I'm interested to know if anyone has had the chance to test these boards and give a report. Similar riding style, versatility and maneuverability in small to medium-sized, imperfect waves.
Select to expand quoteECUVOL said..
I'm interested to know if anyone has had the chance to test these boards and give a report. Similar riding style, versatility and maneuverability in small to medium-sized, imperfect waves.
Hi,
I've had the 8'3 Twin fin for a few months now and wrote a brief report about it earlier. A few weeks ago I also decided to buy the 8'5 B-Line Twin, because obviously I have nothing better to do, and have since surfed it on six days, in San Diego waves ranging from about two feet to about overhead. They are both really good boards. I will start with the similarities - they're both really, really fast and really, really fun. As goes the difference: the Starboard has a notable flex that propels you out of bottom turns whereas the Infinity is a fair bit stiffer. The Infinity, even though it's seven liters lighter, is also an inch wider and definitely feels more stable and a bit more grounded. The Starboard will just hook in a wave face whereas the Infinity will slide out a bit at the tail with strong waves; mind you I haven't put in the trailer fin (in either board) which may remedy that. The Starboard is best for fast sweeping lines, whereas the Infinity will just attack the lip over and over again. If I had to choose one for fun and ease of use I'd probably take the Infinity.
Construction for both is excellent. I gave the Starboard a nasty paddle whack, which left a dent on the deck; over a few days it just disappeared, Christine-like, and now looks like new again. The Infinity is gorgeous and pretty tough, but the leash positioning and the shape of the "jet tail" means that you will grind the paint off the edge of the tail quickly.
I have only been on the Smik Hipster Twin once. Liked it, but didn't like it enough to buy it. Most people rate it though.
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Select to expand quoteSoCalYokel said..ECUVOL said..
I'm interested to know if anyone has had the chance to test these boards and give a report. Similar riding style, versatility and maneuverability in small to medium-sized, imperfect waves.
Hi,
I've had the 8'3 Twin fin for a few months now and wrote a brief report about it earlier. A few weeks ago I also decided to buy the 8'5 B-Line Twin, because obviously I have nothing better to do, and have since surfed it on six days, in San Diego waves ranging from about two feet to about overhead. They are both really good boards. I will start with the similarities - they're both really, really fast and really, really fun. As goes the difference: the Starboard has a notable flex that propels you out of bottom turns whereas the Infinity is a fair bit stiffer. The Infinity, even though it's seven liters lighter, is also an inch wider and definitely feels more stable and a bit more grounded. The Starboard will just hook in a wave face whereas the Infinity will slide out a bit at the tail with strong waves; mind you I haven't put in the trailer fin (in either board) which may remedy that. The Starboard is best for fast sweeping lines, whereas the Infinity will just attack the lip over and over again. If I had to choose one for fun and ease of use I'd probably take the Infinity.
Construction for both is excellent. I gave the Starboard a nasty paddle whack, which left a dent on the deck; over a few days it just disappeared, Christine-like, and now looks like new again. The Infinity is gorgeous and pretty tough, but the leash positioning and the shape of the "jet tail" means that you will grind the paint off the edge of the tail quickly.
I have only been on the Smik Hipster Twin once. Liked it, but didn't like it enough to buy it. Most people rate it though.
Thank you SoCalYokel,
It is a great feedback, very detailled, really what I was hoping for and maybe for many others!
Select to expand quotejvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.
Select to expand quoteECUVOL said..SoCalYokel said..ECUVOL said..
I'm interested to know if anyone has had the chance to test these boards and give a report. Similar riding style, versatility and maneuverability in small to medium-sized, imperfect waves.
Hi,
I've had the 8'3 Twin fin for a few months now and wrote a brief report about it earlier. A few weeks ago I also decided to buy the 8'5 B-Line Twin, because obviously I have nothing better to do, and have since surfed it on six days, in San Diego waves ranging from about two feet to about overhead. They are both really good boards. I will start with the similarities - they're both really, really fast and really, really fun. As goes the difference: the Starboard has a notable flex that propels you out of bottom turns whereas the Infinity is a fair bit stiffer. The Infinity, even though it's seven liters lighter, is also an inch wider and definitely feels more stable and a bit more grounded. The Starboard will just hook in a wave face whereas the Infinity will slide out a bit at the tail with strong waves; mind you I haven't put in the trailer fin (in either board) which may remedy that. The Starboard is best for fast sweeping lines, whereas the Infinity will just attack the lip over and over again. If I had to choose one for fun and ease of use I'd probably take the Infinity.
Construction for both is excellent. I gave the Starboard a nasty paddle whack, which left a dent on the deck; over a few days it just disappeared, Christine-like, and now looks like new again. The Infinity is gorgeous and pretty tough, but the leash positioning and the shape of the "jet tail" means that you will grind the paint off the edge of the tail quickly.
I have only been on the Smik Hipster Twin once. Liked it, but didn't like it enough to buy it. Most people rate it though.
Thank you SoCalYokel,
It is a great feedback, very detailled, really what I was hoping for and maybe for many others!
Happy to help!
Select to expand quoteSoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.
Thanks for your insight.
Select to expand quoteSoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.Select to expand quoteSoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.
And can you comment if the wider jet tail on the infinity create less control in overhead waves?
Select to expand quoteECUVOL said..SoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.SoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.
And can you comment if the wider jet tail on the infinity create less control in overhead waves?
To be honest both tails are pretty similar, in design as well as size and performance. They both give their own (non-copyright) take on the Hipster Twin, but with a "break" instead of a hip and a half moon / jet tail instead of a swallow tail. Imitation is the best form of flattery. But both boards work just fine in bigger waves. I do feel like the Starboard has more hold in big power turns than the Infinity but I think that may actually be due to flex and the fins the boards came with - the Starboard fins have more rake and sweep, and the Infinity ones have more pivot. But I have not put the trailer fins in either boards, which I probably should in bigger surf, so this might nit even be an issue.
Select to expand quoteSoCalYokel said..ECUVOL said..SoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.SoCalYokel said..jvriesinga said..
Can you comment on glide and wave catching ability on both of these if possible? Thanks
Ah yes, sorry about that. Glide is a big difference between the two boards that I should have pointed out. The Starboard has a big concave towards the back of the board, resulting in a smaller area of stability in an already small board. If you lean even a bit to the back, the tail sinks in, and the resultant drag makes for a board with comparatively little glide. I have had to paddle a lot harder to get going on the waves we have here, and it's starting to do a number on my rotator cuff. The Infinity has a more traditional bottom outline, from a single concave to double concave to a V between the fins, and the extra volume toward the tail makes for a far more forgiving board, and a lot more glide; two paddles and you're off.
I do have to note that your experience may be affected by the kind of waves you get. In steeper, more powerful waves, I doubt the extra drag of the SB will be much of an issue, and it will perform admirably, although it will still be slower to paddle around. If you surf slower, fatter waves like we get on the beach breaks here, or need to paddle a while to get to your wave, I'd go for the B-Line Twin.
And can you comment if the wider jet tail on the infinity create less control in overhead waves?
To be honest both tails are pretty similar, in design as well as size and performance. They both give their own (non-copyright) take on the Hipster Twin, but with a "break" instead of a hip and a half moon / jet tail instead of a swallow tail. Imitation is the best form of flattery. But both boards work just fine in bigger waves. I do feel like the Starboard has more hold in big power turns than the Infinity but I think that may actually be due to flex and the fins the boards came with - the Starboard fins have more rake and sweep, and the Infinity ones have more pivot. But I have not put the trailer fins in either boards, which I probably should in bigger surf, so this might nit even be an issue.
Thank you again for the clear report SoCalYokel. With the trailer, the controls in OH or more should still be playable...
