Author Topic: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board  (Read 16447 times)

Luc Benac

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Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« on: July 05, 2015, 05:34:36 PM »
Just curious to know if anybody in the 165 lbs/ 75 kg weight range has tried out several of the following boards:

1) Starboard 2013 Allstar carbon 14' x26" (I have not seen any second hand or for end of stock sale so probably not an option anyway)
2) Starboard 2015 Allstar glass carbon (green) 14' x 25"
3) Blackbox Uno 14' x 26"
4) SIC x14 Pro 14' x 26"

I have read the various separate reviews/videos on the internet but it is not always easy to have a good idea of what "very stable for its width" or "faster than a wider board" means for each reviewer to have a kind of baseline.

I am looking at these from the point of view of an all-around board that is still exciting on the flat with great glide, provide enough stability on heavy chop that you still have fun and go reasonably fast and can down-breeze moderate chop/wind under 20 knots.

My Javelin with a large fin is almost there but not quite on the stability front, I am still guaranteed a trip in the water and shaky legs after a while :-)

Cheers,

Luc
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
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SUPflorida

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #1 on: July 05, 2015, 06:07:17 PM »
Curious...What year is the Javelin that's "almost there"? Is it a 2015? Keep hearing how stable the 2015 Javelin is for it's width...

Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #2 on: July 05, 2015, 06:33:04 PM »
Curious...What year is the Javelin that's "almost there"? Is it a 2015? Keep hearing how stable the 2015 Javelin is for it's width...

2011 :-) 14' x 26"
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
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karl

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #3 on: July 06, 2015, 01:15:32 AM »
I've had close to two of those...

I'm a little lighter at 70kg.

Spent quite a bit of time recreational racing and downwinding/chopping on:
- 2013 Allstar Carbon 14 x 25
- 2015 Allstar Carbon 14 x 25
- 2014 DC Carbon 14 x 26.

Here's how I'd rate them.

All very manageable in light winds and calm surface conditions.

DC much more stable than 2013 Allstar in side-on, rough choppy conditions.

2015 Allstar more stable than 2013 Allstar in all conditions, but not quite as stable as DC in rough side on conditions.

2013 Allstar can be difficult in choppy side-on conditions. Seems like the deep recess would catch the waves and toss me off.

Both Allstars quite a bit faster in just about all conditions than the DC.

2015 Allstar slightly faster than the 2013 Allstar.

The two Allstars are completely different boards.

My pick, 2015 Allstar is definitely better allrounder in the rougher conditions I paddle in.

Hope that helps




But straight upwind or down, 2013 Allstar

XLR8

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #4 on: July 06, 2015, 05:37:15 AM »
I have a custom Blkbox Uno 14x26.25 and have paddled the 14x26.25 production board in various conditions, including a 6 mile mixed conditions race.  The other boards you listed have good qualities too, but I find stability to be an absolute non-issue on the Blkbox.  I  am 6'2 and currently 215 lbs, but trying real hard to get back where I once was at 190 lbs.  I am comfortable in rough conditions, so that plays into my perception probably.  But I'm big for the board.  The production board comes stock with a larger Larry Allison fin but there is a smaller race fin, which I prefer and find to be faster.


Do you have a nearby locale where you can demo the Blkbox?  If not, shoot me a pm with your location or contact Blkbox directly and we can let you know of nearby boards.  The fan base is growing and people seem eager to let others check out the ride.

   
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Foilman

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #5 on: July 06, 2015, 01:27:15 PM »
Luc,

I'm ~ 175lb and 5'10", have a 2014 Allstar 14x25.5 and I'm super happy with it. I can't really compare it to any of the other boards you listed. But I can compare it to a 2013 14x25 Ace. The Ace using the gladiator elite fin was still quite a bit less stable than mine using a stock fin. The acceleration off the line is also way better on the Allstar.

Rob
Starboard Allstar 14' x 25.5"
Starboard Coast Runner 14' x 28"
Bark Competitor 12' 6" x 28"
Fanatic AllWave 8'11"
Blue Planet Surf 10' x 32" inflatable

Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #6 on: July 06, 2015, 04:24:56 PM »
2013 Allstar can be difficult in choppy side-on conditions. Seems like the deep recess would catch the waves and toss me off.
My pick, 2015 Allstar is definitely better allrounder in the rougher conditions I paddle in.
Hope that helps

Thank you Karl, that is very helpful. My Javelin is already quite good on straight upwind/downwind so the 2013 Allstar does not look like a viable option.
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
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Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #7 on: July 06, 2015, 04:28:51 PM »
I have a custom Blkbox Uno 14x26.25 and have paddled the 14x26.25 production board in various conditions, including a 6 mile mixed conditions race.  The other boards you listed have good qualities too, but I find stability to be an absolute non-issue on the Blkbox.  I  am 6'2 and currently 215 lbs, but trying real hard to get back where I once was at 190 lbs.  I am comfortable in rough conditions, so that plays into my perception probably.  But I'm big for the board.  The production board comes stock with a larger Larry Allison fin but there is a smaller race fin, which I prefer and find to be faster.
Do you have a nearby locale where you can demo the Blkbox?  If not, shoot me a pm with your location or contact Blkbox directly and we can let you know of nearby boards.  The fan base is growing and people seem eager to let others check out the ride.

I am in Vancouver BC Canada.
Unlikely that I can demo a Uno here :-) but it would love to otherwise.
I am also limited by budget and need to consider what might become available on the used market or off-season old stock sales this winter.
Starboard and SIC are both present here.
Buying from the USA with the exchange rate and the shipping makes the Uno even more expensive than the SIC.

Cheers,

Luc
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
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Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #8 on: July 06, 2015, 04:31:22 PM »
Luc,

I'm ~ 175lb and 5'10", have a 2014 Allstar 14x25.5 and I'm super happy with it. I can't really compare it to any of the other boards you listed. But I can compare it to a 2013 14x25 Ace. The Ace using the gladiator elite fin was still quite a bit less stable than mine using a stock fin. The acceleration off the line is also way better on the Allstar.

Rob

Hello Rob,
How do you like it in steep confused side chop?
Can you still put some "paddle to the metal" or balancing become all too important?

Cheers,

Luc
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #9 on: July 11, 2015, 07:07:01 PM »
I have found that the three boards available locally are:
1) SIC X14Pro (testing one tomorrow)
2) Allstar 201514'x25" (could not test)
3) Lahui Kai Race (the local rep is out of 14'x27" so could not test fro now. I have asked him about the new 14'x26".

Cheers,

Luc
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
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gorgebob

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #10 on: July 11, 2015, 07:15:49 PM »
Luc if you are down Portland way we have those to demo. The Allstar 25 2015 is the ticket for speed and stability. The Lauikai is super stable at 27 wide and a bit heavy.
Founder: Gorge Performance Surf  Shop Portland
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Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #11 on: July 11, 2015, 07:19:15 PM »
The Allstar 25 2015 is the ticket for speed and stability.

You would say over the SIC X14PRO?
I am not racing so I can trade some speed on the flat for some stability and speed in the chop.
That said I do not want a boring board on the flat either :-) not that the Allstar would be anything like that. The 27 LK might.

Cheers,

Luc
« Last Edit: July 11, 2015, 07:21:35 PM by Luc Benac »
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

Luc Benac

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #12 on: July 12, 2015, 04:35:04 PM »
All right today I tested the:
1) SIC X14Pro
2) Allstar 201514'x25" (Glass)
and purchased the Allstar (used from a forum member).
The width and volume on the tail makes a big difference and the board does not feel like I think 25" would feel :-) Primary stability looks very good.
It is super easy to walk back and forth so that it feels like the board provides more real estate. The wider front also helps.
The board feels fast and while the glass might not accelerate like the full carbon(1.5kg heavier) it is still light and feels very solid.
The X14Pro is a great board but technically more difficult I think. It has a similar rolling feel like the Javelin except that it stops where the javelin keeps rolling. Secondary stability looks very good. It is incredibly light, I could lift it with one arm extended.

Cheers,

Luc
Sunova Allwater 14'x25.5" 303L Viento 520
Sunova Torpedo 14'x27" 286L Salish 500
Naish Nalu 11'4" x 30" 180L Andaman 520
Sunova Steeze 10' x 31" 150L
Blackfish Paddles

karl

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #13 on: July 12, 2015, 08:24:00 PM »
Good buy. Don't think you'll regret it. Weighed my carbon Allstar and it was at the upper end of the range 12.4kg, just under the 10% variation they advertise. So you might find your glass version is pretty close to carbon.

yugi

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Re: Variable conditions 14' x 26" race board
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2015, 03:54:15 AM »
what year Jav did you have, Luc?

 


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