Had a few outings on this board so here's a review from an Average Joe. I'd post pictures but there's plenty of those online. I'm an experienced SUP'r but at 64, thought I get something for the grovel days and make it easy on myself.
(Pro's)
1. There's a lot going on w the shape of this board and I never thought I'd enjoy a 32" wide board w 140 liters but it doesn't feel like a 32" board. And I'm skeptical of the 140 liters. I attribute this to the curvy outline, beveled rails and thin rails overall.
2. It's a fast board, especially in the quad setup. I was lukewarm on the tri-setup, but it shines in the quad. It'll turn without a lot of foot shuffle but stepping back where the wing starts in the tail really let's you carve to it's full potential.
3. The rounded pin will also let you go out in some heavier surf, I've only had it in thigh to head high but wouldn't have any problem taking it out in something bigger.
4. The blue carbon construction is super solid, it didn't flinch, though I did, when my wife was dinking the rails w the paddle. Handle is super comfy, pads are top notch. I like the FCS/FCS2 fin boxes as I have a ton to choose from in my quivers.
(Con's)
1. If you're thinking the board will be super stable for a beginner or a heavier intermediate, probably not w all the things listed above that make it work. I used my wife and a heavier friend as test pilots, they did OK, but it was a little work for them.
2. My only personal beef is it felt heavy in my hand. I normally ride smaller boards, so I weighed it and it came in at 20.5 lbs/9.3 kg's. That's way outside their 5% estimated weight range.
My wife's Quatro Glide 8'8" x 32" 145liters weighed 18.5 lbs/ 8.4kgs in comparison. So there you have it. The pictures online don't do it justice, it's actually sexier in person. Just heavy in the shorts.
Hi Suppers of all over the world. This is my 1st post (after a couple of PM) so in short I will present myself: 63 yo, 68k, and beginner/intermediaire in SUP surfing (starting 2 years ago) after a good experience as longboard surfer. Slow learning curve due to only a few session in a month. Surfing mostly in Belgium or in France for Holidays. So not the best waves exept in those Holidays.
I have the same board (SB Spice 8'8 BC) since 2 months and I'm more lucky with the weight, my board is 8,6k, conform the web information.
I have the same experience than Shlogger: this board is not so stable as you should expect from his dimensions and this is due to the bevels I think. I have a Smik 8'10x32" and it is much more stable (the nose is wider). The construction is top, you don't need wax in front of the pad due to a special coating on this front part. I only miss some small pieces of the traction pad after 5 sessions, so it is nice to use but fragile.
The board is easy, the rocker is perfect, it turns very well and can handle some (for me) higher waves (just OH). The handle is perfect, very confortable. And it is very easy to go through the white water when you go out. So in general, I'm very happy with it.
Select to expand quoteECUVOL said..
Hi Suppers of all over the world. This is my 1st post (after a couple of PM) so in short I will present myself: 63 yo, 68k, and beginner/intermediaire in SUP surfing (starting 2 years ago) after a good experience as longboard surfer. Slow learning curve due to only a few session in a month. Surfing mostly in Belgium or in France for Holidays. So not the best waves exept in those Holidays.
I have the same board (SB Spice 8'8 BC) since 2 months and I'm more lucky with the weight, my board is 8,6k, conform the web information.
I have the same experience than Shlogger: this board is not so stable as you should expect from his dimensions and this is due to the bevels I think. I have a Smik 8'10x32" and it is much more stable (the nose is wider). The construction is top, you don't need wax in front of the pad due to a special coating on this front part. I only miss some small pieces of the traction pad after 5 sessions, so it is nice to use but fragile.
The board is easy, the rocker is perfect, it turns very well and can handle some (for me) higher waves (just OH). The handle is perfect, very confortable. And it is very easy to go through the white water when you go out. So in general, I'm very happy with it.
Glad you scored a lighter version. ;)
The weight thing is strange. I ordered my 8.8 blue carbon as soon as it was announced, so I believe I have one of the early production runs (got it in March)and it is pretty close to the online specs.
Silly bit of trivia: I've also got to try a super early production run 8.2 Spice that was branded as "Magic". The SB rep told me that was the original name for the board, but they got into some trademark issues and hence it's called the Spice now.
Select to expand quotetheSeb said..
The weight thing is strange. I ordered my 8.8 blue carbon as soon as it was announced, so I believe I have one of the early production runs (got it in March)and it is pretty close to the online specs.
Silly bit of trivia: I've also got to try a super early production run 8.2 Spice that was branded as "Magic". The SB rep told me that was the original name for the board, but they got into some trademark issues and hence it's called the Spice now.
I'm actually thinking about getting a 8'2" Spice for myself as the 8'8" is the wife's board now. However, I'm going to have to insist the shop weighs before they ship. The advertised weight is my max acceptable for a board that size.
Select to expand quoteShlogger said..theSeb said..
The weight thing is strange. I ordered my 8.8 blue carbon as soon as it was announced, so I believe I have one of the early production runs (got it in March)and it is pretty close to the online specs.
Silly bit of trivia: I've also got to try a super early production run 8.2 Spice that was branded as "Magic". The SB rep told me that was the original name for the board, but they got into some trademark issues and hence it's called the Spice now.
I'm actually thinking about getting a 8'2" Spice for myself as the 8'8" is the wife's board now. However, I'm going to have to insist the shop weighs before they ship. The advertised weight is my max acceptable for a board that size.
Sounds like you got the one heavy one. My 8'8*32 carbon Spice weighs 8.6 kg. Great board. I was a little worried about the volume and stability with the chined rails but I find it very stable and a great performer for it's size. Catches waves really well too. Starboard have nailed it with this design.
Select to expand quoteMickMc said..Shlogger said..theSeb said..
The weight thing is strange. I ordered my 8.8 blue carbon as soon as it was announced, so I believe I have one of the early production runs (got it in March)and it is pretty close to the online specs.
Silly bit of trivia: I've also got to try a super early production run 8.2 Spice that was branded as "Magic". The SB rep told me that was the original name for the board, but they got into some trademark issues and hence it's called the Spice now.
I'm actually thinking about getting a 8'2" Spice for myself as the 8'8" is the wife's board now. However, I'm going to have to insist the shop weighs before they ship. The advertised weight is my max acceptable for a board that size.
Sounds like you got the one heavy one. My 8'8*32 carbon Spice weighs 8.6 kg. Great board. I was a little worried about the volume and stability with the chined rails but I find it very stable and a great performer for its ysize. Catches waves really well too. Starboard have nailed it with this design.
Think you've had a SMIK Hipster twin? How does it compare to the Spice? Ta
Select to expand quoteSlab said..MickMc said..Shlogger said..theSeb said..
The weight thing is strange. I ordered my 8.8 blue carbon as soon as it was announced, so I believe I have one of the early production runs (got it in March)and it is pretty close to the online specs.
Silly bit of trivia: I've also got to try a super early production run 8.2 Spice that was branded as "Magic". The SB rep told me that was the original name for the board, but they got into some trademark issues and hence it's called the Spice now.
I'm actually thinking about getting a 8'2" Spice for myself as the 8'8" is the wife's board now. However, I'm going to have to insist the shop weighs before they ship. The advertised weight is my max acceptable for a board that size.
Sounds like you got the one heavy one. My 8'8*32 carbon Spice weighs 8.6 kg. Great board. I was a little worried about the volume and stability with the chined rails but I find it very stable and a great performer for its ysize. Catches waves really well too. Starboard have nailed it with this design.
Think you've had a SMIK Hipster twin? How does it compare to the Spice? Ta
Yeah I had an 8'3 hipster twin. Loved it on the wave but it was hard work on my arthritic knees. So the Spice is more stable and catches more waves but it's wider and longer so you'd expect that. Performance wise the the hipster had the edge but not by much and it's smaller and narrower. I also had a Smik 8'8 spitfire and I prefer the Spice in all respects. I love quads though so perhaps the Spice suits my style more. I reckon an 8'8x32 custom Hipster vs the 8'8 Spice would be a very close match up.
Select to expand quoteMickMc said..Slab said..MickMc said..Shlogger said..theSeb said..
The weight thing is strange. I ordered my 8.8 blue carbon as soon as it was announced, so I believe I have one of the early production runs (got it in March)and it is pretty close to the online specs.
Silly bit of trivia: I've also got to try a super early production run 8.2 Spice that was branded as "Magic". The SB rep told me that was the original name for the board, but they got into some trademark issues and hence it's called the Spice now.
I'm actually thinking about getting a 8'2" Spice for myself as the 8'8" is the wife's board now. However, I'm going to have to insist the shop weighs before they ship. The advertised weight is my max acceptable for a board that size.
Sounds like you got the one heavy one. My 8'8*32 carbon Spice weighs 8.6 kg. Great board. I was a little worried about the volume and stability with the chined rails but I find it very stable and a great performer for its ysize. Catches waves really well too. Starboard have nailed it with this design.
Think you've had a SMIK Hipster twin? How does it compare to the Spice? Ta
Yeah I had an 8'3 hipster twin. Loved it on the wave but it was hard work on my arthritic knees. So the Spice is more stable and catches more waves but it's wider and longer so you'd expect that. Performance wise the the hipster had the edge but not by much and it's smaller and narrower. I also had a Smik 8'8 spitfire and I prefer the Spice in all respects. I love quads though so perhaps the Spice suits my style more. I reckon an 8'8x32 custom Hipster vs the 8'8 Spice would be a very close match up.
Thanks.yes both boards look great I think.
Interesting Mick and Slab I was thinking the Hipster pin and Spice have a lot in common like rail lines, pulled in tails, fuller noses. Haven't seen a Spice in the flesh to compare the rails.
FWIW Mick I've tried my 7'6" Mid 6 surfboard with my Hipster (it's 8'10") side fins and a smaller nub and am blown away how much better it responds speed and manouvrability compared to the much lauded quad set up. If you've still got your Smik it'd be worth setting the Spice up with that fin set up for sh#ts and giggles and give it a burl-love to hear the results cos both boards have got me thinking
Select to expand quotebackbeach said..
Interesting Mick and Slab I was thinking the Hipster pin and Spice have a lot in common like rail lines, pulled in tails, fuller noses.
I think that in the recent years, the shapes of "shortboard" surfing SUPs have converged a lot.
This is especially obvious in the "relaxed" models: i.e. not the extreme, "pro" models, but the ones just "below" them. Eg for Starboard the Spice vs the Pro, for Smik the Hipster vs the Spitfire, for Gong the Karmen vs the Alley, etc...
And also these "relaxed" models seem to have progressed the most. You see pro riders using them more and more in contests for instance.
Select to expand quotebackbeach said..
Interesting Mick and Slab I was thinking the Hipster pin and Spice have a lot in common like rail lines, pulled in tails, fuller noses. Haven't seen a Spice in the flesh to compare the rails.
FWIW Mick I've tried my 7'6" Mid 6 surfboard with my Hipster (it's 8'10") side fins and a smaller nub and am blown away how much better it responds speed and manouvrability compared to the much lauded quad set up. If you've still got your Smik it'd be worth setting the Spice up with that fin set up for sh#ts and giggles and give it a burl-love to hear the results cos both boards have got me thinking
Funny you should say that. I did try the big twins on my Smik Spitfire..... Nah, not good. Haven't got it any more to try on the Spice but I have a feeling it wouldn't work. The Spice has a really interesting rail design. A subtle chine allows it to surf like a narrower board and let's it sit down in the water more. I was worried it would make it tippy but it actually adds stability I think. Sort of hides the volume and takes away the corkiness I'd normally get with a board of that volume. I weigh 75 kg and would normally go for 120l.
That's interesting Mick but have thought a lot of those pro shapes look well suited to thruster set ups to enhance the pivot and 12 o clock drives up the face. I'd love to check out the Spice and it's chines and fwiw I've a very rounded pin midlength with chines that only suited to 2+1 or thruster. It loves a quobba set up to-speaking of....
Couldn't agree more Colas and the whole surf industry has woken up to the fact the great unwashed is where the money is and they get a whole lot more out of surfing on craft that are not designed for pros but for everyday punters.
I have the 8'2" Spice blue carbon I haven't weighed it but subjectively feels heavier than my 8'10JP carbon slate, really nice board and the thruster setup with a small pro rear works well.
my only beef is when you pick it up it's nose heavy.. handle a touch too far back.. ? Dunno but awkward if you need to carry any distance
mine was also an early order.. first run maybe?
Select to expand quoteroddyb said..
I have the 8'2" Spice blue carbon I haven't weighed it but subjectively feels heavier than my 8'10JP carbon slate, really nice board and the thruster setup with a small pro rear works well.
my only beef is when you pick it up it's nose heavy.. handle a touch too far back.. ? Dunno but awkward if you need to carry any distance
mine was also an early order.. first run maybe?
I carry all my Starboards tail first. They feel more comfortable that way, especially in windy conditions.
