2013 Starboard Surfboards

[magentawave]

Hey, how come this post is about surfboards when this is a SUP forum?

[Easy Rider]

The Starboard "brushed carbon" look is the end result of taking a full carbon board - - painting it a lighter color so the black of the carbon won't be as affected by the sun - - and then sanding off as much paint as possible to lighten the board.  Starboard has been doing it for a long time with its sailboards.

Personally - I like the look. 

[Cardiff Sweeper]

My SB Pro carbon could be puke-colored, and I'd still love it. It's the most fun, durable board I've ever owned. Yeah, yeah, I sound like a kool-aid drinking fanboy. I've been through eight stand-ups, and found the company that fits my wallet and riding style.

I have nothing against custom boards (had two of them), but the durability just wasn't there. Although Wardog's acid washed carbon Sups look killer! Now Starboard is taking a chance at really expensive carbon surfboards.  They'll either sell or not. I applaud them for taking a chance.

[getsupngo]

I'm wondering just how much of a weight savings comes from sanding some of the paint off.  A good pound or so in these lighter boards can usually be felt more so than in a heavier board.  I guess its the percentage of reduction that is being felt.  I'm okay with the look if it upgrades the performance and fun factor.  I just don't really see anyone intentionally having their car painted with that look.   

[Easy Rider]

^^^ on a Starboard Big Easy (12'0" x 32") almost 2 lbs of paint is sanded off.
May not seem like much - but when the board in carbon is just over 20 lbs - that's 10%.

[getsupngo]

So it might be safe to say that its somewhere around a pound of paint that is sanded off on the much shorter SUPs.  I'm thinking that I would probably notice this 1 lb drop on a 12 pounder more so than a 2 lb drop on a 20 pounder. 

[Dwight (DW)]

SUPflorida,

Seeing that construction in person, I think they are not really sanding into the lam. Its a full on fill coat.

I think they add, just enough white to reduce heat, while still showing off the carbon for marketing purposes. Otherwise it's harder to sell at that high price. 

There is some technology in the way it's sanded that is hard to figure out.  Some custom machinery or tooling must be involved. You can look at the attempted copies of that finish coming from the guy in the Pacific Northwest, and see it can't be duplicated just adding pigment or micro balloons to the sanding coat.

I'd love to know the tricks behind it.

[Cardiff Sweeper]

The new lineup unveils today in Spain.

[Cardiff Sweeper]

New stand-up boards in action!

[Easy Rider]

Great video!  Thanks for posting.

[Cardiff Sweeper]

Review

[SUPerSwede]

That's no review, just a sales pitch...

[Cardiff Sweeper]

Ok.

Sales pitch.

[Cardiff Sweeper]

Supping on a 5'4"!



(Sorry for the low resolution)

[downwinddave]

i think Dan is confused, he claims the brushed carbon board he is holding has a PVC core, this contradicts Starboards own diagram in the catalog that shows the brushed carbon boards have a EPS core with a pvc sandwich.   not saying that is a bad thing, sandwich construction is typically pretty bomber.  but that statement about pvc core is inaccurate.    

and that photo of the 5'4" is straight up ridiculous!