NAISH STARSHIP 100L 2014 TEST REVIEW
NAISH STARSHIP 100L 2014 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
Naish term the Starship (replacement to the Koncept) as a ’bump ‘n jump/onshore wave’ board. It’s part of a 3-board range (90/100/115) that, due to the longitudinal graphics, are all deceptively compact and wide-point-forward, despite initially appearing old skool, gunny and ‘stretched. There’s one [visible] wood sandwich construction and they’re all supplied as singlefins with a Powerbox glass foil.
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BRAND CLAIM
‘The Starship was designed for early planing, thrilling straight-line speed and easy, yet exciting, maneuverability. It rides super smooth in a wide range of conditions and allows riders the freedom to progress their skill level.’
PERFORMANCE
We tested the Starship 90 (Nov/Dec ’13 issue) and declared it as perhaps ’… the most multi-purpose board of all time’ and said ‘If you’re old enough to remember the Sunset Slalom, then this is its modern incarnation – on steroids!’ Yes, you may guess that we really liked it. And the 100 is a very closely related sibling indeed. So, jumping aboard then, the 100 is nearly as nippy as the 90, hitting full steam pretty quickly, where it’s noticeably reactive and responsive to foot-steering and trim and generally very smooth to drive. Again, we also found some good glide through lulls, but it’s the speed that set it apart from its rivals out in Egypt. Some of our team weren’t on the last trip and there was a general little split in opinion amongst us over the flat vs. domed profile styles on offer, but the majority like the flatter-decked, ‘connected’ feeling the Starship offers and the way that stance complements many modern sails. Slightly longer than most in this selection, the Starship flew upwind and has a markedly more slalom-like feel to it than the rest of the group. In the carving department there’s a lot of pleasure on-tap with positive grip and ‘push back’ from any pressure applied. We know the 90 was fun in the surf and, from what we derived in Dahab, the 100 wouldn’t be any different as a viable option for some wavesailing, but once again we’d recommend trying a smaller fin and found ourselves wondering whether next season we’ll see Naish adding some sidebites? The plan-shape isn’t particularly freestyle friendly but, give or take a fin change or two, there’s no reason that this shape would hold you back from any basic sliding moves, not to mention the potential for old skool carving tricks.
THE VERDICT
Naish have paved the way in a new trend to shrug off the worn-out ‘freestyle-wave’ moniker and have revived the wonderful wave-slalom category. The Starship 100 is a masterpiece that fuses the ‘glory days’ of fast blasting and hard turning with modern shapes and technology. If you’re not interested in – or can’t do – freestyle, but want to hack around at full tilt, jump, gybe and ride waves, then the Starship is the vessel for you.
For more information on the
NAISH STARSHIP 100L 2014
go to www.naishsails.com
NOW READ THE OTHER REPORTS
FANATIC FREEWAVE 106 TE
GOYA ONE THRUSTER 105
JPAUSTRALIA FSW 101
QUATRO FSW 106
RRD FSW 106
SIMMER FREEWAVE 105
STARBOARD KODE 103
TABOU 3S 106