What is important when buying a used paddle board?
Have you looked around on my website and have seen some really nice Stand Up Paddle board you would like to purchase, but the board ends up being too expensive? Then buying a used paddle board from one of the top brands is a good option instead of buying a brand new board from a cheap brand.
This way you can be sure that you have an amazing board to go on the water with. If you do it right, a used paddle board doesn’t have to be any less than a new paddle board. I strongly believe a used paddle board from a high end brand will in most cases last way longer then a really cheap brand new inflatable board.
What to look out for when buying a used paddle board
There are a few things you have to look out for when purchasing a used board that offer important information you need to know about the board before acquiring it:
- How old is the board?
- How often has the board been used?
- What type and brand is the board?
- Does it have any (in)visible damage or marks of usage?
- Do you have any kind of warranty on the board?
Should you buy used paddle board on Craigslist?
When you are buying a used board off of Craigslist or any other online marketplace, you can never be sure how often the board really has been used and if any internal invisible damage in the board has developed while it was used.
Of course you do not have any form of warranty in these cases. You cannot simply go back to the person you bought the board from and claim your money back, as it will be hard to prove the damage was already there when purchasing the board.
That is why I would not recommend to purchase a board on Craigslist or any other second-hand marketplaces on the internet where individuals offer their board.
“But Tom, if you do not recommend to purchase in these places, then where should I get a paddle board and how can I be sure the factors you named can be checked?”
The answer: Ex-Demo Stand Up Paddle Boards.
Ex-Demo Stand Up Paddle Boards are boards that have been used for demonstrations and events, but this could also include boards that have been returned or boards that have been fixed up.
Because you purchase the board from the brand itself you have many guarantees that you would not have when purchasing the board from an unknown individual.
These Ex-Demo Stand Up Paddle Boards have been checked by experts, thoroughly cleaned and you receive a 12 month warranty on your used paddle board. So you can be sure to receive quality and in regards to hygiene this is also a good choice.
Prices of used paddle boards
The most important point of buying a used paddle board is of course the price, that’s why you buy a second hand board and not a new board. With these ex-demo boards you get huge discounts on high quality boards.
Examples that are currently available are the Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ shown above, which can be purchased at a price of €249 instead of the regular €539. This is more than 50% discount, which is huge! But to be fair about these used paddle boards, it highly varies per country. Check the link below to see if there are any Bluefin ex-demo paddle boards available for your country.
But as you can see it is clear you pay a lot less for a second hand paddle board that is professionally checked and cleaned, you will not find an offer like this anywhere else!
The only downside to buying a second hand SUP from Bluefin is that the paddle and kayak seat that are normally included are not supplied with this package.
However, a backpack, high-pressure pump and SUP leash are included.
The advantages of buying a second-hand Stand Up Paddle board from a well-known brand instead of through sites like Craigslist are:
- The board is very cheap and you can be sure of the price, no haggling needed
- No unreliable sellers that do not follow up on their promises
- 12 months of warranty on the Stand Up Paddle Board
- The board has been checked by specialist for all kinds of damage
- The SUP board has been professionally cleaned
Different types of used paddle boards
Just like for any other paddle board it is important to consider what you are planning to use your Stand Up Paddle Board for. There are many different types of Stand Up Paddle Boards for a lot of different purposes, check out my Best Stand Up Paddle Board guide to find out all the different types of paddle boards and find which one you are looking for.
Are you going to travel long distances, do you want adventure or do you opt for an alternative method of use by going windsurfing, fishing on your paddle board or even SUP Yoga?
For all these types you can find used paddle boards and you do not have to scroll through tons of advertisements to find a board that suits your specific Stand Up Paddling goals.
The following types of second hand Stand Up Paddle boards are currently offered online by Bluefin:
- Bluefin Cruise Junior 8’0″ Paddle Board for Children
- Bluefin Cruise 10’8″ All-Around Paddle Board
- Bluefin Cruise Carbon 10’8″ All-Around Paddle Board
- Bluefin Voyage 10’10” Paddle Board for Yoga and Fishing
- Bluefin Cruise 12′ Touring Paddle Board
- Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12′ Touring Paddle Board
- Bluefin Sprint 14′ Racing Paddle Board
- Bluefin Cruise 15′ for two persons
- Bluefin Mammoth 18′ for big groups
For every target group there is a suitable second hand SUP board available, so you don’t have to wander all over the internet to find the second hand model that suits you.
As said every model named above has a warranty of 12 months, so you can be sure to receive a high quality board for a low price and in case of any problems these will be resolved.
Conclusion buying a used paddle board
There are many used SUP boards available online, but always purchase them from a reliable seller so you can be sure that the paddle board is on the best condition and you can go out on the water safely on it.
I hope this page has helped you find a suitable Stand Up Paddle board that can you can enjoy for many years. If you are looking for a new Stand Up Paddle board you can of course find loads of reviews on my site and the guide for the Best Cheap Paddle Boards in case you are on a tight budget.
May you find the board you have been looking for and experience the best paddling adventures possible!
Do you perhaps have any other tips on finding good used paddle boards or do you have experience purchasing a used paddle board?
Let me know in the comments below so everyone can find a great used paddle board and enjoy high quality Stand Up Paddling, even on a lower budget.
Review written by: Tom
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