not being a noted fan of canoes i had a quick paddle on ali's ace 14' x 23.5.
it's pretty stable, has really good speed with not much effort and can accelerate from that good speed. thrives on any small bump.
the new models has massively improved paddlers comfort. thinner walls, flat standing area and recessed way back to the tail- as much as your going to need.
i didn't feel confined at all. nothing like being concreted in feeling of the previous models
the 25" would be my pick and very well could be my next 14'er at the end of the year
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word around the traps is a few brands are going to produce versions of the ace. its got to the stage where they have too
canoes look like being the future of all round and moderate dw racing whether paddlers like it or not. not having one could end up being like playing tennis with a wooden racket or surfing a single fin against a thruster- if you race seriously
I hope it doesn't go down that line, aces are amazing but you lose that surfing feel IMO.
Yeah I think starboard have been ahead of the curve for a while , the boards do look to glide more with less effort. Only paddled a couple of them and not the new ones , but they are definately on to something.
Lacey, stay away from the dark side, These boards should be banned. I'm all for the dugout for stability but think that if this sport is to progress its got to set a standard design. It's a bit like surf lifesaving competitions all boards and ski's must meet a set standard. I think the Ace pushes that standard. I also think that the different widths is an issue. I know i'm probably going to open up a can of worms with this comment. I went with the Allstar 26" and love it. Still looks and performs like a board.
Although I am not a big fan of the dugout I wouldn't want the innovation in SUP to by limited by rules and regulations. If it ever gets to be a big enough issue it could be dealt with by classes. Although I ended up buying my coreban edge recently the Ace was stiff competition and it would have been a shame to deny me the choice. Truth is if I had unlimited funds and space I would have both.
I wonder if we are already reaching optimum shapes now and any future innovations will be chasing ever smaller gains.
Also I thought I saw somewhere that Conner Baxter races a custom Starby without the dugout. Am I making that up? I am to lazy to check right now.
I believe they are considering a minimum thickness to avoid the full on canoe-look in the US.
Personally I feel the sport is better off if boards resemble something that surfs, it will just have a broader appeal. Plenty of canoes out there and nothing wrong with people sitting in them.....
Rode the 24" wide 12'6 and 14 Sprints on pure flat water and found the 12'6 somewhat more tippy. Compared to 14 LE I'd say the 14' Sprint is equally stable/unstable.
Standing inside the board didn't bother me but flooding decks on buoy turns is a bit of a challenge.
I sell Naish so take my comments with a pack of peanuts......
Noticed a few second hand ones getting around bargain I rekon. Also good board for the Heavier rider
teatrea this board flies downwinding. best dw ing 12'6 i've been on. handles the rough and the nose just keeps it skipping along, less corrections more paddling strokes. surfs pretty good and stays straight going in when doing ins and outs which means a good rest rather than having to keep straightening it. going out isn't as good as dedicated bop board because of the nose. you have to stand back a bit the pop it over the foam.
a few second hand ones getting around on the breeze
I am in awe of how fast boards progress in SUP.
My boards are 12 months and 10 months old and they are old school already.
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Most of the international and stateside races are won on flatdeck boards over dugouts just seems to be more of them down our way . The engine determines the win over design I reckon
If engine beats design, why was the wing keel so controversial in the America's Cup all those years ago. Yes tactics and engine are key factors but design does play an important part as well. I've had 3 boards so far and all completely different in design, handling and glide speed. If we are to see all the top guys & girls race wouldn't it be nice to see them compete on a level playing field imo?
Here is a pic of me and my flatmate lining up our OC2 with the other canoes at the start of the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. By chance, I just got the pics of this sent to me this morning by a friend.
I had a brief go of a 14' / 25" Allstar last week and it was nice and stable considering. I would need to adjust to the slope behind though.
Hey Lacey what do you think of these designs by HUKI.
The first three are the all conditions board , the orange one flat water speed machine.
the orange one i wouldn't touch. looks way to tippy and i reckon wakes would be a nightmare.
the first board is hard to see properly, but it kinda look like a dug out fanatic, well the nose anyway .
the new fanatic's have definitely shortened up their displacement noses and i'm to understand they plan to go blunter again. the prototypes jacko and angie have been paddling around point to that.
got off track there but would have to see the yellow one teatrea. they are a rated ski brand for sure but whether they understand you have to stand on these things is in question
Im not fast enough so I would notice the difference I reckon. I love my 14ft Fanatic I think I will leave the design of race boards to those that know about it. Quick question and this shows my ignorance, with the dropped decks, you would need to a way to drain the water wouldnt you, I mean I see it in somme of those designs and not in others. The other question I have is how do you do a pivot turn if like the starboards the cockpit doesnt go all the way to the tail? I know in sailboarding most of the really stupid fast slalom boards have a dropped deck to get the mast base closer to the water and improve drive, does this have the same effect on a SUP noting that we dont go that fast. I hope one of the more knowledgable types can answer some of these questions
