Recently released during their conference in Thailand, Starboard have once again defied convention and introduced their Hybrid concept - a range of three boards, each designed for use in an expansive wind range, encompassing both planing and non-planing conditions.
Whilst the 'Hybrid Race' and 'Hybrid Formula' offer performance-oriented characteristics, the already much talked-about Hybrid Carve is being promoted as the next big step for the freeride market, aimed directly at the recreational sailor.
Based around the design of the Carve 162, the most striking aspect of its design is the ducktail at the rear, which increases the water line length of the board in non-planing conditions, and combines with the dagger-board to provide a safe, secure and directionally stable platform.
As the wind increases, the Hybrid Carve then rises onto the surface of the water, the ducktail clearing the water completely to dramatically reduce the overall length and leave the board feeling every bit the modern planing hull. From teaching the family and rail-riding in the light summer breezes, to progressing into planning conditions and blasting with your mates as you explore new sailing areas, the Hybrid Carve is the new-generation one-only board.
The Hybrid Carve is a modern wide-style planing board with integrated design features that also make it fast and fun in sub-planing conditions: a large daggerboard, a drag-reducing duck tail, and a low, square nose. The Hybrid Carve will appeal to a wider range of people than any other board. A beginner can learn on it thanks to the width, the daggerboard system, and the stability. A high-performance or progressing sailor will find the freeride performance and jibing qualities equal to that of a Carve 162 - but with the ability to cruise in light winds too! The long-forgotten casual windsurfer now has a modern upgrade that is also great to teach others on. Summary:
- Modern, light-feeling, freeride planing performance.
- Smooth and fun in non-planing mode.
- Stable and comfortable for learning and progressing.
- A great family summer board.
In comparison
Compared to the Carve boards of similar width, both offer high-performance wide-style freeriding. However, the Hybrid Carve extends its use to sub-planing conditions. With its daggerboard, duck tail and square nose, it cruises upwind in sub-planing conditions when the Carves wouldn’t even work. The Hybrid Carve will also appeal to beginners and progressing sailors, as it has the daggerboard system, more stability and more volume.
The Carves would be more suitable if you are looking for planing-only freeride performance, without the compromise of having the daggerboard or duck-tail’s extra weight.
Compared to the Start, both have a daggerboard system.However, the Hybrid Carve offers far more performance in non-planing conditions and more performance in planing conditions: more speed, better jibing quality, a crisper, lighter ride and more maneuverability.
The Starts would be more suitable if you are looking for more stability, more durability, more comfort and more value. The Start, being dedicated for beginners, has several beginner-specific features and options not available on the Hybrid Carve.
Compared to the GO, both boards are suitable for progressing sailors as they are wide, stable and voluminous. However, the Hybrid Carve has a daggerboard, a duck tail and a square nose that extends its use to sub-planing conditions. When planing, it also gives a freeride style of sailing with better maneuverability and jibing quality, when the GO has a more race-type feel.
The GO boards are more suitable if you are looking for a progressive, planing-only and comfortable board, with stability and volume to make progress as easy and quick as possible. Because there are no daggerboard or duck tails, the GO boards are lighter and more compact in shape.
Compared to the Hybrid Formula, both boards follow the same design concept of having a daggerboard, a duck tail and a low, square nose. Both boards offer high performance in both planing and non-planing modes. However, the Hybrid Carve offers more freeride-orientated performance, more maneuverability and better jibing quality. It is much more fun, more accessible, with more control and comfort.
The Hybrid Race is more suitable if you are looking for more racing performance, and to compete in Hybrid and Raceboard events. Around a race course, the Hybrid Race offers far better upwind and downwind speeds and angles, with an earlier planing threshold.
Specifications
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