STARBOARD TOURING 12’6″ PINETEK TEST REVIEW
STARBOARD TOURING
12’6″ PINETEK
TEST REVIEW
Verdict
This 12’6 touring shows its race pedigree with the complex bottom shape, flat rocker and low wave piercing nose. Wider and friendlier than any race board but swift and directional. Starboards sporty tourer will eat up miles across any river or flat coastal cruise with ease. It’s stable with plenty of storage options, a finely engineered product at the top of its class.
Overview
On deck the Pinetek tourer has two separate sets of cargo bungees at the front and back, Go Pro mounts front and back and a slightly dug out sloping deck (for easy drainage). The Starboard has a soft-touch good size handle and on the sides pigmented carbon Innegra scratchproof rails. Underneath the flat-rockered low nose runs from soft vee through to a deep concave centre with chamfered rail and beveled edges for channeling the water flow back.
Brand Claim
The Touring balances speed and stability offering the most efficient glide for riders up to 100kg. Speed and stability with comfort and great tracking for endless exploring and deep center channel for stability. Chamfered rail edge for added speed, sharp nose with lowered nose rocker for smooth and faster glide, the deep Center Channel funnels water smoothly from nose to the tail generating lift and speed. Comes equipped with bungee tie-downs and FCS inserts. Available in Pine Tek, Starlite and Starshot Technologies.
Performance
Needless to say this race themed tourer was the joint quickest in our glide test, its low nose and flat rocker line had a very racy feel to it. The Touring was very directional giving you no need to change sides for a while whilst paddling. For covering distance with ease it was fantastic, pottering down a river or exploring a large lake we couldn’t think of a more suitable board. Starboard has plenty of experience developing this kind of board and this 2017 model has certainly raised the bar. We found using it in choppier bumpier conditions it was less friendly but Starboard have their friendlier ‘Freeride’ board for this. Overall this great looking refined tourer from Starboard in the Pinetek construction feels light and stiff. If you’re looking for a tourer for flatter water this evolved touring board will be difficult to beat.awaiting your excursion.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
• RRD GRANTURISMO 12’6 GT WOOD
• STARBOARD TOURING 12’6 PINETEK