LOWDOWN STARBOARD AIRPLANE 

Following on from the success of inflatable SUPS, Starboard have taken the bold step of introducing fully-planing inflatable freeride boards, aptly titled the ‘Starboard AirPlane’. The range comprises of four models: AirPlane 300: 300cm long, the most stable and most suitable for beginners and fitted with their new full-length, rubber-sealed daggerboard case for Inflatables. AirPlane 285: 285cm long, a blend between beginner stability and progressive freeriding. Also available in the same daggerboard version as the 300, or in the lighter centre-fin version that is more geared to freeride and progression windsurfing. Finally the AirPlane 255: 255cm long, it is the full-freeride model that, with its centre fin slot, is great for kids to learn and progress on too.

Each board has a 6” drop stitch for maximum stiffness and requires inflation to at least 18 PSI for best performance. Lighter, no cam freeride sails or wave sails are recommended and the wide, parallel outline shapes with rounded tail and nose provide stability for non-planing conditions and freeride fun when fully planing. Also common to each model is Starboard’s new Rail Edge technology: the proprietary 3D elastomer compound creates a release edge that is hard and effective at getting the water to release and get the board planing. While hard, it is still capable of following the contours of the board in two dimensions, and fold and roll up in the third dimension. With this hard release Rail Edge technology, ‘’you can accelerate and enjoy the most exciting planing sensation possible and like no other inflatable board’’ claim Starboard. Intrigued by this innovative development we decided to dig a bit deeper with designer Tiesda You.

WS – How important are inflatable boards in the market for Starboard right now?
TY – The AirPlanes are boards that could help us break new ground: we have high performance boards and we have durable boards at good value, and now with inflatables, we have fun, friendly gear too. I hope the invention of the AirPlane becomes an important milestone in the evolution of windsurfing equipment, helping windsurfing reach a new audience with different expectations.

“ Inflatable windsurfing boards are going to get very high-performance very soon ”  ^{Tiesda You} 

WS – As a designer, did the advent of entering a whole new challenge with inflatables excite you?
TY – Definitely. Inflatables aren’t a new idea so what was really exciting was to combine new ingredients and new inventions in such a way that an old dream could come true.  Drop stitch technology, our FAST box system that allows deep fins to be fitted, the Rail Edge technology extruded from our special 3D rubber formula: these were the critical inventions that made possible the development of the new AirPlanes.

WS – Can you explain exactly what rail tech technology is ?
TY – Rail Edge is the key invention that allowed us to make inflatable boards plane up and release from the water. We use a special rubber compound that needs to meet a pretty difficult set of criteria: it needs to be hard so that the water releases properly but it needs to be soft and bendy to allow the board to roll up. Not only that, but it also needs to bend following the curve of the board’s shape and be compatible with the glue used to bond with the material of the board.

WS – So why develop an inflatable board?
TY – It wasn’t a conscious choice, we just wanted to have a bit of fun. Many companies are looking to add rail edges on inflatable boards, with hard moulded parts, with EVA and what have you – the idea is nothing new. We simply tried something a bit different and it worked well – really, really well. The AirPlanes exceeded our own expectations, particularly the AirPlane 255. Our new WindSUPs also have the new Rail Edge tech. So they get planing too but because they also glide well and paddle well, they’re actually even more exciting. Friendly fun boards that cover paddle boarding, lightwind cruising, learning, progressing and now planing fun – that’s really cool.

WS – How light is a typical board ?
TY – By length and width, they’re the same as a regular hard board. By volume, they’re much lighter.

WS – How do you approach the shapes compared to a traditional hard board?
TY – A lot of the basics are the same, for example we’d define the outline along similar principles. You just need to be careful of footstrap positions and the flat deck. You want the feet to be closer to the naturally rounded part of the rail. The rockerline needs a special approach because of the flex in the board. The designs need to allow for larger tolerances, whether it’s manufacturing tolerances or ease of use. You’re basically aiming for a plug and play approach from the A to Z. That’s refreshingly different to how you would design a hard board where expectations have become extremely technical over the years. The AirPlanes come in three sizes for windsurfing, 255cm, 285cm and 300cm. The 300cm has a fully retractable daggerboard complete with water-sealing rubber lips. The 285cm version is available either with the same fully retractable daggerboard or a centre fin slot. The 255 is available only with a centre fin slot. The centre fin slot makes them ideal for your standard windsurfing fun plus the added option to progress or teach a friend to windsurf. The Inflatable WindSUPs are available from a small kids size up to a 12’6” Touring shape, in either Deluxe tech (stiffer 6” drop-stitch construction and daggerboard case) or Zen tech (lighter 5” drop stitch construction, centre fin slot). All models have the Rail Edge technology.

WS – How does it sail compared to a regular board?
TY – It is seriously fast and fun. When you mention an inflatable windsurfer, people invariably think of a low-performance toy. But try an AirPlane 255 and you’ll quickly see how far inflatable technology has come. We’ve clocked 27 knots on a 6.5m sail on a regular day in Maui. And we are just at the beginning. We’ve started working on very high performance models, smaller sizes, lighter hi-tech constructions and much more. Inflatable windsurfing boards are going to get very high-performance very soon. It’s definitely a fun time to be a designer.

WS – How portable is it for travel?
TY – Once rolled up in a bag, it’s as portable as an inflatable SUP or a kite. The difficult part is the rig, so I guess that’s the next challenge.

WS – What about costs, will they be cheaper?
TY– They’re priced to match the GO boards so it is a well price pointed product.

WS – How long do they take to inflate typically – can you use an electric pump?
TY – Between 5 and 10 minutes. You can certainly use an electric pump, but be sure that it reaches the minimum 18 PSI.

WS – What about the perceived cons of inflatable technology – puncture/ repair/ leaks etc?
TY – We can draw parallels with inflatable SUPs vs their hard composite counterparts. There are pros and cons either way. When I use an inflatable board, I can be more carefree since I’m not as worried about dropping the board or banging it against concrete. With a hard board, I cringe as I hear a crack, knowing the next trip will be to the repair shop. When it comes to longevity, it all comes down to the care and maintenance. They can go a lifetime without need for repair if you take care of it; if you don’t take care of it, the occasional trip to the repair man to fix a leak will be inevitable – just like your bicycle tyres!

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