The generous 71 mm width of the Carve extends over a large part of the board's length. The edges run almost parallel from the chunky nose to just before the rear loop, giving the board a large planing surface. Only in the last 30 centimetres is the tail narrowly laced and thinned out from below by striking two-stage cut-outs. There is a tuttle fin in the remaining tail, the two screws are fastened with the same Torx as the foot straps, which makes assembly much easier with the T-handle Torx supplied.
The Carve uses the generous planing surface in the centre section and the reduced friction surface in the tail mercilessly in match races. The board planes very well and then accelerates quickly to top speed even in light to medium planing winds. The shape and the thick, soft pads dampen in equal measure and comfortably decouple the rider from the chop. The Carve offers two riding modes: the relaxed version with a stable planing position around both axles (in one of the two outside strap positions) or the sport mode with the straps all the way out. The board can then be pushed very, very freely and flies - albeit a little more nervously - only with the last few centimetres in contact with the water. The additional strap option all the way in is mainly suitable for the first attempts at gliding and scores full points in the intermediate rating.
But the Starboard is also extremely easy to surf in other respects: The Carve is tilt-stable in chop, is then quickly planed - a little drop-off helps noticeably - and is blessed with the most comfortable strap-pad combination. You are so secure in it that you should loosen your feet a little before jibing. Then you'll be able to achieve medium radii with the best gliding behaviour: very stable on the edge and with the lowest possible loss of speed. The narrow tail is also very easy to steer through tight turns without excessive effort. Even waves do not throw the board off track.
Starboard Carve - the conclusion
The Carve simply reveals maximum performance; with a cushioning comfort chassis and the guarantee of success for fluid, classic power jibes.
Speed in the entire wind range
Set boom slightly higher because of the deck recess
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Technical data Starboard Carve 119 Wood Sandwich
- Weight: 7.62 kg
- Length: 238.5 cm
- Width: 71 cm
- Length of sliding surface: 97 cm
- Rocker: 0 mm
- Shape at 33 cm from tail: double concave V 8.5 mm
- Shape at 100 cm from tail: double concave V 8.5 mm
- Price: 2399/1949 Euro >> e.g. available here
all data measured by surf
Starboard Carve: Available sizes and data
*Wood Sandwich/Starlight Carbon; prices from 129 litres: 2449(129+139), 2499(149, 159, 169)/1999 (139-169) euros
