Messages

1546

Gear Talk / Re: 2016 SIC FX 12'6 X 26 VS Starboard All Star 12'6 X 25 Shootout

« on: February 07, 2016, 06:44:58 PM »

You should convince your wife that the 26" vapor is the board she really needs. :)The SIC might be  more durable than the Vapor with their "Innegra" reinforcements in strategic places on the board. I would be surprised if the local Bark dealer here got in a Vapor while still sitting on Downwinders from last year, but I would love to try one. Price wise I was leaning towards the Hybrid construction Starboard AllStar, and it weighs around 29-30 pounds for the 27" wide version. I'm also wondering about the NSP-DC offerings. I have heard the new elements construction is pretty heavy, so their 14 X 29 board would probably be very similar in weight and intended use to what I already have. I really liked the look of their coco carbon version from a couple years back and it weighed around 29 pounds. I can live with that no problem after paddling 34-36 pound boards.

That will not work this time.... :-)  She is pretty set on keeping her JP Australia Sportster 14x28 - I wish I could have purchased the Carbon version at the time. I have to say that on flattish water, it is a great design and a 14x27~26 at 28 lbs would have been also the perfect board for me. I took it some time ago on my local lake speed run and after using my lighter boards I could definitely feel the weight. I actually look in Canada for a carbon version and the prices are also completely silly. I agree that the Starboard Carbon Glass/Hybrid construction is a great value. I would also like to see first hand the Jimmy Lewis sandwich signature construction. It seems to garner a lot of praise.

1547

Gear Talk / Re: 2016 SIC FX 12'6 X 26 VS Starboard All Star 12'6 X 25 Shootout

« on: February 07, 2016, 05:06:33 PM »

The shape is spot on for pretty much every condition, so I'm sure there are a lot of really big paddlers that would love to give the Vapor a go.

If it came CAD $1,000 less and possibly in a slightly stronger/heavier construction I would be one of them. I could perfectly live with a 28/29 lbs board but with a stronger finish and lower price. It would be difficult for me to go for a CAD $3,700 board period but even less so if the finish risk to be toasted after less than a season. A 26" Vapor and a 28" Downwinder would seat nicely in my garage and even nicer on my car.

1548

Gear Talk / Re: Paddle length changing?

« on: January 30, 2016, 04:20:25 PM »

I got a board 1 inch or 1 inch 1/2 thicker than my other boards...I got a shaft longer than my other shafts as prescribed by my lower back. So one shaft for the Eradicator and one shaft for the Race and Downwinder but no shaft to rule them all....

1549

The Shape Shack / Re: 2015 Starboard Paint?

« on: January 29, 2016, 09:39:57 PM »

Thanks. I received the following from the distributor regarding the Blue - Pantone Process Blue C

Two resources on Granville Island may help - There is a small paint manufacturer called Kroma (kromaacrylics.com). Also, Opus stocks a basic process blue acrylic. Plus Opus has a store in North Van behind Cap Mall. But GI is a much nicer visit than behind Cap Mall. Of course if you choose the NV option, you could visit the Cheese Man and pay way less than GI cheese prices, but I digress... More digression: Roberts is next door to the Cheese Man and sometimes you can get a glimpse inside to see what carbon goodness he is up to.

Thanks for the tips - I like cheese :-)

1550

The Shape Shack / Re: 2015 Starboard Paint?

« on: January 28, 2016, 04:27:46 PM »

Thanks. I received the following from the distributor regarding the Blue - Pantone Process Blue C

1551

Gear Talk / Re: Leap of Faith - SIC FX 14????

« on: January 28, 2016, 09:46:35 AM »

I think it is the Cobra factory rather than Surftech that need to up their game. A friend bought a Bark Downwinder last year and it's bombproof - he says it is more durable than his JL M14 was. So I don't think this fragility is inherent to the construction/layup. I think it is just poor factory workmanship (or poor supplies) and perhaps a lack of QC. Most of the brands made there have had similar problems with some boards recently. I think it is luck of the draw. The problem is that paint-type issues may not be apparent until after the period where a warranty claim would be straightforward. Which is how I've ended up with a Naish that chips if a gnat lands on it. Thank you very much, Cobra.

Fair comment. I only had that issue with two Bark Downwinder so put it to this but I am sure that it is more widespread.
I sure would love mine (warranty replacement) to be bombproof but the paint goes in a blink and while the bottom is way stronger than the first it is still pretty "flexible".
Still love the board though....

1552

Gear Talk / Re: Leap of Faith - SIC FX 14????

« on: January 28, 2016, 08:58:41 AM »

My business is product development for major brands, and all I can say is that the most successful brands get the right balance of what I call "fashion" which is cosmetic, and innovation which is structural and technical. Few brands or companies manage to get this right, but those that do succeed in the long term. I thought SB had this and was a SB junkie for a while.. now I am not so sure. I think SIC and Bark and interestingly RedPaddle (as a iSUP-only) brand have this.

In my books Surftech (Bark) still needs to improve a bit on the quality of the Pro-Elite construction starting with the paint layer. As far as design are concerned after the Downwinder I would by a Vapor with my eyes closed if it was not for the construction that make me wonder on durability in the long run. It seems that SIC and Bark are providing the longer lasting designs.

1553

Gear Talk / Re: Leap of Faith - SIC FX 14????

« on: January 27, 2016, 11:25:40 AM »

Stability to me is being able to paddle hard in cross chop without engaging a rail and my legs getting exhausted - that's what I'm looking for in the FX/Allstar/Vapor.

That is what I like the most on the Bark Downwinder and also why I have a favorable eye for the Vapor (except for the wallet)....

1554

Gear Talk / Re: Leap of Faith - SIC FX 14????

« on: January 26, 2016, 03:23:10 PM »

Wow Luc - 1000 dollars more? Why? Prices here in the UK seem to have gone up no more than 10% this year. Is this a currency exchange thing? Our Australian friends are really suffering this year with the weak Aussie dollar.

Looks like two factors:
1) FX the CAD has lost 30% to the USD +$700
2) Slight increase in new model price +$300
i.e.
Last year the D2 was $300 more than the Downwinder but this year they are about the same.
This year the Vapor is about $300 more than the D2 and $350 more than the Downwinder
Not sure why as construction is the same and actually volume of the D2 is lower than volume of the Downwinder and volume of Vapor is same as Downwinder. I guess it is a premium for a new product or maybe because of limited production for first run...

1555

Gear Talk / Re: Leap of Faith - SIC FX 14????

« on: January 26, 2016, 02:48:02 PM »

So the FX is closer to the Vapor than the Bark Downwinder? I'm on the fence between the FX and All-star, but as you said, the Barks are cheaper.
Edit: Ahh, Vapor is 26" vs 28" for downwinder, more for racing

I'll tell you when I get a Vapour, but there doesn't seem to be pretty much anything in common between the Bark Vapour and the Bark Downwinder, excepting length and some superficial graphics family resemblance. The Vapour and the FX are both aimed at the same people who might want an All Star, I think. A head-to-head between these three boards in a variety of conditions would be a fascinating comparison. Although I don't think SIC make a cheap construction FX (?) so comparing boards that are 1500 dollars apart might not be very fair. But maybe the hybrid construction All Star vs. the Bark Vapour would be a fairer comparison.

Area10 do not do that. Last time you reviewed a board I bought it (no regrets there)......except that now in Canada the Vapor is $1,000 more than the Downwinder was. I have not seen pricing for the Allstar Hybrid construction yet.

1556

Technique / Re: Stop looking at your feet

« on: January 24, 2016, 03:54:08 PM »

What a good reminder.
This winter I have been working at improving my overall speed and trimming.
As a result I have started to look almost exclusively at the Makai before my feet and the nose of the board.
I started to feel like I am loosing my balance instead of gaining more with TOW...now I am reminded why.

Cheers,

Luc

1557

SUP General / Re: Is Racing Enough

« on: January 24, 2016, 03:24:49 PM »

Am I a freak, or does anybody here feel the same way.

The only reason I am considering going to some of our local races this year is to paddle (at least for the first 5 minutes) with some of the friends I downwind with "all in one place".
I cannot care less about the racing aspect; and the idea that somebody would stomp his board on top of mine after spending $$$ to get a nice board makes me feel very nostalgic after my kick-boxing and mixed martial arts years - and not in a nice way....so I intend to steer well away from the crowds during the initial rush and make turns at a safe distance.
Definitely considering this only a meet with hot soup and cold beer afterwards. If I can grab a clinic during that time even better.
At 50 the only thing I am racing after is time before I stop being able to do things....

So I will stand in solidarity with you.....

Cheers,

Luc

1558

The Shape Shack / 2015 Starboard Paint?

« on: January 22, 2016, 09:36:15 PM »

Hello,
Where could I find either some paint to touch-up a few sqi (the carbon is fully visible after sanding) or does anybody knows what Pantone or other colour code is required to purchase paint?

Cheers,

Luc

1559

The Shape Shack / Re: Slippery bottom shape for 14'

« on: January 20, 2016, 07:03:29 AM »

Flat was as close to displacement as I wanted to go.
- Deep fins are slowest, so I'd follow Larry Allison's development path and go short multi-fin. Larry is doing a mid ship fin. It might be what a flat bottom needs to fly straight.

Good info. I am planning on modifying a board to add multi-fins.

Cheers,

Luc

1560

Gear Talk / Re: Jimmy Lewis Stiletto 14' - Good, Bad, Ugly?

« on: January 14, 2016, 07:09:33 AM »

2014 model year, in pretty good shape. Couple of little paint chips, paddle scuffs, but no dings or repairs that I could see.

How'd I do?

Very nice. I am a sucker for orange boards with clean lines.
How heavy it is?

Haven't weighed it yet, but it's not bad. I'm guessing 27-28 lbs.

That's perfect.