Starboard iSonic 127 Carbon

"The Starboard iSonic comes into the race with almost the same volume, except that it is much shorter and wider and also has an even more extreme volume distribution than the already radical Futura (extremely thin at the front).

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[Board] Starboard iSonic 127 Carbon : [Tester] Frank Lewisch : [Spot] Lake Garda

With around 10 centimetres more width than the cut of the other freeride representatives, the wide thing glides very well passively, but no better than the best of the freeriders. Glide, however, is a huge difference. It almost seems as if the board (in comparison) never stops and retains considerable speed even when the narrower boards are already parked. The difference in absolute GPS top speed is smaller, but even there the iSonic is ahead (58.3 km/h; Severne 8.6; Torbole; south wind).

Much more impressive, however, is the duel directly against each other, because the wide board is faster on average and ignores wind fluctuations more than the narrower candidates. Compared to almost all freeriders and freeracers, however, the board with our comparison sails NeilPryde H2 in 8.2 square metres feels as if you are holding a really small sail in your hand - compared to the board. Of course, we also rode the 8.6 Race and it fits perfectly with the 48mm fin. Roughly speaking, you can imagine that you can ride much bigger sails on the slalom board. With most freeriders, you are already at the upper limit with an 8.2, but you can still surf the 7.2 Hellcat super blown on it - which you shouldn't do with the iSonic. Not because the control is so bad, but because the whole set-up doesn't fit. A smaller fin of 40 centimetres fits perfectly in the narrower freeriders and in the slalom board it makes no sense except for one or two centimetres smaller. I would recommend iSonic sail sizes from 8.0 to 10 square metres and for the freeriders from 6.0 to about 8.5/9.0.

In terms of performance, it has to be said that you can get a lot out of the slalom board with a fast sail, but you also need a high level of riding ability. For a slalom board, you should at least have the foot straps mounted on the outside of your current board or at least not have any problems with this position in the future, as the slalom board lacks options further inboard. You certainly don't have to buy a slalom board in this width because of its great jibing characteristics, but with a lot of pressure the thing turns around the corner, but also requires more skill to get out of the jibe at speed. The control of the wide carrot is impressive and it doesn't have to shy away from the best freeriders. The difference is that you can also ride blind and without body tension on an F2 Vegas, but you have to really get to grips with a wide iSonic."

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