Starboard Carve 121

Windsurfing Journal tests the Carve 121 Wood

On the beach: 
The Starboard Carve is the classic freerider by Starboard and should appeal to all windsurfer who are looking for that easy plug-and-play board. The 121 is the 2nd smallest of the six boards range and this size, just like the 111, the 131 and the 141 were completely redesigned for 2012. To help better planing, the boards are now longer and it benefits from evolved cutouts in the tail. All straps come in two rows with four options each, and they’re being mated with standard pads. The board comes with a 42cm long GFK-fin. 

On the water:
The Starboard has a relaxed feel to it on the water thanks to its width, allowing freeride novices to be withing their comfort zone. The board doesn’t float as high as some of the other tested boards, but lies more down below in the water. But the minute a small gust hits the sail, the Carve shifts into fast-forward mode. Acceleration to top speed is attained swiftly, but the ease with which this happens doesn’t strain the rider, giving everyone enough time to slip into the straps. The board rests flat on the water and the top speed in low-wind conditions is already impressive. The Carve leaves a smooth trial doesn’t strain its rider and will accept his or her input. When the wind increases and the outer strap positions come into play, one can push the Carve into high speed territory. On the upper end, it’s mostly the sail that becomes the bottleneck, while the board rides in a very sporty fashion but without getting twitchy. A gybe requires the back foot to be positioned well past the centerline of the board to go into the curve, but once the turn is initiated the board is forgiving and easily allows a tighter radius. Its remarkable planing characteristics allow one to keep gliding without fearing to drop out of the plane.