Hobie12'6 versus Starboard Free Race

[marc]

Everythink is in the tittle. What about this two boards, especially in choppy conditions ??
Thanks

[lee]

My 2010 hobie is fast and stable.REally sweet in the water ..BUT I think it's made of marshmallows covered with tissue paper.It is so soft that when you put your foot back to turn you get a new dent.I put a pad on the back to try and wish away the problem , IMO I think that Hobie is using surfboard technology and starboard uses sailboard type construction.
I had a discussion with Hobie and they said that the pressure dents were normal for these boards but would return it if necessary.I decided to try and live with it as it paddles so sweet..
Good Luck

[Au111]

Lee, is your board the PFX construction or full carbon?

[lee]

It's fiberglass.I haven't seen any PFX.

[Easy Rider]

PFX is Hobie's name for fiberglas / epoxy construction.

As to the original question - I have paddled the Free Race a bunch and I really like it.
It is not as fast as the Starboard New - but is a whole bunch more stable. 
I have even put beginners out on it and they have no problems.

Your weight will determine which width you should get.

180 and up get the 31' - under 180 get the 29".

Hope that helps.

[H2Oman]

I had the FreeRace out for a day demo.  At 245lbs. the 29" is plenty stable.  The only reason I could see with going for the 31" board would be for some extra lift at the tail, but I would prefer to slim down vs. add extra board weight to compensate.

[Easy Rider]

I am 205 and have paddled both widths.
The 31" was just as fast over a measured course (6 seconds over 4 km) - with a Garmin 305 - but the 31" "lap" had a 9 bpm lower heart rate - (tried it second about an hour after the 29") 

My guess is that the 31" was more stable which allowed me to focus on paddling more and less on stability.

Try both if you can.  Don't be super quick to go as narrow as possible.  My test opened my eyes.

[venice mace]

great insight, easy

[Au111]

I had the FreeRace out for a day demo.  At 245lbs. the 29" is plenty stable.  The only reason I could see with going for the 31" board would be for some extra lift at the tail, but I would prefer to slim down vs. add extra board weight to compensate.

Has your group been able to demo a SurfRace alongside the 29" FreeRace? 

[H2Oman]

Not yet.  There are only a few boards in the shops and I'm not aware of any SurfRace's for demo.  I think the SurfRace would be pushing it for me due to it's width.

You're in SD right?  It would be worth the drive to check out the FreeRace w/Ralph at Sup-Postion in Huntington.  He was really helpful and didn't rush us.  We had a nice long paddle and time to get a feel for the board, vs. a quick jump on/off demo.

[Au111]

It would be worth the drive to check out the FreeRace w/Ralph at Sup-Postion in Huntington. 

Thanks for the suggestion - emailing with Ralph now.  I kinda think the rocker profile of the Pin might make more sense than the FreeRace for any off-shore work, but that's just bench-racing talk for now.  And I would really hate to make a final call without riding the SurfRace... 

[H2Oman]

I'm with you on the Pin rocker.  I kept going back and forth with the Freerace and Pin.  The Pin is very stable and easier on the wallet.  It's always a tough choice to pick a new board and the are always pros and cons.

Let us know what you decide.

[river]

IMO the Surfrace will be better for any type of open ocean paddling and will surf much better than the Freerace.  I have paddled the Freerace once, the Surfrace a bunch and the 09 pin a ton BTW. 

[marc]

And the Hobie ?? anyone does tried it ? what differences betweenthr PFX and the carbon one?

[H2Oman]

IMO the Surfrace will be better for any type of open ocean paddling and will surf much better than the Freerace.  I have paddled the Freerace once, the Surfrace a bunch and the 09 pin a ton BTW. 

River,

What are your thoughts on the PIN?