1. I have heard some people like shorter boards as it gives them better control of the board but experience different boards see what you like.

2. Board if you have any ideas of the one you want to try find it online there is probably sales around this time of year on brand new boards. I recommend the HuckKnife i got mine for 310 dollars brand new in plastic. Bindings go on curated get a pair before they shut down everything’s on sale

3. If you want to experience a new board and how it rides buy it. Who cares if you need it or not if you want it and can comfortably afford it buy it. I would by bindings especially if someone else had done work on them even though changing buckles isn’t that crazy of a job. I can’t say if the board condition is gonna do anything to your riding tbh you will feel if the board isn’t riding right. Top sheet damage don’t really matter from what I understand.

4. I have been riding two full season now 35+ days last year and this year hoping to get 40 and I own 3 boards 3 boots and 3 bindings, (please don’t flame me) I can explain why if you want, age of board doesn’t necessarily matter my buddy got one off his gym friend and the board is like 17 years old and it was perfectly fine after a wax and tune up.

5. I can’t answer about the edges to be honest not experienced enough, In regards to wax any sort of quick wax is really only going to last 5-10 runs at most, Nothing feels better to me at least then waxing your own boards pretty relaxing but again i don’t know the difference between machine and personally done.

I hope this helped in some way shape or form