The second-hand market offers unimagined possibilities for the smart rider. And what's different about a new freerider compared to one built in 2021? The colour perhaps, or it's now called Apex Pro instead of Apex. So browse through the relevant magazines and online sites to find a good deal, and when you go to a local dealership, you proceed in the same way as when buying a used car: you look for negatives so that you can professionally push the price down.
"Well, what have we got here?"
"This is a 265 Fantastic Jet S from 2017. A super piece."
"Ouu, 2017, did your grandad surf with that? And that scratch there..."
"Yeah, but what's a scratch?"
"A scratch? It's something like a line, only scratched into the material."
"I know, it just happens."
It's also important to look around to see if there are any other used cars lying around, to avoid ending up with a petty criminal garage dealer.
"Hmm, ancient model, and it's not exactly clean either."
"Yes, but he always rode really well, fast, great in the jibe and easy to jump."
"What, you jumped with it? Then the deck is worn through!"
"No, just so chop-hop."
"Yes, yes, my arse, and I'm standing in the foam at the first jump! And these foot straps!"
"What's wrong with that again?"
"The adjustment mechanism, there are better things, my friend."
"My God, time flies..."
"You could say that."
"Why?"
"This fin, this box, not even a wingmast attachment! So, tell me, it's extremely old school. Has there been any accident damage repaired? How many previous owners has the sloop had? And what about a test drive for a few days on Lake Garda?"
"Before you get any more annoying, no, there's no MOT on it - and there's no free board bag either. Give me 100 euros, take the board and get out, but shut up already!"
Mission completed, a great board for a hundred. That's how you do it.
You can find out everything you need to know about buying second-hand in our three-part series from surf 4/2023 !
