Starboard Coast Runner

[ChesSUP]

I picked up my new Starboard Coast Runner Brushed Carbon (14'x28")on Wednesday.  I purchased it new from Paddle Board Specialist on Clearance.  They were very helpful with suggestions and talking me through my options.  Additionally, after all of the shipping horror stories everything went very smoothly.  They double boxed the board and it arrived with no issues whatsoever.  This board replaces my old Yolo 12'-6"x29" Predator.  The Predator was a flat water screamer, but at my weight it really suffered in rougher water.  I only had the CR out for a short paddle in dead flat water but I like the way it feels.  Even though it is 1" narrower, the standing area is at least 2" wider.  Additionally, the standing area of the CR is sort of a double concave where your feet are in two lower channels with a central rib down the middle this leads to a different feel from the Yolo that I found to be much more comfortable I'm guessing due to the contours of the standing area.  The sunken deck also gives a totally different feel.  The Yolo had a sunken deck but it was not as prominent as the CR.  Additionally, the Yolo had a ton of primary stability and very little secondary stability.  I would classify the CR as middle of the road for primary but a ton of secondary.  Weight wise I never had both boards at the same time and I never weighed my Yolo but the weight does not feel significantly different and is more than manageable for getting on the roof of my car and onto the rack in my garage that is 7.5' off the ground.  Paddling it definitely felt faster but this was not confirmed with GPS.  I bought the board for rougher conditions knowing I would be sacrificing pure flat water speed.  In the flat water it felt very maneuverable while still tracking well.  I did have a Larry Allison Thresher fin on instead of the stock fin. I will update my review once I get it out in some chop.  In the meantime, if you have any questions let me know.  Thanks.

[ChesSUP]

A few quick picks.  I have not paddled in different conditions from the a I've bit I did forget to mention I am 6', 210lbs.

[DavidJohn]

It's a great board..

It's very similar to the Surfrace.. We get both [Surfrace and Coastrunnrs] doing downwinders.. They go well..

Not sure which one this is at the 3 min mark in this vid.

DJ

[ChesSUP]

I had my first race on the board this past weekend and unfortunately have only been on it about 6 times or so since getting it.  So I am still learning it a bit.  The race was at the mouth of the Severn river paralleling the shore toward the south.  Toward the end of the first leg we were more or less in the Chesapeake Bay.  The water was confused with boat chop and there was only 4-5 knots of breeze, directly in our face on the way out and behind us coming home.  I am still getting used to the initial tippy-ness.  I don't often feel like I am going to fall, but my legs are somewhat wobbly underneath me.  I think this will get better as I get more time on it.  I did fall once when a boat wake snuck up behind me, but otherwise I did well.  Overall I am still very happy with the board.  I am going to start trying some different fins but am thrilled with the purchase.  I am hoping to hit the Rehoboth PaddleFest this coming weekend and learn a little more.

[ChesSUP]

After paddling more and becoming more in tune with the board, I realized it had a bit of flex.  It is most obvious when charging through bigger boat wakes.  You can also reproduce the feeling by standing in the balls of you feet and "dropping" back on your heels.  It produces a small vibration that resonates for a split second.  I figure this is most attributed to the volume of the board and the fact that it ALWAYS wants to float.  Unlike flat water boards that don't mind pushing the bow through a wake, this does not.  Other than that I am still in love with it.

[Muskoka SUP]

The vibration you're feeling also happens when paddling on flat water and the wind picks up producing closely spaced ripples... The CR starts vibrating with the tight frequency.  I think your right about the volume - the fact that most of its volume is in the nose and secondly in the tail adds to this reaction.  There's not much volume in the sunken deck area.  I never let it bother me, as it doesn't diminish the CR's outstanding open water performance. 

Just be ready for the dreaded "boof" if you do some downwinding in shorter period waves..

David S.

[ChesSUP]

Being in the bay I have never gotten a chance for a proper downwinder.  I do hope to catch the wind just right blowing out of the Severn River.  If I catch it right, it could provide a 8-9miler.  Fingers crossed.

[Muskoka SUP]

Don't let my "boof" comment deter you from trying a downwinder, its probably the most fun you can have on a SUP, its totally addictive.  If my Coast Runner had been the carbon version I'd have kept it.  It's a great open water board.   

David S.

[ChesSUP]

No worries sometimes a "swim" is what you need in the middle of a long paddle.

[SupTrip]

Hey guys-

This is my first post, and I wanted to offer my two cents regarding the coast runner. I just got into SUP about 2 months ago, its a blast and my new full blown obsession. I started off getting a Bote Ahab 14', and a Bote HD for my girlfriend because we fish a lot. Two weeks later I picked up a used Carbon Coast Runner. The rod & reel stay at home now, no fishing just paddling & its way more fun.
I've gone on a few 8-12 mile downwinders in tampa bay with the coastrunner, and probably logged close to 200 miles total.

Heres the relevant bit- I've tried out several different fins. In my opinion the thresher felt like dragging a small parachute. The fastest fin I've used was the stock race 23, but obviously it doesn't track that well. I also tried a futures 52 cutaway?, a LA ninja, and LA Bark stock fin. The futures didnt do too much for me, maybe it was so neutral I didn't perceive any "effect". The ninja was hilarious, I bought it used- took it out and would be off course by 90 degrees within 5 strokes on my right side. Being new to the sport, i thought it had to be me and spent a few hours screaming & cussing out loud as I tried everything imaginable to paddle straight. Turns out it was warped, it had a .25" deflection and was impossible to paddle straight.

My favorite has been the LA fin that comes with the dominator. My friend had a couple extra and let me hang on to one. It tracks really well, and doesn't feel like its pulling at the back of the board.

Again, I just got started, and have a small fraction of actual experience compared to other forum members. This has just my experience to date. Enjoy your new board and if its windy out, leave work right away!

[Old School]

I do miss my coast runner sometimes. Great downwind board for east coast conditions.

Suptrip, sounds like I'm the opposite of you. I sold my coast runner and bought a bote so i could fish more. If by chance you are in Florida and want to sell the ahab, let me know.