For 2024, Starboard have brought back the option for iSonic pinewood construction. Hopefully they will be as durable as the old generation wood construction iSonic's. And I'm guessing/hoping they'll cost a little less than the carbon option too. For once, I'm tempted to get my wallet out...

Full Wood Sandwich construction never went away. Most brands have been doing it for years. Starboard did Flax Balsa and didn't that work out well for them. Back to the future I spose.

Lets hope they do a better job of sealing the wood up this time round. All of the ones i had opened up to some degree.

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Subsonic said..
Lets hope they do a better job of sealing the wood up this time round. All of the ones i had opened up to some degree.

If they just put one layer of 2 Oz glass over the top , those boards would be indestructible.

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Imax1 said..

Subsonic said..
Lets hope they do a better job of sealing the wood up this time round. All of the ones i had opened up to some degree.

If they just put one layer of 2 Oz glass over the top , those boards would be indestructible.

Yep. I enjoyed the slightly softer feel of wood, but veneer and water don't go too well. Nothing like having a board with splits all over the bottom

It's not veneer that's the issue it's the lack of manufacturing give a **** during the process and the layup spec. When done right there will be no issues. Starboard really hurt the idea of wood in boards with a legacy of issues

I've been riding veneer layup boards for Over 25 years that Peter Nitschke makes me and have never had an issue because of the veneer. Some of those boards are black too.
It's definitely my preferred build material even though it's slightly heavier. . Pete recently built some boards out of wood from a tree he grew himself.

I think the problem may be starboard!

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Gestalt said..
It's not veneer that's the issue it's the lack of manufacturing give a **** during the process and the layup spec. When done right there will be no issues. Starboard really hurt the idea of wood in boards with a legacy of issues

I've been riding veneer layup boards for Over 25 years that Peter Nitschke makes me and have never had an issue because of the veneer. Some of those boards are black too.
It's definitely my preferred build material even though it's slightly heavier. . Pete recently built some boards out of wood from a tree he grew himself.

I think the problem may be starboard!

It is if the water gets to it, but you're right. If sealed up properly it shouldn't be any more an issue than the styro under it. More of a starboard problem than anything else.

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Imax1 said..

Subsonic said..
Lets hope they do a better job of sealing the wood up this time round. All of the ones i had opened up to some degree.

If they just put one layer of 2 Oz glass over the top , those boards would be indestructible.

I never understood why they thought they could get away with that. I had old Acid 70 waveboard same thing... on a wave board! It's supposed to be a wood sandwich.... a layer of 2oz or 4oz over would been awesome.

Music to my ears...

Not even 2oz.....all thats needed is not relying on resin saturation during the lamination. A layer of approz 1oz cloth and resin would add about 100g to the board and its beyond me why they didnt just do it.

Its a shame.... as they are strong strong

Kind of related question - does one just avoid the Flax/Balsa boards altogether as too fragile? There's a Carve available near me at a decent price but...

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Subsonic said..

Gestalt said..
It's not veneer that's the issue it's the lack of manufacturing give a **** during the process and the layup spec. When done right there will be no issues. Starboard really hurt the idea of wood in boards with a legacy of issues

I've been riding veneer layup boards for Over 25 years that Peter Nitschke makes me and have never had an issue because of the veneer. Some of those boards are black too.
It's definitely my preferred build material even though it's slightly heavier. . Pete recently built some boards out of wood from a tree he grew himself.

I think the problem may be starboard!

It is if the water gets to it, but you're right. If sealed up properly it shouldn't be any more an issue than the styro under it. More of a starboard problem than anything else.

Yeah. Kinda related but not related, I just don't get why starboard don't build better boards. I'd struggle to buy one new no matter what the construction

My next board I think will be a Patrick air inside, they seem really tough and if you do put a hole in it you can just pour the water out and patch it.

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Ben1973 said..
My next board I think will be a Patrick air inside, they seem really tough and if you do put a hole in it you can just pour the water out and patch it.

Or if you are into the sea you can sink with the board altogether

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sprayblaze said..

Ben1973 said..
My next board I think will be a Patrick air inside, they seem really tough and if you do put a hole in it you can just pour the water out and patch it.

Or if you are into the sea you can sink with the board altogether

They still float

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Awalkspoiled said..
Kind of related question - does one just avoid the Flax/Balsa boards altogether as too fragile? There's a Carve available near me at a decent price but...

The end grain balsa is a pretty good construction strength-wise.. until it gets pierced and it sucks water, plus is hard to repair perfectly if u want an invisible job
Not a fan of flax.... then again it is way better than the eggshell thin carbon reflex waveboards that you wait for, pay more for, and then repair more!!!
Im with Gestalt, Starboards windsurf division lost it years ago and the boards are largely rubbish with the exception of the slalom boards

Such a shame when the double sandwich Acid etc from early 2000s and the wood carbon Nuevo from about 2014 were the longest living boards going and now they build junk

Love the look (except for the darn dark color!).

Had a beautiful formula 156, ultra light, welcome flex for chop.

My quad is in wood, gorgeous, fairly light too, zero issues while my carbon twin failed at all levels.

Had the Hypersonic 105 wood for many years, think it was the 2003 model, miss not having it still, and for foiling. Never had any issues with it, so much fun when I finally figured out how to sail, and jibe, this thing. Anyhow, so are both flax balsa or starlite carbon no good? Any difference between the two for durability you think? The Foil Freeride and Patrik Foil Ride are on my list, any advice?