash flow is right, Ill go check out OZ on my way hoe and try to surf there.
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [IRONwolf] [ In reply to ]
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Get to where ever you are going and buy one there. Since you're asking this question, buy sort of cheap used ones from a local shop. I'd prefer to go through a couple beaters so that when you finally drop coin on a nice one, it'll be perfect for the breaks that you're surfing and it'll be the right shape (most likely a fun board, 7'0"-8'0") for your ability. Have fun
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [IRONwolf] [ In reply to ]
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Given your background & surf/travel itenerary, I would buy a fish with removeable fins (I'm partial to Ofishl or FCS) as it sounds like you'll be traveling some with the board, and glassed on fins are the first thing to break 99% of the time while traveling + nothing will ruin a trip than having to get a fin repaired in the middle of nowhere.

I'd look for one with medium (50/50) to rolled rails; single string; medium rocker; thin, but wide nose, and as a bigger, broad chested guy (6'4, 215lbs) who doesn't surf as much as I'd like to (vs 10 years go) I still prefer width to thickness, though when I was learning I wanted both to help with late takeoffs & avoid going over the falls.

As for size, for myself, my short boards have all basically been about 6'4-6'6, long boards are 8'6 (hybrid fun board) to 9'10 (Bruce Jones performance longboard). My goto board is a custom Bruce Jones fish, similiar in design to this: http://www.brucejones.com/nuimage/22204.htm 7'10, almost a hybrid/fish/big-boy thruster mix with progressive rocker as well as progressive rails. Quad FCS fin system + the option to go with just a single fin---gives me the option for a single, tri or quad. Took me years to come up with what worked for me the best.

Down where you are, I'd look for boards from McTavish--extremely good Aussie shaper with a bent towards performance longboards. If you are after shortboards I can't help you as I've always been too big and got into surfing too late to get anything more than barely competent on a short board. FWIW I always owned Rusty's as they had pretty good float.

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"There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old's life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs." John Rogers
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [IRONwolf] [ In reply to ]
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Also factor in surfboard transportation.. airline fees can get expensive.

If I were you, I'd wait until I got there. I'd want to take a look at the surf in person. You don't know how strong the waves are, how quickly the size can change or if there is crazy bottom (shallow water with a crazy reef). Plus, what about getting to the beach and storing the board. I don't know how much you've thought about this stuff but just to throw it out there.


If my body isn't strong enough... I hope my wallet will be.
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Re: How much does a good surfboard cost??? [damnilocano] [ In reply to ]
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THanks everybody, all good advice here, I guess I have some research to do still. AS for storing a board at the beach...yeah.....didnt think of that, I knew travel costs would be a lot, but I dont plan on doing much air travel once in SE Asia, mainly busses etc. Like I said earlier, ill probably buy it there and sell it before I split.
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