hi Folks,
from your reviews it seems 14x28 '16 SB allstar is a very DW oriented board. But how would you rate it in flatwater, and in other conditions (choppy, upwind)?
I sold my Glide 14 Mk 2 (too unstable in not lineup or big days for a 80kg DW newbee, and too rockered for upwind) and wanted to replace it with Glide 14x29 GTW, but it's not available in Europe 
how the new 14x28 allstar would compare with the glide 14x29 as an all arounder? (Not that I have paddled the 14x29 glide, but from the reviews and comparisons to the 2012 Glide 14x27 I can figure out)
Unfortunately no chances of demoing boards in Spain, even less in DW conditions, so the seabreeze and standupzone forums is the only guide in buying
thanks for any help and good 2016 season!
Marc
I've either paddled or owned all these boards.. The new 14x28" would be an excellent all round flat water.. downwind.. and touring board.. I have two friends with this board and they love it..
Another option is a new board that I've fallen in love with.. The new 12'x30" Naish Touring board.. It's so much cheaper than the others and I was impressed with its flat water performance and yesterday I took it on a downwinder and it was great.. it's like a pocket version of the new Maliko Jav but very stable.
Select to expand quoteMarcCSup said..
hi Folks,
from your reviews it seems 14x28 '16 SB allstar is a very DW oriented board. But how would you rate it in flatwater, and in other conditions (choppy, upwind)?
I sold my Glide 14 Mk 2 (too unstable in not lineup or big days for a 80kg DW newbee, and too rockered for upwind) and wanted to replace it with Glide 14x29 GTW, but it's not available in Europe
how the new 14x28 allstar would compare with the glide 14x29 as an all arounder? (Not that I have paddled the 14x29 glide, but from the reviews and comparisons to the 2012 Glide 14x27 I can figure out)
Unfortunately no chances of demoing boards in Spain, even less in DW conditions, so the seabreeze and standupzone forums is the only guide in buying
thanks for any help and good 2016 season!
Marc
You sold a Mk2 Glide ......one of the best DW boards going.
Select to expand quoteSlab said...MarcCSup said..
hi Folks,
from your reviews it seems 14x28 '16 SB allstar is a very DW oriented board. But how would you rate it in flatwater, and in other conditions (choppy, upwind)?
I sold my Glide 14 Mk 2 (too unstable in not lineup or big days for a 80kg DW newbee, and too rockered for upwind) and wanted to replace it with Glide 14x29 GTW, but it's not available in Europe
how the new 14x28 allstar would compare with the glide 14x29 as an all arounder? (Not that I have paddled the 14x29 glide, but from the reviews and comparisons to the 2012 Glide 14x27 I can figure out)
Unfortunately no chances of demoing boards in Spain, even less in DW conditions, so the seabreeze and standupzone forums is the only guide in buying
thanks for any help and good 2016 season!
Marc
You sold a Mk2 Glide ......one of the best DW boards going.
Yeah. It's good upwind too. But I know what the OP is talking about. The Glide V2 isn't really a board for people starting out in DW. Unless maybe you are very light, anyway. And it gets a bit caught out by confused conditions sometimes. Not often though. The rest of the time it's probably still one of the fastest DW boards out there, if you have a bit of experience.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
I've either paddled or owned all these boards.. The new 14x28" would be an excellent all round flat water.. downwind.. and touring board.. I have two friends with this board and they love it..
Another option is a new board that I've fallen in love with.. The new 12'x30" Naish Touring board.. It's so much cheaper than the others and I was impressed with its flat water performance and yesterday I took it on a downwinder and it was great.. it's like a pocket version of the new Maliko Jav but very stable.
DJ,
thanks for your feedback, I was hoping you'd answer, since you are a fan of the 14x29 Glide (and Glide V2, of course), so your positive feedback counts a lot.
Re: the 12x30 naish touring, I considered in the past one such board (old 2010 12 Glide, SB 12'2 freeride) but as a 2nd board. Now that I'm going to commit to the single board solution I'd rather go 14'
Area10 and slab, I enjoyed the Glide V2 twice, in good 20 kts lined up DW conditions (I thought I had found THE board, I also bought it 2nd hand). But I "suffered" it in some bigger days, and several days with inconsistent winds and cross swell. And having owned a flat rockered Hobie, I missed punching through chop upwind when cruising in non DW days.
After all, I don't get the chance of DW more than 4 days a season, and 2 of them will be poor conditions. Many more days of flat water or choppy on the bay. So the Glide V2 was not THE board for me.
Regarding upwind an crosswind abilities: Anyone could comment how the high volume and rails in the all star nose handle cross and upwind conditions?
thanks to all!
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Select to expand quoterobon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Just stand more forward [on the Glide] and get the nose to sit very low for better upwind performance.
Re the new Allstar IMO the 27 would be the better allrounder.. but I prefer the 28.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..robon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Just stand more forward [on the Glide] and get the nose to sit very low for better upwind performance.
Re the new Allstar IMO the 27 would be the better allrounder.. but I prefer the 28.
How does the 2016 x28 Allstar compare to the Jav you usually DW on DJ?
Select to expand quoteSlab said..DavidJohn said..robon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Just stand more forward [on the Glide] and get the nose to sit very low for better upwind performance.
Re the new Allstar IMO the 27 would be the better allrounder.. but I prefer the 28.
How does the 2016 x28 Allstar compare to the Jav you usually DW on DJ?
IMO the 28" wide Jav is slightly more stable.. and possably faster.. but slightly more technical to paddle..
The new 28" wide Allstar would be more suited to an inexperienced DW paddler and a better choice in really windy and rough water conditions..
Well done Starboard. Having both 27" and 28" wide 14ft hybrid boards (ie. the All Star), with one tuned more for flat water and the other tuned more for downwind/open ocean is a really smart move IMO. These deserve to sell well because they will meet the varied needs of a lot of people.
Select to expand quoteSlab said..DavidJohn said..robon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Just stand more forward [on the Glide] and get the nose to sit very low for better upwind performance.
Re the new Allstar IMO the 27 would be the better allrounder.. but I prefer the 28.
How does the 2016 x28 Allstar compare to the Jav you usually DW on DJ?
Going up wind I stand with my feet right at the front of the handle and sometimes I'm standing ahead of the handle. It helps but I find it a bit of a compromise to be that far ahead being 200 pounds plus in rough water. I would really like to demo the Allstar 27 & 28 to check out the differences in mixed conditions.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..robon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Just stand more forward [on the Glide] and get the nose to sit very low for better upwind performance.
Re the new Allstar IMO the 27 would be the better allrounder.. but I prefer the 28.
Hey DJ, the litres seem to be quite varied. Compared to naish in similar sizes to SB there is around 30 to 40 litres difference. Do you think this makes much difference in performance?
Select to expand quotewindara said...DavidJohn said..robon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
Just stand more forward [on the Glide] and get the nose to sit very low for better upwind performance.
Re the new Allstar IMO the 27 would be the better allrounder.. but I prefer the 28.
Hey DJ, the litres seem to be quite varied. Compared to naish in similar sizes to SB there is around 30 to 40 litres difference. Do you think this makes much difference in performance?
The Naish boards are often thinner in the standing area especially the tail giving a more surfy feel and if you're at the lighter end of the weight range for the board this is great but if your at the other end of the weight range (like me) I would rather a thicker board.. Thicker means not only stiffer and stronger but more importantly less water on the deck and washing over the tail.. Being an ex windsurfer I know how hard it is to get a board going while there's water wrapping the rails and the minute water stops wrapping you can feel the sudden acceleration.. There's a fine line between catching a runner and not and I think a lot of the time when not it's because of not being able to get water release along the rail.. So personally I'm all for slightly thicker boards for flat water and downwinding.. The one noticable change that Naish made between the 2015 Jav and the 2016 Jav is that they made the tail slightly thicker so I'm thinking they're onto it.. 
How tough are the 2016 carbon Starboards? I understand that previously the Allstar was quite fragile.
Select to expand quoteSlab said..
How tough are the 2016 carbon Starboards? I understand that previously the Allstar was quite fragile.
Any view? Thanks
Select to expand quoteSlab said...Slab said..
How tough are the 2016 carbon Starboards? I understand that previously the Allstar was quite fragile.
Any view? Thanks
From what I've seen of friends new Starboard 2016 carbon boards they defiantly do appear to be stronger but it's hard to know for sure until one of them gets a ding.
Select to expand quoterobon said..
I was wondering if anyone has compared the 27" vs 28" wide AllStar? I've read that the 27" version is still very stable and good in DW conditions, but the nose profile is a bit slimmed down compared to the very bulbous 28, so it may be a bit better upwind and on the flats. If this is true, then the 27 might be the better all around board for those who are paddling in a wider variety of conditions.
I have the 14' x 29" Glide and while it is very good in a variety of conditions, you wouldn't want more rocker than this for paddling upwind. There is a good amount of rocker on the nose and if I had to nit pick a weakness, it's upwind paddling. There is a lot of nose slap until swell and waves get around that 2 foot high mark, and then the nose starts to poke through.
I have paddled the 27 and 28 back-to-back, admittedly only for about 20mins each at a demo day but in wind-affected, knee-high slop ( about 15knots) and they both feel good but for different reasons. They both represent significant improvements over the 2014 and 2015 allstars IMO. I'm very heavy at 125kg or so, so I felt the benefit of the little bit extra volume and thickness in the 27 (the 27 was in hybrid carbon, the 28 was in carbon sandwich). To me the 27 felt a bit more punchy and harder rails felt a bit more bitey especially in cross chop, It held its edges very well. The nose treatment is a lot softer than the 2014 & 15 allstars, with that and the little but flatter rocker than the 28 it punches well going upwind without steering off the nose so much. Also picked up little runners a bit easier for me. Great board IMO. The 28 is definitely softer in the rails and you can feel it, and not so punchy upwind. Certainly more DW tuned. It also flexed under me a bit but that be to do with the lighter construction (and I am a fat b*stard, lighter riders prob wouldn't notice). It's not a slug on the flat by any means but definitely more DW oriented.
FWIW I don't DW very often, I paddle more on the flat and in wind-affected slop so of the two I'd lean toward the 27 (and it would DW better than OK). If you're a frequent downwinder and not so fussed about flat water performance go the 28.
For the OP - another board or two to look at might be the Lahui Kai 14x27 or the DC/NSP boards if you have access to them where you are.
Select to expand quoteSlab said..
How tough are the 2016 carbon Starboards? I understand that previously the Allstar was quite fragile.
Back in 2011-2013, I found the carbon fibre boards from Starboard were quite prone to dings and I was forever taking my boards to my local shaper for repairs or else fixing them myself. Since they went to the blue finish, the strength of the boards has improved markedly. I have only done one ding repair in the last 3 years, and that was due to a boat hitting the nose of my board quite hard in a 40 knot gale, creating a hole the size of a finger nail.
I’m curious how those All-star large chines make the board ride. Do the rockered chines help the board turn? Does the board turn more from the center (rather than the tail)?
