Buying a Used Paddleboard

Paddleboards are probably the cheapest way to get out on the water. An inexpensive paddleboard is even cheaper than an inexpensive kayak. Plus it’s easier to travel with and store. And those cheap inflatables? No wonder so many are selling.

But let’s face it, getting a boat on the water has never been cheap. Even $300 for an inflatable can be a lot. Hard boards — which are a better ride — can cost a lot more. Buying a used paddleboard can be a great way to get into the sport without spending large amounts of money on a new board.

Where to find one

You can find used paddleboards on any of the places where used equipment is sold. I have found the most luck buying used boards on Craigslist, but Facebook Marketplace, local used equipment sites, and dedicated websites for paddleboards are great ways to find local deals. Typically you can interact with a seller at these sites and get more information about the board. You can also negotiate the price.

eBay is is a good place to look too, although the prices tend to be a little higher. You will need to make sure you’re buying a board that’s relatively local (use the “nearest to me” filter on the results). Otherwise you might be bidding on a board that’s across the country! Another disadvantage to eBay is that you typically don’t get a chance to inspect the board before you purchase it. I personally would not want to be in that situation, but that doesn’t automatically mean an eBay retailer is dishonest. Make sure to check the seller’s reviews.

Selecting a board

I think this is one of the most difficult parts of searching for a used paddleboard. A lot of boards out there — especially inflatables — are low-quality boards being unloaded at a low price. It can be hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. I recently did a search of my local (Hudson Valley) CraigsList for paddleboards and it took about 30 listings before I found something I would truly consider. So let’s go over a few rules for finding a used board.

My basic rule for looking used to to first know what kind of board you want. As I said, these listing tend to get flooded with low-end inflatables, so if you’re not looking for one of those, then be sure to zip past. If you want a flat-water cruiser board, then narrow your search for that. If you’re looking for an all-around board, then keep your eye peeled for that shape. Avoid plastic paddleboards unless you want something very heavy and slow.

Next rules is to find a quality board. Once you have found boards online that you like, research the brand name. A reliable, well-built brand will have a full website plus many references online. An off brand won’t. An off-brand might be a fine board, but there’s definitely a higher chance that an off brand will be low quality. A good board should have reviews posted too. Look for reviews by experienced paddlers or from established websites.

That research you did will also help you with the board’s price. If you can pinpoint a board’s original price, then you can see what kind of deal you are getting. If the board is in good condition (no repairs or serious damage) and no more than a few years old, I expect to pay 50–70% of the original price. If the board is 5 years old + or has had major repairs, then you should be paying under 50% of the original price. This being said, paddleboard prices are (like everything else) going up considerably in 2022, but this is my general rule.

Used boards will usually have wear and tear. If it’s a hard board with just a few scratches, that’s normal. Scratches are cosmetic and don’t effect hull integrity. Repairs that breach the hull are a different thing. A well-done patch can be strong and not a problem, but it does bring down the price. An inflatable with a patch is a different thing altogether. I would not buy an inflatable that has been repaired. It’s not worth it. Again, the repair could be okay, but remember that any failure of an inflatable hull is disastrous! There are many, many boards for sale that have never been punctured; you don’t need to buy one that has been.

With the price of many inflatables being so low, it might not make sense to buy a used one. Inflatables have a limited lifespan (good video about that here), at which time they start to fall apart. Why not buy a new, warrantied inflatable board with a full lifespan? However, if you are truly set to buy a used inflatable, make sure you are getting a quality brand. Research what the seller is offering to make sure that it what you want.

Buying the board

Once you’ve decided on a board you want, and you’ve worked out a price with the seller, time to buy. Don’t leave your house without the equipment to bring your board back. When I buy a used hard board, I always have straps and pads with me to put the board on my roof. And don’t forget the money! I always pay in cash when I buy a board, but people do Venmo or PayPal or other services. It’s whatever you and the seller negotiate.

When you arrive and are shown the board, your first job is to inspect it. Look for the damage. Scratches aren’t really a problem unless there are a lot. Any damage that punctured the skin should have been mentioned in the advertisement. If there’s damage that isn’t advertised, that’s a red flag for renegotiating the price (or walking away). Any repairs should be smooth and professional looking. If they look slap-dash, that’s also a bad sign. Look for thin cracks along the rails (the sides) and the fin box. Any of these can be a sign that the board is in bad shape. If you’re buying an inflatable, make sure to inflate it to its full capacity. Inspect it when full to get an accurate view of the condition.

If you can try the board on the water, that’s ideal. If you can’t, at least pick the board up and see it you can comfortably carry it. Durable boards are typically heavy, which is good, but make sure you can also handle the weight. Light boards are wonders to handle but can be fragile. Give the skin of the board a push with your thumb as a test. If your thumb sinks in, that indicates a fragile board. This is normal for high-performance raceboards, but if you’re looking for a durable first board, this is not your ride.

I’m not a fan of trying to lower a price of once I’m there. I have had people do it to me when I sold a board, and it feels a bit yucky. (So much so, that whenever I sell a board now, I always list the price as “firm”.) That is me, and maybe you are more comfortable with that sort of thing. Unless there are surprises, I always stay at the price I negotiated before I arrived. That way I don’t leave anyone with a bad feeling. The active SUP community isn’t that big, and I always want to make sure I’m treating everybody as best I can. As long as a price is fair, I want to respect it.

I’m sure there are lots of other tips to buying a used board, and I’m happy to hear them.