I'm wondering if anyone has good or bad words about the 2012 SB Pro 9'1"???
I've got the opportunity to get one at a good price, but interested in any reviews.
I'm 80 kg (if i havent been on the sauce!), 6'1" and am surfing a 9'8" Cabrinha on westernport (Pines), and occasionally Big Left and Waratah Bay in Victoria. Once or twice a year west coast (like next weekend Anglesea). By no means a gun but am surfing that one reasonably well now, and its feeling like I am really having to crank it on the back foot to get it to carve vaguely near what i want.
Love to get some thoughts on the SB Pro 9'1"...
Mate I am not sure about that particular board but I can say the Starboard range is bloody awesome. I have had a 9-5 widepoint which is up for sale at the moment and now have the carbon 8-10 wide point. The quality of construction is incredible and the boards are just bloody well made. I would grab it, if it floated me (Im a slightly more 'powerful' build :) )
I,m 90kg and paddled it at Maui. Its a great fast board with a pretty thin tail that holds in fast hollow waves imo better as the 8.5pro 2012.
Its can be very turny but it took me a while to find out how to turn it tight and keeping up speed as it was for me more critical to the rightposition foot placement as the 8.5.
For me the 8.5 was an easier board in most conditions except bigger days and the few barrels I got, but i,m not that used to fast pacific waves coming from Holland where we ride mot of the time hip/shoulderhigh slow mushy windwaves.
Hey AB, I'm 90-92 kg and abt 5'10", I had a couple of demo sessions on a 2011 9/1 SB Carbon Pro at The Pass (Byron) in hip to shoulder clean and fun size waves, then I bought a new 2013 9/0 SB Carbon Pro. My decision was based on being able to travel abroad, preferably with one board that suits hip to double head high conditions... and it fits the bill perfectly! Your weight would also suit the 8/5 and 8/0 Pro, providing your prepared grow into it? I'm not familiar with your local breaks or skill level but if the 9/1 suits your budget, I don't believe you would regret buying it. The 9/0 is responsive and sure footed so you can carve and pull into "waves of consequence" with increased confidence ;-)
Cheers
Gosup!
G'day
I have the 2012 9'1" pro and it goes really well in anything over 2-3ft, as it needs a bit of speed. Having said that, you can nose ride it pretty easily too. I have ridden it in solid 6ft surf and can't make it spin out on bottom turns, and that's with a 6" tail fin rather than the 190mm fin that comes with it (too big IMO). Really stable, paddles well. Projects beautifully out of bottom turns when it's over 3ft.
I also have the 8'5" and it's a very different board to the 9'1" - much better in smaller waves though a bit skittish when its bigger, though that might be me being used to the 9'1". Way better to punch through waves on and only a little less stable, particularly in chop/wind.
I'm 6'4" and 87kg and both boards are fine for me.
Grab it I reckon.
