As my first post, I would like to thank all the people who have took time to post all the detailed tips and hints. Aside the resin fumes, they have saved me numerous headaches and frustration. Hopefully I will be able to return the favor someday…
Onto the board.
I got pretty lucky and picked the attached green HOBIE single fin for just over $200 and am curious to its history and value. I know its probably from the mid-late seventies but besides the HOBIE lams, there are no names or numbers visible. Is the lime green resin tint hiding them? There is a leash plug but I am not sure if it is original, does have what appear to be the original magenta/red/white box fin, which seems to have a really blunt leading edge? Overall the board’s condition is about a 7 out of 10: numerous small dings, a few small rail fractures and no major damage. Anyways, I love the way the old single fins surf and would like to fix all the dings and rail fractures (restoration), however, I am starting to wonder if this might be a serious collectors board? (not that this would prevent me from taking for a spin now and then. Any info or comments would be appreciated.
The big question is…Is it Vintage or is it Retro ???
I learned to surf around 1976 so boards like this are very interesting to me. As a teenager in the 70’s the leash was a new thing. It was quite common to see a hole drilled in the fin for the leash or an “eye hook” type of screw to hold in the fin so that you had some thing to tie your leash to. Boards under 7’ were not very common. I’m hoping to see better photos of your board and I really hope you have a killer Vintage board !!!
The photos aren’t much help. Looks like a stock board in decent shape, for its age.
Stock boards of that era rarely had any writing to denote shaper or dimensions. At best, there might be a serial number. Even a # can be of no use, as many labels didn’t keep real accurate records.
Pictures of the fin box, and laminates, could help narrow down the age.
As far as it being a “serious collector’s board”, not likely. Fix it and ride it.
