Hi everyone !
I take the opportunity to ask you few things and I hope to get as much as possible. Here are some staff about me:
I am doing SUP for about a year now. I am 44 yrs old, 1,86cm, 100 Kgr.
The sea in Greece is most of the time choppy and the flat water is very rare (1 day per 2 weeks...depending the season). There are no big waves as in Hawaii or CA.
I am looking to buy my first board and I am focusing on a 12'6". I usually do cruising from point a to b and some down wind too.
So, in my mind there are 2 makers (who have presence in Greece) which I consider: Coreban and Starboard.
For Coreban, I am looking for the Alpha racer 12 6 (in carbon/Kevlar) a bit pricy but a good all around board.
For Starboard I am looking for the Cruiser or the new 2013 Touring model.
So, I will need your opinion on these 2 models (or something else that you may think).
Also it is worth it to by the Starboard boards in Wood (specially the new Touring model is very nice....but I am afraid that it's only for flat water).....
Thank you very much in advance.
Aris

Hi Aris, welcome to the 'breeze.
I can comment on the Alpha. I have one in Pure construction and have had it for around 20 months. Absolutely love it and have paddled it in a variety of conditions from flat river to ocean swell.
It's a stable touring board, capable of paddling in significant swell or chop.
Goes well in a big wind, has a planing hull that catches downwind swell but is pretty good into the wind /swell as well.
A cruisey tourer, I've paddled it with my kids on without losing any glide.
Also more capable than I am on a wave. Catches waves really well and goes like a rocket.
I've recently swapped the fin for an 9 inch surf fin and now it feems like I have two great boards. Race fin for wind/chop and flatwater training, surf fin for everything else.
It's not the fastest 12'6" out there, nor is it the most stable of all the larger boards, and it's not a super light weight like some I've felt, BUT it's a whole lot of fun in most conditions that you'll encounter in Greece. A true all rounder.
I must add that I am a Coreban Ambassador, so am a bit biased, but became an ambassador because I love their boards based on my experience on my Alpha.
I must also add that I cannot compare to the Starboard as I've never paddled one.
With Coreban now available in Greece, you should take a look at their new 2013 boards, you might find the new Escape of interest. At 248L 12'6 x 32" x 4.4", it's another option in that length range.
(I'm 45, 5'6 and 78kg)
Enjoy the forums, and make the most of the knowledge and opinions. Everyone here has bucket loads of both.
Good luck and keep us informed on your final choice.
Jason.

Thanks all 3 of you for your input.

@billboard: you are right, between speed and comfort/versatility, I choose comfort.

@JasonProsser: Thank you for your input on Alpha. I will have a look at Escape too.

@HumanCartoon: Γεια σου! You confused me a bit. You suggest that the 14' is better due to my ratio of weight and height ? or due to the specificities of Mediterranean sea ?

Can you comment on wood vs. AST please as well ?

Many people telling me to get naish glide 12 6. Any thoughts abou it? Do 2012 and 2013 models have any differences ?