Starboard Phantom 380 update

After all the initial excitement it has been a while since we heard anything from the Starboard crew about the proposed Phantom 380 Raceboard. With the prototype of the board having such a successfull outing at the Raceboard world championships earlier in 2007 everyone in Australia was hoping that the board would be ready for our season 07/08. Several people placed orders but were later told by the supplier that the board would be delayed a while as some design refinements were made.

Starboard Phantom 380. Photo by Juha Blinnikka of Hyvinkään Surffaajat, one of the most dedicated raceboard clubs in Finland. http://www.hysurf.fi/

Several months have passed since we heard this news so LBWS has again been in communication with Tiesda from Starboard who has stated the following about the Phantom:

1. Starboard is still committed to the board and it is definitely on its way.
2. Starboard has undertaken all the necessary design refinements to the board.
3. The board has been made a little lighter and the pads have been removed.
4. A refined dagger board case has been made that will accommodate a new more powerful dagger board.
5. A new more powerful fin will be used on the final production board.
6. The board is moving into the production phase in the factory.
7. The boards will be shipped form the factory in Thailand from March onwards.

Starboard Phantom 380. Photo by Juha Blinnikka of Hyvinkään Surffaajat, one of the most dedicated raceboard clubs in Finland. http://www.hysurf.fi/

While the delay has resulted in the board not being available for the Australian 07/08 season it is good to see that Starboard are still committed to the board and are ensuring that it will be up to the usual high starboard standard. The release of the Phantom will see two dedicated raceboards in production which is a great boost for LB windsurfing. Let’s hope that F2 will follow the Exocet and Starboard’s lead and also return to their heritage and longboard windsurfing.

Starboard Phantom 380. Photo by Juha Blinnikka of Hyvinkään Surffaajat, one of the most dedicated raceboard clubs in Finland. http://www.hysurf.fi/

For a discussion on the Phantom - Check out the forum

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