There are 5 Starboard Stand Up Paddle Board Construction Types

Which Construction Type is best for you?

• What will you do on your SUP? - Can you ever see yourself or someone else windsurfing on your board? If yes then Sportech Models and AST Tuffskin Camo models are windsurfable in most cases.
  
• What is your budget? - If you do not want to spend so much and you still would like a new board then Touch are the least expensive followed by AST Tuffskin Camo - the Whopper Club is the least expensive board as Starboard and Amara Watersports have kept margins to a minimum to make this board affordable for Schools Resorts and SUP beginners.
  
• What SUP looks the best? - Only you can decide which Construction type is the nicest to look at. Does it make any difference? For me yes, a beautiful Stand Up Paddle Board does add something extra to the experience, however, the performance and the weight are also important to me.
  
• Which SUP construction is made for performance? - For pure Performance, Technora is the lightest. If you know exactly which Stand Up Paddle Board you would like and if you know how to get the most out of it, then it makes sense to have equipment that can take you to the next level. If you are just starting out, or you are still not sure which shape is best for you - then the Touch model may be a great choice for now, while you develop your skills and keep watching the reviews.

Starboard AST Classic "Touch" Construction

 

Tough plasitc coating over a lay-up of Wood and fiberglass., but uses Starboard's "Startouch" grip - saves weight and cost by not needing EVA covering, or wax. Startouch provides perfect grip without scratching your skin. These are the least expensive constructoin, they are lighter than the Tuffskin boards, they are not windsurfable. These models are becoming very popular in Thailand because they are so light. If you will be using the board in cold climate and wearing a wet-suit, you may prefer the EVA covered AST Tuffskin or Sportech Stand Up Paddle Board models. Some smooth marine clothing materials do not grip well on the Touch surface. In Warm waters, we prefer the Touch technology however, as it is lighter and the least expensive.

Starboard AST Tuffskin Camo Construction

 

(which has seen 10 years of evolution in highly competitive windsurfing industry). Tough plasitc coating over a lay-up of Wood and fiberglass. A full deck covering of EVA rubber is used to provide grip and comfort. Apart from the EVA top coating there is an additional textured EVA pad in the ideal standing area so that you can feel where you are on the board with-out looking. The tuffskin Stand Up Paddle Boards have Mast Track fitted with reinforcement to make them windsurfable.

These stand up paddleboards are unbeleivably tough. We use and recommend them for Surf Schools, Adventure Tour operators and private Stand Up paddle enthusiats. They are much cheaper and stronger than Epoxy or Special constructions such as Sportech. They are very good at taking knocks and bumps also. There are Beginner Windsuring boards made from this material that are still in service after 6 years of tough use.

Starboard Sportech Construction

 

The Wood stand up paddleboards. The wood is Australian Pine and is 0.6mm thick. It is used on all the Winning Starboard Race Windsurfing boards, (including the world windsurf speed record on water) due its dynamic stability. Unlike glass or carbon Matting the wood fibres are strong in multiple directions. It is not as easy to hide repairs on these boards and although they are very tough, they are not as strong as the ASA Boards. They are beautiful to ride with more flex than the other constructions, the beauty of the natural fibers adds another dimension to the SUP experience. The Sportech stand up paddleboards will become collectables as the will be discontinued in 2010. They are windsurfable.

Starboard Technora Construction

 

is an epoxy type sandwich construction, Starboard has been using Technora fibers (similar to Kevlar, but UV stable) to make very light and strong windsurfing boards that maintain perfect shape under enormous loads. Lighter and more expensive than all the other construction types. Technora stand up paddleboards are for those who really love their SUP and are ready for the best products on the market today. The Technora stand up paddleboards are not windsurfable - in order to save weight.

The Sportech models, have 3/4 EVA coverage. They reveal a lot of wood in the front section, which looks beautiful but needs to be waxed if you want to ride on that part of the board. (unless you wear booties)

Starboard TAC (The Arctic Challenge) Construction

 

Designed with Terje Haakonsen - (some super famous Norwegian bloke I never heard of) The TAC stand up paddleboards are not only a work of art, they are light and strong, using the Touch - no wax - no EVA technology to save weight and leave the full beauty of the 0.6mm Stained Australian Pine Wood visable. Wood is used as it has uni-directional stability all in one layer. Normally multiple layers of bi-axial glass or carbon are needed to provide stiffness in multiple load bearing directions. Form and Function - but still not as light, (or expensive) as the Technora boards. TAC stand up paddleboards are not windsurfable. In 2010 nearly every model will be available in this construction. Some smooth materials do not grip well with Touch technology - rubber surf shoes have no problems and any textured or rubberised material will grip well also.

You can order your 2010 Starboard SUP Paddle Board - from us for Late January 2010 delivery within Thailand

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