Marce said..

I looking at purchasing a predominantly flat water distance paddler in 14'. I'm looking at the Starboard Allstar 14 x 26.5 AST and Surftech Laird Bark 14 x 29.5. Which would be the faster, better paddler for flat water distance paddling? I'm a Paddle Surfer with no experience with these boards other than seeing them in the showroom and clips and photos of them on the water. Your advice would be much appreciated I'm 76kg and a fit 52 year old.

The 2014 Allstars are very stable and slick. I'd reckon that at 76kg and fairly fit, you won't need the extra 3" width of the Laird/Bark (that's really a "big-boy" board, it was designed as such). No need to go the extra width if you don't need, it would just slow you down and you'd probably find the extra volume a bit corky at your weight. At 76kg you have a lot of boards to choose from, I reckon you'd also be well served looking at the DC/NSP 14 footers, The new Fanatic Flat water, possibly even a narrower ACE, just to name a few. Others will doubtless have more suggestions.

I am 97kg and currently paddle a 2014 14' x 28" Allstar and I have no problems with stability even in the ocean. For someone your weight the 26.5" should be fine in flatwater.

The volume you quote for the Laird/Bark will be wrong. 275 perhaps but not 175. Get your dealer to check it. I agree with the other answers - I like the Laird-Bark for long distance choppy ocean waters but it is too big for most people. Big boards require big power to move, so it isn't ideal for an average-sized person in flat water unless you are definitely balance-challenged. But this is only if speed is your concern. The Laird would make a very comfortable long distance flatwater cruiser for a beginner/intermediate. Remember that most posters to this forum are very skilled indeed and what seems super-stable to them might not be for you. Another thing to consider is the construction and resale value of the boards. I have not been at all impressed with the 2013 AllStars in either respect and the Starboard graphics and livery are not to everyone's taste, which affects resale. You might want to look at the smaller Bark boards like the Dominator. DJ may say that they are old designs but they haven't changed much because Joe Bark got them right the first time, unlike other brands I could mention... In pure flatwater the cutting type bows like the Bark are hard to beat.

I have had 2014 All Stars in 14x28 , and 14x26.5 , and my wife has a Bark ...All the above comments are right, the Starboard would be the pick by quite a margin. I also currently have a Naish Glide GX 14' and a JP carbon All water , and the All Star would run rings around them...and I am the same weight and age as you. The bottom contours on the All Star make it very stable, and there is very little discernible difference in the stability on flattish water between the 26.5" and the 28". IMO if the had a centre recessed handle they would be close to perfect!

There is a difference on the flat between the 2 widths , which i have found more noticeable when paddling into the wind and chop. What I did find is that the difference between the AST and Carbon options to be greater! My first 14 x 28 was AST , the I got a carbon in the same width , that made an immediate difference, every stroke seemed to accelerate the board more easily. I then got the 14 x 26.5 also in Carbon which felt faster still , but the margin was less significant. I did find that the lower volume of the 26.5 allowed my 78 kg weight to fully engage the entire waterline length , perhaps that is why it was faster?