2017 Starboard Pro Carbon Rider weight: 79kg
Skill level: Experienced
Status: Team Rider
8’5 x 29 Carbon I have pretty much owned and ridden every model of 8’5 Pro since they were introduced. At 112L which is the same as last year’s 2016 the 2017 version is a pretty different board.
The outline has changed considerably with a more pulled in nose and tail, while thinning out the rail profile. To maintain the volume in this size, the thickness at the middle increased slightly creating a slightly domed deck. These few points do make this version notably less stable than the 2015/16 and even the 2013/14 105L version.
Taking all this into consideration, the changes made are a major step in the right direction in terms of performance in cleaner / larger waves.This was an intended focus for the larger sizes in the Pro range and moving forward I think this was a positive step.
In the past I have always run my boards as quads, I preferred to cut higher on the wave and then pump along to generate speed. With the new tail outline being a little narrower and thinner I found a quad setup did not works as well and I have since changed back to a 2 + 1 setup.
One thing that I did change with a centre fin setup was going a little smaller from the supplied 140mm to a 120mm. This transformed the board more to what I like with a loser feel in the tail that allowed for more pressure through the front foot to engage the rail slightly further forward. I come from a windsurfing back ground and I like this style of stance rather than surfing right off the tail. The larger 140mm fin supplied seemed more locked in, therefore requiring more back foot pressure from off the tail kicker.
With the thinner rail profile surf ability has improved, the board transitions from rail to rail with more ease. It follows your foot pressure and reacts very quickly to input. Also the more constant rocker line feels like a smoother transition when stepping forward to get the board in and then shuffling back, there’s no jerky feel or braking sensation when the board pivots.
All the other features are top quality as expected from Starboard, I really like that they come supplied with a full deck pad already fixed.
8’0 x 28 Carbon Also wanting a smaller board for this season for when conditions are on I also got the 8'0 x 28 Pro. At 102L the new 8’0 x 28 is more challenging than previous models because of similar outline changes as noted above with the 8’5 x 29.
In the past I could quite reasonably stand on the 8’0 and still relax enough to save energy for surfing. Now with the much thinner rails and more pulled in nose and tail I really have to work at keeping my balance when less than ideal. If there is water moving about and a little size I now find that I have to prone paddle out through the break and also move about a bit more so as to not tire too quick from balancing.
However on a wave this is possibly the best Starboard Pro that I have ridden. It generates so much speed and transitions from rail to rail with ease. I must say this has become my favourite board I just don’t get good enough conditions in Perth to make this my only board.
As with the 8’5 I also downsized the centre fin that just gave me the little extra difference in feel that I prefer, other than this the 8’0 is one sick little board.
For those that might be interested in the new Starlite construction, my Carbon weighed in at 6.5kg and the Starlite version was only 7.5kg. That’s pretty good for a much cheaper improved construction that has innegra rails, reinforcing stringers, full deck pad and also the FCS II fin boxes.
Cheers, Marco
marco gribi
> 9 months ago, 27 Oct 2016
)? Well it saves me a lot of money as I stick to the old one:)
