Starboard s-type 115 wood

[SurfHistor]

Hi,

I'm thinking about buying a Starboard s-type 115 wood.
Do you have to maintain the pine wood in a special way or not?
Could it be possible to use a 3.5m2 on that board?

Thanks in advance

[Ray Timm]

Other than not leaving it outside in the elements, you usually don't have to do anything special to the wood boards for quite a few years.

I assuming you would be using a 3.5 m2 sail because of high winds? Anything is possible, but it wouldn't work good at all. I have a S-Type 115 and the smallest sail I've ever used is a 5.4.

[Roger]

To add to Ray's excellent response, you might like to look at this link.
http://www.star-board.com/SpringSumm...technology.php
It explains that the Australian Pine wood veneer used as the outer skin of Starboard's WOOD technology
is only 0.6 mm (0.023") thick. The wood veneer is saturated on both sides with epoxy laminating resin then
applied to the board.
So, as Ray suggests, keep it out of the sun whenever possible, and do not store it outside in the varying
elements. Over time it will yellow some, but that's pretty much to be expected.
The more you keep it out of direct sunlight (when not actually sailing it) the longer the wood veneer will retian it's original "golden patina".
As to using a 3.5 m2 rig on the S-Type 115, unless you are a child/kid or lightweight woman weighing < 100 lbs. (45 kg.) and needing a small sail to keep the weight out of the rig, I agree with Ray.
The best range for the S-Type 115 would be 7.5 m2 - 5.5 m2.
Use of smaller sails due to wind conditions would also require a smaller (< 100 liters) board.
If you are an advancing beginner, the S-Type might work, but something a little wider would probably
be alot better to keep you advancing.
If you want a board that's good in chop, for it's size, the S-Type is pretty good, but it needs to be sailed fairly
powered up to get any kind of early planing performance.
Hope this helps,

[SurfHistor]

Thanks for both reply's.
They were really helpfull!

I can get a 5.0 m2 sail from a friend, you think I can sail with that? If it helps, my weight is about 65 kg and I think i'm an advanced beginner.

Thanks so far.

[SurfHistor]

I have one other question.
I'm also doubting wich type of board I should buy, the s-type 115 wood or the dram.
Which one would you recommend?

[Roger]

Hi SurfHistor,
How strong is the wind you will be sailing in?
@ 65 Kg. (143 lbs.), on the S Type 115 with a 5.0 m2 rig you would need 16-20 knots to even get planing
at all. That's Bft F4-5 or around 30 k/h to 37 k/h.
If you have at least 16 knots/F4.5/33.5 k/h then the 5.0 m2 rig will work, but if you have less wind than this,
the S-Type 115 is not going to be much fun to slog around on.
Hope this helps,
Roger

[SurfHistor]

Hi Roger,

Thanks for your reply, it was very usefull. I think i'm gonna buy a 6.5 m² sail, so i fan surf also with 3 to 4 bft.

Thanks again.

[Roger]

On your wood vs DRAM question:
1/ Wood tends to be a little more "ding resistant" than DRAM.
If your board gets an impact ding, the same force will cause a larger ding on the
DRAM board.
2/ DRAM is easier to repar.
Matching the grain of the wood, and trying to match the "aged" color of the wood is almost impossible.
DRAM is easy as you just match the color and spray on some paint.
3/ DRAM is significantly less expensive.
Hope this helps,
Roger

[SurfHistor]

Thanks again for your reply,
I'm going to buy the DRAM cause of the price and cause its easier to repair.