Hi guys

I have seen many posts on the breeze and zone about how carbon boards more fragile than AST/epoxy. I have also seen comments about Starboard and Fanatic carbon boards being "rock solid".

I would love to know exactly how resistant to dings is carbon. When I watch local sup races I see collisions, boards jumped off and tumble into shore or dropped on the beach as they run to the finish. Hardly cotton wool stuff yet people still talk about carbon being fragile. This gives me the impression carbon can take some abuse but comments about durablity relate to the rigours of racing.

I guess my question is will a carbon board give me a few good years of service without falling apart? I look after my stuff and probably won't be racing but the facts of life mean it will take everyday knocks when loading and unloading.

Comments from Fanatic and Starboard owners most appreciated.

In one of my finer SUP moments I face planted on my board the other day as I launched off a crowded beach. Face first, paddle crashing on the deck I shot off the front like I was doing my best superman impression I was sure I would have damaged the deck but the good old Naish never had a scratch!

JustCruising said...

Hi guys

.

I guess my question is will a carbon board give me a few good years of service without falling apart? I look after my stuff and probably won't be racing but the facts of life mean it will take everyday knocks when loading and unloading.

Look after it and you should get far more than a few good years.. IMO.. It should last as long as any other board.. Dings are a funny thing because the other day before a downwinder I saw PT's new carbon AllStar board flip across the footpath and into the bluestone wall when I huge truck flew past causing an unexpected wind.. No damage at all.. and seconds later Paul's new Ace flipped over on the soft sand in a wind gust and landed on a pointy shell that was sticking up and it had to be pulled out of the egg shell thin bottom of his Ace.. We put some ding tape on it so he could paddle it.. Boards have areas where there is only one thin layer of carbon and other areas where there might be two or three layers.. (sme on glass and AST boards).. depending on the stress or loads in that area.. So I guess what I'm trying to say is wether you get a ding or not if more about luck or being unlucky rather than because a board is durable or not. I have many friends with carbon Starboards/Fanatics and I've not heard one complain about their boards not being durable.

DJ

I've had a fanatic prowave carbon for a couple of months now. Given it the odd wack with the paddle and so far not a mark on it.

Down winding carbon

Circuit racing carbon

Flatwater racing carbon

Surfing Epoxy AST Epoxy

River paddling AST Epoxy

BOP racing Titanium inlay.

Thanks guys

That info is gold, I think I will stick to AST or carbon blends like Hobie or Coreban. It will be better in the long run and I don't need the last 5% of performance.

I have enjoyed looking at what is out on the market but now it's time to demo. I will let you know how it goes.

FlyingKiwi said...

JustCruising said...
Thanks guys

That info is gold, I think I will stick to AST or carbon blends like Hobie or Coreban. It will be better in the long run and I don't need the last 5% of performance.

I have enjoyed looking at what is out on the market but now it's time to demo. I will let you know how it goes.

ever ridden a Coreban? really really corky - I had the 9' Fusion, changed a few months ago to a full carbon JP 9'2 and fell in love, super quick board that turns on a dime, sits better in the water too, not as thick in the rails.

No I haven't but I have heard that comment before but never quite understood what it means. Does it mean they have too much float and bob around in the swell? I am able to demo the Coreban edge so I will do that. Nothing to lose I reckon.

Next up is a demo with Hobie and then maybe Fanatic Falcon if possible. Problem with Fanatic is that I would now like the HRS construction now but it could be a long wait for it in 14'

Going to talk to the Starboard people at the local Sup races tomorrow night. I have ignored them up till now because I didn't like the look of their boards and the dug out standing area. So many people swear by them I could be shooting myself in the foot if I don't consider them.