2016 AllStar 14 x 27 Review

[SUP407]

Just picked up a 2016 Starboard AllStar 14x27 and I absolutely love it. Love it. I'm 5'10" and 185 lbs, for reference. Pretty sure I could easily paddle the 25" one, but I wanted this for open water paddling and figured the extra stability would be more fun.

Surprisingly, the flatwater speed is very, very good. The nose and width may slow it a hair, but the added volume (320 liters) seems to make up for it. On glassy water, I'm pretty shocked at the glide. There is a little sprinkler effect from the nose, but Starboard seems to "get it" and uses the volume to manipulate the water under the board in a smart way.

I also have a 14x23 Sprint and if my speed on the Sprint was, say, 5.8 mph, the Allstar seems to hold about 5.6-5.7 mph at the same stroke rate. Pretty wild. But, in 20 mph winds and 1 ft messy cross chop, it's like an aircraft carrier compared to the Sprint. The Sprint would be faster upwind, but at every other angle, I think the AllStar would be pretty close in speed - with a hell of a lot less leg fatigue. I was lucky enough to have some boat owner doing laps around the lake I was on, which added some nice little mixed up swells to the already messy chop. On my Infinity Whiplash or the Sprint I would have been "wallowing" around. The AllStar was not only stable and predictable, but fun. I know narrower will always be faster if the volume is enough to preserve the intended hydrodynamics, but I think it's too easy easy to get caught up in that and forget just how fun a slightly wider and more controllable board might be.

And the "Orange nose" paint scheme is really pretty cool looking in person. I wasn't sure about it, in pictures, but it's quite distinct and I really like it.

[SUP407]

A couple of pics.

[corrego]

amazing quiver!

[SUP407]

Some are being sold . . . Supposedly.

[SUP407]

Some are being sold . . . Supposedly.

Out of the quiver, I mean.

[WIPaddlr]

SUP407. Looks like you might have a 404 V3? Curious how that performs as all around board relative to Allstar 27? I am 87 kilos and am looking for a board for the Carolina Cup and other, rough water local races. I just sold my X14Pro as I was always beat after choppy races and I also think the volume was too low. I am hoping the Allstar Hybrid 27 I have on order will fit the bill but a friend suggested 404. I think the volume of the 404 is too low for me as well.

Any thought on this? Also I am thinking about going from a 96 to 86 Trifecta as I think it will be a good size still and easier on my shoulders. I see you have a QB paddle but I can't tell which one. I am also 6.3.

Thanks

[burchas]

Some are being sold . . . Supposedly.

Out of the quiver, I mean.

SUP407, I see you have the BlkBox El Camino.
How it compares to the new Starboard?

[SUP407]

Love the BlkBox. It's faster, but would not handle open water conditions as well as the AllStar. At least not for me. Very different boards. The El Camino is incredibly stable for a 24.5" board and it's very smooth on the water.

[SUP407]

SUP407. Looks like you might have a 404 V3? Curious how that performs as all around board relative to Allstar 27? I am 87 kilos and am looking for a board for the Carolina Cup and other, rough water local races. I just sold my X14Pro as I was always beat after choppy races and I also think the volume was too low. I am hoping the Allstar Hybrid 27 I have on order will fit the bill but a friend suggested 404. I think the volume of the 404 is too low for me as well.

Any thought on this? Also I am thinking about going from a 96 to 86 Trifecta as I think it will be a good size still and easier on my shoulders. I see you have a QB paddle but I can't tell which one. I am also 6.3.

Thanks

The AllStar is wider than the 404, but it's faster. I think the volume and bottom shape makes the AllStar work better. Also, the 404 is very delicate. Very.

[coldsup]

Got my eye on one of these too. I am 90kg plus thick wettie...mainly looking at it for light DW and quicker coastal touring than on my M14. I think the 28 for me!

[photofr]

Nice review. Sounds like you have gone to the two extremes to fill the void. Great choices for you it seems.
Thanks for the feedback on the 27" wide AllStar.

Have you taken it on bigger downwind runs?
if so, what can you tell us?

[robon]

Got my eye on one of these too. I am 90kg plus thick wettie...mainly looking at it for light DW and quicker coastal touring than on my M14. I think the 28 for me!

Ditto. Really like my Glide but want to try something that's a little bit faster upwind and on the flats that still has strong open water paddling characteristics. The Allstar seems to fit the bill so far. Looking forward to more reviews.

[coldsup]

You had many more ocean rides on this board?