Which Starboard foil board is best for you? We compare the Wingboard, Take Off and Air Foil

Compared by us on Mar 28, 2023

The Take Off is compact but still very stable and packed with volume. A board that will take you from zero to hero.

Pros: Super compact.Good foot strap set up choices.Very stable for size.Good volume in rails.Concave deck works well like on the Wingboard.Good quick release for short length.Large range of sizes which will work well for many.

Cons: Stalls on touch down, compared to more fine nose boards.Works best with the Starboard foils due to the foil box placement.

Consider buying if... You are an improving beginner / intermediate to advanced rider who has an understanding of how to best get onto the foil in not so perfect conditions.A good range of sizes for all weights of riders. Ideal for someone who is looking to throw the board around that much more. Perfect for surf, freestyle, downwind pumping or just faster turns.

The Air Foil is a well designed and innovated board that has an incredible stiff and direct feel.

Pros: Stiff and direct feel with foil.Very secure footstrap placements.Gets going early if you bear off the wind.Inflation process is simple.Foil change can be made when board is inflated.Everything fits in the bag.Rail edge does help the board paddle in a straight line.

Cons: Need to run a longer mast or get used to it being shorterRails catch on touch down.EPP plug looks cheap?!Does feel heavy under foot for its size. Works best with Starboard foil if you want to ride with footstraps. Bag is big, and smaller boards are almost same area when inflated.

Consider buying if... You like the idea of an inflatable board. Because of its good range of sizes it will allow beginners to advanced riders to use this board. The stiff direct feel will work well in all conditions and for all riding styles. Ideal for someone who wants a more compact travel package.

The Wingboard is so easy to use. If you want to progress quickly this board is a wingers go to weapon.

Pros: It has a good amount of stability through the whole length of the board.Foil box works well with other branded foils.The concave deck makes this one of the best boards for gybes and transitions.Being longer than the Take Off the touch downs are much smoother.The release up onto the foil is easy and quick.

Cons: The higher volume nose and sharper rails can still catch when touching down in less than perfect turns or conditions.Riders looking for a wider 6’ board should look at the Take Off.

Consider buying if... You are a complete beginner to advanced rider. The board is well designed to allow the board to get easily on the foil in lighter winds and flatter waters.It will work in the waves but is really better suited to someone who is a more flatwater focused and into blasting.