Author Topic: starboard race or ace???  (Read 14079 times)

newton333

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starboard race or ace???
« on: December 23, 2014, 07:01:56 AM »
hey I'm in between the 12.6x25.5 race and 12.6 x24 or 25wide ace I'm 200 lb and mostly race in choppy ocean conditions in 3 to 10 mile races. I'm not sure which board would be better for that. i want to be fast but some what stable as well in the chop.  id like to go narrow to gain a little speed but don't want to to tired to quick from fighting the wobbles.  I'm siding to the ace @ 25 wide i think? anyone ride these boards?

Kieranrsup

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2014, 02:01:43 PM »
Hey mate. Any particular reason you are going for 12'6"?
For choppy conditions the 14x25" Ace is pretty much as good as it gets.
I was recently able to use one on a 12km mild DW and absolutely loved it!!!
Such a cracking board!! Picks up runs like nothing else I've ever paddled.
The race is definitely more flatwater orientated and not really what I'd pick for any ocean work.
The Ace gets my vote for the conditions you describe.
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Starboard Ace 14 x 25".
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JP 10' x 29"
Starboard Pro 8.0 x 29".
Starboard Pro 8' x 29".

Fog City Rider

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2014, 03:54:34 PM »
I would say Ace or All-Star, because I tried the Race in question, and it was NOT stable.  And I weigh 35 lbs less than you...
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seant319

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2014, 06:20:38 PM »
Neither if you want a board that won't crack like an eggshell under your feet after one year, and nonexistent customer service.

Off-Shore

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2014, 07:02:44 PM »
Neither if you want a board that won't crack like an eggshell under your feet after one year, and nonexistent customer service.

Haha. The 2012 Starboard Carbons were terrible for breaking like an eggshell. I had a friend paddle my 12-6 Ocean Race and fall on it and punch two fist sized holes in the deck where his hands gripped the paddle he was holding. I traded it in for a 2013 SB All Star 12-6 and this is way much tougher. I am with Kieranrsup and would go with a 14' rather than a 12-6 if you can, especially with your weight. And if you get any chance to downwind as well as race, I'd recommend the Ace over the Race.
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Kieranrsup

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2014, 08:26:28 PM »
Agreed with Offshore; the new Starby carbons are tough as.
Quite a few of my mates have 2013/2014 14 x 25" and 14 x 27" Aces and they have not had any durability issues.
I enjoyed my DW race on that one I tried so much I've ordered a 14 x 25".
It's just so refined and quick. The thing just flies!! I can honestly say I've never linked runs like that before on any board in Australia. (Last time I had that feeling was on my V1 Bullet on Maliko)The only other board that comes close is the Fanatic Falcon but IMO the Ace is faster for less rider effort if you can get over the enclosed feeling of standing in the board.
It is a technical board to ride but once you get the hang of it wow!! I found this years 25" to be more stable than last years 27". Less rolly feel to it.
SIC custom hand shaped 17' x 25.5" V3 Bullet.
NSP DC 17'10" x 26" .
Starboard Ace 14 x 25".
Starboard Sprint 14 x 24".
JP 10' x 29"
Starboard Pro 8.0 x 29".
Starboard Pro 8' x 29".

Eagle

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2014, 09:08:25 PM »
For choppy ocean conditions over 10 miles the Ace 25 is a better choice for your weight.  The Race is a blend of the Sprint and the All Star - where the Ace is better in choppy water. 

If storage is not a problem and you are ok to race in the 14 class the Ace 14x25 is the width for you.  The nose rides quickly over chop and the pin tail releases very clean giving you an extremely fast ride.  Off-Shore and Kieranrsup are on the money.  ;)
Fast is FUN!   8)
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newton333

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #7 on: December 25, 2014, 07:58:54 AM »
i like to race in 12'6 class its more of a challenge and surf a little better. I'm  just not into 14 ft.

fms

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #8 on: December 28, 2014, 07:33:37 AM »
Im 5'10 167lbs and race in the 14' Division. My go to board in open and heavy chop is the 14 x 23.5 ACE pro, it is great!!

Argosi

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #9 on: December 29, 2014, 11:20:13 AM »
Im 5'10 167lbs and race in the 14' Division. My go to board in open and heavy chop is the 14 x 23.5 ACE pro, it is great!!

That's an Ace. The Ace Pro was a totally different model made by Starboard but retired in 2012 - more for flatwater. I've also got the 14x23.5 Ace and it's my favorite board by far. Catches bumps and glides like nothing else I've tried in under 20 knots of wind. Also does great in mixed chop. Not bad in flat water either.

Argosi

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #10 on: December 29, 2014, 11:29:24 AM »
i like to race in 12'6 class its more of a challenge and surf a little better. I'm  just not into 14 ft.

If you want a 12'6" board that surfs better, the 12'6"x25" All Star would be a better choice than the Race or Ace. The Ace is faster than the All Star in mixed ocean conditions (I've got both boards), but the All Star is a lot easier when surfing a beach break wave. The enclosed pin tail standing area makes it tricky to surf the Ace like a traditional surf board. Having said that, the Ace glides on open ocean downwind waves a lot easier/longer than the All Star.

I've tried the Race in flatwater and on a downwinder and I found it less stable and more twitchy than the All Star.

newton333

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #11 on: December 29, 2014, 03:18:11 PM »
ok all star but at what width?

Kieranrsup

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #12 on: December 29, 2014, 06:40:19 PM »
I've paddled the 12'6" x 26" Allstar and it was plenty stable and goes really well.
I used it in pretty messed up side on Ocean DW conditions too and found it caught bumps pretty good but I think it's a bit more suited to milder more lined up bumps or BOP style races.
SIC custom hand shaped 17' x 25.5" V3 Bullet.
NSP DC 17'10" x 26" .
Starboard Ace 14 x 25".
Starboard Sprint 14 x 24".
JP 10' x 29"
Starboard Pro 8.0 x 29".
Starboard Pro 8' x 29".

photofr

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #13 on: January 04, 2015, 01:23:28 AM »
I recommend the All Star 14 x 25 - if you are going to have a single board for your races.
If you are going to have two boards, I'd go with the All Star 14 x 28 AND Race 12 x 25.5.

For ref.,  I am paddling the 2014 Sprint (race) 12'6 x 24" and 2014 Sprint (race) 17'6 x 23".

Reasoning:
For a single board, the 14 x 25 is much more suited for your weight.
The glide should be amazing (cannot even compare with the 12'6)
It should also give you an edge on stability, thus allowing you to really put in the power.
Versatility should be pretty good as well.

For a double-board quiver, you would have both "extremes" and still be able to paddle in the 12'6 category during those calmer days.

I am pretty sure few (if any) have actually placed the 14 x 28 and 12 x 25.5 side by side… but my best guess is that the 12 x 25.5 will NOT be faster, even though it's quite narrower and far FAR more tippy. 14' boards will glide more, 12' boards will tend to move more water.

I take my 17'6 x 23" in the ocean, long distance, short distance, as well as calmer waters. I find both of my boards pretty stable, but the dozens of people who have tried my boards (all heavier than me) complained about stability (or the lack there of). Very few of them could have imagined themselves having a single board for their races like the 12'6 x 24 Race - just not stable enough.

The 2015 Race board 12 x 25.5 has been redesigned : less drag at the rear, more stability than the 2014 26" version.

My weight: 130#
Location: Brittany, France

Hope this helps.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2015, 01:31:07 AM by photofr »
Nelo SUP - 14' x 23"
Nelo Surfski 560M - 18'4" x 17"

breakbad

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Re: starboard race or ace???
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2015, 07:52:05 AM »
I recommend the All Star 14 x 25 - if you are going to have a single board for your races.
If you are going to have two boards, I'd go with the All Star 14 x 28 AND Race 12 x 25.5.

For ref.,  I am paddling the 2014 Sprint (race) 12'6 x 24" and 2014 Sprint (race) 17'6 x 23".

Reasoning:
For a single board, the 14 x 25 is much more suited for your weight.
The glide should be amazing (cannot even compare with the 12'6)
It should also give you an edge on stability, thus allowing you to really put in the power.
Versatility should be pretty good as well.

For a double-board quiver, you would have both "extremes" and still be able to paddle in the 12'6 category during those calmer days.

I am pretty sure few (if any) have actually placed the 14 x 28 and 12 x 25.5 side by side… but my best guess is that the 12 x 25.5 will NOT be faster, even though it's quite narrower and far FAR more tippy. 14' boards will glide more, 12' boards will tend to move more water.

I take my 17'6 x 23" in the ocean, long distance, short distance, as well as calmer waters. I find both of my boards pretty stable, but the dozens of people who have tried my boards (all heavier than me) complained about stability (or the lack there of). Very few of them could have imagined themselves having a single board for their races like the 12'6 x 24 Race - just not stable enough.

The 2015 Race board 12 x 25.5 has been redesigned : less drag at the rear, more stability than the 2014 26" version.

My weight: 130#
Location: Brittany, France

Hope this helps.

Why the All Star instead of the Ace if only a single board is possible? I'm 85kg, currently on a 14x27, which is super stable, but a bit corky and hard to turn. So I was considering getting a 14x25 ACE as it seems to be the compromise between flat water and open ocean. However, I'd prefer an allstar because I don't like the enclosed area of the ace...plus I really like to surf my race boards in the mush surf we have around here. In flat water, is there any noticeable speed difference between ace & all star?

 


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