Starboard | Windsurfing board tests

April 13, 2014 By Claes Leave a Comment

Starboard Futura 121 – Test 2013 and 2014

We have been on the Starboard Futura Carbon 2013/2014 for quite a while now and we are pretty pleased with the Futuras over all performance. Even though the Futura offers slalom-like performance its more like a freeride board when it comes to gybes and handling. The Futura also behaves excellent in overpowered conditions, very stable and controlled even if you are sailing in conditions where you normally would have been better off with a much smaller board. On the down-side we feel that the Starboard Futura Carbon is somewhat more fragile than others full carbon (LTD) boards within this segment, so if you are an intermediate or super sensitive to flaws I would consider choosing the Futura wood-carbon instead.

Starboard Futura – 2012 vs 2013 vs 2014

Compared to the Starboard Futura 2012 the new Futura got more open cutaways that will ensure cleaner wake turbulence and lower drag, this will give you more top end speed. The Starboard Futura range remains unchanged between 2013 and 2014.

Hard facts – Starboard futura 121

Weight 7.10 kg (Carbon), 7.53 kg (Wood)
Length 246 cm
Width 72 cm
Volume 121 l
Sail range: 5.5 – 8.5 m2
Fin box: Tuttle
Fin: Drake/C3 Venom 44
Fin range: 36-46 cm

Starboard Futura 121 (Wood Carbon 2012) – Speed potential

Top speed 2 sec: 37.59 knots
Avg speed 5*10 sec: 35.91 knots
Max Alpha: 24.24
Rider: Sven Kempers (Netherland)
Source: gps-speedsurfing.com

Starboard Futura – More or less hardcore, the alternatives

If the Futura is to hardcore the Starboard Carve freeride could be an alternative. If you would like something more hardcore (full slalom) you should have a look at the Starboard iSonic.

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Futura 121 Carbon – Windsurfing Jahrbuch (Germany) 2013

Compared to last year, the Starboard Futura feels more accessible and stable in light winds. But the Futura remains a racing machine. Right off the beach, the Futura accelerates immediately and reaches an impressive top speed very quickly. The speed of the Futura is only limited by the rider itself.

The jibing performance has been improved although Futura remains a bit more demanding and technical compared to the relaxed free ride shapes within this test group. In over-powered conditions, the Futura remains in control and transforms the heaviest gust into speed.

Futura 121 Carbon, Windsurf (UK), April 2013

With a wide outline, the Futura is very quick to accelerate and lift onto the plane, requiring very little effort, or indeed wind, to get going.
Through maneuvers the Starboard Futura definitely feels “automatic” with a versatile, smooth carving style that’s easy to power out of turns.

Riders of all levels will find this board highly rewarding and exciting ; a high performance freeride board that covers everything from basic freeriding to hardcore freeracing.

Futura 121 Carbon, Windsurfing Journal (Germany), Yearbook 2013

The top speed of the Futura really is very impressive, as it really flies along with pressure on the (excellent) fin and the only limit is imposed by the rider itself. But where pure bred slalom boards are a handful in chop, the Futura plays nicely and the difference in which it absorbs chop bombardment will make itself felt.

Those who prefer to cruise around with a tad bit less ferociousness, are well advised with the Starboard Carve. The Futura will go through its gybes consistently but one should really choose wide arches.

Starboard Futura 2014 – Action video

October 31, 2011 By Claes Leave a Comment

Starboard Futura 111 – Test 2011

The Starboard Futura is designed alongside Starboards full blod slalom board, iSonic. Like the iSonic the Futura has gone through some fine-tuning for 2011. Starboard claims that the new version has improved the Futuras ability to maintain top speed in lulls, improved planing ability and improved exit speed when it comes to jibing.

The Starboard Futura comes with high quality foot-straps and a Drake Venom 40 cm designed by C3.

The new Starboard Futura 111 holds its position as one of the fastest, if not the fastest, boards within the freerace segment. The Starboard Futura will give you slalom performance that is easy to access and it is also really easy to get around the corners.

Hard facts – Starboard Futura 111

Manufacturer: Starboard, star-board.com
Length: 240 cm
Width: 68 cm
Volume: 111 L
Weight: 6,62 (Wood Carbon) 6,98 (Wood) 7,78 (Technora)
Sail range: 5,0 – 8,0
Fin range: 32 – 42 cm

Windsurf (UK) May 2011 – Starboard Futura 111

Starboard Futura is designed alongside Starboard iSonic slalom boards as a high performance free racer though less technical than the iSonic to sail. On the underside it has a subtle vee double concave into vee in the tail, with large cut-outs.
The Starboard Futura is a very quick board, especially in rougher conditions where the comfort and control of the ride allows you to generate more speed than many other boards, even race boards. In the corners the narrow tail makes it excellent for cranking round fast carves, the Futura can turn tight or wide and holds great speed for the exit.

Board Magazine UK) May 2011 – Starboard Futura 111

The Futura takes a lot of its design characteristics from the iSonic, and the similarities in performance are evident as soon as you get it wet. On flat water the Futura is instantly likeable. The Futura was the fastest board of this group on flat water, and impressively one of the easiest to get the best from. You really don’t need much technique to go fast on this board, and it rides so comfortably at speed as well.
In bigger chop and waves, it isn’t quite so controllable. We found the low nose can get knocked around a bit by the waves, sometimes sending the board off the wind, but most of the time just tapping the water enough to slow the board down a bit.

Early planing is very good on the Futura – best in the group in fact. The Futura is also really nice in the gybes. Advanced gybers and racers will be impressed with the ease at which you can change the arc of the turn mid-gybe.

March 19, 2011 By Claes Leave a Comment

Starboard Hybrid Formula – Raceboard

Starboard Hybrid Formula Test winner

Starboard Hybrid Formula was tested agains Exocet Pacer 300, F2 Lightning, Neil Pryde RS:X and Starboard Hybrid Race. The Starboard Hybrid Formula came out as test winner.

About the Hybrid Class:

Racing on a single board that works from 3 to 33 knots, with design updates allowed only once every 4 years and with simple equipment price limitations set, the concept of Hybrid Class has gained steady popularity since its introduction in January 2006.

In France, the Hybrid Class has become the official FFV Youth class and the Starboard Hybrid Race and Hybrid Formula are amongst the 5 officially selected Hybrid boards.

Hard facts – Starboard Hybrid Formula

Manufacturer: Starboard, star-board.com
Length: 277 (planing) 297 (non-planing)
Width: 80 cm
Volume: 230 L
Sail range: 6,0 – 11,0

SURF magazine’s May 2006 issue – Starboard Hybrid Formula

The Starboard Hybrid Formula together with the Olympic RS:X led the Hybrid group test as the board that was always one of the fastest in all conditions, always one of the top two choices by each test rider: “From all 5 boards, the Hybrid Formula has the most neutral concept with a touch of a long Raceboard. Whether in light winds, with daggerboard down and mast track in the front position like a long raceboard, or in strong winds in any direction, the Hybrid Formula remained very controlled, stable and always one of the fastest. Conclusion: The first choice for hobby racer who want to compete with a Hybrid board in the new raceboard class.”

January 1, 2011 By Claes Leave a Comment

Starboard Futura 122 – Test 2009 and 2010

There is no doubt that the Starboard Futura 122 is a one of the fastest boards in the freeride/freerace category. Starboard Futura is suitable for riders who are keen on a board with slalom characteristics but who is not willing to go for a full blood slalom board such as the hyped Starboard iSonic.

Starboard Futura is despite the board’s speed potential and slalom profile also suitable for intermediate riders thanks to the freeride adjustments Starboard have done on the Futura.

Are you looking for a more lively board with clearer freeride characteristics you should have a look at the Starboard Carve. Are you focused on speed and are looking for a sophisticated board with great top end control, the Starboard Futura 122 is an excellent choice.

Hard facts – Starboard Futura 122

Manufacturer: Starboard, star-board.com
Length: 245,5 cm
Width: 71,5 cm
Volume: 122 L
Weight: 6,86 (Wood Carbon) 7,13 (Wood) 7,43 (Technora) 8,89 (Tufskin)
Sail range: 5,5 – 9,0

Surf (Germany) no 6, 2009 – Starboard Futura 122

Starboard Futura 122 is the widest board of the test group and has improved footstrap positions. Starboard has introduced “normal freerideposition”, which has been missing in the last years test. The bottom shape has a deep double concave far back to the finbox, with a very visible V upfront.

Starboard Futura 122 convinced with good control and excellent average speed. While planning the Starboard Futura 122 does not handle chop quite as good as the lager Futura 133. However, the Futura 122 can be kept in good control all the time and accelerates without a lot of effort.

The Starboard Futura feels extremely stable and it always seems to find the perfect planing position automatically. When turning the wide shape does a relaxed and comfortable job, and stays very safe on the rail. Just in narrow speedy turns the Starboard Futura 122 is limited compared to the “needles” of this test group.

Windsport.com April, 2010 – Starboard Futura 122

Starboard Futura 122 speeds up at a controlled pace allowing progressing sailors to easily find the footstraps in the inboard position. The outboard position is aggressive and much more difficult to get into, but it’s here that you’ll be able to do the trim work to get the Starboard Futura to break free and reach full speed.
Most boards with as much speed potential as the Starboard Futura prefer an aggressive weight forward jibe. But we found the Starboard Futura to turn very well off the tail and with technique that takes a lot less commitment to perfect.

Buy a Starboard Futura as your learning to get into the straps and then once comfortable move the straps outboard and go pass all your buddies.

Board Magazine no 6, 2010 – Starboard Futura 122

When the original Starboard Carve was replaced with the Starboard Futura, it’s fair to say that we weren’t the biggest of fans. Starboard Futura was certainly fast, but in our opinion it seemed to have lost the essence of what ‘freeriding’ was about. With it´s thin and wide profile the Starboard Futura made the rider feel more like a passenger than a pilot, and it certainly didn’t feel maneuverable underfoot. Admittedly that was just our opinion and some people loved the Starboard Futura for exactly those characteristics.