With much fanfare introduces Starboard’s new foiling system UCS. UCS stands for Univeral Connect System. This name already says a lot. Starboard has developed a completely new system for both mast/fuselage and wing/fuselage attachment. This new system will be implemented on the entire range for windfoiling as well as wingfoiling. Below is all the information and changes for the Starboard wing and windfoil range for 2025.
Starboard UCS the new standard in foils?
In the surf industry over the past few decades, many aspects have been standardized. Consider the tuttle box, power box, US box, the diameter of SDM and RDM masts. For the consumer, of course, it is super convenient that parts are interchangeable without too much effort. Since the introduction of wing foiling and wind foiling, each manufacturer has developed its own system, with only the board connection (deep tuttle box or US box) being standardized.
Starboard is taking the initiative with the UCS system to work toward a standard for foiling as well. The UCS has what is known as an open patent. This allows other brands to use the UCS system as well. For us as foilers it then becomes possible to combine a foil mast of brand A with the wingset of brand B. How cool would that be? That’s still in the future, but at least Starboard is “opening the door”.
For completeness, it is worth mentioning that the Starboard IQfoil and X-15 foils are do not transition to the UCS system. These foils remain unchanged.
UCS, what does it entail?
Research shows that foilers value aspects such as stiffness, good glide, easy assembly, effective trimming capabilities and good interchangeability between parts. Starboard’s old Quick Lock system is very nice for mounting your foil, but in terms of stiffness, there are better systems out there. With the UCS, Starboard believes it has an all-in-one solution. Let’s dig a little deeper into the new construction.
Mast / fuselage connection
The new mast/fuselage connection is sort of a “flat wide V” where you attach the mast directly on top of the fuselage. Due to the width of the base of the mast and a relatively thicker section under the mast, this makes for a very rigid and direct construction. The mast is secured to the fuselage with 4 M6 Torx bolts. The V shape also provides additional fixation.
Number of fuselages
The number of fuselages for the UCS system has been reduced to a total of 3 sizes for windfoiling and wingfoiling combined. The available lengths are;
- 66 cm for wingfoiling (available in alu and carbon)
- 99 cm for windfoiling
- 109 cm for windfoiling
The 99-cm UCS fuselage offers two uses. Relative to the mast position, one side of the fuselage is 2 cm longer than the other. By simply flipping the fuselage, you can position the wings further forward or back. This noticeably increases the foil’s deployment range.
Spacer set to extend the fuselage
With the Starboard Quick Lock system, spacers were already available to set the front and/or rear wing further apart. With the UCS system, such spacers also become available, allowing you to even better adjust your foil to your own preference.
What does adding the fuselage spacers provide?
- Greater distance between front and back wing = more stability
- Front wing further forward = more elevator and better upwind performance
- Back wing further back = better stability
Sleeve system for front and back wing
The front and back wings are slid over the fuselage using a sleeve and secured with torx bolts. Also in this part of the fuselage is a V shape, which fixes the wings even better.
The big advantage of this system is that the hydrodynamics of the wingset is much better, because there are no more seams and the construction of the wings has become much more hydrodynamic.
Angle spacers can be placed on the inside of the sleeve to change the angle of the back wing. Uniquely, the angle of the front wing can now also be adjusted.
By default, the fuselage comes with a “default” spacer that should ensure a proper plug and play set up of the foil. A set of CNC fabricated aluminum spacer sets are available as a separate part for those foilers who like to customize the set up to their own taste.
Our first experiences with the Starboard UCS system
For Starboard, this change is hugely significant. Starboard has now been testing this system for over 1.5 years. Several team riders have already tested the system extensively. We too have already been able to test a wide range of UCS foils extensively. In outline, these are our findings:
- The mast fuselage construction feels extremely stiff and the foils feel very noticeably more direct and stable
- The glide of the foils has been greatly improved by the sleeve system. Especially for windfoil racing and wingfoiling a big step forward
- The “default” set up of all UCS wingfoils and windfoils are really very good. So adjusting the angle of the back wing is not necessary in most cases. We ourselves have not (yet) experimented with changing the angle of the front wing.
Compatibility with old Starboard masts?
To “soften” the transition to the new system, Starboard also supplies so-called “hybrid fuselages” for the UCS system. This allows you to continue using the old Starboard masts. This hybrid fuselage also fits the fuselage spacers and, of course, the UCS wings. The available hybrid fuselages are:
- 66 cm for wingfoils (only in alu version)
- 99 cm for windfoiling (can also be used in reverse)
- 109 cm for wind foiling
Our experience with the hybrid fuselage is that the construction feels markedly less rigid and direct than with the regular UCS fuselages with the new masts.
Limited number of complete sets
Starboard is seeing more and more wingfoilers and windfoilers putting together their own foils. For this reason, Starboard is still offering only a few complete (starter) sets. Of course, there is a wide range of wingsets available. In another post we cover all the different types of front and back wings that Starboard offers and for whom and what foil discipline (wingfishing or windfishing) they are best suited.
Want to test out a UCS windfoil or wingfoil yourself?
In our test center, we have a wide range of Starboard UCS foils and parts available to test out. If you have questions or would like to schedule a testing appointment, send us a message.