2017 Allstar 14 reviews???

[Rideordie]

Can anyone provide an unbiased review on the 2017 Allstar?  I am thinking about buying one. I am 200 pounds with good balance. I know I can ride the 24.5, but should I go with the 27 for better hydrodynamics?

[Kaihoe]

It really depends what you want to do. If your serious about hydrodynamics you probably want to go as fast as possible, so if you can balance on the 24.5 then that will probably be better for you.

Best bet is to test both of them and see how you feel.  Personally (at 220lbs ) I wouldn't buy the 27 unless it was a second board specifically for downwinding/surf races

[DavidJohn]

If you're 200lbs and plan to use it DWing I'd recommend the 27.. My friend has one.. He's much lighter than you.. and he says it's a big improvement over last years board.

[gone_foiling]

I am in the same boat Rideordie.. But my dilemma do I want 23 or 24.5. I am 5'6 @160 lbs. I think Eagle has as23 so he might have paddled them all  ? So please chime in. Thank you!

[Eagle]

I am in the same boat Rideordie.. But my dilemma do I want 23 or 24.5. I am 5'6 @160 lbs. I think Eagle has as23 so he might have paddled them all  ? So please chime in. Thank you!

Hi gzasinets - the 23 is tippy at first until you narrow up your stance and relax your proprioception muscles.  They will be firing max at first.  Moving back a bit helps add stability but does cause the tail to drag.  Once you no longer get the jitters trying to balance -> you can go in side chop and slop.  If you stick with it you will appreciate the board like a fine glass of wine - and really enjoy every stroke as you paddle along.  It rewards handsomely a smooth operator with finesse.  Try to manhandle the board and it will bite back - you will lose your balance.  Your technique should improve dramatically - and when you step on your Bullet 14V2 - it will feel stable as a dock.

The 25 was not like this at all.  It was a lot more stable so they dropped it down 1/2" for 2017.  This board is more versatile and useable for a larger spectrum of riders.  They added more volume as well.  My wife hopped on the 25 - and she took off like a shot with no balance issues at all.  The narrowest boards she had ever ridden before were the Bullet at 27.25 and Dom at 27.5.  So if you want a small learning curve go for the 24.5 - it will easily match up to your Bullet ride based on my wife.

Did not try the 27 as it was not available - but tried the 28.  That board was much slower and felt like a board for heavy riders.  Took a lot of energy to accelerate and maintain glide upwind.  A demo quickly changed my perception -> wanted the 25 before testing -> then immediately decided the 23 would give me what I was looking for in the long run.  The 23 has not disappointed at all - its excellent performance and efficient glide is really quite amazing for an AW board.  If you want a challenge get the 23 -> otherwise you will not go wrong with the 24.5 - based on your quiver and size. 

[FloridaWindSUP]

I am in the same boat Rideordie.. But my dilemma do I want 23 or 24.5. I am 5'6 @160 lbs. I think Eagle has as23 so he might have paddled them all  ? So please chime in. Thank you!

Hi Greg! Get the 23, and then race with us. CGT Kayaks is going to be getting a 14x23 AS demo in soon.

[gone_foiling]

Thank you Eagle! How heavy are you? Do you use as23 for flatwater or ocean as well? I am interested in the board/rider combo being able to handle 2-4 ft swell/chop eventually.

[gone_foiling]

I am in the same boat Rideordie.. But my dilemma do I want 23 or 24.5. I am 5'6 @160 lbs. I think Eagle has as23 so he might have paddled them all  ? So please chime in. Thank you!

Hi Greg! Get the 23, and then race with us. CGT Kayaks is going to be getting a 14x23 AS demo in soon.

Thanks James! I want to join you guys when i have some time. Do you know the time frame when CGT might have as23 for demo?

[JEG]

As I said at other forum I would suggest the 27 for your weight, unless you want that extra challenge and have great balance like a pro then buy the 24.5.

[Eagle]

Thank you Eagle! How heavy are you? Do you use as23 for flatwater or ocean as well? I am interested in the board/rider combo being able to handle 2-4 ft swell/chop eventually.

If you have reasonable balance on your Bullet 14V2 ie. you do not fall off AW or on a DW run - you might be a candidate for the 23.  If you do fall off -> then the 24.5 would be a better option.

I now use my 23 for any conditions up to 15 kts in the ocean.  And do not fall off.  Once you get the balance point you can pretty much dial in the board for any conditions.  I pretty much always paddle in 2-4 ft swell.  We do not have flatwater.  My weight is about the same as any young lightweight pro.  Very lean and light with reasonable strength.  I lift a lot of weights and do a lot of HIIE.  My kids are in their 20s.

I bought the 23 not to race but to improve my balance in middle age.  If you demo that 23 - and do not fall in - you should buy it.  Your balance will improve if you persist - and you will become a very good paddler in short order.  You will be able to hop on any board and feel very stable.  If you race - you will be slower at first - then a lot faster.  My max peak was 7.2 mph after a couple of weeks.  Here are pics of me and my wife.  She was on a 25 demo and I could not catch her on the 28. 

[mr_proper]

I have the 2017 Allstar 24.5.
I weigh 202 lbs/193cm and my balance is not the best, but I still swim almost never. I paddle since July 2015.
However, I was so far not yet at the sea. Only river and lake. There are only wind waves and boat waves.
In the first moment, the board seems a bit tippy, but is then super stable.
In draft very good-natured, side waves are simply absorbed. Pivot turns are very simple.
All in all so far the best board for me.

[ukgm]

Can anyone provide an unbiased review on the 2017 Allstar?  I am thinking about buying one. I am 200 pounds with good balance. I know I can ride the 24.5, but should I go with the 27 for better hydrodynamics?

Depending on how and where you paddle, I'd suggest the 27 is a step too far the wrong way - you'll outgrow it quickly and you'll find it very slow. The issue I have with the 23 is that when it comes to sell it, you'll struggle to find a buyer with a board that narrow and even if you deal with its instability, you'll always have to be on your guard. If your stance can handle it, I'd personally opt for the 24.5 but trial it first. You might find you need to consider other brands entirely.

[Muskoka SUP]

NOOOO..  not a Tiki board..   .  So the honeymoon with your FX is over?? Say it ain't so..

BTW, don't forget what happened when the Brady's got involved with a Tiki.. 

[Rideordie]

Muskoka, still love my FX, but it has been dropped off my golf cart and repaired and now dropped off the cart a second time at zero mph. Not sure I want a board that has been repaired twice. Like my equipment fresh, so thinking about a change. I tested a 2016 Allstar 14x25 briefly at Carolina Cup and it felt great. Very stable and crazy fast up wind. Windy day so no sure about flat speed, but heard it was all around a great board. Assume 2017 is an improvement???  I am thinking 24.5 but I don't want to ruin the ride by being overweight. At 200 pounds I am outside of the manufacturer suggested weight range , but I might be disappointed 27 width. I am sure I would be comfortable balance wise on 24.5 , but don't to ruin the glide with my weight. From responses above it, maybe I would be ok on the 24.5. Anyone have thoughts on 2016 compared to 2017?? Also thoughts on the carbon versus hybrid??  Seems like the price difference might not be worth the small weight loss the cheaper one may be more durable.

[easy]

I went from an X14 pro to a 2017  14 x 24.5" Allstar an never went back.  I had never been on anything less than 26" wide before the Allstar.  I think the Allstar is as  stable as the X14 Pro if not more so.  I also have a 2017 14 x 27" Allstar that I got for rough water.  The 24.5" is so much easier (faster) to paddle that I will only use the 27" when I have to. I would use the 27" for DW but I have SIC Bullets for that.
I'm 170 lbs, 67 yr old intermediate paddler.   I've also bought 14 x 23" Allstar for flat water but have yet to paddle it as I'm in the Bahamas on a boat an the 23" didn't make it on board.  I would try an paddle a  14 x 24.5" if you can before getting a 14x 27".  Just my 2 cents worth.