2015 Bark Dominator D2 versus 2015 SIC X-14 Pro

[bing]

I will be replacing my Bark Dominator this year with a new flat-water race board.  I am looking for a narrower 14ft board down to 26 inches.  The 2015 Bark Dominator D2 looks like a great board.  I am also considering the 2015 SIC X-14 Pro.  Both boards look great for racing and just moving quickly through flat-water and chop.  Has anyone compared these two boards for flat-water and/or choppy conditions ?

[calinso]

I can`t comment on the Bark, but I have paddeled the X pro all most a year and I love it. The X pro is very fast and not that difficult to paddel. I swaped the fin for more stability. It has put me in the front of the pack in many competitions. So yes, you can buy your way to the podium ;-).

[Rideordie]

Calinso, I am very interested in the X14 Pro.  Going to test one on Friday.  I am 200 lbs and ride mostly flat water.  Large inland lake.  Currently have a SIC X 14 SCC 28.5 inches and want to get a leaner shape for more speed.  Love the brand, build quality, features and appearance.  Have heard several people comment that this is a fast board.  Couple of concerns.  Is there enough volume for my weight and how is the stability of the board?  I previously owned a 2011 Javelin 14x 26.12.  Loved it straight upwind and downwind and on flats.  Side winds and chop were murder and the balance checking prevented me from putting down full power and wore me out.  I like to paddle hard and go for some longer rides.  Also currently have a Naish Glide 14 x 27.25, so I do have experience on narrow boards.  What is your weight and what are thoughts on stability, etc.  What fin are you using?  I also swapped the stock fin on my SIC to a L.A. Ninja.  Thanks!!           

[calinso]

I weight 88 kg' think 200lbs is around 100 kg?  I cant comment on Your 200 lbs is to much for the board. Try before you buy, if possible. For a board that is 14 x26 I Think is ok stabel. It took me some time to learn to handel it in strong side wind. Bur has it dialed in now. Swaped the fin for A future keel fin gave it more stabillity.
I use it in costal bay'ish conditions. Chop but nowaves and it's ok for that.

[Rideordie]

Kilo = 2.2 pounds so, 200 pounds =about 91 KG.  I weigh 3 kilos more, so sounds like it would work for me too.     

[Rideordie]

Bing, I can now give you the reply you are looking for.  I just tested several boards including the SIC and Bark D2!!  Used GPS Speed coach on boards, when we could get the suction cup to attach.  Tide was going out and wind was blowing about 15 mph, but pretty flat conditions otherwise.  First tested the X14P.  Seemed tippy, but really fast.  Next was a Bark custom D2 proto-type.  More stable, not quite as fast SIC.  D-2 maybe even more stable and equal to Custom Speed. A little less volume in this board, 238 liters as I recall.  It is a very nice board.  I am Not a fan of the color scheme.  Naish Javelin LE.  Very Very stable.  Felt like a 28 inch board.  Extremely quick getting up to speed.  However, I don't think it was as fast as the SIC on flat water.  No GPS on that one.  With the rocker it has, I am sure it would fly downwind and have heard that about the board.  I think this is going to be a very relevant all around shape.  Problem is the LE costs about $4300  versus SIC $2800.  54% more!!  It does come in GX construction for about $3300, but was not in stock where I tested, Carolina Paddleboard Co.  Wrightsville Beach, NC.  He also had a Starboard Race 25 available, but I did not test it because he said it was quite tippy and I was probably a bit heavy for it.  It was 40 degrees and I was in boardshorts and not in the mood to swim.   

So, I asked if we could get a bigger fin for the X14 and see how it felt.  Used a Futures Runner JB 58.9 square inches x 8.25 deep.  Wow, what a difference!!  That completely took the tip out of it and convinced me to buy the X14 and fin on the spot.  Have had the board out in 15-20 mph winds, in somewhat  protected areas.  This board is fast!!  When I was paddling hard, I was able to keep up with my friend on his 18 4 inch MHL unlimited.  Have not been able to get a long run read on the speed, but from some short Garmin GPS tests, I think I will be able to average 5.3 to 5.5 over a 3 to 6 mile run.  Maybe more.  I think this is a conservative estimate  Short all out sprint for about 40 seconds, I was able to Average 6.2 mph!!

If I am correct in my estimates, I figure that is about an 6-8% or so uplift from my X14 SCC (28.5 inches).  In 6 mile runs on that board, I am only able to average 5.0-5.1 in perfect conditions.  In bigger conditions over 15 MPH, I think a shape with more rocker might work better for me, but in flatter water, this one is a rocket!!  In side wind and chop, I think it is going to be manageable.  Floats me well and I am 200 pounds.  Very light at 23 lbs.  Build quality and appearance both are first rate.  With the more narrow width, I found that I am more comfortable with the closer paddle placement.  Pad is extremely comfortable.  Best handle in the business, in my opinion.  In summary, from the boards tested, the SIC was exactly what I was looking for the conditions I ride.  Mostly flatwater.  For bigger conditions, my intuition is that the Naish would be the go to board with the enhanced stability and rocker.  I have a different board (Naish Glide) for that.  The D2 is a nice board, but just did not stand out for me.  Hope this helps you. 
                               

[bing]

Hi Rideordie

Thanks for the detailed write up on the boards.  I am assuming the SIC X14P was the 26 inch wide version and not the Pro-lite at
24 inches.  Was the Naish Javelin LE a 2014 or 2015 ? Any case - the SIC sounds like the right board for me.  From your description
the D2 probably isn't much faster than the original Dominator.

[Rideordie]

Bing, Yes I was refering to the X14 Pro 14 x 26, not the Pro-Lite.  I tested the 2015 Javelin LE.  It has been a while since I have ridden a Dominator, but I believe that the D-2 is faster than the Dominator and handles better with improved nose and more narrow width.  I just think the SIC is faster.  I may be wrong, as it is always difficult to make exact comparisions, plus we had 15 mph wind with even higher gusts and the tide was ebbing.  However, I rode these boards back to back, so I think I got a pretty good read.  I want to emphasize that all three of these boards are great choices.  The X14 PRO is the choice I made for my conditions. So far I am very pleased.  Seemed just as fast when I got it home.  Top speed seems more about your motor than board shape on the 26 and it seems more alive and responsive at that width and lighter weight. I am now convinced that my speed was limited by the shape of the SIC X14 SCC (28.5 inches).  I will be doing some GPS testing in the next few weeks, which should back that up.             

[bing]

Just a follow up on the X-14 Pro - I ended up buying one and love the board.  I tested the D2 and found it to be heavier and slower.  Rideordie - your tip on the Future Runner fin is spot on.  The board is also fantastic in small downwinders.  It catches every bump.  However, I haven't taken it on a big downwind run yet.  I think it will work fine except you will likely need to do more walking on it via the Bullet 14 V2 since there is a lot less rocker.

[bbarry]

Can the 14' X Pro go downwind?   Contrary to the very conservative product description from SIC, the SIC X Pro's are awesome downwind.  I have both the 14 and 12'6", I'm a little guy and will always ride 12'6" if there is a decent class but lately it has all been 14.  So mostly I race 14 and wish I was 40 pounds heavier and 5 inches taller, but the X Pros are as good DW as they are in the flats.   

I have done several downwind runs in the gorge on these boards in very windy conditions and they rock.  Yes, the Bullet 14 V-2 is a bit more controllable (got one of them also) but bogs quickly in the flats vs the X Pro's.    I did two Viento's today on the Bullet in winds running 20 gusting high 30's and found that I was wishing to be on the 14 X Pro most of the time.   

So many choices, so little time.   

[bing]

I agree Barry - I have both boards and my X-14 is becoming my go to board for almost all conditions.  However, the Bullet is so much fun and easy in big waves it is hard not to take it on the bumps.

[Off-Shore]

I agree Barry - I have both boards and my X-14 is becoming my go to board for almost all conditions.  However, the Bullet is so much fun and easy in big waves it is hard not to take it on the bumps.

Bing. This is good to hear. I'm trying to decide what 14' race board to get to replace my Think XO 14' and the SIC X-14 Pro seems to fit the bill if it can also perform in a downwind.

[bing]

Hey Off-Shore - It is an awesome board - great downwinder for smaller bumps (1 -3 ft).  It is likely good in bigger water too but it will require a
little more foot work.

[supdiscobay]

Forget the production boards and call Dave Daum at Kings Paddlesports and get the 14' Elite with the americas cup nose and he will build it to whatever dimensions or volume you want.  I know he gets up north sometimes so maybe even a delivery might be possible.

I have paddled both his standard race nose and the americas cup and it is amazing how well the AC nose cuts through water.  Like any good 14' board, the narrower it is the faster it will be.  I am racing a 26" wide with the AC nose in the Lake of the Sky Race in Tahoe next weekend.  It has a little more volume than what I would get for an ocean race, but it should be perfect for the fresh water lake.

Also check out his website, under the contact section "On Line Board Design"  He talks with you as you and he design the board on the screen.  For $2,895, you can't get a better more custom board.  My training board is a Bark Dominator and it weighs 28lbs.  Just think how fast a 20lb race board would be.

[Off-Shore]

Hey Off-Shore - It is an awesome board - great downwinder for smaller bumps (1 -3 ft).  It is likely good in bigger water too but it will require a
little more foot work.

I looked at the price here and.... Woah. It's pricey. Even with a 10% discount it's more expensive than the list price in the U.S.  With no good 2nd hand market here we are kind of stuck with new boards and paying high prices. Will have to wait...