Starboard S-Type 115

Windsuf Magazine, UK April 06 





At a Glance

The S-Type has been around for a couple of years now and has evolved into 

Starboard's high performance freeride board range, designed to offer slalom-like 

capabilities without compromising control and ease. The middle hull in a five-board 

line-up, the 11 5 has a small compact appearance, with a thick bulbous nose and 

sharp bevels on the rails. Available in either Wood (as the one tested here) or D-

RAM construction it comes supplied with Starboard's excellently engineered 

straps, adhesive fish-scale deck-pads, and a stiff high performance fin shaped by 

Tiesda You. 



Ride and Handling

Feeling smaller underfoot than its quoted volume would suggest, the S-Type is not 

comfortable with sails much bigger than 7.om, and isn't really at home in marginal 

conditions. It will cruise up onto the plane smoothly and reach a good speed, yet 

you need to adjust your stance to eliminate the chance of spin out and keep it 

driving forward …your weight acting down through the board rather than pushing 

against it. It's when you take the 115 out in comfortably powered conditions that 

you being to realise its potential. Accelerating instantly, it explodes from the water 

and soars up to a stunning speed, adopting a really efficient stance as it rides on 

the fin alone, keeping the amount of friction between the board and water to a 

minimum. Electrifying off the wind, it keeps accelerating in the gusts and will take 

every ounce of power you dare to deliver The fin provides masses of feedback, 

contributing to the board's precise immediate nature, which selves to captivate the 

experienced rider and make them want to explore its potential more. Being 

relatively small and particularly stiff, the fin does require quite a sensitive 

approach, especially when sailing across and upwind, where too much back foot 

pressure will result in spin-outs that are hard to recover from. Instead, the rider 

has to be light and reactive on their feet, releasing pressure as they heed the 

board's warning of slipping sideways. A sharp and involving board to ride, the 

security from the straps and deck-pads nevertheless provide some much 

appreciated support, making the S-Type an ideal contender for the experienced 

sailor wanting that little bit more, without going too far down the dedicated slalom 

path. 



Manoeuvres

With its narrow tail, the S-Type does demand a positive carving style to exit from 

the gybe purposefully. More edgy than the Carve, if committed into the turn with 

the rider getting forward, it will bite with interest and fire the rider out of the corner 

before they know it. Entering the transition at speed and engaging tentatively to 

start with, we soon found ourselves growing in confidence as we learnt to trust the 

rails and fin to hold the board in. Similarly in the tack, the 115 does require 

concentration to get round cleanly, such is the low volume of the short nose. 



For: Electric responsive ride, and speed on every point of sail when powered.

Against: Not for the intermediate - look to the Carve range.



Verdict

Providing blistering performance in a sharp and involving ride, the S-Type is ideal 

for the experienced rider looking for that little but more from their freeride board, 

without wishing to probe too far down the slalom route.