2016 Starboard Allstar 14 x 25

[Eagle]

Just did a sprint test fresh on the AS23.  The speed was the same as the AS25.  6.9 mph.  Did not have full power down as still getting used to the very narrow range of error when balancing on the 23.  Any improper stroke technique is extremely magnified if your balance is even off by a couple of degrees.  You need to be firing at 100% to get full power down on the 23 -> whereas on the 25 your technique could be messy at 85% and you would still go fast.

Would expect to hit over 7 for both the 25 and 23 in optimal conditions and when fully powered up.  Did 6.7 on the old 25 Sprint a few years ago - so any speed increase is positive.  The AS23 CS is an excellent board and perfect for our local ocean conditions - and fully recommended 100% for light weight paddlers.

The SIC 7.0 should arrive Friday - so am looking forward to trying that out on the 23.  Should be close in performance to the Race 23.   

[Area 10]

Yes. I once asked one of the top racers in my country what the secret to speed on a SUP was. He said:

"Simple. Paddle faster".

If you want that 23 to go faster than the 25 then you are going to have to paddle it faster. A narrower board is only faster if you have the skills to make the most of that feature. I'd be faster round the Nurburgring in a Volkswagon Golf than a F1 car because I wouldn't be able to keep the F1 car on the track. You are about to find out if you have the skills and ability to ever really take advantage of those extra 2" narrower. Especially in the heat and choppy waters of race battle. Good luck, I'm watching with interest. A lightweight friend of mine actually went from a 25" board to to a 27.5" one and started to do consistently very much better in races. Not everyone benefits from going narrower. But sometimes it's more about the challenge than the GPS.

[Luc Benac]

A narrower board is only faster if you have the skills to make the most of that feature. Not everyone benefits from going narrower.

I have somewhat settled around the 26"range. Wider and I am somewhat uncomfortable with the angle of the paddle for long run. Narrower and somewhat I feel like my balance is not fully there at all time, I do not get consistently the full benefit of my stroke and my legs end-up tiring more rapidly.. That is for a "wide" nose/straight line board, for a pointy full displacement, my comfort level jumps to 27".

[Eagle]

Haha.  Thank goodness racing is a non-priority item for me.  I just go out to improve my balance and have fun.  Racing to me is more torture than fun.  But to each their own.  Even my timed runs are somewhat torturous - but I must be ok with them because I keep doing them.  If I was racing - the torture would be over the top as I would push to my limit.  I am not into that.

But yes - you must be able to paddle at 100% to get the most out of any board.  And do expect fully to be able to put down 100% consistent power soon enough in all conditions under 15 kts.  The balance to power ratio is coming along quite nicely. 

There is a certain technique required on the 23 that must be applied to be able to put down full power.  A tip that the previous owner gave me that was told to him by Travis when he raced here last year and beat everyone.  Have applied that and it works a charm on that board.  If you study the stroke of Travis closely you will see how he generates consistent power.  For me it is definitely about the challenge and maximizing the fun quotient.  Am very happy that the 23 does everything the Dom does -> but only faster and more tippier.  That to me is a ton of fun. 

[photofr]

For those looking for a more stable Allstar, in near-perfect condition: I am selling my 2016 14' x 25" Brushed Carbon Allstar.
Super attractive price of 2250 euros (located in northern France)

ludovic@photofr.com for more info.

[yugi]

what is that technique, eagle?

[mr_proper]

Just did a sprint test fresh on the AS23.  The speed was the same as the AS25.  6.9 mph. 

6.9 was top speed or average? On which distance?

[ukgm]

Just did a sprint test fresh on the AS23.  The speed was the same as the AS25.  6.9 mph.  Did not have full power down as still getting used to the very narrow range of error when balancing on the 23.  Any improper stroke technique is extremely magnified if your balance is even off by a couple of degrees.  You need to be firing at 100% to get full power down on the 23 -> whereas on the 25 your technique could be messy at 85% and you would still go fast.

Would expect to hit over 7 for both the 25 and 23 in optimal conditions and when fully powered up.  Did 6.7 on the old 25 Sprint a few years ago - so any speed increase is positive.  The AS23 CS is an excellent board and perfect for our local ocean conditions - and fully recommended 100% for light weight paddlers.

The SIC 7.0 should arrive Friday - so am looking forward to trying that out on the 23.  Should be close in performance to the Race 23.   

Id be interested in the stroke index and distance per stroke data comparisons with those two. I have another article out shortly that does this when comparing paddles and matching it to boards.

[Eagle]

yugi - twist then initiate power at the hips my friend.

proper - 6.9 mph is the peak speed hit over 0.1 miles upwind -> then immediately after 6.7 DW.  Speed was slower DW due directly to fatigue factor.  Could feel a noticeable drop in power the second run.  Speed should have been around 7.1 but the rest period was way too short.  In optimal flat sprint conditions expect the AS23 to top out at maybe 7.2.  Runs were made without any warm-up and in about 4 kts of breeze right after launching yesterday -> and at around 90% balance to power ratio.  The data charted in the pics is the direct upload GPX data to Strava from the device.  Sprinting on the 23 requires more practice to derive a 100% balance to power ratio.  Only had the 23 for 3 weeks or so -> so very early days yet for an old man with mediocre balance.  The 23 is a super fun board.

ukgm - have no device that collects any stroke data.  But can say anything smaller than my 114 Vantage 8.5 feels too small and underpowered.  Use that paddle now exclusively on the 23 in any condition from flat to choppy -> and from short to long distance.  Have tried both a Konihi 95 and 91 V-Drive and find the Vantage much smoother better and faster.  The power load on that blade is perfect for me.

[mr_proper]

Respect. 6.9 mph (11.1 kmh) max speed upwind... From that I can only dream

[Eagle]

Thx proper.   

[Eagle]

Comparo FX to AS -

[GlideMarko]

I paddle SB 14x23 and this my session 3 days ago. I did maintain around 10 km/h for 2km rowing course few times. After around 800km on this board, I’m still trying get best of it on flats, as I paddle mostly lake, and will try to get some bumps in next 2weeks in Adriatic sea. I really wonder how much faster if any would be sprint. Cheers

[Area 10]

I would guess that you'd be around 0.1 mph (not kph) on a Sprint at those speeds and in those conditions. Maybe 0.2 mph if you are very lucky, sometimes. It would make a big difference in a very tight race, but not if you just paddle for fitness and pleasure.

[Eagle]

Finally got around to try the SB Ultra green OEM fin today.  Was as expected -> a bit more directional and more stable - but slower to turn.  Is an ok all round fin for 10 kts and up.  Did a sprint test similar to last and got up to 6.9 again.  With the AS23 -> having 100% stability to put down power is key.  Probs still around 90% balance to power - so plenty still is left on the table.  And until balance to power is full on 100% -> I do not expect to get over 7.0.

Can feel that last 10% is right there - but just cannot get that power down yet.  Maybe will try the Elite next for more stability and see how that fares.  More drag but more stability.  Comparatively on the AS25 - it is quite easy to put 100% power down.  So that board would be better to race on over long distances as fatigue sets in.  For a pro - the AS23 would be plenty stable in a race.  For me it still gets tippy from time to time.

For DW though - the Race 23 works proper.  And do expect the SIC 7.0 as well when it arrives early next week.