Carve 141, Windsurfing Journal (Germany), test guide 2012
On the beach: The Starboard Carve is the classic freerider by Starboard and should appeal to all windsurfer who are looking for that easy plug-and-play board. The 141 is the third biggest of the six boards range and this size, just like the 111, the 121 and the 131 were completely redesigned for 2012. To help better planing, the boards are now longer and it benefits from evolved cutouts in the tail. All straps come in two rows with four options each, and they're being mated with standard pads. The board comes with a 48cm long GFK-fin.
On the water: Starboard's product range is the biggest one on the entire market and yet the board instantly oozes that Starboard familiarity when you get up on it. The Carve is incredibly wide compared to its competitors, and even thought 141 liters makes it the second biggest board of the test group, 80cm is rich, related to that volume. Therefor it is no surprise the board is one of the most stable boards in the test when shlogging. And you instantly understand that the manufacturer's claim that the board will hold a 9.5 sail is not an exaggeration. Beginning freeriders will appreciate the stability and thus confidence that the Carve brings to the table. When it comes to early planing, nobody's got anything on the Carve; Saint Peter farts, and the Carve planes. It is that simple.
Scoresheet by Windsurfing Journal
Acceleration is swift, and so is the topspeed, especially in the lower wind range. The Carve stays composed on the water, flat and doesn't show a tendency to lift its nose. This translates into a secure and comfortable ride, and in the realm of light winds, the Carve rules supreme. When the wind increases, things don't disintegrate, but accelerate and speed is taken up another notch. But because of its width, the Carve becomes more of a handful than the other boards in the group. Yet the Carve transmits absolute confidence even at top speeds, so it is only in direct confrontations with the other boards that you'll notice no-one is as fast as you. In maneuvers, the Carve lives up to its name, slicing like hot knife through butter, and the rider can't do anything but grin stupidly.
Verdict: The 2021 Carve lives up to its reputation and is a fantastic freeride board.
