Isthmus Sailboards: Out of Business Since 2009 – Where to Find Used Gear

Isthmus Sailboards ceased operations in 2009. The California-based brand (founded 1970s, known for early short-board innovation and the iconic "Rat" model) is no longer manufacturing. New boards are unavailable from the source.

Where to Find Used Isthmus Boards Today

• Windsurfing forums: iWindsurf.com classifieds, Seabreeze.com.au, Windsurfing UK forums.
• General marketplaces: eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace (search "Isthmus windsurfer").
• Local shops: Coastal windsurf shops (San Francisco Bay, San Diego, Hatteras, Cape Cod) occasionally take trade-ins.
• Club swap meets: Regional windsurfing associations' annual gear swaps.

What to Look For

• Models: Rat, Rat II, Comp, Comp II, Freeride, Slalom (1980s–2000s).
• Construction: Early epoxy sandwich; later ASA skin. Check for delamination, mast-track pull-out, footstrap insert corrosion.
• Fin boxes: Mostly US Box; some Power Box on later models.

Modern Alternatives

For comparable freeride/wave boards, consider current brands: Starboard, JP Australia, Fanatic, RRD, Naish, Severne. Demo days at local shops are the best way to match volume/width to your weight/skill.

If you're chasing nostalgia, a mint Isthmus Rat is a collector's piece. For riding, modern shapes plane earlier, jibe easier, and last longer.