K15 v ace

[paddlesurfer75]

Im after a race board and its either the k15 or the ace x 27" any feed back or views on either board.cheers dean

[JonathanC]

I've got a K15 and think its a great board but for comparisons Bart De Zwart is the guy to ask, he won the 11 Cities Tour in Holland last year on a stock K15 and I'm pretty sure he is doing it on an Ace this year. He may just be changing because they have introduced a 14' class into the event that most of the top guys will be competing in.

Contact him at Kanaha Kai on Maui  surf@kanahakai.com 

[paddlesurfer75]

Jon how does your k15 handle chop whats it like out on the sea and do you know any one who rides an ace but i will mail bart cheers dean

[highsierrabear]

The K15 is fast and is great if you want to go in a straight line.  I've got a 2009, and the stock fin was tiny.  It benefitted greatly from a better rear fin.

My only complaint about the K15 is that the mega recessed deck can be slow to drain if you take a wave over the side that fills up the recessed deck.  I paddle the K15 in a lake that can get very windy with short period lake swells.  We also have lots of clueless motorboaters (about 95% of them) that think nothing of any other water users and do 30 knots 100' off shore or next to kayaks and paddlers.

I've had the K15 recessed deck take on several gallons of water in the recessed deck (from falling/waves/boat wakes).  While it does drain out, it can take time to do so.  40 pounds of water sloshing doesn't help stability in the slightest.  That said, it's my only major complaint.

I've also had leaking/glassing issues around the multiple leash plugs for storage.  Mine takes on a bit of water through 2 or 3 of the leash plugs.  They whistle and bubble when it's sitting in the sun- kind of a bummer since it has no dings.  Hope that these issues have been fixed for the newer ones.  It's the only quality issue I've had of the 5 starboard boards we have.

[JonathanC]

The K15 handles chop beautifully IMO, I did an open water 20 mile race in Western Australia in January on a borrowed K15, wind was pretty light but it sure was choppy. I actually love the K15 as a downwind board, it is pretty technical but absolutely hammers, a bigger fin is a must though.

Here is a pro video of the race "The Doctor"
http://rambos-locker.blogspot.com/2011/02/doctor-2011-race-video-ski-sup-oc1.html

[JonathanC]

Hey Highsierrabear do you have the scupper drains open? You can push the little rubber flap open and it works like a little venturi drain as you move along.

I've done lots of open water stuff where water splashes into the board and haven't had that problem, I am only 145lb so maybe that's a factor.

I think I'd be pulling out those leaking tie down points and filling the holes with microballons and epoxy, long term, water in the foam is bad news.

[Mcnally78]

I have a k15 and love it. I agree that it is a little technical, but with little practice anyone can master it. I am 205 lbs and found water entering through the center two scupper drains when the board would rock side to side in conditions. I fixed this by putting two scupper drain plugs in them and leaving two back ones open. I'm sure this is because of my size. It works great and clears water on deck in the blink of an eye. Love the board and it is very fast.