starboard Dram vs wood

[Jay Halford]

I realize wood is a bit lighter, but is there really that much diff in
performance? I'm looking at Starboards and don't know if I wish to pay the
extra cash for wood.

Thanks,

Jay

[jeff feehan]

in only one case have i sailed both the wood and dram version of the
same starboard model - the formula 175.

in that case, the difference was huge. and, it wasn't just a matter of
weight, although the weight difference was quite noticeable on the water.
there was also a noticeable difference in stiffness of the hull. the dram
175 just didn't have the crisp feeling of the wood version, it felt like
every bit of chop was flexing the board a bit, and absorbing energy -
at a noticeable cost in terms of speed.

now, one might guess that a formula board is the model most likely
to benefit from ligher/stiffer construction. i belive this is the case,
an that the great width causes an increase in the bending forces, and
makes any lack of stiffness more obvious.

the dram f175 i sailed was part of a rental fleet, and i was comparing
it to my personal wood f175. it could be that the dram had seen a lot
of use, and had become flexier that it originally was. but, my experience
is that the low-tech constructions always loose stiffness at a faster rate
than the better constructions. a light/stiff construction may ding easier,
but it keeps it's stiffness longer.

i have had basicaly the same experience when comparing other identical boards
built in different constructions. here i am mostly talking about the mistral
flow boards - most sizes were available in two constructions, and at vela
cabarete i occasionally had the opportunity to sail both constructions
side by side - i always preferred the lighter/stiffer construction. the flows
were much smaller than formula boards - i think they were 85 and 100 liters.

jeff feehan

[WARDOG]

Hi Jay,
Dependzzz...
The bigger the board, the more the volume/weight ratio matters...
The weight differential varies between models and sizes...don't forget
the +/- 5% production spec...
http://star-board.com/products/technology.asp

For example, an Acid 74 is only .3 kg (.66 lbs) difference in weight...
while a FF 138 is .9 kg (~2 lbs) difference...again, don't forget the
+/- 5% production spec...
The F 138 & F 158 aren't even being offered in DRAM construction this
year...
BTW, the Trance 94 is .5 kg (~1 lb) difference in weight...
Rule of thumb for me, has been that 1 lb of board weight is more or less
equivalent to 10 lbs of body weight...

There is a noticeable difference in stiffness between the two
constructions...seems in light air, the Woodies are a little more
responsive and quicker to plane...
I think in the EVO, where the boards are under 8', the difference is not
very noticeable, primarily due to the reduced swing weight of the boards...
I also that think the "lighter AND stronger" statement that some people
have applied to the Wood construction is an oxymoron...lighter and "just
as strong" is closer to the truth...

Fact of the matter is, a good portion of our *board customers purchase
the Wood construction, and pay the premium, for purely aesthetic
purposes...believe it or not...

WARDOG
http://www.surfingsports.com

[Jay Halford]

Do the drams hold up better to denting ? (I'm gonna be travelling a bit).

I'm not at the level where I think I'd notice a diff in the stiffness for
such a short board.

Jay

"WARDOG" <war...@XXXsurfingsports.com> wrote in message
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[WARDOG]

Hi Jay,
All of the literature I've seen suggests that the Wood laminates, when
reinforced with Dyneema, have superior impact and ding resistance...
the fact that they are stiffer and more resistant to deformation when
sailing is another bonus...
If by "denting", you mean pressure dings, then the Woodie gets the
nod...that's more or less been my experience as owner and salesperson of
both...either way, you'll still need the same quality of board bag for
airline travel...
Maybe Eva can comment generally on wood construction...
I know she has seen and worked on "scores" of wood SurfTech
surfboards...which are more susceptible to dinging by nature of the sport...

[Jefferson Bull]

I own a wood starboard 131 carve, love it, the wood look, and the wood
performance.

In a wave or chop board, I would not get the wood. I want something that's
smooth and predictable or the water. A real stiff small board can feel jittery
to me, and it's easy to make up for the early planing with a little foot push
or sail pump. And I feel better about abandoning the whole rig/board if I get
tumbled in a big wave / shorebreak.

[Richard Shirey]

My Carve 123 was my first "wood" board that replaced my Tiga 281FX and I
still use it. I was still falling a lot when I got the Carve and punch a
couple of holes in it with the knot in the uphaul line coming between the
mast and the board. This never happened with the non wood Tiga, however,
the Tiga was not DRAM construction so am not sure how this compares.

--
Richard
Huntington Beach, CA

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