Went up to Lancelin Friday and tried the new Starboard 71 Evo twin carbon from Werners Hot Spot Rental. To be honest I've not been a fan of the Starboard wave boards for a couple of years now, I did used to really like the 2009 evo, the boards just didn't work for me after that....
BUT, I really like the new 71! I was on a 5.0 and weigh 68kg. The conditions weren't great, bit onshore and shoulder ish high waves, but some fun one's and was better at Passage. The board planes early and feels lively and crisp, with good speed upwind and downwind. It definately feels like a 70L and would be a good alround size for me.
On the wave the board does what you want it to. It is really nice as you bottom turn on the front foot - the rail doesn't bog or trip. As you transfer your weight onto the back foot you really can project vertical at the lip, the board doesn't stiffen up, and as you shift into the top turn the board doesn't track and reacts instantly, giving loads of grip as you come round with the soft forward rail.
I hate boards that bog in the bottom turn, and even though the conditions were a bit light, the board really does carry it's speed through the turn! Giving drive and looseness!
My only criticism is the Drake fins. They were quite big (150's I think) but they don't seem to grip well when sailing - easy to push them out and so often you would get one of the fins spinning out. I had to put them right to the back of the boxes. I reckon put a nice set of Flying Objects in there and it will be great! And yes I have sailed twin fin boards and I am not trying to sail the fin like a slalom board....
