The Starboard Foil is based on a completely new mounting system (UCS), which has proven itself in testing. The components fit together very solidly. The front and back wings are attached to the asymmetrical and rotatable fuselage using identical plug-in connections. We fitted the version with less power (front wing slightly closer to the mast). The higher weight of the very solid-looking aluminium foil is hardly noticeable on the water, but it is no less stiff than a foil with a carbon mast.
The 1400 square centimetres of surface area and a span of almost one metre generate a lot of lift, so the speed required for take-off is very low. If the board starts to lift early, you should actively keep it on the water surface for a few metres with pressure on the base plate to pick up a slightly higher speed before actually releasing the take-off. Otherwise the foil will take off before it can even fly. But then a journey through the light wind area begins with amazing gliding potential.
Lift without end
The foil works very well when underpowered because it produces so much lift. Even in the lightest wind, the board can be edged sportily and with a lot of angle to windward. This is due to the high wingspan. Unfortunately, there was no suitable Starboard board available and the Severne board we used looked too petite in every respect for the powerful foil with its large wingspan. A board at least 80 to 85 cm wide, with a little more length and mass, would be recommended to counteract the high foil forces. The rider should also not necessarily belong to the flyweight category.
The foil is powerful in its movements, but not hectic, and enables a very relaxed, stable flight in light winds with a predictable foil reaction. In wind holes, it is amazing how far you can go with the foil, even if you seem to be floating over the water at just over pedestrian speed rather than foiling. However, the top speed is also reduced to just over 30 km/h, which is sufficient for relaxed cruising. The board being too small was even more noticeable in the jibe. Here we had to maintain pressure on the edge very consistently to keep the board on course, because the high lift of the board can cause it to leave the radius it is on. If you manage to prevent this, you can get out of the jibe with maximum glide. However, this requires more technique than on the Severne foil.
Surf summary of the Starboard E-Type 2 1400
An extremely buoyant foil for underpowered foiling on wider boards and for heavy foilers. It can be used to push maximum height in a sporty edged style even in almost mirror-smooth seas.
Technical data Starboard E-Type 2 1400 UCS
- Wingspan: 98 cm*
- Surface area: 1400 cm
- Mast length: 90 cm*
- Fuselage: 102 cm*
- Weight: 5.78 kilos*
- Price: 1604 Euro
- Info: starboardfoils.com
*surf measurement
