These are both wide 14ft ocean boards. The GX Glide is a similar price and weight to the carbon-Kevlar construction Dart. So how do they compare downwind and for flat water touring?

Here in the UK we are pretty familiar with the Dart. But the Glide 2014 hadn't really made it to these shores yet. There are no UK mainland distributors so we have to buy via the Netherlands so no demos are possible.

So we'd be very pleased to hear from anyone who has ridden both. DJ? PeterP? And is there maybe someone out there from Coreban to balance out the opinions? :) I think there are some guys also on Jersey who must have tried both?

I'm with DJ on this, I have paddled and surfed both, but not DW on the Dart. The Glide gets it hands down, the Dart was tippy for me and just pretty ordinary............and I don't particularly like yellow boards, but they are becoming my 2nd choice after orange

As stable as the Dart is [it's very stable] the Glide feels slightly even more stable..

The big round 50/50 rails in the front half of the Glide seem to allow it to be pushed around in confused water without any catching.

If you're after a touring flat water board that will work well on downwinders you can toss a coin.

If you're after a downwinding board that you can tour and even race the Glide is a better choice IMO.

Shame you can't demo them both yourself.

I'm actually embarrased to admit I've never tried a Dart.....so my opinions are based on observations and conversations with our local Dart paddlers.
Stability much of a muchness, I haven't heard of either being particularly more or less (except for Shires comment above).
Flatwater the Glide is definitely faster, it carries the glide further whereas the Dart pushes water
Downwind in less than 20knots the Glide is probably on par with Dart but the nose is easier to manage and you don't have to move back and forth much.

Downwind in strong winds the Dart starts to shine, with the right paddler it is really quick (in fact it still holds our Milnertone-Big Bay course record). They say it does require a lot of moving around whereas the Glide is simple step back on the bigger dips. From what I can gather the Glide is easier (as in the nose is super forgiving) on these kind of downwinds (I find it super-fun and easy) but the Dart seems to hold it's glide a little longer when going downhill which ultimately results in faster times (or the paddlers Ivan/Greg are just better at milking the runs....)

We race downwind alot as you know and the Dart is really quick from 25knots up - the Glide is faster in the flats. Ease-of use (stability and handling chop) my feeling is the Glide takes it. Both are great boards for the heavier riders 90-95kg up.