How Much Do Surfboards Cost? Different Types of Surfboards and Their Price Range

If you are interested in buying a surfboard, you might have already checked some of them. But as you already know, the prices of the surfboards can be really different from each other.

So, how much do surfboards cost, and what makes them have different prices?

This article will show you the general lists of all types of surfboards and explain why they cost so differently. You will also know the factors that affect their prices so you can pick the one that suits your budget and needs the most!

How Much Do Surfboards Cost?

In general, manual surfboards of all types can cost as little as $100 or as much as $1500.

The prices will depend on so many different things like what type of that surfboard is, if it’s new or second-hand, the material it is made of, the craftsmanship, and many more.

The most expensive surfboard is the gas-powered surfboard. They can cost up to $18,000. 

If you freak out because of the price and do not want to pay around $1000 for a surfboard, then you can stop worrying. Many more reasonable-priced surfboards can do a good job that costs around a few hundred dollars.  

However, even as a beginner, you should be careful and still pick decent surfboards instead of always going for the cheapest ones on the market. 

In general, beginners can use surfboards that work well enough for them. But experts will need more expensive boards as they might want to learn difficult moves while surfing. 

Besides the cost of the boards themselves, you should never ignore the shipping fees because they might not be so cheap.

Surfboards, especially longboards, are huge. People will need to put considerable effort and time into bringing them to you. 

Depending on your location and the types of boards, shipping fees can cost up to $400. 

Now, if you want to know a little bit more in detail about how much money you need to pay for your wanted surfboards, the next section will give you a clearer idea. 

Different Types of Surfboards and Their Price Ranges

You can’t assume all surfboards will cost the same because they are not. Different types of surfboards come with different price ranges. 

Here are a few common surfboards and their price range:

How Much Do Longboard Surfboards Cost?

Longboards might be the most expensive compared to all other types of surfboards made from the same material and have the same quality.

It is easy to know why they are so expensive – it takes much more material to make and a longer time to shape. 

On average, you can get a longboard from $700 to $1200. Longboards with better quality and craftsmanship can even cost up to $1500. Normally, the ones that cost more usually come with tints and stringers. 

While you are searching for a used longboard to save money, do not be too surprised when even a used one can cost so much. If the longboard is still in good condition, its price will still be pretty high. 

How Much Do Shortboard Surfboards Cost?

In general, shortboards will cost less than longboards. Surfers need to prepare for a new shortboard for $600 or more than $800. This is the price of stock shortboards available for you to buy. 

In case you want to buy the best shortboards out there, you will need to pay an extra amount of money. For example, if you want someone to make a shortboard from a better material or a little bigger-sized than the standard ones, you will need to pay them more. 

How Much Do Hybrid Surfboards Cost?

If you also love to paddle after surfing for a while, hybrid surfboards can do much better than many other boards mentioned in this list. They are also pretty buoyant. 

This surfboard’s price range is around $400 to $800 when you buy them new. 

How Much Do Egg Boards/Funboard Surfboards Cost?

Egg boards, also known as funboards, have similarities with short and longboards. They look like longboards but are around six to eight feet high and have unique features. 

Compared with shortboards, egg boards also have the step-up find. They are also more maneuverable than longboards. 

Usually, you can get an egg board for somewhere around $600 to $1200.

How Much Do Fish Board Surfboards Cost?

The length of fish board surfboards is similar to the shortest egg boards – around six feet. They can use this name as they look like fish with four fins. 

Fish boards can help you to surf or even paddle with the waves. You can also turn around and ride in any type of wave. However, it is not the best experience if you ride it in the big and hollow waves. 

To bring this surfboard home, you will need to pay around $400 to $900 for a new one. Used fish boards can cost differently, but sometimes they might cost only half of the brand-new ones. 

How Much Do Gun Board Surfboards Cost?

There are not as many people who ride gun board surfboards compared to other types of surfboards for one most noticeable reason: Gun boards are most suitable for the professional and the experts who want to master their wave-riding skills at high speed. 

There is no exact length for this surfboard type, but they are normally seven feet or more in length. Their shapes are also unique as both their tail and nose are pointed.

If you are ready to level up your game and conquer the powerful waves out there, you should have around $400 to over $1000 in your pocket. 

You can get one from over $200 to $500 or more for second-hand ones. 

How Much Do Jet Surfboards and Electric Surfboards Cost?

Jet surfboards and electric surfboards will give you exciting experiences. They are like robots and will help you surf and control the ride more easily. 

However, to bring them home, you will need to pay around ten times the price of the expensive manual surfboards. They can cost around $10,000. The ones with excellent quality can even cost up to $15,000. 

How Much Do Gas-Powered Surfboards Cost?

Like jet surfboards, gas-powered surfboards will also give you the thrill while surfing. However, they are even more expensive than the jet ones as they can cost up to $18,000. 

Reasons Why Surfboards Are Expensive

If you are a beginner, you may wonder why a deck with some accessories can cost hundreds of dollars or even more than a grand.

First, the material used for making the surfboards needs to be high quality. You will use them to ride the water, sometimes with large and hollow waves, so the material needs to be good to keep you safe and buoyant. 

Second, to make surfboards, the laborers need to spend a lot of time working with the boards and other accessories. They have to chop it, cut it, and shape it in the way it should be. 

The ones who create surfboards, especially higher standard ones, are the professionals and have gained their skills and experiences in so many years of working. 

So, to make a professional do something for you, you need to pay them reasonably. 

Factors That Affect The Surfboards’ Price

Besides the surfboard types, there are other factors that will determine the cost of a surfboard.

Here is what will directly decide if a surfboard is cheaper or more expensive: 

Materials: Foam or Fiberglass

Soft-top surfboards are made from polystyrene or polyurethane foam and a layer of fiberglass outside of them. These surfboards are cheaper because the material is cheaper and easier to work with. 

If you are a beginner, it is a better idea to choose these surfboards as they are cheaper, more maneuverable, and buoyant. 

Beginners tend to fall off more often while practicing surfing, and this is the reason why soft-top surfboards are safer for them. As the soft-top surfboards have a soft surface, you will have a safer time learning to surf, especially when you fall off. 

On the other hand, surfboards made from fiberglass are more expensive as it is harder to work with them. The workers need to be skilled in order to work with them. 

These are more suitable for experienced riders as they are more maneuverable. Moreover, these surfboards made from fiberglass are also more responsive while the riders facing the waves.

How They Are Made: Hand-Made or Machined-Made

Hand-made surfboards always cost more than those made with machines.

The hand-made ones by the expert will give you a better feel while riding and can have a cooler look.

The Status: Brand-New or Used

Brand-new products cost more than used products in most cases, including surfboards. It is obvious that you will need to pay less for a surfboard if you buy a used one than a brand-new one. 

The price of a used surfboard also depends on whether they are still in good condition, have holes or cracks, look good, etc. 

However, do not always pick surfboards just because they are cheaper.

You should check the board carefully to spot cracks, holes, or dings. If there is any, the board might not be 100% functional, and it will be hard for you to ride it. 

When it comes to the price, it is hard to expect used surfboards to cost at the exact price because it depends so much on the sellers. However, you can expect it to be at least a little bit cheaper than the brand-new ones of the same model. 

Sometimes, people can get good-condition surfboards with only half of the brand-new ones. 

The Size: Big or Small

The biggest factor that affects your surfboard’s price is size. Bigger surfboards always cost more than smaller surfboards, even with the same quality. 

The manufacturers will need to use more foam and fiberglass for bigger boards, and these two materials are not cheap. 

Another reason why bigger-sized surfboards are more expensive is that the workers need to work for a longer time and put more effort into them. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to custom my own surfboard, but does it cost more than a stocked one? 

The answer really depends on how you want the surfboards to be.

In most cases, the price of these two options is quite similar if you just want your custom surfboards to look a little bit different than the ones in stock. 

If you have special needs and want to add all the extra options, the price will be a little bit or much higher. The size of the surfboards all affects the custom price.

The bigger the surfboard you want to custom, the more money you will have to pay. The cost of making a longboard surfboard is unquestionably higher than that of a shortboard.

However, if you really want the add-ons, you should go for them to get the best experiences while surfing.

I am a beginner. What is the most reasonable price I should pay for my surfboard? 

When people just start trying to surf, they don’t know whether they will love the sport after all the challenges. Therefore, the idea of buying the highest-quality and most expensive board can be uncomfortable. 

Fortunately, newbies will not need to invest in the best surfboards in the market like the ones with lower prices can be the better options for them to practice. 

As we mentioned earlier, surfboards made from foam are cheaper and more buoyant. You can start with this one to practice easier. You can invest around $200 to get a foamed one. 

I want to rent a surfboard. How much should the rent cost?

Depending on the surfboards you want to rent, you will need to pay around more than $10 and up to $50 for one day.

Here are the surfboard rent cost based on the time you rent them:

• For one to two hours, the rent is around $10 and $20;
• For up to four hours, the rent is around $20 to $30;
• For a whole day, the rent is around $30 to $50. 

Should I Buy A Smaller Surfboard to Save Money?

Of course No. You should never pick a surfboard type just because of its price.

As we listed earlier, there are many different types of surfboards, and they are suitable for different types of riders. 

A beginner should start with funboard surfboards as it is a step up for a newbie. This surfboard is not as thick as longboards so it is easier to maneuver. 

When you have some experience, you can also try longboard surfboards. They are thicker than funboards but are still maneuverable, durable, and stable. 

Unfortunately, longboard surfboards are the most expensive manual ones. But if you skip it and pick a shortboard, for example, you will have a hard time riding as these are made for the more experienced ones. 

If you want to save money, we have a better idea for you.

• First, you need to determine your level by asking the experts or more experienced surfers.
• After that, you can decide the type of boards that can work best for you based on their advice and your own feelings. 

It is also a good idea to be modest and do not overate your surfing skills as it can result in buying a wrong board or bad surfing experiences.

In case you are still unsure what type of surfboard to buy, you can try some of them first before buying one. Next, you can search for the cheaper options of that type of board and buy one. 

Wrapping Up

Now that you have a clearer vision about how much you should pay for a surfboard and what type of surfboards are better for your level. 

We know that the price does matter, and you do not want to spend too much on too expensive surfboards. However, it is important to determine what type of surfboard you will work best for before buying, instead of just picking the best-priced one.