Starboard raceboards compared - All Star, Sprint and new Gen R / Which is best for you?

[@306maxievo2]

Great video. Was lucky enough to try these three boards with you a few months ago and really don’t think you could’ve explained the difference any better. This is exactly how I felt about all three boards. Although not a race board, I’d kinda like to see what a 14x26” generation would be like. I’m super happy with my 24.5” wide Allstar and have been doing a few distance paddles and once you get into the swing of things I don’t feel much difference from my 28” wide Generation. Such a cracking board. The one observation I will make on the Allstar vs the Generation is that the squarer rails on the Allstar catch on moving water whereas the water just flows under the rails on the Generation and you can break out into flow MUCH easier, but I guess I just need to work on my technique.

[@didierplouhinec4899]

Buy a Naish Maliko 14x26 .Even better than the Generation. And probably the Maliko 2024 even better than mine with a slightly modified rocker .

[@306maxievo2]

@@didierplouhinec4899 I’m not in the market for another 14’ board. The generation is absolutely perfect for where I paddle most of the time.

[@SUPboardermag]

We were so stoked you could come and try these boards! Thanks for sharing your comments.

[@didierplouhinec4899]

​​​​@@306maxievo2yes you probably owns the carbon version. The Lite Tech version is really heavy at 15kg and in my opinion has already too much volume 285 liters for my 68 kg weight. I wanted to buy a Generation 14x26 15 months ago but even in Thailand this board was not available. I am pleased with my Maliko 14x26x 7½ and like you I do not want to change. Between" Monsoon " nd myself it is already a love story and still trying to know her better.

[@jayrap94]

The detailed comparison I've been looking forward to - thank you 😊

[@SUPboardermag]

Stoked you enjoyed the video! Thanks.

[@titaniccow]

Very informative review, and yet a big missed opportunity (in my humble opinion.) As a subscriber to supboarderpro, i was really hoping for a subscriber link to your further in-depth video where you actually measure and publish a comparison test of paddle speed for each race board. You did this for the 2020 Raceboard Test (its why i subscribed in the first place), but I havent seen measured speed data in any review since. Is this because board makers push back on this (even for “raceboards” ?) Anyway, 2022 Allstar 14x26 owner. Love this board. Still curious though how much faster (guesstimate in seconds per km at steady state long distance pace) a Sprint (or GenR) would be on days where the “waves” are less than ankle height. Please consider adding this type of info back in future tests - thank you

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey Titan, I hear you and agree. The reason is, we really struggled to get good data or even similar conditions across several days to get the data. Its not an excuse but it is something that we need to improve on. I feel in future we need to be able to give the boards to a team of testers that can have the boards for a good number of weeks to be able to just focus on getting the results for those tests. Some reviews are easier time wise but the big ones where we used the boards in all water conditions does seam to take a lots of riding time. The most important thing is the data that goes out we are happy to stand by. But I will discuss this with the team and make sure we improve things in the future. Thanks for the support Reuben

[@seawalkarrg]

Curious if Lucy found the 24.5 Allstar to be too much volume? It’s a lot of board (at that width) compared to the Gen R

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey, She didn't complain about the volume but she really did enjoy the AS in the rougher stuff way more. I think because you stand so low in the water with the AS the volume is less of any issue. Make sense? Thanks Reuben

[@wildgoatmtb5361]

Bought an Allstar 24.5, felt great on a demo but I’m struggling on the sea…. That rounded bottom has me all over the place. Going to give it a few goes but right now my confidence is being challenged. Secondary stability is there but I am over compensating so rolling side to side. Thankfully, getting back on isn’t to hard.

[@SUPboardermag]

The rounded bottom does roll quite a bit in those bumpy seas. Paddling with some speed helps to balance you out. Sorry to hear about your confidence being challenged. Giving it a few more tries sounds good. Good luck and thanks for the comment. Beau

[@306maxievo2]

Keep at it. At first a race board is quite intimidating and unstable, but given time your skill level will get you there. If you’re still struggling, find a good SUP coach and they’ll help you with technique. I tried an Allstar about a year after starting paddling, I really didn’t get in well with it, with another couple of years of experience under my belt I’m getting on well with my 2023 Allstar.

[@wildgoatmtb5361]

I’m getting out on the river and I’mgetting pretty comfortable and able E to relax and put some mph in. It is windy as and a bit of boat wake which I’m good with. On a calm sea it is good but out on the messy North Kent coast I’m swimming a fair bit. It is coming, I’m new to sup really so I know I have to give it time and dedication. Thanks for the video and the encouragement.

[@HuyTran-xb4ni]

Hey, really nice video! Totally agree with the comparison! I've also purchased the Allstar in 14x24.5. And I really love that board. I've been paddling it now for 3 months. It can handle everything, flatwater, chops, upwind, rough conditions and of course downwind. Stability wasn't an issue for me. You can go really fast no matter in which condition you paddle. I really love the fact that you can throw the board in without worries about the conditions. Really a great board by Starboard. 24.5 is a great width with superb stability in all conditions. So you can put all your power into the water while being always stable on the board.

[@Slavo851]

Are you planning to do such a detailed review Starboard inflatables boards ? For example, Inflatable Allstar Airline vs Inflatable Sprint Airline. The Sprint is a new board for 2023 and the new Allstar has received an upgrade for 2024 in the form of a higher nose. I think it would be of interest to many paddlers who decide for a new inflatable board.

[@SUPboardermag]

Great suggestion! Thanks. We are in the process of thinking about future reviews and videos and we will consider this idea. Thanks, Beau

[@andyburrows9527]

Good review guys and highlights the choices amateurs have depending on their predominant needs. The sprint probably is the fastest but only in certain conditions. The Gen R appears user friendly and looks glamourous with the beach race design. But there are not many races of that nature in the UK each year. The all star is fast, stable clever in design and can be used for everything every day of the year. As soon as the water has a bit of action it is faster than the sprint. So unless you are a specialist paddler the decision is actually simpler than it first seems. It's only my opinion of course!

[@SUPboardermag]

The All Star is such a proven design and why the Starboard Team opt for this board at most races. Thanks for your input and comment. Thanks, Beau

[@trishamichelle7143]

Thank you for this review; fantastic info. I am curious what the rider's weights were for this test. As a smaller, lighter rider, I've found the volume of the Allstar can be a bit much at times, as I find it challenging to keep the nose down and out of the wind, even in flat water. Have been wondering if Gen R might be better for light petite riders over the Allstar. What are your thoughts?

[@SUPboardermag]

Yes this is a good question. I weigh 75kg and lucy weighs 68kg. When the conditions get windy definitely the thinner in depth , generation is a nice aboard to paddle, but at the same time the stability the All-Star gives you is very very nice in choppy conditions. Lucy did actually enjoy the All-Star more in these choppy conditions but I think if it was more wind and less chop than the generation would be the nicer aboard paddle. Does that help at all? Thanks Reuben

[@sven13kajasup]

The Gen R is the faster Version of the Waterline...Think that board will be my next step. Now I paddle a Sprint 2022 and a Waterline 2020 Litetech..but the Sprint is faster, the Waterline is more comfort and better to handle. I paddle on river. Paddle upstream with the sprint, is sometimes not good to handle...

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey, Sounds like you have a great board quiver. I feel I would need to paddle both Gen R and Waterline together to feel like which is faster. I think you could be right, especially if any bumps come onto the water. Have you tried the Gen R? If you do I would love to hear what you think of it compared to the WL. Thanks Reuben

[@sven13kajasup]

@@SUPboardermag I have the sprint since 30.12.23... now after my last message, I'm more save on it and I know on the water what is to do when I see how the water streams on river. I love the board, but the waterline is more comfort. Nice beginner board. I use it for regeneration sessions, when it's not important to paddle fast! Yes 21:50 min the sprint is very wind subsceptible.

[@Patrick-6630]

Thank you for this very informative video!! I'm currently thinking about which board (besides my all-time favorite the Generation) is right for me, I spend more time in flat water than on the coast, but it should also handle choppy conditions = it will be the GenR. Best regards 🤙

[@306maxievo2]

I’ve got a 12’6 x 28 generation and the same Allstar as in the video. If you’re only ever paddling in flatter water, I’d say probably go for the GenR, but don’t discount the Allstar either. I got to try all three boards with Reuben and the GenR and Allstar were both cracking boards. I did a 30k paddle on my Allstar a month ago and the Allstar really took good care of me on the couple of km which were open water and exposed, but then again I suspect my generation would’ve done the job too.

[@Patrick-6630]

​@@306maxievo2 I've to test it before, both...but don't we all have this space problem where to put all the boards ;-)

[@SUPboardermag]

The Gen R would be perfect 👍

[@jekyllsports]

I can absolutely understand your observations, but regarding the turns we all found the GenR to be way more difficult to do fast step back turns. I think it‘s mainly due to the transition of the rockerline in the last quarter, also getting back to standing position was easier with the Allstar (secondary stability). Upwind I had mixed feelings as the GenR cuts through mild chop easier and with less noise and therefore feels more efficient. When sprinting especially in Crosschop, the Allstar was always easier to get on top of the water, without loosing control.

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey Jekyllsports. Thanks for your comment and adding your observations, always good to hear what other paddlers are feeling about the boards. Im not going to disagree at all. Be good to hear what other paddlers feel as well. Thanks again Reuben SUPboarder

[@bboynouri697]

After riding a 2022 Starboard Sprint, now i have got a GenR and like the primary stability and flat deck🏄🏽‍♂️📸😎👍🏼excellent in bouey turns 🔥need a little bit more power at the start (compared to Sprint) but very good in race and choppy conditions. Will stay with my new board!

[@rogerwaters413]

What is the width? I order the R in 23 after a big mistake of ordering the 20.75. What type of rough conditions? I’m in the Gulf of Mexico

[@bboynouri697]

I got a 23, and compared to my previous Sprint , I am way more stable with GenR. I am riding mainly lakes in flat and windy conditions and starting races (technical)

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the comment and glad you like your new board!

[@rogerwaters413]

I ordered the sprint in 20.75 which was a total waste of time. I’ve been race for ten years on a Rivera 25 wide in the Gulf side of Florida in every kind of condition. The sprint 20.75 is the worst board I’ve ever ridden and I’m not sure who it’s meant for or why it’s produced. I’m a small rider and I’m pretty strong and experienced but the board it extremely flawed

[@SUPboardermag]

Sorry to hear about your experience on the Sprint. They are very high performance race boards in the narrower widths and can take some time to get used to. They aren't designed for everyone either and finding your right board is key. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as it may help others. Cheers,