Length 210 | Width 91 cm | Weight 11,8 kg | Volume 165 | MSRP € 1,699,-
We have for a while the brand new wind foilboard of Starboard, the IQfoil 91 in the strongest and most heavy version: Starlite. The IQfoil 91 is the brother of the new Olympic board and is intended for the lighter less ambitious wind foilers. In the meantime, we have already made the necessary flying hours on this board. Time to pick up the net.
Starboard IQfoil 91 Starlite
What is immediately noticeable about the board is that it is very thick and has a pretty ‘crooked’ shape. In addition, there are deep pits in the board in various places and you can also mount several foot tires in the middle position at the rear position. In addition, the board is heavy. More than 11.8 kilos clean on the hook!
Furthermore, the board looks top. Although this is the cheapest version, it doesn’t look cheapy. Sure the flax balsa and carbon versions look better. But they are a lot more expensive.
We are curious if the weight and curved shape of the board is at a disadvantage in wind foiling. Every windsurfer also knows that the way the right the shape gets a board in plane faster. In wind foiling just as important!
Nice and heavy
We’re going up the water with the Starboard Alu Race foil with the Hyperglide 9.0m2. There’s a gusty wind between 7 and 12 knots. Just for the imaging. Our reference is the RRD H-fire Pro 91 of only 9.0 kg. We spent hundreds of hours of dangers there last year. It is immediately clear that the board with little wind is less likely to go up as the much lighter RRD. We need to make more effort to plan and come up.
Once up we get a very different experience. The board foils very relaxed. Somehow we’re different, read more natural. And even though the rear foot tires are less far apart than at the RRD, we walk at least the same height and this is a lot easier.
Down wind then, then a world really opens up. We have much better control and are now different on the board. We have more control and can/dare harder than we are used to. Maybe the weight of the board works in favor?
Also in the gusts the board reacts calmer and we can keep the sail easier. For example, the Starboard Freeride foilboard clearly has race properties. The board is going really well upwind and downwind. The foot strap positions are also tailored to this. As we sail for ourselves, we are increasingly taking the IQfoil Starlite instead of the RRD, especially if there is a little more wind.
Jibing takes some getting used to
The jibes require habituation. The board retains less lift than the RRD. That makes flying jibes a lot more difficult at first. But once we’ve changed our technique, it seems easier to go and we can jibe a little faster and more aggressively.
Sweet spot = 8,0 m2
The board was developed specifically for the lighter wind foilers into sailing of max 9.5 m2. We foiled with small and large sails on this board, but we think the 8.0 m2 is the best fit on this board. We noticed with the 8.0 m2 much less the extra weight during going up and the jibes went easier than with the 9.0 m2.
IQfoil 91 Starlite as a lessons board
We use this board for wind foil lessons and rental. The board has enough volume for the necessary stability and the construction is a lot stronger than the flax balsa or carbon versions, so this board can take a beating or a big crash.
As a student you don’t suffer from the race properties of this board.
Starboard starlite construction
Starlite is a new construction of Starboard that is stronger and cheaper than Flax Balsa and Carbon.
The Starlite construction consists of a mix of materials, such as wood, carbon or specific places, and a different type of glass fiber is used. This mix ensures sustainability and a cost that is lower.
Starboard also has a rigid version in any type of windfoilboard.
Our conclusion
The board has pleasantly surprised us. Yes, the board doesn’t feel as light and doesn’t go up as fast as the whole light RRD, but hey the board is over € 1,000 cheaper than the full carbonboard. With this budget racer you can really participate in competitions. Okay at the bottom of the wind range you’re a little short. If you don’t mind this, this is a sure a wind foil board to consider.