Windsurfing Gear

Windsurfing Magazine
::2007 Starboard Serenity::

Test Date: 9/18
Location: Merritt Island, Florida
Wind: 5-12 mph
Water conditions: Mild wind chop
Tester: Eddy Patricelli
Level: Expert
Weight: 180 lbs.
Sail: Severne 7.5 Gator (camless free-ride sail)

Starboard Serenity (wood)
Volume: 255 liters
Width: 61 cm
Length: 455 cm (15'5")
Weight: 26.5 lbs.
star-board.com

Watching from the beach

Considering the crowds surrounding the Serenity during Surf Expo, it's no surprise that someone's riding it when I arrive at Kelly Park.

It's easy to spot on the water – not just because of its ultra-long board length, but because it rides through the water differently. It appears like a rowing scull slipping through the water – quiet, subtle, smooth.

The Serenity is carrying more speed in the sub-planing winds than virtually everyone – though at times I have to watch rather closely to conclude this. At a glance, with no surrounding sailors in view for comparison, the Serenity's long length and smooth, stealthy ride cloak some of its speed.

It's my turn for a test ride; 61 centimeters of width never looked so narrow. I'm fully prepared for some falls.

Climbing on

Not as tippy as I expected. I'd bet aggressive intermediate and advanced sailors could climb on and uphaul the Serenity without major snags – especially in the calm wind and water conditions the board is intended for. That said, its narrow width means the heavier the sailor the more advanced skills it requires.

Getting going

When I sheet in, the Serenity begins accelerating, but rather slowly. At first, I'm unimpressed. But the Serenity continues accelerating, with no sudden surges of speed or abrupt loading on my legs or arms, nor on the sail. I'm still accelerating.

Placing mild pressure across its fin (it has only one fin, located between the midpoint and tail), the Serenity comes alive. The nose rises up, and I'm gaining on everyone windsurfing in front of me in a hurry. Many are on larger sails.

Cruising

To be sure, I am not fully planing. At least not planing the way we windsurfers tend to think of it. I'm not anxious to hook in. I don't feel like a rubber band stretched taut between the demands of the sail and board. I don't feel any need to move back on the board, either. It's a good thing too: There are no foot straps. But I do have a unique sensation of speed.

What's different is that I feel relaxed. I'm not working. I'm feeling that less is more -- that subtle body movements and sail trim adjustments translate into speed. Meanwhile, the Serenity's smooth ride keeps drawing my eyes to its long, slender bow. It doesn't lurch as it encounters chop. Knife-through-butter metaphors apply, but they don't do justice to the Serenity's speed sensation. I feel free, and to some extant like I'm floating.

Put aside all the descriptions above, and the bottom line is I feel great riding the Serenity. It feels therapeutic, zenlike, cleansing. Considering that my passion and career revolve around windsurfing, separating the two can be tough. In a 5 mph breeze, on flat water, the Serenity's unique riding sensation has tapped me into the present, minus any work worries. No small feat.

Tacking/jibing

The Serenity turned reasonably into the wind for my first tack, but following my transition around the sail, there was a bit of a snag. Turning the Serenity off the wind to the new tack was sticky. It takes practice and patience. There's just no quick way to bear away from the eye of the wind with a 15'5" longboard.

Jibing is surprisingly fun. Step back and place weight on the outside rail of the board, and (with practice) the Serenity pivot-jibes on a dime. But be careful – too much weight on that outside rail and the board will roll over.

Conclusions:
I love this board. The Serenity aims at ultra-light winds and cruising, and puts a modern spin on the simple elegance that helped windsurfing boom decades ago. It doesn't require a jumbo sail. It doesn't require pro-level skills to enjoy. Best of all, it doesn't require real wind for an exhilarating ride. Simply hop on, sheet in and go. In this regard, the Serenity succeeds, and succeeds in a big way.

The biggest snag I see facing the Serenity is its sheer size. You won't get it up the stairs into an apartment. You'll need a long garage for it. You may want to move those racks farther apart on your car's roof to transport it. Also, its single fin doesn't retract. And at $2,300, it's no small investment.

In the Serenity's defense, it comes with two fins, one specifically for shallow-water areas. It also features a carrying handle, and its narrow design is arguably easier to carry and stow than the oblong shape of wide Formula-style boards. As for its price, its slender, drag-minimized outline saves the light-wind expense of jumbo-size sails. The Serenity doesn't need 'em to reach exciting speeds. Then there's the cup holders integrated into the deck, perfect for a cocktail cruise after work. And, oh yeah, say goodbye to ever getting wind-skunked again.

Weigh all these things up, and there's a lot to consider. I know this much: The Serenity, along with several longboards I tried today, has me seriously reconsidering where this industry (and WindSurfing magazine) have focused their attention. In terms of growing the sport, putting more sails on waterways everywhere, and offering everyone a form of windsurfing that's all the time and all fun, the Serenity provides a valuable wake up call that this sport needs more of.

Eddy Patricelli is the editor of WindSurfing magazine.

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