How shall I put this? My SIC FX 14 has been dropped of my golf cart then repaired and dropped again. So now I am thinkinking about trading in on a new board rather than deal with the repair. I am think about a 2017 Allstar in the cheaper construction. At 200 pounds, I suppose I should get the 14x 27 but I know I could ride the 24.5. Appreciate any thoughts on the board and width choice.

I'm 180lb or 82kg and I have ridden both size boards (24.5 & 27). I'm new to sup and in my opinion I wouldn't suggest the 24.5 width board at your weight to do all conditions, maybe on the flat days with great balance you might be ok. If you like the Allstar to do all conditions then buy the 27 width.

Thanks JEG. Can you give your reviews on both boards? I have not been able to find any unbiased review in the 2017 Allstar. Appreciate your thoughts.

each to their own and in my opinion from going out once a week for a paddle the 2017 allstar 24.5 hybrid is good on the flat, surf ok (beginner) and good open ocean (not including rougher condition). I have not done a proper dw on any board but only dw ripples on my way home from an upwind paddle. With my weight and board width combine I can last most of the time up to 2hrs+.
The 2016 Allstar 14 x 27 hybrid (I think its almost the same as 2017 with different paint jobs) was super stable compared to 24.5 and goes ok on the flats though not as fast as 24.5 as expected. Apparently the allstar is not that good for dw but I think this board wasn't design to do great on dw but all condition board though the expert and pros make it look easy on any conditions.

end the end it's up to you and others to choose their board of like as most board brands now got everyone covered in multiple type and size boards.
I think Starboard Allstar need to fill the gap between 24.5" & 27" width and make a 25.5" or 26" width for 2018 and this would be perfect all condition board for me.

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JEG said..
The 2016 Allstar 14 x 27 hybrid (I think its almost the same as 2017 with different paint jobs)

I asume this is a joke?

2016 and 2017 Allstar are different in more ways than the brouchure sais and if you tried both I'm sure you already noticed the differences. Just a 5 minute flat water paddling will show you how different they are.

Cheers

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Coque said..

JEG said..
The 2016 Allstar 14 x 27 hybrid (I think its almost the same as 2017 with different paint jobs)

I asume this is a joke?

2016 and 2017 Allstar are different in more ways than the brouchure sais and if you tried both I'm sure you already noticed the differences. Just a 5 minute flat water paddling will show you how different they are.

Cheers

Not to mention the chinned bottom rails

Can anyone answer Coque & Krist questions as I've only tested both hybrid 2017 14 x 24.5 & 2016 14 x 27 but not the 2017 14 x 27?

I paddled the 2017 Ace and 2017 Allstar back to back in an ocean test recently. Both were carbon 14x27. Considering the light onshore conditions I actually preferred the Allstar. It simply just felt better.
I'm 105kg but the 27 Ace just didn't do it for me - and I paddle a 25" Ace regularly.
I realise this may not be the comparison you were after but I thought it may give you an insight as to how good the 2017 27" Allstar is.

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JEG said..
Can anyone answer Coque & Krist questions as I've only tested both hybrid 2017 14 x 24.5 & 2016 14 x 27 but not the 2017 14 x 27?

So, you wrote this "The 2016 Allstar 14 x 27 hybrid (I think its almost the same as 2017 with different paint jobs)" without any real info, right? I thougth you tried both and that was your conclusion.

I had the 2016 12'6"*25" and 12'6"*28" (for the wife) and we own now the 207 12'6"*24.5" and 28", all of them carbon sandwich. From what I noticed the 2017 AllStar has a more pointy/piercing nose, more vee under the nose, a deeper central channel, an angled deep concave on the ra?ls ("chinned ra?ls"), more vertical and taller ra?ls, much more volume at the nose, and a different rocker but this could be the result of the nose and center channel changes.

I'm talking from memory so maybe I'm missing something.

Regardless its performance, I think this year its much faster on flat Walter and on mild/medium downwinds its a bit more technical but its much easier to pierce into the wave you're running and jumping into the one in front, if you paddle hard enought, that's it!! Sincerelly, I think the AllStar is the best downwind board of all the "allround race boards" (not designed for downwinding) from the market.

There're many things I don't from the Tiki brand, but I think they're way ahead from the other brands with their race boards, an I've been testing: NSP, Naish, Bark, Fanatic, Hobie, JP, SIC...

That said, I'd LOVE to try Angy's and Jacko's ONE boards.

Cheers.