In the collectable surfboard world the argument about what is vintage always circulates around. People use all manner of cut off marks: when computer shapes took over, when FCS assumed market share (a criteria I've used before), and when surfboards became mass-consumed. The last one is hard to pin a date on but it highlights what collectors are after. Something rare and something that's had care and effort put into it.

However, rather than relying on arbitrary concepts, eBay have a fixed definition for vintage: anything over 25 years falls into that category. Meaning 1990 is currently the cut off. Gonna be intersting when the disposable, single layer, pro finish boards of the 90s become vintage - if any have survived, that is.

It's not a matter that I concern myself with on the Board Bazaar, 'cos while most of the boards I describe in this sometimes-monthly column are older than 25 years some of them aren't. For example see the Brewer, Mackie, and Campbell Brothers Bonzer below. All classics - well, maybe not the Tuflite Brewer, read on - but all made within the last few years.

And with that, here's this month's Board Bazaar and the aforementioned Tuflite...

There's more to a board than a logo, even if that logo is one of the most famous in the surfing world - the plumeria lei motif by Dick Brewer. The problem for this seller was the logo was atop a Tuflite and the only thing matching a Tuflite's durability is its depreciation. This 6'10" Brewer went for sale three times at $160 over the month and still remained unsold. When people ask what the value of handshaped boards are the answer is both metaphorical and, as this case shows, literal. If you buy classic labels on funky constructions dont expect any resale.

There must be lots of dusty, black-waxed fishes sitting down the end of board racks around the country, 'cos considering the how popular they are very few end up on the second hand maket. Even fewer are those made by one of the masters, Mick Mackie. This 6'0" x 22" fish sports one of Mackie's appropriations from snowboarding, the sidecut, along with fixed keel fins and of course the mandatory fat arse swallow tail. Condition is 8/10 and 5 bids took it to just $408. A straight up bargain considering price and rarity.
 

Each month I say I'm not gonna include another McCoy and each month...well, here I am. But then who could say no to this seizure-inducing spray? Except an epileptic maybe...It's got the classic early Zap outline, fine spray, and it's in great nick. Shame it's not shaped by Geoff, the sig says 'Skip' which is Skip Rietfeldt from California. As expected there was lotsa interest with 27 bids taking it to $1,675. A hearty sum but not when compared to the rereleased Lazor Zaps soon to hit the market; modelled off the very first Zap they'll retail for $7,000 each. Geoff has already sold two.

Dirty bird and stinging nipples! It's the Kentucky Fried coolite that many a middle-aged surfer rode back in the 70s, some of whom, such as Tom Carroll, went on to great success. KFC sold more than 100,000 of these between 1973 and 1975, the price was $5 with a bucket of chicken. Hard to believe this fragile slab of foam has lasted 40 years yet it has, and it also attracted 12 bids on eBay and sold for a finger-lickin' $149.50...yeah sorry. Worth noting that these days Tom Carroll sells his own fast food free coolites.
 

A philosophical question of sorts! During the shortboard revolution when boards were shrinking, old longboards were cut down and reglassed: are those cut down boards worth anything? Let's have a look. This board is an authentic example of improvisation from around '68-'69. It's had the tail cut off, fin knocked out and reset, and the nose has been shaped toward a point and glassed. It's important in its own way, but what is it worth? The seller listed it three times on eBay at $200 and didn't have a single bite...and therein lies your answer.

Not long after the shortboard revolution, and just before KFC made their coolites, the Campbell brothers released their first Bonzer which was the first three fin surfboard. It's a design they've persisted with though it's developed over the years. Even though Malcolm Campbell does the odd tour to Oz, second hard bonzers are harder to find than Mackie sidecuts. Escpecially one in as good condition as this: 9/10 condition and great colouring. 7 bids took it to $525 which, again, is a great price. If the buyers name is 'Mick' then he can treat the board as new.

"It's been dropped too many times to be used in the surf, too many cracks probably beyond repair," says the seller but his brutal honesty is unnecessary. Surveying this Bob Brown single fin I'm just not seeing the terminal damage he describes. In fact it's way better than most other boards of this vintage. Design-wise it's got a lovely planshape and layered fin but the dominant feature is the coconut palm spray; slightly ruduimentary but oh-so kitsch. An active 23 bids took it to a healthy $394 and I'll bet no-one was more surprised than the seller.

Here we have a fine example of an early 70s twin fin as produced by Keyo surfboards. The seller claims they have all the info regarding provenance, shaper, year etc yet no-one took them up on the offer to ask questions. Lotta faith shown. The legrope plug must be a late add on as leggies only appeared around '74 and this board would date 1970. Maybe it could be removed to return it to original condition. The overall condition is great with a swirly resin tint finish to boot. 12 bids took it to $478 which is a fitting price for a well loved 45-year old board.

In the 80s it wasn't enough to have your logo adorned in neon and fluro, it also had to be BIG. Big enough to see from the other end of the beach. Big enough to see in magazines. This 6'6" Hot Stuff fits the oversized bill with logo from beak to torso. Not much else going on spray-wise but it's got a fine planshape and sits in OK nick. Would look great in the board rack or for the odd summer-time cruise. Not sure of the shaper - Neal Purchase or Gil Glover perhaps? Best of all was the 'Buy It Now' price of $60, which meant it got snapped up awful fast - as it should.

Back to the 70s and proportionate logos. This one sits atop a recently restored Barry Bennett 7'1" singley. A fine resto too, assuming you're not philsophically opposed to such things. The work is barely noticeable and the seller uploaded plenty of photos as proof. The Pine Lime Splice colouring is also on point. Speaking of points: with sharp nose and pulled pin tail it more resembles a spear than surfboard. If you were looking for a classic single shape you could do worse. A lone bidder bought it for $500 and hopefully made the resto work worthwhile.