Okay, that is very impressive. Is it for real? It looks so much more 'solid' on the water than it does when he inflates it. Where does the rigidity come from?
Looks surprisingly fun. Is there an inflatable mast and boom too... perfect for OS travel.
Perfect for trying all those things you wanted to, but didn't, as you knew it would result in a board repair!!
trousers, I don't think starboard would release a fake video :-)
A review in next windmag edition
I think that bloke might be able to sail alright
ie. makes the board look pretty good !
Still, the technology is moving forwards quickly, who'd have thunk that 10 years ago ?
I have no doubt that this is real. I have a Vandal SUP with a mast insert that I bought from Reg at WSP to teach the kids to sail. As with the starboard it has a central fin slot to act as a learning centreboard. I always thought inflatables = ly-low rigidity. Was blown away by how stiff they are when inflated to 15psi. My kids love the board because they can fall on it and not hurt themselves, it nice and stable at rest, no annoying centreboard knob sticking up and the bloody thing works. 45mins and 2 out of 3 where sailing. I can comfortably get it to plane (though mine has no straps like the starboard). I can totally see their concept working and shows as usual starboard at the front of board innovation....btw I dont own any starboards but u gotta hand it to them that they lead from the front.
We now always take our inflatable with us as it comes in a backpack. Could not think of a better rotto/boat solution if deck space is limited either. Inflatables are a magic way to get the kids into the sport IMO.
AB.......
It's looks like they've managed to keep the rails fairly sharp at the stern. Can't see why it would be slow. Surely flex can't soak up that much energy? Great for flying to choppy locations. Easy on old limbs I'm thinking, just let a little air out to soften the ride.
This is fully legit, Starboard is taking the inflatable to a new level with a sharp release edge, an even stiffer construction and a super solid finbox option that will take normal high performance freeride fins !
BTW Looks like another well known company might come with an inflatable rig this season !
I actually sailed the RRD AirFree in Italy last month. My face shows how cold it was....
6 to 10knts with an 8.2, not the ideal conditions, but planning with the swells. Roberto was out phanging around in 16-20knts further down the coast the next day,when
we were leaving!
You can see the moulded release rails back from the wide-point.
They do feel different of course, but that feel soon becomes the norm. With all the focus, and technology, it wont be long before there will be an acceptable alternative
to the normal construction methods.
How long until they can have a Raceboard version with a full centreboard. Add a 3 piece mast and it would make good sense. Doesn't matter if its slower than a regular board as long as you're racing one that's the same.
was asking myself the same question.
When you see that inflatable SUPs are nearly the same price as the "real" ones.... I wonder...
Id love one around the 150t mark just for light days, thats such a great idea now that make masts easier to transport.
