QLD
235 posts
which boards available in Australia allow rig attachment?
8 posts
Hi,
I recently got my dirty mitts on an 11.2 starboard and have to say that if you have a windsurfing / sailing background then a board which allows you to slap some gear on is a no brainer. Can't comment about the other boards mentioned but on the 11.2, I can (I am 6', 83kgs):
Its a great sup platform, floats me easily and great fun to paddle. It turns really well to the point where in a bit of wind, you can 'gybe' it really well under paddle power. I haven't had it in proper waves yet but I had great fun on it earlier this week where the 30-35 kn winds kicked up some cool little 2 footers. It feels really light for its length and is quite snappy.
I've also had it under a rig a few times, specifically my 5.3 and 6.4 freeride/wave rigs. This is the real bonus in my view because it sails really well. B
8 posts
damn, finger trouble, posted before I was ready...
Anyway, it sails real well. With the large rocker (lots in the tail) and the small 20cm wave fin (and no daggerboard) it sails much more like a shortboard than a longboard. It goes upwind very well, but again, only if you sail it like a shortboard. With the 6.4 it was planing in 8 knots...beat that kites! Great fun for light wind freestyle, helitacks / cowboys a doddle on it. I then had it out in a bit of swell in 20knots with the 5.3 and it is not all that comfy at speed in the bumps of course, but it was a revelation in the small shorebreak (in the bay), mate it was sooo much fun, very cruisy, just going back and forth having a blast. This thing could be serious fun in a 'real' break in light wind...even riding frontside not an issue as you just step over the centerline to get the rail in. Its just so relaxing and cruisy to sail.
Tuning makes a big difference though in its performance under sail, it likes the fin right back and the 20cm wave fin is too small for the 6.4, I'm going to whack my 26cm wave fin from my wave board in there next time. To compensate for the small fin, I used the forward mast position for the 6.4 and it made a huge difference in upwind performance, but with the 5.3 I could get away with the rear position which made the board a lot snappier in the 'waves'. So just a bigger fin for the bigger sail will sort it all out. (FYI, with the rig attached and the board at rest in the water, about one third of the fin is out of the water due to the rocker! Hence the more 'shortboard' type of sailing input required)
So my two cents...if you sail at all, then get a board with the ability to rig gear, even if you don't sail, I would still go for it as it just adds so much versatility to the board.
QLD
235 posts
Thanks for replies
I am after a bay cruiser that will double as my wifes board and triple for the kids (grown up ) when they come along. Normally sail an acid 86L and JP 91L freestyle in the bay up here.
Was looking at the excite ride 120L but you just about sold me the 11.2 starboard.
I live right on the bay and near a large canal estate so sup seems logical.
The starboard site says no mast box and the pics do not show attachment capability.
http://www.star-board-sup.com/2008/products/sup112.php
have I got the right board or does it maybe depend on the local agent which board they get in?
QLD
69 posts
"every Starboard national distributor has the option to choose the accessories that come on their board - we have gone with the mast attachment option (its 2 recessed nuts that you can hardly see ) on our ozzy boards as they dont add much cost, arent a big ugly track that will put off surfers and dont add a signifigant amt of weight to the board."
This is a quote from the Oz Starboard distributor from a previous thread.
Hope this helps
