Its time to fix up those dust collecting relics and free up some cash! Check out these 6 tips for the ultimate used board make over and how to sell it for maximum profit.

1) Research your surfboard

Understanding exactly what you’re selling is the key to having a smooth transaction. Know your brand and its model and understand the type of waves it performs in. Be sure to make a note of its highest retail value and do your home work online checking out similar conditioned models and what sort of price they go for. If you can’t find your own brand or model (in used condition) & if it’s shaped by a high end manufacturer check out similar brands and what they typically go for. This way you can be astute with your numbers, speak of comparable models and be sure when considering any offers.

2) Price is important

Be realistic with valuing your board. Once you understand exactly what you have as well as its comparable models it’s pretty easy to find a price range of where your board will fit. A surf board’s value will typically be based on the brand value combined with the overall condition. With this in mind, feel free to start listing your board at the top end of the scale and if you don’t get any takers, gradually reduce it until people start to get interested.

      3) Clean your board up, fix the dings & then re-wax it

To get the maximum price for your board it’s time to give it a much needed make-over. Used boards often become neglected before being shuffled to the back of your board rack. First things first, you need to fix all the dings. Every single crack needs to be cleaned up and made water tight. If you’re not the main for the job, take it down to your local ding repair guy or local shaper and they give it some TLC. If you’re far from help, then order a kit online and do it yourself. Most minor dings are pretty easy to repair. Just remember that the buyer will always use an unfixed ding as the perfect opportunity to haggle over your price.

Next step is to strip all the wax off from the entire board. A simple technique is to use hot water and your wax comb. One 95% of the wax has been removed, give the board a nice finish and remove all the smudges of wax with some form of solvent like white spirit or mineral spirit.  Give it a final wipe down until it looks (kinda) shiny and new (ish!).

Handy hint: Make sure you re-wax the board. This is because even the best conditioned boards will soon develop a few pressure dings on the deck which can be a little unsightly. Its also a legitimate reason for a buyer to knock you down in price. Pressure dings generallyy aesthetic and don’t inhibit the board’s performance so it’s a perfectly legitimate practice so feel like you’re hiding anything. Besides this way the board is ready to ride, just like it should be!

Now go grab your camera.

4) Photos are your biggest friend

Whether we’re aware of it or not, the main photo of your surfboard is single-handedly the number 1 factor in luring in potential buyers. The primary picture should always be of the deck and show the entire board. Take the photo on a sunny day and have a nice single coloured back ground that contrasts to the boards colour. Be sure to take at least half a dozen photos including the complete outline of the bottom of the board. Additional pictures should consist of the fins, tail, and the dimensions (usually written in pencil along the stringer). Be sure to take photos of any dings as well as any accessories that might come with the board.

Handy hint: Before you take the photos, be sure to take the fins out and photo them separately. Then you can sell them with or without the fins. List the board without the fins because this way you can sell your board at a lower price. The fins will certainly be available, but at an additional fee!



5) Listing your board

Now that your board is ready to be sold and you have some slick photos in hand it’s time to list your board. Firstly make sure to upload as much information as possible including full dimensions as well as the board’s construction. Write a catchy description but be sure not to waffle on. Use short concise sentences that are descriptive. Copy and paste additional specs from the manufacturers website (where possible) but don’t over do it. Bullet points can be a good way to get the main information across whereas drowning out the key elements in too much detail can be counterproductive.  

    6) Timing is everything

Don’t just list when the time suits you. It can be a huge opportunity missed. Instead list the board in with timing in mind, especially in conjunction with the season. Floaty boards like a fish or some kind of hybrid just won’t have the same kind of impact in the winter compared to the summer time. The reverse goes for a step-up so list it when the winter swells start rolling in.  Weekends are also a particularly good time to list as well as any holiday period including before and after. 

Buy or sell your used surfboard on Second Hand Boards