78 JULY 2019
FREERIDE FOIL TEST
STARBOARD SUPERCRUISER ALU & FOIL 111
WEB WWW.STAR-BOARD-WINDSURFING.COM PRICE FOIL: £1299 BOARD: £1769
THEY SAY
A new style of foiling: manoeuvrable, smooth
and super fun. Our easiest foil ever. The
1700cm2 front wing gives the sensation of float-
ing on air and gives the lowest take-off speed.
The Foil 111 – the foil board for stronger winds.
If you’re a high-level windsurfer using a 5.6 m²
sail or smaller, this is the board for you. Short,
compact, ultra-reactive and lightweight underfoot,
the 111 is the most fun foil board of the family.
WE SAY
The SuperCruiser is the latest addition to the ev-
er-expanding Starboard foil lineup, available in
either carbon or aluminium, the name depict-
ing the construction material of the 85cm mast,
whilst all other components remain the same.
And whilst the mast-fuselage junction enjoys the
brand’s standard connection, the SuperCruiser
sees a shift from their established modular sys-
tem, using a sleeve configuration to marry the
fuselage to the large low aspect front wing, and a
so-called rocker system on the tail wing. And it is
this massive front wing that largely characterises
the foil’s performance. Generating significant lift
at low speeds, it requires little input or pumping
refinement to make the most of the lightest airs.
The whole area of the wing seems to be put to use,
providing both early flight and lateral stability.
Smooth and progressive, it can be partnered with
a variety of boards, from wide to narrow tailed,
the lift coming right underneath the rider’s feet.
Response to weight movements to control ride
height is measured and fluid, the extended 87cm
fuselage giving just the right mix of ride stability
and quick reaction. The extra 10cm in mast length
is also a massive bonus, providing margin for error
and room to breathe in choppy waters. The pitch
of the board’s nose and ride stance can then be
altered through use of the tail wing’s rocker system
by loosening a couple of bolts and providing an
easy method to tweak for riding style, kit setup
and conditions. Whilst certainly no slouch when
pushed, the overriding feedback given as people
stepped off the SuperCruiser was one of ease and
enjoyment. It continues to generate lift at slow
speeds and critical angles, making full flight gy-
bing extremely easy, as if you’re cheating. It also
gives the foil an extraordinary range, providing
early accessible flight, yet retaining its manners
and predictability in overpowered winds or tur-
bulent seas. The large stabiliser wing adds to the
stability in flight, but does mean the foil needs
constant input and drive through the turn (more
akin to a freeride board rather than wave), other-
wise it will try to straighten up the carving angle.
As such, it means the pilot can become more as-
sertive and forceful in their riding style, getting
away with using smaller sail sizes at all times and
letting the foil become the predominant power
source to keep driving. Described by Starboard as
“a new style of wind foiling”, if you’re looking for
plug and play wind foiling freedom for use in all
conditions, the SuperCruiser will not disappoint.
The 111 is the second smallest in a burgeoning
five board foil lineup, which has grown around the
original 122 tested last year. Like its siblings it has a
thin profile, particularly in the tail, providing moreconnection to the foil and feel through the feet.
The deck has a subtle dome for comfort without
diminishing heel pressure and the inboard-out-
board strap options provide enough tuning to
cater for all but the most race-oriented long-mast
foil. The 111 is the narrowest on test here and it
undoubtedly feels one of the most conventional
underfoot and the ‘Drake Ultralight’ straps are
easy to locate whilst getting going and during foil-
ing transitions. Balanced yet playful and respon-
sive, the 111 is best suited for foil masts of 85cm
or shorter and can be partnered with a low aspect
comfort cruising foil or loaded with a higher as-
pect freerace setup, for blistering hacks across a
bay and sharp carving manoeuvres.VITAL STATSBOARD
- Length: 215.5 cm • Width: 70.5 cm
- Volume: 111 L • Sail Range (Quoted): 4.5-7.5m
- Sizes Available: 100,111,122,144,177
FOIL
- Head: Deep Tuttle • Mast Length: 85.0 cm
- Mast Material: Aluminium • Fuselage Length:
87.0 cm • Fuselage Material: Aluminium - Front Wing Span: 80 cm • Front Wing Chord:
25 cm • Font Wing Area (Quoted): 1700cm² - Tail Wing Span: 59 cm • Wing Material: Carbon
- Weight: 4.45 kg