Windsport
Spring 2007 page 79
::2007 Starboard Carve 144::
Controllable and turny freerider
V: 144
L: 252
W: 78
Construction: Technora-reinforced sandwich
Fin: Drake Freeride Drive II 490 (Tuttle)
DESIGN BRIEF
Starboard's Carve line has been the standard for all freeride board designs for a long time. The '07 edition sets the bar high with a return to more conventional and proven shaping.
THE RIDE
The new Carve 144 is well balanced and free of the unique qiurks found in some older models. It planes up well for its size and accelerates at a rate first-time shortboard buyers will find easy to deal with. The Carve has an amazing ability to morph as you move the straps outboard. It covers the huge jump, from a first-time footstrap buyer's dream to a more responsive light-air performance board and finish work is impressive. You'll smile every time you pick it up to go sailing.
THE JIBE
Although less stable than larger boards in the test, the Carve is one of the easiest to jibe. It rolls onto its rail beautifully and doesn't require much weight forward to come around. Racier boards may keep better speed, but your completion rate will go up with this Carve.
CONCLUSION
The Carve is a great choice for aggressive first-time shortboard buyers who want to minimize upgrading boards while improving.
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