We are super excited to announce that we are now carrying Starboard SUP for the 2015 season. With a massive line full of boards that vary from surf to touring to race shapes, they truly have a perfect board for every kind of paddler. They’ve got great inflatables, gorgeous wood cruiser boards and some seriously techy race boards. We have streamlined this guide to our favorite picks so you can find the perfect Starboard SUP for this summer.
Starboard Technology
First, lets break down some tech. Starboard uses terminology that is unique to their brand so we will explain what all those various terms mean so you know what to look for in your next board. The terms below refer to the construction of the board. Many of their board models are available in more than one construction style.
Starshot
High quality at a reasonable price. The Starshot technology has a precision molded cell core for added strength and water resistance, multiple layers of high grade fiberglass, Australian Pine wood reinforcement in the deck area and 360 degree glass reinforced rails. A crocodile skin textured deck pad covers 3/4 of the board for a large, stable footing area and each Starshot board is precision molded and compressed ensuring an extra strong and hard outer surface.
ASAP (soft top)
The ultimate in strength. Starboard’s ASAP construction stands for ‘As Strong as Possible’ and is a great choice for anyone looking for max-durability in their board in a full soft top style. The core construction is the same as the Starshot with the main difference being the full soft top, an extra layer of glass and black reinforced rails.
Wood
Arguably the best looking option and lightweight. The molded wood construction from Starboard is an exclusive technology they have been using since 1994. A fused cell core reduces weight and increases water resistance, Australian Pine veneer forms an outer layer which results in added impact resistance and rigidity and a 3-dimensional glass laminate is combined with high grade epoxy resin to create a thick impact resistant outer skin and added overall strength. Glass rail reinforcements are added for extra stiffness and all inserts are reinforced for ding-free production.
Brushed Carbon
Top of the line performance and super lightweight. The Brushed Carbon technology uses a precision molded cell core, a full deck, bottom and rail wrap of high density PVC foam adds impact resistance and overall hull strength and finally ultra light biaxial and unidirectional carbon fibers wrap the entire board introducing flex and reflex patterns for paddle boarding. This technology also creates the lightest weight of all 3 construction options.
Starboard Inflatable Technology
Astro Zen
The Zen model boards come with a 4.75″ drop stitch construction for a perfect balance between volume and overall stiffness. The deck and bottom have a Denier polyester plain weave laminate over the 500 Denier drop stitch making the hull extra strong and stiff. The rails are covered with a bi-axial polyester mesh for added stiffness and the flexible permanent side fins aid in tracking and safety.
Astro Deluxe
The Deluxe model boards have a 6.0″ drop stitch construction which is Starboard’s stiffest inflatable technology. The deck and bottom have an extra high strength Denier laminate over a uni-directional Denier drop stitch and the rails have a Denier polyester plain weave for 100% air tightness. For 2015, the rails are 70% thicker and stronger than seasons past. For additional stiffness a dual stringer has been added and the parabolic compression band in the deck edge area creates a slight curve for increased stiffness, even with heavier weight riders.
Magic Bag & Double Action Pump
It might not be the first thing you think of when looking at inflatable SUP boards but the quality of the bag and pump go a long way in your overall enjoyment of an inflatable board. The right accessories can make setup and takedown a breeze, letting you focus your time and energy on the water. New for 2015, the Starboard inflatable SUP boards now come with their wheeled Magic Bag. This easy front load bag with padded back support and belt strap gives you heavy duty storage and wheeled technology to make your life easier.
Starboard’s new V8 double action pump adds to the easy setup with it’s continuous pump cycle on both downward and upward pump action. A simple switch changes over to single one-way action making it easy to get those last few pumps for up to 18PSI.
Now that you know a little more about their tech, let’s get into the boards.
All-Around / Cruising Series
Drive SUP Board 10’5
When it comes to flat water paddling and small surf, the go to board is the Starboard Drive. This compact cruiser has a tri-fin setup, single concave in the front to deep concave through the V in the tail for a smooth, fast, maneuverable ride. The shorter length makes for easy control while the 30″ width is the perfect balance for stability and both speed. As a favorite among many and a staple in the Starboard line, you can’t go wrong with the Drive.
Blend SUP Board 11’2
For those looking to play in the waves and cruise flat water but want something a little longer than the Drive, the Starboard Blend is the perfect option. The Blend has a traditional longboard style shape and has a newly improved, deeper V double-concave bottom resorting in a faster ride and better glide on waves. The Blend is also great for cruising around on flat conditions and the 30″ width is wide enough to offer a beginner a stable feeling platform while also being narrow enough to increase stroke speed and really get cruising on this board. For the families out there looking for a durable board that everyone can enjoy, the Blend is also available in a soft top or starshot option.
Atlas & Atlas Extra SUP Board 12’0
Large dudes, Starboard did not forget about you. The Starboard Atlas and Atlas Extra SUP Boards are perfect boards for the bigger guys and girls looking to get into the sport. Extra wide, extremely stable, smooth gliding and fun in small surf, the Atlas can do it all. The standard Atlas comes in at a 33″ width and the Atlas Extra adds 3″ for a total 36″ width. Perfect for beginners, tandem paddling, families looking for one board for the entire family or any rider looking for a super stable, easy to ride board. The finer rails create a smooth rail to rail transition and also help add speed despite the wide profile of this board.
Astro Series (inflatable)
Astro Yoga Crossover Inflatable SUP Board 11’2
For those yoga enthusiasts that are ready to take their stretching to the water, the Starboard Astro Yoga Crossover Inflatable SUP board is the perfect board. The 32″ width offers enough space for your poses but is narrow enough to glide quickly. An added EVA paddle holder gives your paddle somewhere to sit during your class and a full 2mm EVA deck pad gives the Yogi a comfortable and stable platform for your next Savasana pose. Every Astro board comes with a wheeled Magic Bag that makes transporting your inflatable easier than ever and the board itself also has a comfortable shoulder carry handle so you can get it from the sand to the water with little effort.
Astro Touring Inflatable SUP Board 12’6
If you are ready to do some exploring on your inflatable stand up paddle board, you may want to consider the Starboard Astro Touring Inflatable SUP board. With reduced rails, the deck area is closer to the water for added stability, the narrow nose slices the water for an overall smooth glide and the lowered rocker flattens out the board for increased speed, glide and stability. Starboard also includes a paddle holder and bungee tie downs for all your gear, and of course, the wheeled Magic Bag for easy travel and storage.
Astro Drive Inflatable SUP Board 10’5
When it comes to cruising and hitting small surf, the Astro Drive Inflatable SUP board is a perfectly compact super fun inflatable SUP that so many paddlers can enjoy. The narrow width allows for faster speeds and straight tracking and the shorter length adds maneuverability in surf. New for 2015 is an updated nose and tail shape for smoother tracking and stability. Even though it’s a shorter cruiser board, you still get bungee tie downs for your extra gear and a paddle holder at the tail for when you just want to sit down and take five.
Astro Blend Inflatable SUP Board 11’2
A perfect crossover board that can cruise, hit small surf and tour around is the one and only Starboard Astro Blend Inflatable SUP board. As Starboard’s “perfect travel companion”, the Blend can excel in almost any condition as an easy, fun board to ride. The 2015 version has been updated with a wider tail for added stability. It’s 32″ width offers enough space for a beginner to feel comfortable while being maneuverable enough for a more experienced paddler to enjoy. Comes with a paddle holder, bungee tie downs and the wheeled Magic Bag for easy travel.
Astro Atlas Inflatable SUP Board 12’0
The ultimate in touring when it comes to inflatables is the Starboard Astro Atlas Inflatable SUP Board. Perfect for beginners, families, tandem paddling, cruising or touring, the Atlas is the just the right size and shape to do it all. High stability thanks to the added width and flat footing area, tie downs for your gear on longer missions and a paddle holder for when you want to sit down, relax and enjoy the view. Also comes with the Starboard wheeled Magic Bag so you can travel with ease.
Touring Series
Elite Touring SUP Board 12’6
Fast, lightweight, stable and shaped to get you there in style, the Starboard Elite Touring SUP Board is one of our personal favorites. Highly stable as a race board, fast and smooth for touring and built to handle flat water and chop quite well. With a sleek, pronounced nose, the hull will cut through the water with power, giving the rider a smooth and fast glide in almost any conditions. Two bungee areas allow for extra room for gear and four FCS inserts give you ample options for your Go Pro, GPS or night lights. When you are ready to step up your paddle game, look to the Starboard Elite Touring board.
Pocket Touring SUP Board 10’6
Just like the name says, the Pocket Touring SUP board is a Touring board that gets the job done at a fraction of the length. This ride is lean, mean and perfect for cross training. Very fast considering it’s short size, the Pocket has added stability thanks to the recessed deck pad. Add to that the deep V concave in the tail that channels the water perfectly for a smooth exit. Whether you are looking to cross train for your next race or you are just looking for a fast board without all the extra length, the Starboard Pocket is that board.
Freeride & Freeride XL SUP Board 12’2
The Starboard Freeride SUP board is designed as a hybrid SUP board. One part race board and one part all around cruising shape come together for a super stable, versatile, fun board that rides quick and smooth. Designed to fit in the “all around” race class, this board is faster than it appears. The double concave nose is partly responsible for that. By splitting the water at the nose, the rest of the board glides smoothly over the water, giving the paddler more distance per stroke with less effort. The nose widens out into a stable footing area making this board just as comfortable as it is fast. For our heavier weight riders or those just looking for a little more stability, check out the Freeride XL. The XL includes the same construction tech with 2 more inches of width for a wider footing area.
That about wraps it all up for our Starboard SUP board and inflatable SUP 2015 lineup. This post only covers our favorite picks from the much larger full Starboard lineup. Hopefully we have made it a little easier for you to navigate one of the largest lines of SUP boards in the industry so you can find the board that works best for you.