Starboard Carve 122

Windsuf Magazine, UK April 06 





At a Glance

The 122 has undoubtedly been one of the most successful sizes in the Carve 

series over recent years, and enters the new season with a noticeable face Iift. 

Like its smaller sibling, the 101, tested last month, it has a new rail shape - gone 

are the characteristic bevels in favour of a more conventional tucked rail design. At 

68.5 cm wide, it is certainly one of the largest boards in this group, yet doesn't 

seem on the big side visually due to the thinned rails that extend along its length. 

With a bulbous nose and a clean round outline, it is every bit the modern design, 

being available in either Wood or D-RAM construction. The fittings supplied are 

fantastic, with easy adjustable footstraps, supportive fish-scale deck-pads and a 

very high performance Drake freeride fin. 



Ride and Handling

On the water the Carve 122 gave a very rounded performance, offering an excellent 

blend of ease and performance to make it suitable for all rider abilities. One of the 

quickest in the group to get on the plane, it releases early to sit high on the 

water's surface, driving off the fin. The ride is instantly lively and exciting, 

bestowing just enough feedback to involve the sailor, but not too much so as to 

upset the nervous passenger. It is easy to sailwell, trimming itself instinctively and 

requiring minimal input whilst gliding over chop effortlessly. There is also a great 

deal of versatility in the riding style it can adapt to - partnered with a bottom-end 

oriented freeride sail it can be used to cruise around at half speed, presenting an 

easy forgiving platform to guide the intermediate sailor into stronger winds. Plug in 

an efficient sail with a stable top-end though, and the Carve will respond, happy to 

be loaded and driven to explore its impressive performance range. It has a superb 

top end speed, releasing fully to offer excellent feedback through the fin. In 

extreme conditions the 122 likes be sailed with en assertive style, keeping the 

board planing on its tail and lifting its shoulders high from any confused chop. 

With such a stiff fin, it is inevitable that spin out will occur on occasion when 

pushed too forcefully, yet we believe the Drake 38cm is an excellent compliment 

to the 122, offering plenty of warning before losing traction. 



Manoeuvres

In the gybe the Carve is one of the most versatile boards in the group, offering the 

ease and control to tutor the intermediate, yet the response to be driven in 

confidently. With its low planing threshold, the 122 can cruise through a long 

progressive arc in a steady forgiving manner, providing the time and stability to 

learn the mechanics of the manoeuvre. Drive the board in with conviction however 

and it will react, willingly engaging a lot of rail as it cuts a tight powerful arc. You 

can really sense the rails biting through the tum, which inspires the experienced 

rider to drive more energy into the board on the next gybe. 



For: Versatile riding style, combining ease and control with performance.

Against: A freeride board that is hard to fault.



Verdict

The Carve 122 is a fantastic freeride board. Composed for the intermediate