Hello people!
Wonder if anyone is using any of the SB foils for winging. Looks like they now got an extensive lineup and some interesting bits like the quick lock system that can change the fuselage length and mast angel spacers.
I mostly see talk about Axis, Armstrong and SAB, so i am starting to wonder if the SB ones are any good hehe.
I am most likely going to buy two Freewing Nitros and my local shop could give me a sweet deal on the new SB wingboard 5"2.
So now i am thinking of pulling the trigger, but not sure what foil setup to buy and what works outside of the SB range.
I know lots of folks who like their boards.
I've used their older foil wings and the feeling wasn't fantastic. Too thick and low aspect.
I have not tried the newer HA foils.
The engineering is outstanding however.
Started on SB gear 2 years ago. They simply could not get products to market. Quality was excellent, but when it came time to upgrade, there were no stocks of anything. Boards are too heavy and the design is dated. I would think twice about buying their foil system. Here on Maui there is almost no market for it, so it is very hard to sell your used gear and get some money back.
I haven,t tried the latest model of Starboard, but last years was pretty odd, but if you buy at a Starboard dealer, then they can get AK as well and the AK phazers are pretty awesome boards while there HA foils are pretty okay as well.
Select to expand quoteGoofcat said..
Started on SB gear 2 years ago. They simply could not get products to market. Quality was excellent, but when it came time to upgrade, there were no stocks of anything. Boards are too heavy and the design is dated. I would think twice about buying their foil system. Here on Maui there is almost no market for it, so it is very hard to sell your used gear and get some money back.
In comparison at least NP got their foil wings designed by KDMaui.. adds a bit of longevity to the validity of the range... Yes the NP range is still V2 but a solid second iteration. SB seems a bit.. I don't know where they are. Is a bit puzzling. Especially given that Svein has been raving about the foil revolution . It can't be that all foil dedication went to IQ foil. That's designed and dusted.
Select to expand quoteJeroensurf said..
I haven,t tried the latest model of Starboard, but last years was pretty odd, but if you buy at a Starboard dealer, then they can get AK as well and the AK phazers are pretty awesome boards while there HA foils are pretty okay as well.
It's such a big marketing mess... Where SB does end, and where Airush and AK start.. some duplication here. Which isn't helping the SB brand.. ok maybe the Airush thing is a bit more straightforward
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..Jeroensurf said..
I haven,t tried the latest model of Starboard, but last years was pretty odd, but if you buy at a Starboard dealer, then they can get AK as well and the AK phazers are pretty awesome boards while there HA foils are pretty okay as well.
It's such a big marketing mess... Where SB does end, and where Airush and AK start.. some duplication here. Which isn't helping the SB brand.. ok maybe the Airush thing is a bit more straightforward
It's really sad, they wasted years of loyalty and trust built up in their SUP customer base. I started foiling with a SB board, foil, and Airush wings. The wing is the only thing I still have. Sold the rest at a lost just to get out of SB.
Select to expand quoteMProject04 said..Jeroensurf said..
I haven,t tried the latest model of Starboard, but last years was pretty odd, but if you buy at a Starboard dealer, then they can get AK as well and the AK phazers are pretty awesome boards while there HA foils are pretty okay as well.
It's such a big marketing mess... Where SB does end, and where Airush and AK start.. some duplication here. Which isn't helping the SB brand.. ok maybe the Airush thing is a bit more straightforward
agree on that.Its all just 1 company with different labels/design teams that work together.Somehow Starboard itself don,t seem to see what the market wants/what direction it's going ending up with quite different stuff with too much gimmicks that isnt bad at all but aren't the game changers you hope for from a brand like Starboard. I mean at windsurf and SUP they revolutionized quite often the market with brilliant designs.
Funnily, AK makes imo just almost simple clean looking shapes. My 5.8Phazer from last year is 1.5y/ aprox 200 sess old, light and still rock solid. Friends who own the foils are really happy with them as well.
So ff I was the Starboard marketing chief I would step out the wingfoil market with the Starboard brand name and leave it to AK and Airush, and maybe come back with Starboard as well in a few years when they got there **** together.
I have a friend who has the starboard waterman set (1700cm2 front wing) with 2 more S-type and 2 more E-type front wings, 2 fuses, 3 stabs. He switched to the sab 999 and was blown away by the difference. He went from inconsistent jibing to nailing them all, sitting on the board while flying etc. Literally by changing foil he went full radiculo. Now he still got the starboard set because no one else wants to purchase his.
there's this girl at my spot, started off with starboard a year ago and now switched to takuma, she's much better now.
Thanks guys, I think i will pass on the SB stuff.
They do also stock the brand new RRD stuff, and both wings and the new foils have gotten very good reviews over here in Europe and seems to be very well built.
Axis board and foil is definitely also an option, but it seems the new masts are hard to get hold off atm.
Choices choices ??
