Starboard Airline All Star Vs Carbon All Star / Comparison - Review Video

So, when it comes to racing a hard board is always going to be fastest... right?! Well yes (at the moment!) but with the new Starboard All Star and its patent pending Airline design coming on all their inflatable race boards, it looks like Starboard are closing the gap between carbon and air. In this video we look at the 18' Starboard Airline and the 14' Starboard Airline All Star, and compare them to the 14' All Star Carbon Sandwich board. Read full post here : www.supboarder...

[@drewward6895]

Been paddling a red sport 12'6 for about a year and have had a ton of fun with it. Tried out a starboard 14 x28 carbon sandwich today and like you say the difference is night and day. All of your numbers aligned with my impressions of the board. Its not necessarily the speed that impresses, but the way it handled chop was unlike anything ive experienced. The board cuts through chop effortlessly and was very stable turning around downwind. Worth the price premium imo. My issue is whether or not transporting a 14' board on a 14' hatchback makes sense. Anyway, thank you for your thorough review as always.

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey Drew, transporting the big boards is never easy but its the compromise to pay for the performance. If you can store it I feel its worth the transport pain! thanks Reuben

[@666mooky666]

It might be interesting to do the deflection test with the stiffening string attached at maximum tension ideal if this could be further quantified with the amount of tension measures, then change the string to different settings and measure the difference at each setting and then finally without the string. I appreciate the company is doing its best to compensate with a known issue of iSups, but I am old enough to remember runner companies using claimed energy return tension systems, pump systems and a whole lot of other stuff that really only succeeded in parting people from their money.

[@SUPboardermag]

Good question and comments Miki. That was a question that we were wondering our-self's. What is the maximum the cable or attachment can take? Very hard to know. We did it up very tight but that's not a measurement! Thanks Reuben

[@QuadCloudNine]

@@SUPboardermag The board has multiple tension settings, you could try each and present the differences in stiffness, speed, and wave/chop handling

[@dcartier1692]

Great report (as usual) Reuben! Point well taken that a flat bottomed inflatable cannot fully compete with a channeled hard board - perhaps this will be Starboard's next inflatable direction for innovation. The "Unlimited" cries out for attachment points to make it an ultimate inflatable tourer. (Hope someone compares the two 14'x28" inflatable models: the "All Star" and the "All Star Downwind".)

[@SUPboardermag]

Great ideas d cartier. Board shape is so important when it comes to paddling fast. Thanks for your comments Reuben

[@dcartier1692]

Hey Reuben - also, just noticed Mistral is back in the game with 2 lines of 4 chambered inflatable racers ("Slipstream" and "Vortex") that give lowered standing areas. If you have time in your busy reviewing schedule, it would be interesting to know if they will be competitive with Starboard. Cheers.

[@SUPboardermag]

Bring it on!

[@dcartier1692]

Looks like they ARE bringin' it on - stuck at the end of one of their promo videos (Slipstream), Mistral delivers a smackdown challenge: "PROBABLY THE FASTEST ISUP ON THE PLANET" kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5TKc5SEhaihqtk (1:15/1:24) I'd say you, Reuben, are the best placed paddler "ON THE PLANET" to sort this out. Let the games begin!

[@stevenlove200]

I am eager to someday get a chance to compare the "airline" race board vs. my Red Paddle Elite. I am thinking that line down the bottom of the Starboard may aid some in tracking. And I am also interested in comparing stability and rigidity.

[@OutdoorsyGuy604]

curious if any SUPers here ride the 18' still? did you end up sticking with it and not wanting to go back to 14'? i'm getting mixed messages around different places... mainly using it for touring / 25k day paddles.

[@SUPboardermag]

Interesting comment. It would be great to hear from others who might be using the 18'. If speed and glide is what you're after, the 18' will help on those longer paddles. Thanks!

[@TheSamog]

Hi, it could be super awesome if you have time to make an update comparison with the new Airline…

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey Sanne. We agree, the problem is this year we are finding it hard to get hold of the gear for reviews. But we need to get an update on the site for sure. Thanks for the request. Reuben

[@TheSamog]

@@SUPboardermag Thanks for your reply, why not ask your local SUP community? I would lent you mine but I’m located in Denmark, but if your are attend Midsummer Viking in Copenhagen your welcome to borrow. I’ll look out for the update 😊🤙🏼

Great review, I really like your channel, please keep going with your quality content

[@SUPboardermag]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@robbarr5300]

Great informative video... Thanks

[@SUPboardermag]

Thank you!

[@nuttynaylor6011]

If you were to get 3 boards Reuben which ones would they be. Brand, length and reason behind your purchase. Regards James

[@SUPboardermag]

Wow that's a big question and one I could not fit into a small KZbin comment but. - I have a starboard generation 12'6 on its way. The ultimate in versatility and paddling fast in all types of conditions. - A super small Starboard pro surf shape board something around 80 L. - I struggle to live without my longboard surfing Sup. Good for catching so many waves and any type of break. - And a good old all-round family inflatable Sup. I'm not that fussed which one it is, it doesn't have to be anything particularly special but I do regard weight more important over stiffness. Because I find I'm carrying it longer distances with all of our other toys as well for a day on the water. I know that's 4 boards but I can't seem to narrow down any more than that. I hope that helps and answers the questions you were sort of asking. As I said that's a very brief explanation! Thanks Reuben PS O and foil board too!

[@nuttynaylor6011]

SUPboarder amazing thanks Reuben I will have a look at the generation as sounds like the one for me. Is there much difference compared to the new Red 12.6 sport? Thank you 😊

[@SUPboardermag]

We are going to see Red this week and will be doing a blog of our trip. I will have a better idea of the new board then. Maybe drop me a question after to remind me and I will spill the beans... thanks Reuben

[@kirillgusev2281]

Would you call "Starboard Airline All Star" all around open water board? Like chasing some bumps in open water going along the coast, then cross flat water harbor etc? Thx

[@SUPboardermag]

Yeah I would be happy to paddle in all conditions for sure. They do make a downwind All Star board too but we haven't used it. Thanks Reuben

[@jeremybentham7447]

Why didn't you compare the 28" Airline to the 28" All Star?

[@SUPboardermag]

We just couldn't get hold of both in the same size at the same time. We really wanted to do that but it just wasn't possible. :-(

[@ProfeMiguelRubiales]

Better than red paddle race/elite? Which one is more rigid? Regards

[@TalkCafe]

In stiffness, the Red Elite dropped only 11mm, as I remember. (But he mentiones it in the video too. :)) But I'm pretty sure, the performance isn't only depends on the rigidity.

[@alexandrehemery8712]

I'm wondering the same thing, but from what I've seen, the starboard seems softer than the redpaddle Elite

[@mvhan911]

According to the tests on supboarder the red paddle elite 2017 dropped 10mm, the RRD race 15mm and the Shark race 14mm. So the Starboard seems to be in this range but not outstanding.

[@9snake]

that is what I think too. the shape of SB is probably better but the stiffness is a bit worse

[@TalkCafe]

That's what I said. Red is stiffer. The Starboard "bends" 15mm as I remember. Sorry if I wasn't clear enough.

[@davidGrainger]

5:53 announcer says avg. speed for Airline was 6.6 mph. Graphic on screen says avg. speed was 6.06 mph.

[@SUPboardermag]

Hi David, Sorry I said it wrong the avg speed is 6.06 not 6.6mph! Well spotted, Apart from that I hope you found the review helpful in some way? Thanks Reuben

[@zonphoto]

How do you spell the app? )

[@SUPboardermag]

Hey Zon www.geosup.com/ Thanks

[@alaskairhog]

Would you consider the 18' or 14' airline for touring as a possible choice equal to or over the starboard deluxe inflatable touring 14'x30"? Obviously you'd have to glue on some d rings and bungee to hold your kit on, but otherwise would there be any disadvantage? which inflatable would handle open water best and still be efficient and fast?

[@SUPboardermag]

Good question, Think the 18' would just be a little too long for all round water conditions. The smaller 14,12'6'' Airline's would work well. Its always a balance between the amount of gear you want to take and the width of board you need to how fast you want the board to go. I think touring on an iSUP widths need to be 27'' + . But its a personal thing!.... gear + you + ability + average paddle conditions.

[@koejoe]

@@SUPboardermag Thank for this reply, I am in this egsact position. I have a great opportunity to buy either a 26", 28" 14' airline or touring 14'x30". The magik number 27" has me looking at Red paddle or Air Glide FX 14'0 Pro by SIC Maui ... My heart is pulling me towards the 26'', i just don't have experience with a board that width with gear in ocean chop thinner than 28'' . 90% of time will not be touring but I do want to get into local races here. This will be my one board for awhile... decisions hmmm.

[@SUPboardermag]

@@koejoe If you are wanting to do a bit of racing maybe stay away from the 30" wide boards. I agree 27" could be a great width. I do paddle 28" wide boards a fair bit and they wont be the fastest on the water in terms of racing, they do allow me to go fishing, touring and general fast cruising comfortable. If that helps? Thanks Reuben

[@koejoe]

@@SUPboardermag thanks Reuben!!!

[@vanessaknowles3423]

@@SUPboardermag Hi, I’m in a similar predicament. For a smaller rider (5’ approx 58kg) wanting a fast efficient tourer with some fast fitness sessions too, could I get away with the Airline 14’ x 26” rather than the 28” do you think? Flat and open water. Many thanks!

[@thieresfrias]

🤙🏼