'63 Hobie Balsa-9'6"

Anybody have an idea on a fair price for a 1963 Hobie Balsa

Supposed to be in great shape and stored in a garage for the last 40 years or so

Many thanks

fff

Need more info. Photos? Shaper? Provide what you can.

Bill,

That is all I got now

I forgot to add its a triple stringer (redwood) and one owner, bought new in San Clemente back in '63

I have no idea on shaper etc., only what I posted.

I am just looking for general idea - is it $150 or $1,500 or $5,000

I have yet to see it, just heard about it. It is supposed to be mint, near mint,

If anything, I would like to have him put it in a museum on a permanent loan.

That way everyone can enjoy it

fff

As Bill Thrailkill mentions, hard to tell from info you provide.

As a point of reference, I recently sold two Skip Frye longboards - one went for a grand, the other a grand and a half. I was surprised they went for that much.

Considering the above Frye info and the fact that new balsa boards are priced at about three grand at the Infinity shop, I’d say around five grand would be a ballpark range for a vintage balsa Hobie in the condition described - maybe more.

There is a nice looking vintage Hobie (not balsa) on Ebay right now with a “buy it now” price of 3500. Don’t know what price he’ll get but maybe worth tracking to gain perspective on your bord in question…

http://cgi.ebay.com/…3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

As alway, the market determines the price. It’s only worth what someone will pay. Since you are only looking for a ballpark figure (150, 1500, 5000) I’d definitely put it at the high end of those numbers.

HTH

PS - I was tracking another Hobie (restored balsa) but seller took it off auction early with no bids. I never contacted him for details but you might see if he received an offer he couldn’t refuse…

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HOBIE-BALSA-WOOD-SURFBOARD-LONGBOARD-1950S_W0QQitemZ7232368486QQcategoryZ114252QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the ebay links

the one that pulled the auction had a question on his page that said a similar one went for 4k and he had his limit at $1,600

so…

It is a good friend of one of my buds who has had this board from day one -

If I get any more info/photos etc., I will post

Otherwise thanks for your time and info on this subject

from landlocked vegas,

fff

Hi Flipflopfrank -

I just rechecked the auction and saw the mention of the “No name” restored balsa going for 4000 at auction recently. I’m thinking the fact that your board in question is a brand name Hobie and near mint/ unrestored puts it in a different league.

An auction house is a strange place to buy anything. The hysteria and fast pace induced by the auctioneer puts people on edge and may initiate higher price bidding than a more sedate situation where someone has the time to “think it over.” Also, the auction house takes a percentage of any proceeds.

Anyway, for now I’ll stand by my 5 grand plus estimate.

So it would be better karma to have him donate it or perm. loan to a museum (san clemente comes to mind, only since he bought it there, not to get a pissing match going between SCruz/HB/etc.) than to stick it on my or my buds wall?

Thanks again for your estimate, the above ? is rhetorical only

fff

Anybody have an idea on a fair price for a 1963 Hobie Balsa

Supposed to be in great shape and stored in a garage for the last 40 years or so

Many thanks

fff

Need more info. Photos? Shaper? Provide what you can.

Bill,

That is all I got now

I forgot to add its a triple stringer (redwood) and one owner, bought new in San Clemente back in '63

I have no idea on shaper etc., only what I posted.

I am just looking for general idea - is it $150 or $1,500 or $5,000

I have yet to see it, just heard about it. It is supposed to be mint, near mint,

If anything, I would like to have him put it in a museum on a permanent loan.

That way everyone can enjoy it

fff

As Bill Thrailkill mentions, hard to tell from info you provide.

As a point of reference, I recently sold two Skip Frye longboards - one went for a grand, the other a grand and a half. I was surprised they went for that much.

Considering the above Frye info and the fact that new balsa boards are priced at about three grand at the Infinity shop, I’d say around five grand would be a ballpark range for a vintage balsa Hobie in the condition described - maybe more.

There is a nice looking vintage Hobie (not balsa) on Ebay right now with a “buy it now” price of 3500. Don’t know what price he’ll get but maybe worth tracking to gain perspective on your bord in question…

http://cgi.ebay.com/…3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

As alway, the market determines the price. It’s only worth what someone will pay. Since you are only looking for a ballpark figure (150, 1500, 5000) I’d definitely put it at the high end of those numbers.

HTH

PS - I was tracking another Hobie (restored balsa) but seller took it off auction early with no bids. I never contacted him for details but you might see if he received an offer he couldn’t refuse…

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-HOBIE-BALSA-WOOD-SURFBOARD-LONGBOARD-1950S_W0QQitemZ7232368486QQcategoryZ114252QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks for the ebay links

the one that pulled the auction had a question on his page that said a similar one went for 4k and he had his limit at $1,600

so…

It is a good friend of one of my buds who has had this board from day one -

If I get any more info/photos etc., I will post

Otherwise thanks for your time and info on this subject

from landlocked vegas,

fff

Hi Flipflopfrank -

I just rechecked the auction and saw the mention of the “No name” restored balsa going for 4000 at auction recently. I’m thinking the fact that your board in question is a brand name Hobie and near mint/ unrestored puts it in a different league.

An auction house is a strange place to buy anything. The hysteria and fast pace induced by the auctioneer puts people on edge and may initiate higher price bidding than a more sedate situation where someone has the time to “think it over.” Also, the auction house takes a percentage of any proceeds.

Anyway, for now I’ll stand by my 5 grand plus estimate.

So it would be better karma to have him donate it or perm. loan to a museum (san clemente comes to mind, only since he bought it there, not to get a pissing match going between SCruz/HB/etc.) than to stick it on my or my buds wall?

Thanks again for your estimate, the above ? is rhetorical only

fff

A 1963 HOBIE Balsa may be one of the last few produced. Take it to the San Clemente Surfers Heritage Foundation, talk to Tom Pezman,and get a possible value. Then donate, for the tax deduction, or put it on loan. Sounds like it’s something that many people would enjoy seeing. Me among them.

Quote:

A 1963 HOBIE Balsa may be one of the last few produced. Sounds like it’s something that many people would enjoy seeing. Me among them.

$5000.00 is a starting point. Man, would i love to see that one. Keep it. loan it for public view.Move slow grass hopper

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Name Email [/url]

1960, Hobie, Curved Stringer

Hobie made this unique board for his friend Chuck Quinn for $105. These curved-stringers boards were most difficult to produce and get the wood stringers to line up on both sides. Very few were ever made. We have the original receipt and a long letter describing the entire event to Chuck. [/url]

1960, Hobie, Curved Stringer

Hobie made this unique board for his friend Chuck Quinn for $105. These curved-stringers boards were most difficult to produce and get the wood stringers to line up on both sides. Very few were ever made. We have the original receipt and a long letter describing the entire event to Chuck. [/url]

Circa 1963, Hobie 2-Piece (Suitcase) Board

The Suitcase Board. In the early 1960’s, boards of this era were normally 9’ to 11’ long and airplanes of those days did not have freight compartments large enough for them. As a result, boards that came apart in 2 or 3 sections were experimented with, and the "suitcase " board was born. This is a classic example. However, after making only 4 or 5 of these boards, Hobie gave it up as new and larger planes came into service that could handle these lengths. [/url]

Circa 1965, Hobie, Gary Proper Model Noserider

This board has never been in the water and is a classic example of one of Hobie’s most popular model boards made for Gary Proper. This was an East Coast design, for small waves and nose riding. An example of the early use of colored high-density foam and one of the first removable fins. [/url]

1965, Hobie, 10’ 8” Concave Gun

This unique concave gun was made for team rider “Butch” VanArtsdalen by Ralph Parker. Butch rode this board at the Pipeline and Waimea bay during the mid 1960’s. During this period of big wave riding, long (11’) and heavy (double redwood stringers) was the accepted norm. The concave bottom was thought to release the water faster off the bottom. [/url]

1966, Hobie, Brewer Hawaii Model Gun

Dick Brewer was considered one of the best big wave shapers on the north shore of Hawaii from 1960 to 2000. He joined with Hobie in making a special model gun in a small workshop in Haleiwa, where this board was made for team rider Buzzy Trent. It was glassed by Bosco Burns. Home / The Foundation / Events / Contact / Founding Partners

Board Registry: Registry Index / 1920’s / 1930’s / 1940’s / 1950’s / 1960’s

Bob Cooper Collection

Thanks again for everyone’s help. I was told he is not interested in selling - quite a pack rat - but am trying to push for a loan to the museum.

One last item, after seeing the 1960 chuck quinn for $105 - I was told that $150 was paid in '63 for the board.

Anyway, thanks again to all - If I get anymore info, (gets to a museum etc.) I will post, otherwise, later for now

fff

Frank,

Well, I didn’t have time to check it at work. I’m home and am really stoked to hear about it. I’ve give you a call from the office tomorrow.

Crazy man, Crazy! (trying to sound like a beatnick)

Ry