STARBOARD CARVE 141L WOOD 2013 TEST REVIEW
STARBOARD CARVE 141L WOOD 2013 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
A capable, quality product stable and forgiving enough for first-time shortboarders to grow with and fast and exciting enough for advanced riders looking for a moderate wind blasting option.
RECOMMENDATION
Experimenting with fins could bring further performance benefits across a range of water states.
BRAND POSITIONING
Starboard say their ‘Plug ‘n Play’ Carve Freeride line is ‘fast, exciting and fun, while delivering their best performance regardless of rider skill’. Available in Carbon, Wood or AST Tufskin constructions. You can buy the same outlines as the Carve in their entry-level GO line in AST Tufskin with added full EVA deck grip.
OVERVIEW
Outline: Wide rounded nose, fairly straight rails but tail pulled-in radically to a rounded squash tail.
Deck: Flat with mast foot sloping slightly forward.
Rail Profile: Although thinner than previous seasons they’re pretty boxy throughout, especially around the front strap and mast foot area, but nicely domed for the heels at the back strap.
Bottom Shape: Quite flat with a little vee and some fairly radical tail cut-outs!
Rocker Line: Moderate nose rocker
PERFORMANCE
Underfoot: Despite being 250 it feels nice and compact and stable off the plane with plenty of float and deck area for easy tacking and uphauling.
Early Planing & Acceleration: One of the earliest on test to get going on most sail types and always feeling like there’s plenty of gas to give.
Top Speed: No problems in this department, the 141 can keep its own even against smaller boards upwind or downwind. Smaller fins could ramp up the top-end potential significantly.
Gybing & manoeuvres: The pulled-in tail helps promote tight carving and varying the arc during turns. Occasionally the forward rails caught initiating wider gybes but adapted technique and a little effort can prevent this fairly easily.
Handling & Ride: Deals with chop positively. Rides across the top of bumps with a nice ‘floating’ sensation that’s not too ‘up-on-the-fin’ and over lively. A comfy stance and sailing position with plenty of strap options inboard and out and spread for all shapes and sizes.
THE VERDICT
The Freeride landscape’s changing, but the Carve is still a benchmark board in the category.
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