Author Topic: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator  (Read 15898 times)

firesurf

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2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« on: February 25, 2012, 03:18:56 PM »
Just wondering if anyone has paddled the 2012 14' Lard/Bark Race?  Considering this or the 2012 Dominator.  Saw that in 2012 the Dominator gained 1/2 width over the 2011 model and the vol. is up from 258L to 285L

The Dominator is only available in the lighter weight pro-elite. Whereas the Laird Racer is available in both the Pro-Elite or Tuf-lite.

Anyone know the weights on these?
2012 14" Dominator Pro-elite
2012 14" Laird/Bark Race Pro-elite
2012  14' Laird/Bark Race in Tuf-Lite construction

Tecpartner

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2012, 03:54:29 PM »
I've demo'ed the older Doninator, and the Laird Bark.  The Laird Bark is more stable.  I haven't tried the 2012 Dominator. Of the two I'd buy the Laird Bark but I'm stability challenged. They are both nice boards.

SUPpaddler

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2012, 04:37:07 PM »
I'm skeptical that the old and new Dominator are any different except for the paint.  The old one was actually 28" wide though typically listed at 27.5".  And the different volume figures look like someone just transposed the digits. 

greatdane

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #3 on: February 25, 2012, 06:44:15 PM »
Not to split hairs, but my 2011 Dominator is 27.5" wide... The 2012's are supposed to be about one pound heavier because they were going to beef them up a tad.  The 2011's were (I'm on my 2nd) noodles and far too flexy.
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pdxmike

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2012, 09:57:16 PM »
Gorgebob let me try his Laird/Bark from his shop.  I couldn't really tell any difference between it and my custom 14' Bark, which is basically a Dominator.  Side-by-side, maybe I'd tell a difference.  If you're 200+ and using it for flatwater, I'd assume the Laird/Bark could be better, since that's what it was designed for. 

SUPpaddler

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2012, 02:15:28 AM »
A change in actual width might indicate a design change, so it is noteworthy in that sense.  My 2011 is 28", or very close to it, if you measure the full width, not just bottom of rail to rail.  I measured by placing one side against a wall and holding a straightedge against the other side before measuring.  So I'm still skeptical of any design change until confirmed.  A more sturdy layup would definitely be welcome though.

firesurf

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2012, 06:51:33 AM »
One reason I am considering the 14' Laird Race over the 14' Dominator is that it can also be purchased in the Tuf-Lite construction.  Just wondering how much heavier this would be over the Laird Race in Pro-Elite construction.   
(Tuf-Lite durability/heavier -vs- Pro-Elite less weight/faster but more fragile)

If the board was just to be used to race with serious hopes of winning then I would choose Pro-Elite. but along with getting into racing also wanting to use the board as a daily trainer/touring in the bay and along the coast. Plus with the size of this board fairly certain to bang it up while loading.

Also thinking I may want to ride non-beaking swells so looking at the Laird which is 29.5 wide with a pin tail was thinking this may be a bit more stable and would ride a swell better than the Dominator which is 28" wide and has a square tail.  Volume on both the boards looks simular.  More feedback from anyone paddling these boards greatly appreciated.


greatdane

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #7 on: February 26, 2012, 07:11:31 AM »
I use a t-square/caliper that measures up to 3 feet... It measures the widest/outside part of the rail.  Either way, we are talking about 1/2". Still a very stable board for me at 190 pounds. 

I think either board would be great... I have found that a square tail catches swell better than a pin... anyone else?
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RyanSurfNTurf

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #8 on: February 26, 2012, 07:24:44 AM »
I've ridden both boards with Tufflite and they are similar in stability. The Laird seemed a tiny bit more stable with side chop. Both are fast and have great glide.

No important but, gotta love the paint job on the Laird. The bottom of the board is a fade of the two main paints.

andygere

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #9 on: February 26, 2012, 09:48:44 AM »
I think a small weight penalty for Tuf-Lite is worth it for your intended purposes.   I love my Dominator, but feel that it's pretty fragile. 

firesurf

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #10 on: February 26, 2012, 10:09:14 AM »
greatdane,     just so I understand did your measurements confirm that the 2012 Dominator is 1/2 " wider than the 2011?..    and if so that would mean that the 2012 Dominator has been redesigned, and it sounds as if it may be more sturdy built this year.

or....   if I decided on the 14' Laird/Bark because of it's Tuf-Lite construction.
Someone mentioned that the Laird (pin tail) may perform better in the flat water, and the Dominator (square tail) may actually ride a ocean wave swell better than the Laird.  It's ironic because all three of my surf sup's have some sort of pin or rounded tail, although not as drawn in as the 14' Laird Race. 



greatdane

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2012, 05:11:56 PM »
Hey Firesurf... sorry, I do not own a 2012 Dominator... I have owned two 2011's.  The one I have now measures out at 27.5".

FYI, my 2010 Competitor (Tuf Lite) weighs about 32 pounds but is indestructible.

While my 2011 Dominator (Pro Elite) weighs about 25-26 pounds but is relatively fragile...

Good luck!
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corlot

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2012, 05:58:22 PM »
I think either board would be great... I have found that a square tail catches swell better than a pin... anyone else?
 
Greatdane, I 100% agree! I went from a Starboard Pin ( no pun intended) to a Naish Glide and really noticed the difference with the wider tail. Swells seem to really catch the tail width.

I also have to agree with how fragile the Dominators are, at least the 2011s. Mine is 4 months old and looks like 4 years! It is beat to bleep! I still love it though..

firesurf

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #13 on: February 29, 2012, 07:56:52 AM »
Took a look out in the garage and was dead wrong when I said  -

"It's ironic because all three of my surf sup's have some sort of pin or rounded tail, although not as drawn in as the 14' Laird Race."

10'6 C-4   has kind of a diamond square tail
9' Naish Mana has a square tail
10'5" Starboard Drive fat pin-tail

So thinking maybe I should stay with a square tail that will catch swells better.  Obviously I need to demo.


mik911

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Re: 2012 14' Laid/Bark Race or 14 Bark Dominator
« Reply #14 on: February 29, 2012, 09:35:04 PM »

I also have to agree with how fragile the Dominators are, at least the 2011s. Mine is 4 months old and looks like 4 years! It is beat to bleep! I still love it though..

In what way is the Dominator fragile?  Does it ding easily? Delaminate at pressure/heel areas? Do common paddle whacks crack the finish?
Mike

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