Starboard EVO IQ - Thoughts?

[TheLaw]

So I realize that I sail like twice a year these days, but my good old EVO 74 is starting to really die. I don't think it is good thing when I can feel the board oil can under my feet when turning.

I also know that everyone who anyone is sailing a quad or tri fin or whatever the current multi-fin board is. I love my EVO so much that I am thinking of buying the new EVO with the single fin or twin fin option.

This seems like it would fit better into my sailing career these days over a quad where you might need to be sailing a little more often to get the full benefit. You can run the EVO in a twin fin setup which would give me a little more of that skate feel for the bigger days.

What do you guys think?

http://www.star-board.com/SpringSummer2 ... rd_evo.php

[Keen]

I'm been thinking about this one too.
One thing to consider is that you don't get the twin fins with the Evo. It's been pointed out to me that you get a few sets WITH the Quad. Almost makes up the diff in cost.

[bwd]

That's right. I'm pretty sure the 2011 Starboard Evo comes with a single fin only and you would have to buy a set of twin fins (plan on $80-140 for either BlackProject, MFC or Drake). The 2011 Quad comes with 3 pairs of fins, a quad setup (4 fins) and a twin setup (about $400 worth of fins).

I haven't tried the 2011 Evo but the option for single/twin would be good. But you might end up using only the twin fin mode though since it's so fun. I have the 2009 70L Evil Twin and I loved it. Super slidey and slashy and it has a big wind range.

I've had one session on the 2011 Quad 69 and I really really really liked it. It cranks turns as tight as you want and grips all the way through the turn, no matter what you do. I don't agree about the need to sail more to appreciate it. I think any sailor that can gybe would notice the difference right away. You don't have to be on a wave to appreciate it. Plus being able to use it as a quad with some grip in the turns or a twin in super slidey mode makes the board extremely versatile.

I know the boards are a bit small for you, but you are welcome to try my 70L twin or my quad to see how you like the feel. I'm also getting a SB 77L quad that you can try. But I'd think the 74L Quad would be the one you'd want. You'll never miss not having a single fin

Also there are lots of great options from RRD, Goya and Quatro.

* Disclaimer :Starboard sponsors bwd so I may be somewhat biased

[winddoctor]

(I typed this without seeing Dave's post, but we share some similar thoughts even though I'm not some sponsored pro-ho' )

I think the single to twin convertible idea is a good one. For side-on CB and mushy waves where you want to be able turn quickly and redirect as fast as possible off of the lip to power the sail back up, the twin is amazing. They have an incredible surfy feel to them, but they can lack a bit of drive/upwind ability/planing power. The single fin option would make bump and jump sailing more fun when you need the extra speed and planing power. I'd say the original evos are as close in feel to the twin-style boards as anything out there anyway. The newest evos still have a fairly wide tail that will aid early planing and keeping speed on crappy waves. I'd also argue that you'd want to run the twin set-up for the smaller wave days and the single for bigger days on the Oregon coast where you need a bit more drive and grip.

I wouldn't count the quad or quad-convertible option out though. They seem to have (from the little that I've sailed BWD's 2 quads) nice upwind tracking ability and great grip and drive. The Quatros may feel very different (haven't tried one yet), but I'm betting that the same quad traits are there. They don't have quite as loose a feel as a twin, but they offer a very different riding experience (sharper/grippier). I noticed that you can really pressure the fins harder on a quad through a turn without fear of busting them out as easily on a twin (though on a twin this part of the hot-dog appeal!) Many quads offer the option of sailing as a twin to loosen the board up more. That's a nice option.

It really comes down to how sharp/soft, grippy/loose, drivey/surfy you like a board to feel. Personally, I'd go for the convertible quad option as I prefer a very loose twin board, but the quad does offer something special that I'm just starting to get a taste of. Being able to tune for the conditions appeals to me.

Once you get a taste of turning a good twin or quad, a single fin board will feel stiff on a wave/swell in comparison. The singles still offer lots of positives in the form of speed and planing power, but they become almost frustrating when it comes time to manoeuvre aggressively.

Mark, you're welcome to try my twin anytime to see what a dedicated twin wave board feels like in our mostly small waves. Then you should hop on one of the other guys' quads to compare.

Then there are tri fins....

[bwd]

Yeah TheLaw I'd wait until 2012 when tri fins are coming back. Then you can have a 3 phase sailing day. Phase 1: sail in single fin mode. Phase 2: sail in twin fin mode. Phase 3: sail in tri fin mode. Sick.

[TheLaw]

Yeah TheLaw I'd wait until 2012 when tri fins are coming back. Then you can have a 3 phase sailing day. Phase 1: sail in single fin mode. Phase 2: sail in twin fin mode. Phase 3: sail in tri fin mode. Sick.

Ha-Larry-Us! A good reason to always think before hitting the submit button in the message board.

From what you two are saying the quad option might be a good one. Next June sometime when I sail again maybe I'll take one of you up on the offer to try your boards. Or maybe I'll just buy one and not worry about it.

Thanks for the input!
-Mark

[TheLaw]

Plus if you can do this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEIEAd1S ... r_embedded with a quad then I am sold. These guys are just regular sailors right.

[downwind dave]

theres a evo woody in the buy/sell, call that guy and tell him single fins are pretty much extinct these days but you will make an offer.

[winddoctor]

Be warned, that Evo 75 model was more side-off wave oriented than previous models. It's slower to plane and more sluggish. BUT, it is supposed to rip in the good stuff.

[downwind dave]

i was bummed i couldn't try the evo in maui. i think between the kode and quad, there is no demand for the evo. Not a bash on the Evo, but just a case where there is not much the quad can't do.

I did really dig the starboard quad and much preferred it to the single fin kode. My main impressions were (a) much faster than i thought it would be, (b) wow that turns quick) and (c) interesting how it can bust loose and slide but just never spins out. (btw I only rode big fins back, the 2010 model has big fins forward and they don't switch up. supposedly this is the better 'onshore' setting). btw i brought home a big starboard 2011 catalog if anyone wants it.

I'm not convinced i liked it enough to drop 2K though. going straight from the rental 2011 quad to my relic 05 RRD yesterday i still had a riot. i hope it holds together, that board always puts a smile on my face.

[nanmoo]

I rode the board Dave is talking about with the big fins up front and small ones in the back. The board in my opinion just becomes way too crazy twitchy with this setup, especially in choppy conditions. Much preferred the big fins in the back, you don't lose any usable maneuverability, and you can actually get some speed up to blast off the ramps on the way out. Everyone I talked to at the shop or on the beach had similar feedback. The 2011 also seems to come stock with 30% or so smaller fins than the previous model, but I would say they are still larger than what my Quatro LS came with stock. Between the two, which I compared side by side with a straight edge, the Starboard tends to have a more wave oriented shape with plenty of V, and slightly more rocker, the Quatro is more like my FSW board, with double concave bottom, only a partial V, lower rocker, but with some tail kick. The Quatro carries more volume up front, starboard is a thinner overall board with more even volume distribution. The Quatro KT is shaped more like the Starboard, except it is slime green. I had fun on both boards, but I'd say the Quatro is probably more suited to marginal conditions (Both wind and waves) and the Starboard might outshine it in real ideal wavesailing conditions.

[eastside]

I love the 71 L 2010 SB quad. I think some of the negative comments surrounding it are related to the large 16 cm stock fins causing it to be over finned. I bought 13 and 14 cm Black Project fins and have used them on 4.0 and 4.5 days. I find the board very comfortable in high wind, super fast in jibes and bottom turns, easy to redirect on the wave. You can break loose the tail but not as easily as the twin. Plus goes well up wind. Feels like a water go kart. Great wind range....especially with those 16 cm fins. Planes up fast for such a small board. Can't think of any real negatives.

The Twin (SB 80 L) is great fun in waves and swell riding but probably less of an all round machine. Amazing at Pistol River and the Gorge last year. The other posts sum up the differences well. It is harder to keep upwind unless the wind is steady. You can't use a heavy back foot and maybe a little harder /different to get a good bottom turn going sometimes. Handles high wind. Feels loose and smooth/surfy compared to grippy.....pretty subjective!

[nanmoo]

Opinions on boards subjective? Naw!!!!

[TheLaw]

So I have checked into the 2011 Quad 74L and it sounds like getting a 74L might be impossible. 77L are available but no 74L.

77L seems big to me. I seem to be able to get a 74L Evo planing in quite light conditions.

What do the experienced multi-fin people think? Do these boards sail big or small or true to size?

-Mark

[nanmoo]

I sailed the Staboard 92L Quad and the Quatro 95L quad in 5.8 to 4.2 conditions. At the top end of the 4.2 it was probably a bit too much board, especially given some of the death chop on the inside of the reef, but for everything else, despite a seemingly large volume, it felt perfect and easier to control than my 91L FSW. 4.7 felt completly dialed on either board. The literature seems to indicate the same, ability to sail 5-10L more than a single fin in the same conditions. I am almost Winddoc-handsome-tall at 6' 1" and my target weight is 185 lbs.

Ultimately I was happy to get the 85L Quatro quad since in our conditions it's not likely I am going to need a multi-fin wave board big enough to carry a 5.8-6.0, I'd probably just being doing BJ's on my 91L FSW.