Has anyone paddled the starboard 12'6? I meet up with Rod from starboard today and demod the 12'6. It was stable even though it was 27 wide and there was a lot of side chop, it seemed to paddle on to every runner I was chasing. Anybody got any thoughts?
Which 12.6 exactly are you asking about - the new race ? If so - I have not paddled the new model but have spent a few days on the old model 12.6 x 26.5 surfrace and it is a FANTASTIC little board if its fun you are looking for. From the minute I stepped on board in the river I knew I was gunna love it. Its very stable for such a narrow board and paddles quite well in the flat for such a surf (BOP) oriented board. Its not super fast to paddle but it's quite adequate if you aren't interested in winning flatwater races. Once out of the river and into the open water and surf the board is a blast. It paddles through white water with ease and whilst wobbly in the chop it takes a fair bit to fully tip it over. Paddling onto waves is a breeze and it handles quite well when running down the line on a sizey wave. Like every other race type board though IT IS NOT A SURFBOARD and needs to be taken into the wave zone with caution and only if you are experienced so as not to risk damaging the board or anyone else in the lineup.
In short - Its a very very very fun board and is high on my list for consideration as my new open water board that I will be purchasing in coming weeks.
I beleive that it is the new model, not that I have ridden starboards before. Ive been paddling a fanatic 12'6 which I reckon is a good alround board esp for BOP style raceing. I felt the starboard was alot lighter. Id like to paddle both boards in tougher conditions a little more wind and some cross chop to really get a feel. Have you ridden the fanatic?
It was the new 12"6 x 27.5 that Dave tried!! 3 other people tried it as well who had never ridden this style of board!! All of them found it quite stable for 27.5 wide and after just a short time were catching the knee wide peeling waves running in through the Bay!!
I have the 31.5" Race and it is very stable in rough waters, but it also probably has a lot more drag being that wide. Anyways, the Race is a versatile board that paddles well in rough waters and into the wind, and it is a lot of fun in DW conditions and picks up small bumps easily.
