F16

[PtBobSup]

I saw a F16 v2 on craigslist.   I think they wanted 1700 or so.  It has the steering.  I have always wanted an unlimited.  Anything to look out for with these boards?   

[covesurfer]

If it's a hollow one, check the hull integrity, hopefully you can paddle it and feel whether the deck is spongy or if the board feels soft anywhere. You can also go over it carefully without it being in the water. The hollow boards have a strut in the middle under the front deck. The strut stiffens the front of the board. Any softness is potentially not good.

Make sure the rudder works well and that it's not been damaged. Check the condition of the cables and that the fasteners/hardware have not been stripped out. The big phillips head that holds the tiller onto the deck should be snug. I would be leery of anything that looks like it's been abused. The deck pad should be in good condition.

If it's not hollow, you should weigh the board to ensure it's not taken on water. Not sure the normal dry weight but someone on here probably knows. I'm guessing it should be around 30 - 32 lbs.

They are great d/w boards. I've got an old hollow V2 and it's awesome. The hollow ones were pretty tough. I paid a bit more for my hollow V2 but it had been repainted and was immaculate when I bought it. I probably paid a bit too much but I HAD to have the board.  

[PtBobSup]

Thanks for the info.  It is a hollow version.  Apparently used for one summer.  Guess I had better decide how badly I want this.  Seems like it would great for getting some miles in and my dream of getting some trips to the gorge.

[JF808]

if it's in good condition, it's a good deal. If you got good downwind conditions locally, it's always worth it!!

[PonoBill]

Offer $1200 (or even less) and see what happens. It's probably one of the Chinese autoclave boards, made at a pretty good canoe outfit. If the nose tips up sharply it's one of those. They are strong for their weight because they were autoclaved. The boards trickled into dealers on the west coast because the canoe place couldn't meet their production schedule, so there was no momentum in the market. Nothing like what Flow has accomplished with the new line. It's a very good board, but they got remaindered out. Rod Parmenter bought out the stock of the local canoe outfit in the Gorge--I think five boards, and sold them to his bud's cheap--including me. I don't remember the price, but it was pretty low. I still have the board, it's my goto gorge board. They came with a bag and an extra "weed" fin. Get the bag, make sure the weed fin is NOT on the board, or if it is that you get the standard spitfire fin. The weed fin sucks toads.

[PtBobSup]

That is the board and the guy.  Thanks for the info.  My desire to buy boards it often in conflict with the time and funds to sort it all out.  This just seems like something pretty cool.