i put this in cos i love these boards ! - Matt - reflex.
Like every Starboard we have tested so far, its clear that a great deal of thought has gone into the detailing of the Kode - it looks a very high quality product. The recommended mast track position works a treat and was once again spot on for this board.
The Kode excelled in this test for being a complete all-rounder with group leading performance in nearly every area. On flat water, it had the speed to handle any of the competition. In bump & jump it was fast, nimble and exciting to sail and on the wave face it was our firm favourite. What more can you ask?!
If we were to pick fault at all, it would be with the ride comfort in chop and top end control. The board feels stiff and hard underfoot and at times in chop, particularly when well powered on smaller sails, we felt that a slightly softer ride wouldn't go amiss. Starboard liken this to a ‘sports car’ ride however and say that they want to give the board a ‘performance’ feel.
Overall, the Kode is a real performer and has the competition matched or beaten in nearly every area.
Extremely happy with my Kode86. My first sub 100 litre board though so I can't really compare it with anything else in that size. I use mine for med-high wind freeride and bump and jump, flat to quite choppy conditions and havn't found it uncomfortable. You can certainly "feel" the ride but it's one of the reasons I especially like the board.
I would be interested to hear more from others regarding tuning the board with different fins as I'm currently looking at a fin for a little more freeride and flat water performance.
Who is this Spook kid?
All he wants to know is if people are sponsored.
It could be Reg in disguise
"If we were to pick fault at all, it would be with the ride comfort in chop and top end control. The board feels stiff and hard underfoot and at times in chop, particularly when well powered on smaller sails, we felt that a slightly softer ride wouldn't go amiss. Starboard liken this to a ‘sports car’ ride however and say that they want to give the board a ‘performance’ feel"
I've got a 2008 Acid 86, and I am told the Kode in this size is the same or very simliar. I've ridden the board twice in B&J conditions and I would agree with this comment only regarding the ride feels a bit harsh, I think the top end control is excellent. This is about the only thing about the board I did'nt particularly like. Every thing else is great, including great turning, jumping and planing, and when you consider that every board is a compromise for a large range of conditions, I'm not concerned at all, in fact after riding the board twice, I luv it : ) The smaller boards do have softer rails, so when the wind goes off, you should ideally have a smaller board anyway. Now I just need to keep off my slalom board so I can ride it again 
