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2018 Starboard inflatable stand up paddle board guide

2018 Starboard Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards

The 2018 Starboard Inflatable paddle boards are here, and the marketing line for this year is “one step closer to a hard board feel.” Starboard have introduced 2 new technologies for 2018. The first is an expansion of their double chamber inflatable construction on certain Deluxe fusion construction models, and the second called Airline Technology which aids in board rigidity and ultimately performance of their All Star inflatable racing boards. They have also tweaked the Zen construction with purpose specific thicknesses for a better mix of volume and rigidity, as well as stiffness enhancing stringers and standing area reinforcement plates.

As one of the most complete stand up paddle board manufacturers, with boards to cover any style, shape, size or construction, Starboard is not content to provide to the masses but also focus on product innovation. Pioneering carbon SUPs and now developing market leading inflatable SUP technologies, the 2018 Starboard inflatable SUP range is the most advanced and complete on the market today.

Deluxe Double Chamber Technology

Safety First

The secondary chamber offers up to 42 liters of safety floatation, with 14 liters even in the smallest boards, that require only 15PSI. Starboard pioneered Double Chamber technology in the 2013 Ocean Rescue inflatable paddle board. It is now revised, improved and gives the paddlers peace of mind while paddling.
Ultra Stiff

The innovative secondary chamber doubles the sidewalls and acts like a rollable I-beam. Starting just behind the standing area and continuing forward, the chamber is placed in the most critical area for flex and reduces deflection by 20-40%. The feeling of paddling with the stiff double I-beam stringer is very similar to a hard board, providing an authentic paddling experience.

Airline Technology

Airline Technology: Starboard’s most significant breakthrough in tuning rocker lines and deflection. This efficient, lightweight technology could change the future of inflatable performance boards.

The free-flowing aramid cable locks the board in shape when inflated, creating a solid trustworthy hull sensation.The patented Airline Technology utilizes a pre-set free-floating cable. It is attached to the nose, goes under the bottom and ends at the fin box. The preset cable is slightly shorter than the board so when the board inflates, the cable comes under tension and stiffens the board significantly. We measured 1.8 cm less hull deflection in testing and 2016 World Champion Connor Baxter swears by it.

The Starboard models equipped with Airline Technology:

2018 Starboard Inflatable All Round Paddle Boards

The Starboard 2018 all round models feature minor tweaks and updates. Revised Zen construction, Double Chamber Deluxe construction for all the Deluxe models, Re-Cover bag, V8 double action pump and leash.

2018 Starboard Inflatable Touring Paddle Boards

The Starboard 2018 touring models feature minor tweaks and updates. Revised Zen construction, Double Chamber Deluxe construction for all the Deluxe models, Re-Cover bag, V8 double action pump and leash.

2018 Starboard Inflatable WindSUPs

The 2018 Starboard WindSUP inflatables are compact, light and strong.

You can go paddleboarding, learn windsurfing and get planing with footstraps. They are great to teach kids to windsurf and they roll up into a bag when you’re done. They are available in two technologies: Zen and Deluxe; the Deluxe adds a full daggerboard for extra windsurfing performance, while the Zen models feature a new removable centre fin box.

If you don’t see your desired board in stock, we have Starboard HQ on speed dial and can track down the right model for you. If you have any questions about an Starboard SUPs, feel free to contact us on 1-888-252-4983, via chat or via our contact form.

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About the author: Julian Kidd
I have been an avid stand up paddle boarder since 2009. I retired from a decade of professional kiteboarding to focus on SUP. Green Water Sports grew from this love of all things SUP. As well as being a keen paddle boarder, I'm a football fan, closet petrol head, web tinkerer, husband and father.