9'6 starboard pocket touring???

[newton333]

anyone demo or ride one of these boards? may get one for my wife, she doesn't paddle surf, she doesn't race, but loves paddling more then anyone... just cruising the bay and needs  a light board thats easy to carry/store   fast and stable in chop. seems to fit perfect.

[Easy Rider]

I paddled one a bunch at the dealer meetings in Spain. 
While I am a bit big for it (200 lbs) - it still worked amazing well for being so small for my size.
Tracked better than most 11' + boards. 

My wife paddled it as well and really liked it.

If you wife is under 140 lbs or so it would be a great board. 

We have one in our demo fleet for this summer (once things melt up here) Come on up and try it out.
Warren

[newton333]

ya she's like 130... guessing never know for sure!  great looks like a sweet little board..

[supthecreek]

Thanks for the post.... I have never heard of them before.... all I can say is:
"it's about time!"

I believe that the future of the industry will be built around "pocket" sized boards.
I have long been an advocate of smaller, lighter, easier to load, transport and store boards for the average user.

Most SUP activity growth will be the recreational, casual weekend family and casual daily fitness.
Tweaking your back while trying to manhandle  a 12'6 onto an SUV in the wind, is eventually going to relegate the "fast, super cool" race type boards to the rafters in the garage.

I have always found 9'6 to be a very comfortable length for touring flat-water. My average distance is 5 to 6 miles and I have never felt the shorter length to be anything but positive.

Starboard has done well to make this offering, it's a great start.
However..... IMO: too heavy for the length... the carbon is acceptable at 22 lbs, but the rest are on the outside of comfortable pushing 28 lbs.

at 208 liters and 29.5 wide, it should cover a large demographic.
I want to try one...

[baddog]

I paddled one a bunch at the dealer meetings in Spain. 
While I am a bit big for it (200 lbs) - it still worked amazing well for being so small for my size.
Tracked better than most 11' + boards. 

My wife paddled it as well and really liked it.

If you wife is under 140 lbs or so it would be a great board. 

We have one in our demo fleet for this summer (once things melt up here) Come on up and try it out.
Warren

How about 160#?  Or should I move up the to 10'6"?

[newton333]

i am getting carbon

[Easy Rider]

I paddled one a bunch at the dealer meetings in Spain. 
While I am a bit big for it (200 lbs) - it still worked amazing well for being so small for my size.
Tracked better than most 11' + boards. 

My wife paddled it as well and really liked it.

If you wife is under 140 lbs or so it would be a great board. 

We have one in our demo fleet for this summer (once things melt up here) Come on up and try it out.
Warren

How about 160#?  Or should I move up the to 10'6"?

You could paddle the 9'6" for sure - - but if it was me I would get the 10'6" 
Better tracking and glide. 
just my 2¢

[newton333]

i looked at it but she has 10'6 now and its a pain for her to carry and move.  i always get stuck carrying it.  the small size is what attracted us to it.

[supthecreek]

Bingo!