FAQ
Questions, answered.
The short version of how Board Rats works. Still stuck? Drop us a line.
Is it really free?
Reading the forum is free for everyone, always — no account needed. Posting is free too: make an account and you're in. Free accounts see a few ads; $5 a month turns them off.
What happens on July 1?
Founding membership closed. Everyone who joined before then is grandfathered for life: free posting, no ads, and a founding badge. New members join free as a Shore Rat and see a few ads, or become a Point Rat for $5 a month to go ad-free. The date doesn't reopen.
Do I have to pay to read?
No. Every public thread is readable without an account or payment. An account is only for posting, replying, and the classifieds — all free.
How do I post?
Join (pick a handle and a password), and you can post right away — usually under a minute. Your account also signs you into the forum automatically.
Are there ads?
Shore Rats (the free tier) and logged-out readers see a few ads — that's what keeps reading and posting free. Point Rats ($5 a month) and Founding Rats never do.
Who runs Board Rats?
One surfer, through WP Hatch, Inc. — no investors and no plan to sell. It stays community-run, paid by memberships and a few honest ads.
Can I sell a board here?
Yes, in the classifieds — by owner. It is for surfers selling their own gear, not vendors. Shapers and shops will get their own space in the directory.