So I have had my 14 x 25 All Star for a little while and have used it invarious conditions from complete flat to 25knt down wind with a 3 metre swell and it absolutely flies. Then got my 12'6 x 25 about a month ago so have had a good chance to paddle that in most conditions also.
Taking a step back I am am 5'10 and 72kg, do 75% of my paddling on flat water through training 3 times a week and during the summer get out for atleast 1 down winder a week.
First thing you notice when you see these 2 boards side by side is how different they are. The 12'6 is a lot thicker through the whole board and of particular notice in the nose and tail. Although the Starboard catalogue says that the 12'6 is 223L it actually has 271L printed on it.
This makes the boards perform very differently. As we train in a quite tide effected area I actually find that the 12'6 feels faster going into the tide as it seems to sit above the water more than the 14, a bit like the Ace.
12'6 nose
14 nose
Having down winded both board a few times they again have similarities and differences. The 14 sits lower in the water and is more like an arrow piercing through the water and carries it's glide more while also requiring more foot work to move back on the tail. While the 12'6 with the extra volume in the nose seems to act a bit more like the Ace and doesn't need as much foot work.
12'6 rail profile
14 rail profile
They both are quite turnable using foot pressure without having to step back over the fin to surf it. After a couple of initial down winders I decided to swap the stock fin out as I felt the tail was quite lose and sometimes lifted and felt like it wanted to overtake the nose.
The tails are also quite different, obviously the 12'6 with the more volume is designed more with BOP in mind and having surfed it a few times in knee-waist high waves it handles them really well.
Unlike other companies the 12'6 is not just a mini me of the 14. Two very differnt boards designed for two different types of paddling and at 25 wide very stable.
Thanks for the great review and info. I'm your weight and was looking at the 12'6" x 27.5, but maybe I should narrow up a bit. Really interesting about the volume and profile. I would have to guess that the volume on the 26" & 27.5" must be higher then listed as well?
Getting more pussy from your mother in law is usually unexpected.
I know, I know...I'm going straigth to hell for that one.
[}:)]
Thanks Ali. Curious though... Does that mean the 26" might be less stable then the 25"? I'll probably go 27.5" anyway as I paddle for fun.
Ordered my new 14 x 26 allstar yesterday from Roar. Should arrive late next week. Just in time for the 12 towers race. Can't wait.
Got a chance yesterday to paddle the 12'6 x25, x26 and x27 back to back yesterday. Very interesting to see the 25' is the only one with the extra volume while the 26' and 27' look like the 14.
I think if you are looking to DW a 12'6 then the 25 is the best option, while the 26 feels very quick and stable so could be a better bet if you are leaning towards BOP. While the 27 feels comfortable I think it would be better suited to someone 85kg+.
Any thoughts on the differences between the 14x25 vs 14x26 All Star - for flat water speed as well as fun level on downwinders?
I'm planning to get one of these boards but not yet decided on which width.
I was able to Demo a few Carbon All Stars at Hanohano today. When I saw the 12'6" by 27.5" All Star, it looked like a squat pig next to the sleek and fast looking fourteens. It was first up and I was shocked at how stable this board was compared to the Race 12'6" x 27.5". It was stable period, pretty quick and has nice glide. My first impression was very wrong.
I tried the 14' x 27.5" next. This board seemed slower to me with a lot of wetted surface. This was the first 14 I have ever paddled, and I always assumed a 14 would just take off, but clearly this is not the case. It also made me realize I have no need for a 14. All the 14s had these massive Futures Triangle fins and they clearly caused a lot of drag. Definitely not a fin for flat water.
Next up was the 14' x 26". Stable and a bit quicker the 27.5", but I was still more impressed with the 12'6". Again it seemed like a lot of wetted surface drag. To be fair, all the boards were pre-production and this one had been damaged and was pretty flexy. All the rest were rock solid.
The last board I tried was the 14' x 25" Sprint. This board was much quicker then the rest and a lot less stable. A different board, so unfair to compare, but not the all rounder I am looking for.
At my weight, the big jump in speed I thought a 14 might provide is clearly wrong. It looks like the 12'6" x 26" is the board for me, although I would love to try the 12'6" x 25" and the 12'6" Sprints too.
Baddog, I don't think the 12'6" Sprint is going to be the allrounder you are looking for either. You should try the Ace 14' boards - I suggest the 25". Get on one of those roosters and then you will feel a 14 just take off.
