HI im after some info to work out volume for a race board any info would be great.im 6'2 and 98 kgs
cheers Dean

I suggest lots of volume..

btw.. what size and type of 'race board' are we talkin' about?

It will be a 14' race board with a majority of it being used for flat water I have a board I use on the coast.I will be going to a demo day got a choice from starboard,naish,jp Australia or jimmy Lewis.

At 98kegs you might be alright from about the 260-270 litre mark upwards, in general you probably won't need to go much above about the 290-300 litre mark in a "Board" shaped 14*. Things change when you start getting into the dugouts like the ACE that carry a lot more volume. All that said, volume is just one part of the story - how the volume is distributed and how it feels under your feet will matter a lot more than the number. As always...demo...demo...demo...

(* I'm significantly heavier than you, stepped down from a 320l board to one around 290, I'm more stable and faster on the lower volume board because of it's shape)

Hi human cartoon,
i have the choice of a 14 x 25 ace 2013 model i have had a demo on a 14 x23.5 and was to tippy for me.
and im thinking about a 14 x 26 sprint but my local starboard dealer doesnt have that model on demo.so im trying to get as much info as possible on both boards before i make my purchase.

Regards Dean

Select to expand quote

dean75 said..

Hi human cartoon,
i have the choice of a 14 x 25 ace 2013 model i have had a demo on a 14 x23.5 and was to tippy for me.
and im thinking about a 14 x 26 sprint but my local starboard dealer doesnt have that model on demo.so im trying to get as much info as possible on both boards before i make my purchase.

Regards Dean

So the Sprint you are interested in is the 2014 model right? The volume is 277 litres and Starboard recommends riders up to 90kg for that one. If you have good balance, you could handle that one and it would be a bit quicker in flat water.

Hi pt i did check out on line and they give a 5% tollerance above and under 90 kgs.Just that my local starboard rep rates the ace over the sprint and my local shop rates the sprint over the ace.

i,m 90kg and a Sprint 14x26 and its really stable so I wouldn't put too much trust in the numbers of recc. They are on the rather very safe side.
The 14x24 for example is recc till 75kg but was for me perfectly doable. I could swap without a problem and probably be a bit faster around the course as well.
It needs in the beginning a bit more attention with side chop but after a few km you get used to it.
Again my 26 is with my weight really really stable and I would recommend it to you without any hesitation..


If you think then why do you paddle a 26 if you are fine on a 24 as well?
I did bought my board on pre-order without trying, but after demo-ing the 2013 14x25.
The 2013 where more fragile and a lot more tippy. I guess in feel more like a thin 24.
Because I padlle all year through and its in wintertime around zero and subzero (and you don,t wanna take the dip) I opted for the more safe 26 (and are still very happy with it). Also written in the other 14ft topic, I think the Allstar 14,s are highly underestamitad. In dead flat water a sprint is faster, but as soon as there is a bit of chop or a lot of buoy turns It will be tough wich one is the fastest while it is even more stable as the Sprint (so you could go for the just smaller one if you like sporty or the 26.5 if you wanna be really really safe and do some open Ocean paddling as well).

Hi jeroensurf,

I have been offerd a good price on a 14'x25 2013 ace in carbon.have you ever tried the ace and is the construction on the ace weak as well.i have a coast runner i like for down winds so looking for a flatwater to small chop board trying to find whats more stable the ace or the sprint.

cheers Dean

Sorry I can,t help you, I never tried an 2013 Ace, just the 2012 Ace Pro.
They aren,t very popular overhere anymore since the Sprints arrived that suit our paddling better (just lakes and canals, downinders are very rare and only on lakes).

For what its worth: If you already have a coastrunner for the rough days I would go for a dedicated flatwater board.
The Sprint is still pretty fast in knee high chop and waves and if it gets worse your Coastrunner is stillhard to beat and Stability becomes a serious issue.If possible: go for the 2014,s. The 2014s are a lot stronger made as last years ones (a wack on the deck isnt an instant repair anymore).just my2cents.