Search for a Location
  Clear Recents
Metro
South West
Central West
North West
  Surf Cameras
  Safety Bay Camera
Metro
North
Mid North
Illawarra
South Coast
Metro
West Coast
East Coast
Brisbane
Far North
Central Coast
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast
Hobart
West Coast
North Coast
East Coast
Recent
Western Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
Tasmania
  My Favourites
  Reverse Arrows
General
Gps & Speed Sailing
Wave Sailing
Foiling
Gear Reviews
Lost & Found
Windsurfing WA
Windsurfing NSW
Windsurfing QLD
Windsurfing Victoria
Windsurfing SA
Windsurfing Tasmania
General
Gear Reviews
Foiling
Newbies / Tips & Tricks
Lost & Found
Western Australia
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
South Australia
Tasmania
General
Foiling
Board Talk & Reviews
Wing Foiling
All
Windsurfing
Kitesurfing
Surfing
Longboarding
Stand Up Paddle
Wing Foiling
Sailing
  Active Topics
  Subscribed Topics
  Rules & Guidelines
Login
Lost My Details!
Join! (Its Free)
  Search for a Location
  Clear Recents
Metro
South West
Central West
North West
Surf Cameras
Safety Bay Camera
Metro
North
Mid North
Illawarra
South Coast
Metro
West Coast
East Coast
Brisbane
Far North
Central Coast
Sunshine Coast
Gold Coast
Hobart
West Coast
North Coast
East Coast
Recent
Western Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
South Australia
Queensland
Northern Territory
Tasmania
  My Favourites
  Reverse Arrows
All
Windsurfing
Kitesurfing
Surfing
Longboarding
Stand Up Paddle
Wing Foiling
Sailing
Active Topics
Subscribed Topics
Forum Rules
Login
Lost My Details!
Join! (Its Free)

Forums > Stand Up Paddle   Board Talk & Reviews

2017 Starbord Pro (8'5 & 8'0) - Carbon

Reply
Created by marco gribi > 9 months ago, 27 Oct 2016
marco gribi
WA, 196 posts
27 Oct 2016 2:22PM
Thumbs Up


2017 Starboard Pro Carbon

Rider weight: 79kg
Skill level: Experienced
Status: Team Rider

8’5 x 29 Carbon

I have pretty much owned and ridden every model of 8’5 Pro since they were introduced. At 112L which is the same as last year’s 2016 the 2017 version is a pretty different board.

The outline has changed considerably with a more pulled in nose and tail, while thinning out the rail profile. To maintain the volume in this size, the thickness at the middle increased slightly creating a slightly domed deck. These few points do make this version notably less stable than the 2015/16 and even the 2013/14 105L version.

Taking all this into consideration, the changes made are a major step in the right direction in terms of performance in cleaner / larger waves.This was an intended focus for the larger sizes in the Pro range and moving forward I think this was a positive step.

In the past I have always run my boards as quads, I preferred to cut higher on the wave and then pump along to generate speed. With the new tail outline being a little narrower and thinner I found a quad setup did not works as well and I have since changed back to a 2 + 1 setup.

One thing that I did change with a centre fin setup was going a little smaller from the supplied 140mm to a 120mm. This transformed the board more to what I like with a loser feel in the tail that allowed for more pressure through the front foot to engage the rail slightly further forward. I come from a windsurfing back ground and I like this style of stance rather than surfing right off the tail. The larger 140mm fin supplied seemed more locked in, therefore requiring more back foot pressure from off the tail kicker.

With the thinner rail profile surf ability has improved, the board transitions from rail to rail with more ease. It follows your foot pressure and reacts very quickly to input. Also the more constant rocker line feels like a smoother transition when stepping forward to get the board in and then shuffling back, there’s no jerky feel or braking sensation when the board pivots.

All the other features are top quality as expected from Starboard, I really like that they come supplied with a full deck pad already fixed.







8’0 x 28 Carbon

Also wanting a smaller board for this season for when conditions are on I also got the 8'0 x 28 Pro. At 102L the new 8’0 x 28 is more challenging than previous models because of similar outline changes as noted above with the 8’5 x 29.

In the past I could quite reasonably stand on the 8’0 and still relax enough to save energy for surfing. Now with the much thinner rails and more pulled in nose and tail I really have to work at keeping my balance when less than ideal. If there is water moving about and a little size I now find that I have to prone paddle out through the break and also move about a bit more so as to not tire too quick from balancing.

However on a wave this is possibly the best Starboard Pro that I have ridden. It generates so much speed and transitions from rail to rail with ease. I must say this has become my favourite board I just don’t get good enough conditions in Perth to make this my only board.

As with the 8’5 I also downsized the centre fin that just gave me the little extra difference in feel that I prefer, other than this the 8’0 is one sick little board.

For those that might be interested in the new Starlite construction, my Carbon weighed in at 6.5kg and the Starlite version was only 7.5kg. That’s pretty good for a much cheaper improved construction that has innegra rails, reinforcing stringers, full deck pad and also the FCS II fin boxes.









Cheers, Marco

SUPbru
386 posts
28 Oct 2016 4:46AM
Thumbs Up

Informative review...thanks Marco!

Jeroensurf
998 posts
29 Oct 2016 4:24AM
Thumbs Up

Thanx for the write up and how they compare to the the older models!

I,m 90kg and always need a full suit so a ad a few kg, making the 2015 Pro8.5 pro pretty much the smallest I can paddle with a bit of comfort in some chop.Based on your comments the new one will be even more tippy in everything except picture perfect conditions (that I catch maybe 2times a year on a holiday )? Well it saves me a lot of money as I stick to the old one:)

ps fin tip:
I,m a windsurfer like you and probably not enough on the kickpad as well and I really really liked my board as a Tri with an 12cm K4 centre fin instead of an FCS alike stiffer fin. The K4 (stubby) centrefin is softer and makes my 2015 8.5 a lot looser and more fun in the topturn in everything except scary high.
If its serious big and it become too loose I like it a bit more directional and go back to my stiffer FCS centrefin ( Stretch-L or PC-Performers-L), but as in waist to just overhead the Stubby in the back is waaay more fun..

Tang
VIC, 580 posts
2 Nov 2016 10:43PM
Thumbs Up

Have they tweaked the positioning of the fin box at all? I found the box of the 2015 8'0x29 pro was too far forward, and in good waves it was difficult to generate drive and hold. My 2013 8'5" pro has the box further back.

It could be well worth putting c-drive fins in these boards, too. They make a big difference to the 2013 8'5".

also sounds good if they have thinned out the rails, too.

marco gribi
WA, 196 posts
3 Nov 2016 9:46AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Tang said..
Have they tweaked the positioning of the fin box at all? I found the box of the 2015 8'0x29 pro was too far forward, and in good waves it was difficult to generate drive and hold. My 2013 8'5" pro has the box further back.

It could be well worth putting c-drive fins in these boards, too. They make a big difference to the 2013 8'5".

also sounds good if they have thinned out the rails, too.


Hi Tang,

Answer regarding fin boxes is yes, this was already done on the 2016 release of the same 2015 shape.

Compared to the 2013 /14 shape, the front fins are in the same position (13,14,16 & 17), however the rear fins (quad) have moved further back making the quad setup slightly further apart. Also the center box has moved a little further forward from the tail.

All in all the changes for 2017 have made the Pros much better boards in my opinion.

Cheers,
Marco

Tang
VIC, 580 posts
8 Nov 2016 1:10PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks Marco. If the centre fin has gone further forward, though, I'd have thought that will loosen it up in thruster config and reduce drive further....? Perhaps it works as a quad, but I've shied away from them as I find them prone to dishpanning. To each their own!

marco gribi
WA, 196 posts
8 Nov 2016 2:19PM
Thumbs Up

Hi Tang,

Difference in center box is only 5mm further forward on the 2017 model compared to the 2013/14. This was reduced from the 15/16 models that where about 40mm further forward than 2013/14.

I was mostly referring to the Quad boxes as this was how I tended to ride the Pro boards. I think the wider grouping, narrower and thinner tail in 2017 doesn't suit my style as a Quad, might be why I now prefer the 2 + 1 with a smaller center.


Cheers,
Marco

t457118
124 posts
1 May 2017 6:27PM
Thumbs Up

Hi Marco, with reference to the 8' x 28, how does it compare in stability to a) 2015 and 2016 7'7 Pro, and b) 7'2 Hypernut (what I'm on now). I'm 82 kegs. And having now tuned into it over the last 6 months what are your impressions of the ride? Cheers

marco gribi
WA, 196 posts
2 May 2017 1:00PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
t457118 said..
Hi Marco, with reference to the 8' x 28, how does it compare in stability to a) 2015 and 2016 7'7 Pro, and b) 7'2 Hypernut (what I'm on now). I'm 82 kegs. And having now tuned into it over the last 6 months what are your impressions of the ride? Cheers


Hi,

a) From all reports they are fairly similar, they balance out with the differences in outline. I can't really provide accurate feedback with the 7'7 as it is not a size I used.

b) 7'2 Hypernut is far more stable with the wider footprint

The 8'0 is not my everyday board and I only use it when I travel or the conditions are good in Perth. So I have only used it a few times and have not really got it dialed. Having said that in the times I have used it, it is by far the best Pro I have ridden.

Cheers,
Marco

t457118
124 posts
2 May 2017 3:33PM
Thumbs Up

Cheers Marco, much appreciated.

seabreezer
377 posts
31 Aug 2017 4:22PM
Thumbs Up

Hey Marco , would it be possible to measure nose widths of 8'5 & 8'0 either 30cm or ofo to give me an idea how pulled in they are ? .... (tail widths are on website) ... cheers

colas
5158 posts
31 Aug 2017 4:40PM
Thumbs Up

marco gribi said..
I also downsized the centre fin that just gave me the little extra difference in feel that I prefer


You may want to try big side fins with a smaller central fin. I also have decades of windsurfing under my belt and I prefer this setup.
Try to get side fins with a thin profile, to reduce the drag due to their size

I'd recommend either the Harley Ingleby set (thin profile)
www.surffcs.com/collections/longboard
possibly with a smaller center like a Medium: www.surffcs.com/shop/surf-longboard/fcs-ii-performer-centre-fin

Or the Al Merrick twins www.surffcs.com/shop/surf-specialty/fcs-ii-am-twin-set
(thin profile with thickest point less forward than other fins), small tip
with a trailer / small center of your choice

marco gribi
WA, 196 posts
31 Aug 2017 4:57PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
seabreezer said..
Hey Marco , would it be possible to measure nose widths of 8'5 & 8'0 either 30cm or ofo to give me an idea how pulled in they are ? .... (tail widths are on website) ... cheers


Hi Seabreezer,

No problems

2017/18 8'5 = 41cm @ 30cm from nose
2017/18 8'0 = 42cm @ 30cm from nose

And yes I even double checked that as the 8'0 is slightly wider, go figure!!

By way of comparison the 2014 8'5 Pro is 46cm @ 30cm from nose, I could not find a 2015 or 16 to compare

Cheers,
Marco

seabreezer
377 posts
31 Aug 2017 5:09PM
Thumbs Up

stellar ... cheers Marco ... very helpful



Subscribe
Reply

Forums > Stand Up Paddle   Board Talk & Reviews


"2017 Starbord Pro (8'5 & 8'0) - Carbon" started by marco gribi