Dear forum-members,

I've got a question for you and really hope you are willing to help me out!
I'm living in Curacao, a little Caribbean island close to Aruba & Bonaire, just above the coast of Venezuela. We simply don't have surf-shops over here, so there is absolutely no possibility for me to demo a board before buying it. I have to make my decision based on reviews and your help!

During the hurricane season, we normally get chest to shoulder high waves. On good days it can be head-high to a bit overhead. Our waves are not very powerful and fast. Most of the time these waves come in combination with a cross offshore to side shore wind, around 16-20 knots. Perfect glassy conditions are very very rare!
My weight is 83 kg and I'm an intermediate supper who loves the sport and wants to make progression. Right now I'm using a Starboard 2013 Wide Point 8'10" AST-construction (143 liter). I bought it after reading a lot of reviews and can handle the board very easy. It floats me perfect, is very stable in our choppy conditions and I can get on waves easy. Once on the wave I wish the board was a bit more dynamic and reactive?

I'm thinking of buying a new board: the Starboard 2014 Wide Point 8'2" CARBON (123 liter) or the Starboard 2014 Pocket Rocket 8'5" CARBON (130 liter).
The Pro models will be too hard for me in our conditions. I like a challenge, but I don't want to lose the fun. Other brands are no option, since I order my board at the local windsurfschool and they only do business with Starboard.

I've heard the new 2014 8'2" Wide Point is updated: it got more refined rails, a flatter deck and a little less volume (123) compared to the 2013 model (130). Sounds good to me, but 32" wide is in my opinion very wide for such a short board?
The pocket Rocket has more volume (130 liter), is narrower and has less rocker compared to the Wide Point.

What is your experience on these boards? What would you suggest or recommend? Which of the two boards is the most challenging to ride? Which will be the easiest to balance on in choppy conditions? Which will be the most dynamic on the wave? Which of the two will catches waves easiest?

I really hope to hear from you guys! Your input/help is much appreciated!

Or maybe look at the 7'11". I think that board looks very nice for a lighter rider!

When talking stability, most people are refering to "lateral stability" as in tippyness from side to side.

Front to back stability refers to the board tipping either forwards towards the nose, or backwards toward the tail. When this happens you are standing either forward or aft of the sweet spot. On shorter boards the sweet spot is smaller & the front to back instability is increased.

So to me the PR tracks & paddles better & will indeed catch waves better. I also felt it was overall more stable while waiting for waves.

I've never seen a 7'11" in the flesh, but it seems to be very similar to the PR, just 6 inches shorter. At your weight it could be perfect!?

Thanks a lot guys!

Thanks Can555!
Right now I'm using the Wide Point 8'10" AST and I admit, it's a great board. For my weight a bit bulky, that's why I want to upgrade it. I will definitely choose for a carbon board, which will be 3 kg less of (swing)weight compared to the board I'm using now. So that's a great improvement by itself. The new board I will buy is going to be the WP 8'2" or the PR 8'5", so I'm sure both boards will be a good replacement of the board I'm using now...
But since I'm not able to demo, this forum has to help me in making my decision.
Thanks again!

IWB said..

Can555,
Very impressed you are riding the Pro8.0 at your weight. You must have the skills combined with some good clean surf. Im in a similar situation to Bluedrop in that I am looking for that board for less than ideal conditions which for me is onshore heavy chop. It will be a reef break and relatively short steep dropins. I currently ride the 2013 SB8.5 Pro in AST and rave about it, however when the chop is heavy, there is little chance of staying on while waiting for the wave. I was originally looking at the WP7'8 and 8'2, however for a light rider at 65kg, wanted to avoid a 32inch wide board. The PR8.5 looks like a great option, however concerned with its flatter profile, will struggle to work in the steep reef break. Also concerned that the wider nose of the board will be an issue. Finally looking at the 2014 Airborn 30 and 31.5 as a last option. Concern is that the 30 will be too small a volume board for the heavy chop and the 31.5 will be too wide a board... Finally the Airborns are only quad fin setup so also wondering if this will not be the best for the surf conditions i ride. If you have any thoughts on this, that would be much appreciated.

@IWB, Airborns are a 5 fin setup.

IWB said..

Can555,
Very impressed you are riding the Pro8.0 at your weight. You must have the skills combined with some good clean surf...

I've moved down incrementally, but the 8.0 is near my minimum needs for volume at 110 L. In glassy conditions it's more than stable enough. In wind and chop I need to work pretty hard to stay upright, but with enough stubbornness even this aspect is getting easier over time. The pay off in maneuverability on the wave riding a lower volume board is worth the extra effort/ frustration of wobbling around theough the break.

Thanks colinm63,
which of the two (WP 8'2" or PR 8'5") did you find the most stable while waiting for waves in choppy conditions?