With a bit of chatter around Unlimited boards following KOTC on the weekend - its probably a good time to review a recent acquisition after a few test paddles.
I am a self confessed fan of unlimited boards and over the past year have been paddling a Starboard Ace GT 17'4" for most of my training, flatwater and bumps paddling and the odd downwinder. Being a 50+ y.o. 90kgs and 6'2" paddler without the balance of a teenager - I have found the GT to be a fantastic board and have really enjoyed the extra volume, waterline and stability (often being called the "cheat board" by my fellow paddlers as it is surprisingly quick).
Having owned enough 14' boards to know what I like, I was looking for a board that had many of the characteristics of the GT but was more lively and better in the bumps and DW.
Dale Chapman (DC Paddleboards) and I had chatted about the concept a few times and decided to push the button on a custom. Dale was super enthusiastic and supportive and "got it" immediately.
My specs were along the lines of:
- 25" wide, 16'6" in length, V in tail for better surfability
- Good all round board with sufficient waterline and flat enough rocker to maintain speed in flatwater / training
- Nose shape and entry to have "slippery" DW and bumps feel - similar to Ace 25"
- Stability to feel more like a 26/27" wide board (due to increased waterline)
The result is fabulous - ticks all the boxes as requested. I haven't had it out in a true DW yet but in the flat, inner harbour bumps and small ocean bumps - it is super quick to accelerate, very stable, easy to turn with just enough "twitch" to keep you on your toes !
I will probably use this board for 80% of my paddling as it is so versatile - reverting to a Bullet 17'4' with rudder when the winds really blows for a DW.
The finish is great and comes in at around 355 litres and weighs just over 14kgs.
IMO the added waterline length and volume make it so much more enjoyable to paddle for bigger paddlers (and perhaps those without great balance).
Personally I am not fussed about entering races for places or trophies and would much prefer to have fun on a board that I like. That said, with so many races now including an unlimited category, the opportunities to race (without "cheating") are expanding rapidly. KOTC is a great example and I can see that more races - even flat water or harbour style races will recognise unlimited categories in the future. Unlimited doesn't necessarily mean 17' + boards either - it just means not 14'.
Its great to see many of the major brands now entering the production unlimited space providing choice and price competition for this segment.
If you are considering a custom board as an option I cannot recommend DC enough - great service, build quality and value for money. Not sure if I paid extra to have "Pro" on the side .. thanks Dale :)
p.s. - I have no brand affiliation and sadly pay for all my boards and gear.
Nice!!! I ride the GT currently and i'm looking at the new model coming out. This DC is a really good looking board!
Select to expand quoteTodzilla said...
Nice!!! I ride the GT currently and i'm looking at the new model coming out. This DC is a really good looking board!
You'll be able to see it pretty easily Tod, just head South for training.
Assuming i ever make it back to training...! Gotta get the whole work/life balance back, right now it's work/work...
Great looking board. When you get back on the tail pad do you notice the raised deck at the back?
With a shaper as talented as Dale in Oz, and the increasing cost of production boards, I'm surprised that pretty much everyone over there doesn't have a custom DC.
Great looking board and Dale has done a great job on it. The paint job is very smick indeed. Dale was working on your board when I picked up my 14' custom he does a fantastic job.
Select to expand quoteArea10 said..
Great looking board. When you get back on the tail pad do you notice the raised deck at the back?
With a shaper as talented as Dale in Oz, and the increasing cost of production boards, I'm surprised that pretty much everyone over there doesn't have a custom DC.
Yep it does feel a bit different stepping back up the incline to the deck pad but it feels the goods standing back - there is a decent "v" under the tail section that allows it to steer pretty easily. Different feel to the pin tail of the Aces.
I saw that board in a couple of different stages being built. End result looks great!!
Good point about board lengths too.
Myself and the majority of the race board paddling population probably only do a couple of races per year at most, so why should we be forced onto a 14?
