Test: WindSUP & complete rigs from STX at a low price
The manufacturer STX may be familiar to some from the accessories sector of masts and forks, but it may come as a surprise that the brand also offers affordable complete packages. We took a closer look at the promise of "complete windsurfing equipment for 1200 euros".
The board at a glance:
The Windsurf 280 Freeride should be of particular interest to windsurfers. The inflatable WindSUP board measures 280 x 85 centimetres, is packed in a practical bag and comes with accessories such as fins, pump and repair kit. The straps are pre-assembled and fixed in position. There is a twinser set in the underwater hull, which can be mounted in a similar way to a US box - but without tools. The centre fin is simply pushed into the rail provided and secured with a locking pin.
A rigid rubber moulding has been glued around the stern area to improve water shedding and prevent the round edges from getting stuck when planing. On deck there is a practical carrying handle, which is well positioned in the centre of gravity, as well as a large deck pad. Overall, the board weighs 12.94 kilos, a figure that seems acceptable given the volume of 280 litres. The mast base is mounted in a built-in thread, but according to the manufacturer, a universal joint should be used to ensure the durability of the mast track.
The rig packages at a glance:
We tried out two rigs at the same time: The STX Evolve rig in 4.8 square metres and a 5.5 HD20 rig.
The Evolve comes in a small bag, which at first glance is very reminiscent of the foldable Compact Rigg from RRD: a five-piece RDM mast, a boom that can be split several times and a sail that can also be folded lengthways reduce the pack size to the size of a rucksack. All accessories such as ropes, furling line, RDM extension and mast foot are also included. The rig, made from Dacron cloth and designed with two full-length battens and two half battens, can be set up quickly and the mast sections are numbered accordingly. Unfortunately, the mast protrudes by just under 25 centimetres at the bottom, which means that the boom cut-out also slides way up.
The complete HD20 rig made from monofilm also fits in a bag, but with the normal packing dimensions of a one-piece boom and a two-piece mast. This rig is also quick to set up, extension and ropes are also included and the components, such as the head piece of the aluminium boom, make a decent impression. However, the thick and heavy SDM mast is unlikely to appeal to surfers with small hands.
On the water:
We were particularly impressed by the STX Windsurf 280 board. The grippy deck pad is easy to stand on and thanks to its 85 centimetre width, even less experienced riders can get off to a safe start. Compared to other inflatable WindSUP boards, the directional stability is above average - certainly also a result of the double fins and the retractable centre fin. Despite the good directional stability, the board flies easily around the corner in the jibe, even with small (children's) sails the steering impulse is easily sufficient. Like almost all other inflatable windsurf boards, the STX does not qualify as a fully-fledged planing board. Nevertheless, you can get a taste of planing with it.
The promising Evolve rig is at best suitable on the water for absolute light winds up to six knots. Until then, the cloth sail develops good grounding and can be manoeuvred to your heart's content through all sailing tricks - the thin RDM mast in particular contributes significantly to the good handling. However, the profile begins to warp uncontrollably at three wind forces, the sail compresses at the top and cross-folds form. The rig is therefore not at all suitable for planing or pumping.
The HD20 can do this noticeably better. The rig has significantly more basic tension, from five knots there is a visible belly in the otherwise very flat profile and our 5.5 metre test sail also coped well with gusts up to wind force five. The manoeuvring handling is also convincing here, the HD20 is light and agile in the hand, only the thick SDM mast spoils the fun a little when changing handles.
surf conclusion:
We can recommend the STX windsurf board (699 euros) without reservation to anyone looking for a family and fun board for light to medium winds right up to their first gliding experiences. The easy-turning board is also a real tip for children! Unfortunately, the great basic idea of the Evolve comes to nothing with the rigs due to the poor performance on the water. With a package price of 749 euros, you can expect more than just unbeatable pack size. The HD20 rig, on the other hand, should definitely find fans among price-conscious windsurfers - depending on the size between 4.5 and 7.0 square metres, the package costs between 400 and 650 euros. The sail certainly offers enough potential for light wind tricks and initial gliding experience.
Info under: www.stxparts.com
