hi, has anyone paddled a starboard Ace in a flatwater race either river or ocean conditions and not just downwind? Only asking as a friend what's to enter a race on one

Yes. I have a 27" wide version. Not the best for super flat only from the point that it doesn't track straight very well. It does however draft other boards fairly well and i love it because it is the most comfortable board i have ever paddled (2017 version). You won't wind any races but it will be OK. Might be better on a 25" wide version??

yeah i used to paddle the 23.5 only on the flats, great board and super stable for myself and i am a big guy, dont know how the 27 etc would go

Jarryd

Yes, I have a 14x25 and have paddles it in pure flat water. It's OK. Not a total slug. Personally I find the Aces a bit unstable for their width because of the pin tail. Which can limit my speed. But if you don't feel wobbly on your Ace, it can go reasonably well on flat water. Well enough that you couldn't use it as an excuse for doing poorly in a race, anyway...

Told him to buy a sprint or a strike as he just likes flatwaterand I'm loving the 2018 Maliko for all conditions