Help finding a used SUP

[SUPlakes]

A lot of people recommend that it's better to buy used starting out.  It makes sense, but I don't think there's much of a selection for my budget ($500 and under) and for my location (Raleigh, NC). 
As far as boards, I'm looking for something ~11', is in decent shape, good for flatwater but can also be surfed.  There's a chance I won't use it a whole lot but if I start paddleboarding more than my other sports, I'll quickly upgrade. 

There isn't anything on craigslist in my area.  How much do paddleboards cost to ship?

Any recommendations on specific boards for sale or places to look? 

[Dwight (DW)]

Craig's List Pro+   iphone app. Set it to ping you when a SUP hits Craig's List anywhere is southeastern NC.

SUP is hot right now. You need to be smarter than the next guy looking.

[mittenkitten]

A lot of stores that cary SUP's also have old demo boards and used boards for sale, and most will ship - just be sure that either them or you has insurance and not to sign anything until you get that thing out of the box and inspect every angle of it!

Do some digging through various shops websites and call and talk to them - most of these people love SUP and love being able to get people into the sport and will be incredibly helpful.

$500 dollars is very inexpensive, even for a used board. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you would probably have to look pretty long and hard. Shipping itself can be anywhere between $100 and $200. Good luck!

[AJR]

+1 on Craigslist Pro. 

Also, don't limit your search to just Raleigh.  It's feasible for you to drive to the coast if the deal is good - VA Beach is 3.5 hours away which is a doable day trip.  The cost to ship something sight unseen would cover your gas I think.

[Fishman]

I have found Shoping for used boards in the South East US to be very unproductive. I have shopped Craiggers daily, for GA, over the past 4 months, Nothing. Really, there may have been 2 good deals in all that time, and they would have required some driving and fast responding. Now look at Craiggers for the West Coast and WOW, what a difference.

A lot of people recommend buying used, but west coast and east coast are day and night in comparison on what is available and prices. (Florida is a good bit better a market but still know way near as big of a used market as the west coast.

  I recently just bought 2 new boards with paddles shipped for $1250. 11' & a 10' Hulakai board with plastic  Jimmy Styks paddles. I will added they are very good boards for beginners, and i even think the paddles decent enough. (i did add vent plugs to the boards because i do plain on keeping them) I got them on Ebay from JK surfboards. So you might want to take a close look at Ebay for your first board.  For me I am very happy with my purchase, me and my 19 year old have been having a great time with our new found sport!

[spookini]

Take a trip to the OBX shops....rent and then buy one of their rental/demo fleet