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Hardboards 2023Starboard Sprint Expedition 14'0" x 29.5" in test

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 15.06.2023

The test conditions were pretty tough this spring. SUP editor-in-chief Stephan Gölnitz, wrapped up warm while testing the Starboard Sprint.
Photo: Laura Duschek
A race-tourer with a twist: The Starboard Sprint Expedition Wood Carbon has the look of a pure race board. The 29.5 inch width really doesn't show on the board, thanks to the extremely pointed nose, the rounded deck and the deeply recessed cockpit.
The strong race look of the Starboard Sprint Expedition.Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe strong race look of the Starboard Sprint Expedition.

The board is not quite as light as its race counterparts, but it should also be able to withstand more and carry more weight. You stand very low on the board, with the soles only just above the waterline and even against the waves, little or no water comes over the particularly voluminous bow and if it does - it immediately runs out again through the drains. This also keeps your luggage safe.

The so-called drain covers in the underwater hull are made of carbon and efficiently cover the drain holes.Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe so-called drain covers in the underwater hull are made of carbon and efficiently cover the drain holes.

The board rolls slightly from right to left, but only a few degrees, then it hits a solid stop point. You can feel it well, from where it stops rolling. During the test, conditions with wind force five were also mastered quite well - both upwind and crosswind. On downwinders with a wind force of five from behind, the board becomes very fast and develops a little life of its own, which can cause the board to roll sideways. This requires a lot of attention.

The Sprint runs extremely straight ahead and has to be forced to turn by bottom strokes or pull strokes. When pivoting, it is particularly stable in the water. It is easy to keep on course using the foot control and you can paddle almost endlessly on one side, with the option of fitting a huge second fin.

Conclusion on the Starboard Sprint Expedition 14'0" x 29.5":

Sport Touring is the term for high-performance luxury class vehicles and this also applies to the Sprint Expedition.

Very fast, particularly stable against tipping, measured by the slim bow.

  • Price: 2871 Euro
  • Length: 428.0 cm
  • Width: 75.0 cm
  • Weight: 16.1 kg
  • Volume: 312 litres

Click here for the big SUP test special 2023

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Stephan Gölnitz

Stephan Gölnitz

Deputy Editor in Chief surf

Stephan Gölnitz comes from Bochum and had Holland as his home windsurfing territory for many years before moving to Munich in 1996 for the job of test editor at surf magazine. The materials engineering graduate worked as a surf instructor on the Ijsselmeer during his studies and competed for several seasons for the Essen sailing team in the Surfbundesliga and the Funboard Cup. He completed a traineeship at surf-Magazin in the test department and since then has actively accompanied almost all tests on the boom and for more than 10 years also as a photographer. Stephan has covered many thousands of test kilometers, mainly on Lake Garda and in Langebaan, but also in Egypt and Tobago. He gets his hands on over 100 new sails and boards every year as his company car. Privately, he prefers to surf with a foil on Lake Walchensee or “unfortunately far too rarely” in the waves. SUP is Stephan's second passion, which he pursued for several years at numerous SUP races. Today, he prefers to paddle on river tours with family or friends - even for several days.

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