Looks like you are having fun. I’m sure that it’s going to be difficult for you to test boards from now on as you will just be bemoaning the missed waves that you could have had on your pro. One question: how does it stack up against the spice?
Hey Sean Ha ha … I don’t really have a problem with using different boards in different conditions. Yeah its always nice to be on the best size board for your weight, but I find surfing the other bigger boards makes surfing smaller boards easier. Pro to Spice… I need to try a Spice the same size really but the bigger spice still surfed well. But overall it just feels slower and less manoeuverable. Greater stability but feels like you are surfing with the handbreak on! The Pro surfs like it has no handbreak and 7 gears!
Hi it’s Jim here aka “the glue gun fin gap closer”! Great review thanks. What’s your body weight if you don’t mind me asking. Am guessing around 70kgs.
Hey Jim… So sorry I didn’t remember your name. I am going to do it to my board, such a great idea. Im 75kg, yes I should of said this in the video. Thanks again Reuben
Note that just inserting strips of (packing or insulating) foam in US Boxes works perfectly. The foam kind of locks into the internal slot. Done it for decades in my WIndsurfing boards, never lost one.
Wayne Iddo
10 months ago
Hi Really nice board , I just wondering if the board I’ll have much float for me at 80kg I have the 2018 92l 26.75×7’7 and find it a little bit hard work at times. Thanks
they have all felt pretty good since your 2018 board tbh
colas
10 months ago
Yup, I also found that generally, nowadays most of SUP shapers have refined their shapes to the point that you can get a bit extra width and volume without impacting performance.
All great comments Colas. Its nice how wider boards surf better then older narrower ones… what a relief!!
colas
10 months ago
Also, I am glad to see you enjoy the added speed of the Quobba fins. I cannot use anything else since I discovered them 6 years ago…
colas
10 months ago
On hydrodynamics, don’t bother with the holes! The Quobba guys told me(*) that basically nothing in the 4mm water layer close to the hull in the fin area has a significant drag, as the water flow is already turbulent there. And if you look at their shifter fins, you can see how they did not bother streamlining the contraption at the base: ?v=1677734595 PS: maybe you fell in love with this board … because you rode it with Quobbas? 😉 (*) Citing Glenn Miller: “Surface drag occurs along “the lower part of the fin”, where water travelling just above the… Read more »
Also, while we are on the subject of “shifter” fins, you may be interested in how to use a Quobba + FCS adapter + finjak to have a tool-less shiftable center fin:
Ok then. Starboard Pro or SMIK Hipster Twin? For same volume, which feels most stable to stand on, & which performs the best?
I’m on a JP surf & that feels less stable than friends B-line & Allwave of similar volume, but I think the JP surfs better. Would the SMIK & Pro be more stable & surf better? (Are they Unicorns?) 🙂
Ahhh good question. Think think this might deserve a separate video. But to highlight the main part. The smilk is the most stable board to stand on being slightly wider up towards the midsection. But because of this it is slow tpo paddle onto waves and doesn’t ride as fast on a wave. The Smilk is easier to surf and it does keep flowing through the turns a bit more. But the pro will allow you to surf in the tighter and more critical section of the wave and will be easier to surf in that sense. TBH both these… Read more »
8’6 113l JP is mine, 8’5 115l B line & 8’2 120l allwave are the others. I like the JP on the wave, but with my 85kg + UK wetsuits I get tired on it if the wind is up etc. (I rode it OK all day (2 x 3hrs) in the west in 30knot off shore wind, so I’m fine on it). But the others are more stable = less tiring
Hi Reuben, To make a fair comparison, you should also try the JP Pro Surf 7’6″ x 27″ 92L and the new Sunova SPX 7’5″ X 26 13/16″ @ 85.8L or 7’6″ X 27 1/8″ @ 88.8L. They have very similar shapes and volumes. I have the 21 JP Pro Surf 7’6″ and it has been my go to board in my quiver. It is also very light for a non-carbon board which makes it easy to snap top turns and cutbacks. However, I’m on the fence for the SB 7’5″ Pro mainly because of the high price point of… Read more »
Hey Gary Yeah very true. I would love to get hold of those boards. I used a JP Pro in the past. Great board but from what I remember. I wasn’t as fast as this SB pro in weaker waves. The rocker was a bit more. It did make tighter turns really nice though. Love to get on a Sunova and give that a going over. Getting hold of the gear is super hard had to weight too long for this one…. Completely understand about needing to make sure about boards before you put your hard earned money down.
Hi Reuben, I believe you tried the 8’1″ JP Pro. The 7’6″ would make a big difference and should be more suitable for your preferences. With more rocker, it’s not the fastest board, but has good glide and is very reactive for top to bottom turns. I recently added quads similar to the new Kai Lenny R2 setup and the board significantly picked up speed and drive. Sunova has a pretty quick turnaround for boards. It took Bert and his crew about 2 months to manufacture and deliver my Sunova Wedge, which is super fast for a made to order… Read more »
Thanks for your feedback. I need to get on a newer one, I did used a 7’6 but it was an older one. It was fun , but feel like it hadn’t got the lively edge that the Starboard has. But still need to use a newer one because They do look lighter now also. There are so great boards out there. Thanks for the comment… Now I want to try and new JP
Paul Ashton
10 months ago
Hi, great review. I’ve just got the 8’2 2023 Ltd construction on a really really good deal. Just sat in my van after my second only session on it in really blustery conditions today. Smallest board I have, I’m 6’2 and 85kg. It’s definitely going to challenge me but will certainly help progress my surfing. Fairly stable for me in the chop and paddling for waves but once on the wave-very instinctive and immediately ‘made sense’. Knackered after two hours but local surf legend commented that the last three waves I caught were the best he’s seen me surf. Just… Read more »
Yes all makes sense.. Aways good to get a good comment off good surfers. Nice one, thanks for your feedback.
jimmyjames1983
10 months ago
Glad you are enjoying your new board Reuben – looks like it goes really well ! I was looking at the SB pro to replace my 7’6 x 27 92 L JP which I rode pretty much exclusively for 3 years as my only wave board l. When I looked at the SB I thought it looked pretty similar but a more versatile board than the JP because of the volume distribution and fin positioning compared with the JP. I went for a Blurr v2 7’11 90L board in the end as felt like something different. I wasn’t sure about… Read more »
Hey James Thanks for getting your comment down here. Always good to hear what other people are riding and thoughts of their boards. I do agree I think I need to get on in Infinity. The 80 l would be very interesting to try. I will Dave infinity a poke and see what we can find. It would make a very interesting comparison video wouldn’t it?
Daniele Costa
9 months ago
Hi there, thanks for this nice review. It looks like a great board to have (if you can afford it). Anyway I noticed from the video that is bumping quite a lot when its on a wave…is that just me or you had noticed that too? If so do you have any explanation for that? Could it be the carbon construction or this is also happening with the LS construction?
Hey Daniele, Yes there are some waves I see this on. TBH it more my technique that I need to improve. Generally if the board is bouncing in the bottom turn I need to put more weight on to my front leg to initiate the rail. There is also some waves where there is quite a bit of chop in the face obviously this will make the board move about. You are correct that a heavier board will bounce less and this can be a problem with super lightweight boards but really I would put it down to a technique… Read more »
Thanks Reuben, as a newbie to SUP surfing your review was highly informative. I am however a life long surfer at 69yo seen a fair bit of board development. I really enjoyed your discussion about fin set ups. I have found the ability to switch the set up adds different performance in different waves. Having the 5 fin box gives so much versatility. The ability to go from a twin, twin+1(Mark Richards design), thruster for pivot on particularly on larger days, quad for down the line speed and big stuff(add nubster for stability). just adds to the one board quiver… Read more »
Hey Peter, you are so right and Im getting a bit stuck in my ways. I do play around with many different 3 fin set ups but never really clicked with any quad setups. But I should play around more really. Thanks Reuben
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Thanks for this – and I agree, it’s a pearl!
Nice, What size have you used Stefan?
I have the 8’7 – it has performed really well in anything from 3ft to well overhead here in Southern California.
Thanks for the comment Steve
Looks like you are having fun. I’m sure that it’s going to be difficult for you to test boards from now on as you will just be bemoaning the missed waves that you could have had on your pro.
One question: how does it stack up against the spice?
Hey Sean
Ha ha … I don’t really have a problem with using different boards in different conditions. Yeah its always nice to be on the best size board for your weight, but I find surfing the other bigger boards makes surfing smaller boards easier.
Pro to Spice… I need to try a Spice the same size really but the bigger spice still surfed well. But overall it just feels slower and less manoeuverable. Greater stability but feels like you are surfing with the handbreak on! The Pro surfs like it has no handbreak and 7 gears!
Hi it’s Jim here aka “the glue gun fin gap closer”! Great review thanks. What’s your body weight if you don’t mind me asking. Am guessing around 70kgs.
Hey Jim… So sorry I didn’t remember your name. I am going to do it to my board, such a great idea.
Im 75kg, yes I should of said this in the video.
Thanks again Reuben
Note that just inserting strips of (packing or insulating) foam in US Boxes works perfectly. The foam kind of locks into the internal slot. Done it for decades in my WIndsurfing boards, never lost one.
Hi
Really nice board , I just wondering if the board I’ll have much float for me at 80kg
I have the 2018 92l 26.75×7’7 and find it a little bit hard work at times.
Thanks
Would be very interesting how they would feel. I find my fitness is what makes the biggest difference on the water.
Hi
Nice board , do you find it more stable than previous starboard pros .
Thanks
they have all felt pretty good since your 2018 board tbh
Yup, I also found that generally, nowadays most of SUP shapers have refined their shapes to the point that you can get a bit extra width and volume without impacting performance.
All great comments Colas. Its nice how wider boards surf better then older narrower ones… what a relief!!
Also, I am glad to see you enjoy the added speed of the Quobba fins. I cannot use anything else since I discovered them 6 years ago…
On hydrodynamics, don’t bother with the holes! The Quobba guys told me(*) that basically nothing in the 4mm water layer close to the hull in the fin area has a significant drag, as the water flow is already turbulent there. And if you look at their shifter fins, you can see how they did not bother streamlining the contraption at the base: ?v=1677734595 PS: maybe you fell in love with this board … because you rode it with Quobbas? 😉 (*) Citing Glenn Miller: “Surface drag occurs along “the lower part of the fin”, where water travelling just above the… Read more »
This is very interesting nice one for adding a comment. I think I’ll make a little video of this and definitely give you a shout out thanks
Also, while we are on the subject of “shifter” fins, you may be interested in how to use a Quobba + FCS adapter + finjak to have a tool-less shiftable center fin:
(In French but the pictures are self-explanatory)
https://www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=10650&p=170375#p158949
ahh very useful. I have just filmed a video about what you said before. May have to add this comment to the post when its live. good stuff
Ok then. Starboard Pro or SMIK Hipster Twin? For same volume, which feels most stable to stand on, & which performs the best?
I’m on a JP surf & that feels less stable than friends B-line & Allwave of similar volume, but I think the JP surfs better. Would the SMIK & Pro be more stable & surf better? (Are they Unicorns?) 🙂
Thanks
Ahhh good question. Think think this might deserve a separate video. But to highlight the main part. The smilk is the most stable board to stand on being slightly wider up towards the midsection. But because of this it is slow tpo paddle onto waves and doesn’t ride as fast on a wave. The Smilk is easier to surf and it does keep flowing through the turns a bit more. But the pro will allow you to surf in the tighter and more critical section of the wave and will be easier to surf in that sense. TBH both these… Read more »
8’6 113l JP is mine, 8’5 115l B line & 8’2 120l allwave are the others. I like the JP on the wave, but with my 85kg + UK wetsuits I get tired on it if the wind is up etc. (I rode it OK all day (2 x 3hrs) in the west in 30knot off shore wind, so I’m fine on it). But the others are more stable = less tiring
Riding in 30knt,, good job. Sometimes its so hard to get down the face when its like that.
8’6 113l JP is mine. 8’5 115l B-line & 8’2 120l allwave. I like the way the JP surfs, but I notice the stability is less (but it is an inch narrower)
Yeah true.
Hi Reuben, To make a fair comparison, you should also try the JP Pro Surf 7’6″ x 27″ 92L and the new Sunova SPX 7’5″ X 26 13/16″ @ 85.8L or 7’6″ X 27 1/8″ @ 88.8L. They have very similar shapes and volumes. I have the 21 JP Pro Surf 7’6″ and it has been my go to board in my quiver. It is also very light for a non-carbon board which makes it easy to snap top turns and cutbacks. However, I’m on the fence for the SB 7’5″ Pro mainly because of the high price point of… Read more »
Hey Gary
Yeah very true. I would love to get hold of those boards. I used a JP Pro in the past. Great board but from what I remember. I wasn’t as fast as this SB pro in weaker waves. The rocker was a bit more. It did make tighter turns really nice though. Love to get on a Sunova and give that a going over. Getting hold of the gear is super hard had to weight too long for this one…. Completely understand about needing to make sure about boards before you put your hard earned money down.
Hi Reuben, I believe you tried the 8’1″ JP Pro. The 7’6″ would make a big difference and should be more suitable for your preferences. With more rocker, it’s not the fastest board, but has good glide and is very reactive for top to bottom turns. I recently added quads similar to the new Kai Lenny R2 setup and the board significantly picked up speed and drive. Sunova has a pretty quick turnaround for boards. It took Bert and his crew about 2 months to manufacture and deliver my Sunova Wedge, which is super fast for a made to order… Read more »
Thanks for your feedback.
I need to get on a newer one, I did used a 7’6 but it was an older one. It was fun , but feel like it hadn’t got the lively edge that the Starboard has. But still need to use a newer one because They do look lighter now also.
There are so great boards out there.
Thanks for the comment… Now I want to try and new JP
Hi, great review. I’ve just got the 8’2 2023 Ltd construction on a really really good deal. Just sat in my van after my second only session on it in really blustery conditions today. Smallest board I have, I’m 6’2 and 85kg. It’s definitely going to challenge me but will certainly help progress my surfing. Fairly stable for me in the chop and paddling for waves but once on the wave-very instinctive and immediately ‘made sense’. Knackered after two hours but local surf legend commented that the last three waves I caught were the best he’s seen me surf. Just… Read more »
Yes all makes sense.. Aways good to get a good comment off good surfers. Nice one, thanks for your feedback.
Glad you are enjoying your new board Reuben – looks like it goes really well ! I was looking at the SB pro to replace my 7’6 x 27 92 L JP which I rode pretty much exclusively for 3 years as my only wave board l. When I looked at the SB I thought it looked pretty similar but a more versatile board than the JP because of the volume distribution and fin positioning compared with the JP. I went for a Blurr v2 7’11 90L board in the end as felt like something different. I wasn’t sure about… Read more »
Hey James
Thanks for getting your comment down here. Always good to hear what other people are riding and thoughts of their boards. I do agree I think I need to get on in Infinity. The 80 l would be very interesting to try. I will Dave infinity a poke and see what we can find. It would make a very interesting comparison video wouldn’t it?
Hi there, thanks for this nice review. It looks like a great board to have (if you can afford it). Anyway I noticed from the video that is bumping quite a lot when its on a wave…is that just me or you had noticed that too? If so do you have any explanation for that? Could it be the carbon construction or this is also happening with the LS construction?
Thanks!
Hey Daniele, Yes there are some waves I see this on. TBH it more my technique that I need to improve. Generally if the board is bouncing in the bottom turn I need to put more weight on to my front leg to initiate the rail. There is also some waves where there is quite a bit of chop in the face obviously this will make the board move about. You are correct that a heavier board will bounce less and this can be a problem with super lightweight boards but really I would put it down to a technique… Read more »
Thanks Reuben, so you have noticed this kind of bumpiness also with other boards with a similar construction/weight if I read you well?
Yeah it can happen to all boards
Thanks Reuben, as a newbie to SUP surfing your review was highly informative. I am however a life long surfer at 69yo seen a fair bit of board development. I really enjoyed your discussion about fin set ups. I have found the ability to switch the set up adds different performance in different waves. Having the 5 fin box gives so much versatility. The ability to go from a twin, twin+1(Mark Richards design), thruster for pivot on particularly on larger days, quad for down the line speed and big stuff(add nubster for stability). just adds to the one board quiver… Read more »
Hey Peter, you are so right and Im getting a bit stuck in my ways. I do play around with many different 3 fin set ups but never really clicked with any quad setups. But I should play around more really. Thanks Reuben