Author Topic: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25  (Read 52716 times)

yugi

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2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« on: January 26, 2016, 03:48:55 AM »
I’m still super curious what that low rocker central channel combined with rockered large side chines is doing for you.

I had a Cobra (260 and 290 radical) windsurf board with a similar heavily conceived hull. It rocked for turns. Engage the heavily rockered side chines and it turned like crazy. We called it the jibe machine. It was also very comfortable in chop. However those heavily concaved hull shapes fell quickly out of favor in windsurf boards as flat, or very lightly concaved, bottoms were much faster to plane.

This Big Winds video review is interesting:
   
I'm actually not that surprised for pure flatwater speed testing.

Pray tell, Big Winds (or other), what’s the scoop on the new hull shape of the 2016 version for:
A) stability in chop? Because apparently that's a big plus for the 2016 version.
B) turning? As in carving when on a plane [downwinding].


« Last Edit: January 26, 2016, 03:51:55 AM by yugi »

photofr

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2016, 04:03:00 AM »
Why a single test involving only flat water? Neither boards were really designed for flat water. It would seem somewhat normal that the 2015 would excel on the flats.

The guys in the video mentioned that the 2016 felt more stable (in the flats). That, to me, is an understatement: I felt that the 2016 Allstar was way more stable in the chop and confused sea. So much so that instead of ordering a 25" board, I ordered the 23".

Probably a good test would be to take both boards at to sea with a paddling partner of similar abilities and see where you stand… and then trade boards at sea and see where you stand then.

One more month and mine arrives in France - but in the meantime, I'd love to hear what you guys have to say when comparing both boards.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

yugi

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2016, 04:06:54 AM »
^ and there I was thinking you didn't have any boards wider than 23", ever!

Yes, side by side testing with a paddler you know well is the best comparison for boards. Even better with same fin and paddle like the Big Winds guys did.

Hope they do a messy chop and downwind side-by-side review. [hint hint]

robon

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2016, 07:45:27 AM »
They did score both boards for overall performance. 49/50 for the 2016 and 43.5/50 for the 2015, and mentioned the 2016 being more suited for downwind and a "one board solution for places like the Gorge".

photofr

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2016, 12:12:32 PM »
^ and there I was thinking you didn't have any boards wider than 23", ever!

Yes, side by side testing with a paddler you know well is the best comparison for boards. Even better with same fin and paddle like the Big Winds guys did.

Hope they do a messy chop and downwind side-by-side review. [hint hint]

Yeah… I wish I had a 14x25; It could be such a versatile board to have.

I ordered a 14'x23" - to take care of an idea I had. In a perfect world, I would have a 14x23 and a 18x27, but I am not getting raid of my 17'6x23" (no way). Hopefully by March, I will have two out of three of my dream-boards. The last one will have to wait.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

FloridaWindSUP

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2016, 12:10:48 PM »
I paddled a 2016 14x25 AllStar (the one with the red nose) about two weeks ago in light winds in the ocean with some boat wakes and small swells.

My impressions were:

*The board was much heavier than I expected for a carbon raceboard. Under my arm the weight felt more like a pvc/glass touring board. If I had just spent a lot of money on it I would have been upset with the weight. 

*It had excellent stability and handling characteristics. I'm 75 kg and used to riding < 24" boards, so the stability was like a pontoon boat. Totally overkill and I definitely would have gone for the 23" at my weight.

*Acceleration, speed, and tracking were all good but I can't say exactly how good because I didn't use a GPS.

*The nose was not as blunt as everyone makes it out to be. It seemed to split the water just fine, and had an ideal blend of cutting into and bobbing over waves and wakes. Worked well for drafting my buddy, too.

*The flex was noticeable but I couldn't tell if it had any effect positive or negative on speed.

*It caught bumps well and was stable and nicely controlled at all stages of bump-catching. Everything they say about it working well in rough water and downwind conditions is probably true.

*I have no idea if the W shaped hull did anything.
14x23 Riviera RP
14x27.25 Fanatic Falcon
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10'4 Angulo WindSUP
...and a bunch of windsurf stuff

coldsup

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #6 on: June 27, 2016, 12:39:10 PM »
The hybrid carbon version isn't that much heavier but I would still class it as "heavy".

From what I have heard the Carbon is well built and durable....my hybrid version seems pretty tough so far. I don't feel the weigh in the water really but boy do I feel it carrying up a steepish path from the beach after! Good workout I don't enjoy!

Agree with everything else you wrote but don't feel that much fix on my board. I find bump catching very good but it doesn't surf nice IMHO. Might be the stock fin being overkill.....I have a much better one to try soon....smaller.





Eagle

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #7 on: June 27, 2016, 03:05:14 PM »
FWS - your impressions are identical to ours.  And concur with coldsup as well.  This evening we are testing a used 23 CS again.  Provided my wife can balance ok - and we arrive at a mutually agreeable price - we may add that to our quiver.

The flex oscillation benefits seem to be all marketing hype and bs spin.  And with the trip concaves at the tail - would not expect the AS to perform as well surfing - compared to the M-14 or M-12'6.

The weight for the 23 we are looking at is around 24 lbs.  So not super light - nor unexpectedly heavy for a 23.  As noted - we are ok with a heavier CS lay-up vs too light - in the hopes it will make the board more durable like our other boards.  We have seen way too many old SB race boards with cracks in them because they were built too light.
Fast is FUN!   8)
Dominator - Touring Pintail - Bullet V2 - M14 - AS23

Eagle

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #8 on: June 27, 2016, 09:52:36 PM »
Yep - got the 2016 AS 23 CS.  My wife tried it and stayed 100% dry - so her record remains intact.   :)

Paddled out in the ocean for a mile or so - then turned back.  And can say the board is ok upwind - but very exceptional DB.  Catches virtually any bump because it is made to glide and plane.  The 23 width minimizes deceleration from form drag to a substantial degree.

Our impression is that it is definitely an AW board - not really a flat water race board.  So in that regards falls precisely within the design parameters.  Would say the 2015 AS is probably faster on flat - which confirms reports made.  The 2017 Sprint would be a better choice for pure flat water speed racing with drafting - mass starts - and buoy turns.

Overall - a nice board.
Fast is FUN!   8)
Dominator - Touring Pintail - Bullet V2 - M14 - AS23

coldsup

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #9 on: June 27, 2016, 11:32:37 PM »
Yep - got the 2016 AS 23 CS.  My wife tried it and stayed 100% dry - so her record remains intact.   :)

Paddled out in the ocean for a mile or so - then turned back.  And can say the board is ok upwind - but very exceptional DB.  Catches virtually any bump because it is made to glide and plane.  The 23 width minimizes deceleration from form drag to a substantial degree.

Our impression is that it is definitely an AW board - not really a flat water race board.  So in that regards falls precisely within the design parameters.  Would say the 2015 AS is probably faster on flat - which confirms reports made.  The 2017 Sprint would be a better choice for pure flat water speed racing with drafting - mass starts - and buoy turns.

Overall - a nice board.

If the Eagle family buy one then it has passed the quality threshold ;D

Totally agree about it not being a flat water board and better options for that .....but it still is pretty good there.

photofr

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2016, 12:25:49 AM »
After spending quite some time on the board, I have new insight on the Allstar 14x25.

1. Having paddled surfskis and super tippy boards, I find the allstar 14x25 to be far too stable for me. I wish I had ordered the 14x23.
2. Every single person I place on my Allstar 14x25 say nearly the same thing: the board is vey stable, and they feel totally reassured in open ocean. I guess it might be great for most people.
3. It's okay on flat water, but I will again emphasize: you are not going to make personal records on flat water (but here and again, it's not built for flat water conditions).
4. My board isn't super light, but light enough to easily carry at 11.5 kilos.
5. Unlike others, I find the Allstar to be the easiest 14-foot board to Downwind, AND to surf with. I actually find it super maneuverable, hands down.
6. A bit sluggish on the super long paddle.
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

coldsup

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2016, 01:53:05 AM »
Are you using the stock fin?

I find the board pretty poor at surfing small waves when I compare it to my M14. Like a barge....but then I have the 27 and in the heavier construction.

But, I never bought it for surfing or expected a raceboard to surf as well as a DW specialist board.

It picks up bumps super easy though.

mr_proper

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #12 on: June 28, 2016, 02:00:08 AM »

1. Having paddled surfskis and super tippy boards, I find the allstar 14x25 to be far too stable for me. I wish I had ordered the 14x23.


What is the problem with "too stable"? Boring?
For me it couldn't be stable enough ;-)
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

coldsup

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2016, 02:30:28 AM »

1. Having paddled surfskis and super tippy boards, I find the allstar 14x25 to be far too stable for me. I wish I had ordered the 14x23.


What is the problem with "too stable"? Boring?
For me it couldn't be stable enough ;-)

For me having a board that is too stable can mean a boring time......but more precisely ......not a lively feel, little reaction to foot placements and just feeling like no challenge.....a step back rather than forwards.

It's a personal thing for everyone and dependent on what you do with your board, where you paddle and of course your own skillset and fitness....and size. There's no right or wrong.

I like my boards to be on the stable side so I can just paddle and not tire myself out....I'm never on flat water.


mr_proper

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Re: 2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25
« Reply #14 on: June 28, 2016, 02:38:14 AM »

1. Having paddled surfskis and super tippy boards, I find the allstar 14x25 to be far too stable for me. I wish I had ordered the 14x23.


What is the problem with "too stable"? Boring?
For me it couldn't be stable enough ;-)

For me having a board that is too stable can mean a boring time......but more precisely ......not a lively feel, little reaction to foot placements and just feeling like no challenge.....a step back rather than forwards.


Thanks for the explanation. So I can understand that.
SIC RS 14x23, 2018
SIC RS 14x26, 2018
Lightcorp Signature Race 14x24.75, 2018 (sold)
JP Australia AdventurAir 12x36, 2017
Starboard Allstar 14x24.5, 2017 (sold)
SIC Bullet 14x27.25 TWC, 2015
Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder 14x25, 2016 (sold)
Sprint 14x23, 2015 (sold)
JL Stiletto 14x28, 2014 (sold)

 


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