More reasons why Starboard are doing well right now.

Starboard lead alot of the r and D in construction that comes out of Cobra.

For a basic example look at wood- STarboard were the first to use it and when the exclusive ran out Cobra sold the technology to any othr brands that wanted to use the option - the next year many premium brands were offering wood reinforcement options

Based on the consistently dropping Warranty statistics -Starboard have introduced yet another reason for Windsurfers to be looking at their products.

here is the info just recieved direct from Tiesda - The Starboard Head Designer:

Dear friends,

Joey, Wai and I have just gone through some 2006 numbers and the warranty statistics came up pretty impressive. We're putting the news up on our website front page and below is the transcript. We hope that you will be as pleased as we are to see positive gains made over the years - the result of playing the consistency-for-reliability card when it comes to reviewing construction updates.

Tiesda

************

Starboard Dur-X, Wood, Technora and Tufskin construction sets new reliability records.

Waveboards take the most abuse of any boards and building them strong and light is a challenge for any manufacturer.

Over the last 7 years, Starboard has developed the Dur-X standard and as we end the 2006 season, statistics are being collected and records continue to fall: the super reliable Dur-X construction used in all Starboard waveboards sets the new standard in waveboard construction reliability with an unbelievably low 1.03% warranty rate.

What makes it so reliable?

Since 1999 the construction has been continuously refined with a number of unique developments that have helped achieve this new record. Oversized heel reinforcements are designed to cover the footstrap inserts that would otherwise create a stress concentration point that leads to premature failure. These heel reinforcements are also angled at 45 degrees to spread the load distribution more efficiently. Further oversized rail reinforcements that cover the back half of the board have been extended under the heel area to further reinforce the point loading created by your heels. Double sandwich transition points were changed from a U-shaped curve to a W-shaped curve that spreads out load more efficiently. Unique mould marking methods were introduced to guarantee super-accurate positioning of all reinforcement panels. Heel bumpers further reduce point loading under your heels and provides extra comfort. A whole greater than the sum of its parts, the Dur-X label is the mark of waveboard reliability.

Looking at other reliability records of other boards in the range, the rates fall to virtually zero:

Freeride: 0.16%
Slalom: 0.36%
Crossover: 0.4%
Entry level: 0.05%
Progressive: 0.6%

www.star-board.com/main.php

http://www.star-board.com/news.php?readmore=93

Anybody hear of a chap called Murphy
You may have inadvertently given him a call!

Yes indeed - Murphy is ever omnipresent ready to pounce!

I also believe, as a man of science, that you make your own luck.

quote:

---

Freeride: 0.16%
Slalom: 0.36%
Crossover: 0.4%
Entry level: 0.05%
Progressive: 0.6%

---

It would be interesting to see what these percentages are for other brands. Unfortunately it's probably very well protected information, and would only be released if it were lower than the figures that Starboard give out...

If the other brands have got any guts they will, nothing like a manufacturer who is keen to show "see we back our products" and only to happy to support warrantee claims.
And yep I have one of the other brands, and yep got warrantee, no issue.

On another note, wonder when the Cobra factory or the board designers will come up with a better solution to the vent plug design that most boards have. This is just a bit on the agricultural side for year 2007 designs.
Believe the Kiwi designed board has something else. (No I am not a Kiwi)
Mineral

quote:

---

Originally posted by mineral1
On another note, wonder when the Cobra factory or the board designers will come up with a better solution to the vent plug design that most boards haveMineral

---

I have heard of a Gortex insert that you never have to worry about, as it won't let water in, but won't let air pressure build up in the board either. Not sure if it was used in a production board, or if it was an aftermarket product.

The Goretex plug is used as a standard by Carbon art.

As a big fan(?) of Mr Auswind's work I'll state that they are very nice statistics, but statistics can be made to prove that black is white.

The way I read it is that this is the percentage of waranty claims which have been honored.

What would be more valuable information would be this number as against the number of claims which were made on their product as a percentage.

That would be more interesting reading for the average punter to find out how well they will be supported when they think something has gone wrong.

Painted another target on myself, but thats my POV on the subject

quote:

---

Originally posted by elmo


The way I read it is that this is the percentage of waranty claims which have been honored.

What would be more valuable information would be this number as against the number of claims which were made on their product as a percentage.

---

You are not alone L-mo! Crossed my mind also... but, I didn't want to be labelled a cynical ol' bugger - again

Elmo and Pugwash....... Zackary, would like to see those stats.
You put it so much better than me

Wonder if any of them will put the numbers up
Mineral

Back in 2001 in the fine print on the starboard warranty card the warranty did not cover jumping and acrobatics I think was the wording used and that was for a wave board
I'll try and have a look for the card for the exact wording.

Bought a S-type ( demo 2006) after the first sail the fin box started crumbling around the bolt holes. They Guys at 2nd Wind were very helpful, even gave me a loaner while it got fixed. All starboard did was get some goon to pool epoxy resin on the bottom of the fin box so now i have crumbling resin in the bottom of the fin box. I was told that it was not serious as the the fin box is surrounded by non pourous stuff so no water will get into the board. If thats what starboard think is good after sales service.I would have thought replacing the fin box would have been a better solution.............
Cheers Bender

quote:

---

Originally posted by Pugwash

quote:

---

Originally posted by elmo


The way I read it is that this is the percentage of waranty claims which have been honored.

What would be more valuable information would be this number as against the number of claims which were made on their product as a percentage.

---

You are not alone L-mo! Crossed my mind also... but, I didn't want to be labelled a cynical ol' bugger - again

---

Good point...

Just imagine a scenario where Starboard wave boards snap every time someone does a loop, but it snaps not because of malfunction but because of a heavy landing. It wouldn't be a warranty job. You then look at (eg) a JP that has 10% warranty claims thanks to de-laming and bad construction, however no-one has EVER snapped them.

It's like a wetsuit, their warranties are for stiching and materials, but if a mouse eats a load of the neoprene (like one did to my nice dry suit back in the UK) it isn't a warranty job!

I once had a mountain bike product with part of it's name called something like EXTREME HANDLEBARS, I bent them first day out riding and the shop wouldn't warranty them because you shouldn't do anything extreme with them.

Bender, now that’s a good point you raise, the warrantee on the surface looks like it was being applied, however the warrantee repair was done as cheaply as they could, and when questioned the manufacture said
(quote) “That it was not serious as the fin box is surrounded by non porous stuff so no water will get into the board."

Your left with a nasty taste dealing with that manufacture, as the repair in your eyes is just a patch up, probably wont purchase another board, all because a warrantee administrator wanted to save a few bucks
The old marketing line here is, each person knows six people he will relate experience too, in person either good or bad. Re this issue, those six will relate to six each and presto, the manufacture has now in people eyes, who have heard about your experience, a lower marketing profile than he wants.

However the guys at 2nd Wind have enhanced their profile as they leant you a board while yours was being "patched up" good for Jez and his team, sad for manufacture.

People Just be careful how you write your comments, there are the odd one or two manufactures who will take you to task, if they think they have been wronged by your comments

I'm with you there Mineral. I am stoked with my S-type ( all three of my boards are starboard and i will buy starboard again). I could not fault what 2nd Wind did for me as they were the middle man between me and starboard. My only gripe is the quality of the repair and i was told that the box was faulty but it would not harm the board. Surely when a manufacturer admits something is faulty it should be reaplaced.
Cheers Bender

Hi Bender / Mineral1,

For the sake of opening a can of worms I would like to clarify your comments. As the person that does all warranty claims for Starboard within Australia I feel that I should make some comment.

Firstly, I'am not familiar with your claim for warranty as no warranty claim was submitted to Starboard for your board. Why is this the case? as you mention you purchased an Ex Demo board and Starboard do not warrant second hand boards. So they cannot be held accountable for any repairs and or actions regarding your board as they were not informed of this case.

As no warranty was lodged directly to Starboard I can only assume that the guy's at Second Wind / Auswind offered by way of customer service to have the board repaired for you, considering it was a recent purchase and not having noted any prior damage. If the repair was not to an acceptable standard then maybe this should have been re-addressed at the time.

If I have interpreted this scenario incorrectly than I do appologise and I am sure we can further resolve your problem if required, but I do believe in clarifing Starboards involvement in this particular case.

Cheers

Marco (Auswind)

That is news to me as at 2nd wind i was told the board was covered under warrantee and they had had to get approval from Starboard as to what was to be done. Upon first contacting 2nd Wind about the fault i was told to email some pictures to them (i did) and they said they were waiting to see what starboard wanted to do about it. As a result of this i was of the understanding that the board was assessed by Starboard and the repair done through them. now i am confussed..........bender
Marco (Auswind)feel free to give me a call on 0417 998 616

excerpt from an interview with "Mr Murphy"

Interviewer: So Mr Murphy, how tricks?
Mr Murphy (Irish accent): Well, to be shure, I had a quick look at this one and showed it to my friend Pandora...

Just like to thanks Marco of Auswind he called me straight away and all is settled.
Cheers Bender

PS - Sundays looking the goods

Perhaps you'd better clarify the outcome to clear the names of companies

To make it clear. Am happy with 2nd Wind, Starboard and Auswind

yeah, sweet.

Yep me too I like a bloke who backs his gear, good stuff Marco
Mineral