For reference I am roughly 172 cm and hover between 70-72kg. I have been riding an 8'5 130L Jimmy Lewis Destroyer but just purchased a second hand 7'10 x 28 (102L) Starboard pro. Now, I know the JL is way too big, but it hasn't been an issue since it's such a great board. I haven't felt it's hard to turn, it's probably corky but that was never an issue. I had tried lower volume boards as much as possible by trying other people's boards when in the surf, so was confident I could go much lower. I tried the Starboard for the first time today and these are my first impressions. Obviously it's not as stable as the JL, much tippier side to side, however it's also much easier to correct. I am pleased that I can stand on the board relatively easily, although today was very smooth, tiny surf and no wind, so ideal conditions as far as balancing on a SUP goes. Unfortunately than means I don't have a good idea of how it compares on waves. I did get a couple of very small, weak waves and noticed a few things that felt different immediately, although it's not fair to use these waves for comparison. The Starboard felt much more "stuck" to the wave, harder to initiate a pumping action. No doubt a factor in this is I was riding the JL as a quad, whereas this came with a thruster setup. I am seriously considering getting some Quobba fins. The next thing I noticed is the Starboard tended to sit much higher up the wave, maybe that is just me or maybe it has an increased rocker that makes it seem this way?

Anyway, they are just my initial thoughts, hopefully i'll get some bigger waves over the next few days and have more to comment on.

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Surfnbjj said..
The Starboard felt much more "stuck" to the wave, harder to initiate a pumping action.

That's what both the reduction in volume and a "performance" (aka shortboard) rocker will do, compared to the performer that can generate speed by itself. You will have to learn to generate speed yourself.
Basically, longboard shape generate speed for you, but will need more pilot action to turn.
shortboard shapes turn very easily, but the pilot will have to get them up to speed.

Or: there is no free lunch, everything is a compromise :-)

Also, contest surfing on shortboards is done being "late" relative to the curl and always playing catchup with it to place the rollers in the most critical part of it. Longboard shapes, with their speed will tend to glide too far on the shoulder for scoring in contests. But for recreational use, everything works.

You can look at YouTube videos on how to generate speed with shortboards, the same applies to SUPs. E.g:



PS: on fins, the quobba will help you a lot by raising the maximum speed of the board, but not really to start the pumping action at low speed. Once you know how to pump, the Quobba work quite well, but when you are learning how to pump, I think C-Drives could be more helpful as they provide a lot of grip at low speed, and thus help generate speed in the initial turns if your technique is not yet honed. Quobba at low speed will feel like normal fins for you at your level. Once you know how to generate speed, the C-Drive "speed limit" (similar to normal fins) will justify switching to Quobba.

If you can afford only one set of fins, I would favor the Quobba, but C-Drive is also a good (but different) choice. And fins resell easily.

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colas said.

"Basically, longboard shapes generate speed for you, but will need more pilot action to turn.
Shortboard shapes turn very easily, but the pilot will have to get them up to speed.

Or: there is no free lunch, everything is a compromise

What a great point. Absolutely nailed it Colas.
Merci cobber!

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Surfnbjj said..
For reference I am roughly 172 cm and hover between 70-72kg. I have been riding an 8'5 130L Jimmy Lewis Destroyer but just purchased a second hand 7'10 x 28 (102L) Starboard pro. Now, I know the JL is way too big, but it hasn't been an issue since it's such a great board. I haven't felt it's hard to turn, it's probably corky but that was never an issue. I had tried lower volume boards as much as possible by trying other people's boards when in the surf, so was confident I could go much lower. I tried the Starboard for the first time today and these are my first impressions. Obviously it's not as stable as the JL, much tippier side to side, however it's also much easier to correct. I am pleased that I can stand on the board relatively easily, although today was very smooth, tiny surf and no wind, so ideal conditions as far as balancing on a SUP goes. Unfortunately than means I don't have a good idea of how it compares on waves. I did get a couple of very small, weak waves and noticed a few things that felt different immediately, although it's not fair to use these waves for comparison. The Starboard felt much more "stuck" to the wave, harder to initiate a pumping action. No doubt a factor in this is I was riding the JL as a quad, whereas this came with a thruster setup. I am seriously considering getting some Quobba fins. The next thing I noticed is the Starboard tended to sit much higher up the wave, maybe that is just me or maybe it has an increased rocker that makes it seem this way?

Anyway, they are just my initial thoughts, hopefully i'll get some bigger waves over the next few days and have more to comment on.

why not go down in size on the destryer?

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toolate said..

Surfnbjj said..
For reference I am roughly 172 cm and hover between 70-72kg. I have been riding an 8'5 130L Jimmy Lewis Destroyer but just purchased a second hand 7'10 x 28 (102L) Starboard pro. Now, I know the JL is way too big, but it hasn't been an issue since it's such a great board. I haven't felt it's hard to turn, it's probably corky but that was never an issue. I had tried lower volume boards as much as possible by trying other people's boards when in the surf, so was confident I could go much lower. I tried the Starboard for the first time today and these are my first impressions. Obviously it's not as stable as the JL, much tippier side to side, however it's also much easier to correct. I am pleased that I can stand on the board relatively easily, although today was very smooth, tiny surf and no wind, so ideal conditions as far as balancing on a SUP goes. Unfortunately than means I don't have a good idea of how it compares on waves. I did get a couple of very small, weak waves and noticed a few things that felt different immediately, although it's not fair to use these waves for comparison. The Starboard felt much more "stuck" to the wave, harder to initiate a pumping action. No doubt a factor in this is I was riding the JL as a quad, whereas this came with a thruster setup. I am seriously considering getting some Quobba fins. The next thing I noticed is the Starboard tended to sit much higher up the wave, maybe that is just me or maybe it has an increased rocker that makes it seem this way?

Anyway, they are just my initial thoughts, hopefully i'll get some bigger waves over the next few days and have more to comment on.

why not go down in size on the destryer?

This board came up for sale and I jumped at it. Even if a destroyer came up, I probably would not have gone that way since it would be hard to justify having the same board in 2 different sizes, it seems like a wasted opportunity to have some different styles of boards. Now, if an opportunity for a straight swap came up, then I would have considered it.

I have had a few mores surfs on it now, haven't had great waves yet but big enough to feel the much higher responsiveness in the Starboard. I never really considered the JL a longboard shape, but getting back on it after the Pro, then yes, it feels that way now. Still love the JL, and will likely keep both and use each when conditions suit.