factory blemish boards

tprkolbas · Outlaw Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 184 City: white lake

i have had all around bad luck with boards this year (1st one broke, 2nd was lost/stolen) and i am force to buy a 3rd, but i can't go crazy on the price - $350 for board & binding setup.

i'm looking at a 2006 o'brien natural 139 with argon bindings for that price, but it has a factory blemish. i've read great reviews on both the board & bindings, but with the blemish, what should i expect?

can anyone give me the scoop on new boards discounted because of factory blemishes?

is it only cosmetic?

are they junk?

does a blemish affect the way the board rides?

any information would be greatly appreciated, but please, i'm not interested in buying your used board, so please don't give me a sales pitch.

thanks

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

its only cosmetic, usually very minor and sometimes unnoticeable. some blemished boards are cool like they mix up graphics so a 3ds may have premier graphics on it.

Damon · Posted: Sep 05, 2006 10:35 pm Post subject:

Blemishes usually have a dent or ding in the topsheet from the presses, it won't effect anything.

Is this an online thing? If you can get it from a shop that would be awesome, atleast you know what to expect.

dmb · Posted: Sep 05, 2006 11:39 pm Post subject:

"Blemished" gets bandied around a lot nowadays, you can't be sure what to expect unless you see it... Some might say "Blemished" means a bit of discolourating on the graphics, whilst some will say it's "Blemished" if the molded fins are worn out, and the fin holes are drilled wrong...

andy mogg · Posted: Sep 06, 2006 2:36 am Post subject:

Don´t know if you want to go with O´brien, but if you would consider a Hyperlite, then call Grizzly(RV) at www.grizzly-sports.com. Our club has ordered "Blems" or "seconds" as well as last years models on several occasions. Sometimes we spent all day looking at the board trying to figure out what is wrong with it. He also makes really good deals.

Andy

barelfly · Outlaw Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 153 City: alb

I'll second Grizzly sports. I picked up a 3DS from them (first quality) but my buddy bought a 140 State from them and got it last week. it was a factory blem, we couldn't find a mark on it. He got it for a great price too. To get the package, he picked up some 2005 Parks bindings for cheap. In all, I think he paid $350 or so. That's right where you wanted to be.

Jeremy

dirtysparks · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2428

tprkolbas, Where are you finding a natural and argons for $350? Let me know, I'll order a natty and tell you what it looks like for that price....

jjakober · Posted: Sep 06, 2006 6:23 am Post subject:

O'Brien blems are only cosmetic. They won't sell a board if it is damaged in a way that will affect its performance.

That's a sweet deal for the Natural/Argons. I would jump on it!

Later,
jjakober

tprkolbas · Outlaw Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 184 City: white lake

thanks everyone for the info - it made my decision clear.

dirtysparks, i'll get you that website when i get back to my home computer where i have it bookmarked.

tprkolbas · Outlaw Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 184 City: white lake

here's the site offering the factory blemish natural 139 w/ argon bindings:

http://www.ridewatersports.com/20ona139wa3.html

i ordered mine today

tprkolbas · Outlaw Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 184 City: white lake

i got the board today and can only find the smallest mark (about 1/2 a cm) on one of the molded fins. whoopty do. a natural with argon bindings for 350 bones - you can't go wrong. i saved $320 !