I have the 2019 version, the light weight of it alone is makes it incredible. I have a few boards and I honestly feel that this is the perfect Isup for a first time purchase. Time and time agains I see people wanting to upgrade their first Isup after a couple months. This is a great versatile board.
We could not agree more. Many visitors come to our test centre and find just that. Boards such as the 12'6 Touring Zen do really speak for themselves when compared or paddle back to back with a shorter all rounder type board. Thanks for watching.
I would ask about a fin- doesn't the screw located just before the fin create unnecessary turbulence and thereby significantly interfere with the smooth running of the board?
Thanks for the question. Not at all to be honest, certainly not noticable on an inflatable. If you were racing and looking for every marginal possible gain, then perhaps but it would be minute and only give you comfort mentally that you have optimised everything you possibly could.
Hey Tony. Thanks so much for your reviews. Hoping my question might be helpful for other viewers too. I'm 5'8" and 68kg. I'm a competent paddler moving up from an allrounder. I understand the longer the board, the better the glide and tracking but is there a point where a slightly shorter and lighter paddler will benefit from an 11'6'' board over a 12'6"? Cheers! :)
Hi Kerry, thanks for watching and the question. The short answer is no. The vast majority of paddleboards are displacment craft and as a result waterline length dictates overall performance. You could be the best paddler in the world but the length is the largest factor that influences glide. Where a more petite paddler will find a short board an advantage is in set up as well as to and from the water. Once on the water however, waterline length is the key to unlocking glide. Hope this helps answer your question.
The colour of the board in the video looks very light blue/turquoise compared to the picture on the website - have they changed in the 2022 model year or something please?
Hi Toby, thanks for watching. The colours are the same as well as are unchanged on this model in 2022 and 2023. Let us know if we can help any further.
Thanks for watching and the question. This model is quite different to either Red Paddle Co Voyager at 12'6 x 32 and 13'2 x 30, let alone the price difference. We are big fans of the Red Paddle Co Voyager (particularly the 13'2) but it is hard to argue with just how much bang for buck the 12'6 Touring Zen from Starboard represents. Even the Deluxe construction from Starboard of this Touring model is excellent and superb value when compared to Red Paddle Co prices.
Save your money for a premium paddle and nice dry bag accessories? The light weight alone of the Zen makes it super convenient, fun for days not touring and just wanting to play in anything. It’s premium in its own right and one will want to take good care of it, but hey, that voyager looks super Kool with that hull shape.
Thanks for watching Eric. It really depends on you and what you are looking for. A board such as the 12'6 Voyager at 32" wide is certainly more stable than this 12'6 Touring model (30" wide) from Starboard. But progression is swift and you may find you quickly come to terms with the Touring Zen and find yourself left wanting on the Voyager. The Voyager is a great board but at almost twice the price and something that can feel a little sluggish when compared to the 12'6 Touring Zen it's hard to ignore. If stablity is key however then 32" wide is where you should be looking. Other models to consider would be the 12'6 Ray Air from Fanatic which we've reviewed on our channel.
Hi, thank you for watching. Yes, these will be arriving in stock in early July. In the meantime you can leave your email address here for a stock notification when available - www.thesupco.com/sup-boards-c1/starboard-12-ft-6-touring-zen-2021-p3162
I've had a Redpaddle ride 10'6 for the past 2 years as my first board but feel it's time to get something more specialised and that I can grow into. I enjoy trekking up rivers and sometimes find the tracking challenging especially in any wind. I recently used a 12'6 Jobe board at a lake (don't know the model), and at first, it seemed flimsy compared to my redpaddle - but I was genuinely surprised at how stable it was and it glided and tracked better. This has made me consider getting a touring board and I think I've settled on this one. I'm only 5'8" @ 65-70kg and sometimes find reaching on the 32' red to be a bit of a stretch so I'm thinking 30' would feel a more natural, maybe even a 28' but I'm concerned about stability. Do you think they would be much difference or I would adjust quickly? I mainly river paddle although I live next to the beach so chop handling would be important. I know the construction is slightly different between the Zen and Deluxe (both single chamber), but is there any noticeable difference in performance to justify the extra cost? Many thanks.
Thanks for watching. You experience is something we often find with owners of allrounders; left wanting when paddling and feeling like the effort put in with each stroke is not translated into glide resulting in a 'sticky' feeling like you are pushing the water out of the way. The Jobe board you would have a paddled is a Jobe Neva (they only make one 12'6). If hired, it may have been that it was not inflated correctly as this is not uncommon at some centres as they often go unchecked and under inflated. The Jobe Neva is 30" wide like the Starboard Touring Zen. The overall outline shape of the Touring Zen at 12'6 means it is actually marginally more stable than the Jobe Neva. You would certainly come to terms with the reduction in stability from a 10'6 Ride and enjoy the gains of paddling a longer board (more glide and better tracking) quickly. With regards to construction, the Deluxe is the more rigid and durable than the Zen but this is not to say the Zen is a bad construction. Zen is a great construction and as a package more than justfys its price and represents excellent value. The could also be said for the Deluxe packages. Due to your overall weight, you won't be stressing the Zen construction so we'd say save the money on the Deluxe, enjoy the benefits and maybe consider upgrading the paddle if there is room in the budget (SUP is a paddle sport overall and paddles are often overlooked as being an important part of the experience / journey). If you need any further help then please give us a call at the shop or head over to thesupco.com
@@TheSUPCompany Thank you, I'm still wondering whether I could get away with a 28" width board though, that only comes as Deluxe construction. Is there much stability difference between 30" and 28" - considering I may also be paddling along the coast a bit.
![[UA] NAVI vs MOUZ | BO5 | IEM Rio 2024](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CMBYk0cbGoA/mqdefault.jpg)
I have the 2019 version, the light weight of it alone is makes it incredible. I have a few boards and I honestly feel that this is the perfect Isup for a first time purchase. Time and time agains I see people wanting to upgrade their first Isup after a couple months. This is a great versatile board.
We could not agree more. Many visitors come to our test centre and find just that. Boards such as the 12'6 Touring Zen do really speak for themselves when compared or paddle back to back with a shorter all rounder type board. Thanks for watching.
They’re a bloody great board. I’ve got last year’s deluxe touring. Get some great speed out of it with a lot less effort than most people.
I would ask about a fin- doesn't the screw located just before the fin create unnecessary turbulence and thereby significantly interfere with the smooth running of the board?
Thanks for the question. Not at all to be honest, certainly not noticable on an inflatable. If you were racing and looking for every marginal possible gain, then perhaps but it would be minute and only give you comfort mentally that you have optimised everything you possibly could.
I think you might have the price wrong on the Lima Toughskin Paddle, is that £135, not £335?
You are right there! Thanks for watching.
Hey Tony. Thanks so much for your reviews. Hoping my question might be helpful for other viewers too. I'm 5'8" and 68kg. I'm a competent paddler moving up from an allrounder. I understand the longer the board, the better the glide and tracking but is there a point where a slightly shorter and lighter paddler will benefit from an 11'6'' board over a 12'6"? Cheers! :)
Hi Kerry, thanks for watching and the question. The short answer is no. The vast majority of paddleboards are displacment craft and as a result waterline length dictates overall performance. You could be the best paddler in the world but the length is the largest factor that influences glide. Where a more petite paddler will find a short board an advantage is in set up as well as to and from the water. Once on the water however, waterline length is the key to unlocking glide. Hope this helps answer your question.
@@TheSUPCompany Awesome. Thanks so much for your reply. I'll go for a 12.6 then. 👍😀
The colour of the board in the video looks very light blue/turquoise compared to the picture on the website - have they changed in the 2022 model year or something please?
Hi Toby, thanks for watching. The colours are the same as well as are unchanged on this model in 2022 and 2023. Let us know if we can help any further.
Can’t decide between this and the red paddle co voyager, what would be your choice? Cheers
Thanks for watching and the question. This model is quite different to either Red Paddle Co Voyager at 12'6 x 32 and 13'2 x 30, let alone the price difference. We are big fans of the Red Paddle Co Voyager (particularly the 13'2) but it is hard to argue with just how much bang for buck the 12'6 Touring Zen from Starboard represents. Even the Deluxe construction from Starboard of this Touring model is excellent and superb value when compared to Red Paddle Co prices.
Save your money for a premium paddle and nice dry bag accessories? The light weight alone of the Zen makes it super convenient, fun for days not touring and just wanting to play in anything. It’s premium in its own right and one will want to take good care of it, but hey, that voyager looks super Kool with that hull shape.
This is a great review thank you! Any advice on which board would better suit me in choppy conditions between Starboard Zen vs Red Voyager?
Thanks for watching Eric. It really depends on you and what you are looking for. A board such as the 12'6 Voyager at 32" wide is certainly more stable than this 12'6 Touring model (30" wide) from Starboard. But progression is swift and you may find you quickly come to terms with the Touring Zen and find yourself left wanting on the Voyager. The Voyager is a great board but at almost twice the price and something that can feel a little sluggish when compared to the 12'6 Touring Zen it's hard to ignore. If stablity is key however then 32" wide is where you should be looking. Other models to consider would be the 12'6 Ray Air from Fanatic which we've reviewed on our channel.
Hehe Get the Zen then save your money for a wing, foil and board. Blessed to have options, can’t go wrong 😂
are you going to get any of these in stock anytime soon?
Hi, thank you for watching. Yes, these will be arriving in stock in early July. In the meantime you can leave your email address here for a stock notification when available - www.thesupco.com/sup-boards-c1/starboard-12-ft-6-touring-zen-2021-p3162
The tufskin Lima is only £135 rrp I’m fairly sure?
Thanks for watching. It certainly is. You can view it here - www.thesupco.com/paddles-c2/starboard-lima-tufskin-3-piece-paddle-2021-p2378
@@TheSUPCompany So you probably shouldn't say it's £335 in the video.
I've had a Redpaddle ride 10'6 for the past 2 years as my first board but feel it's time to get something more specialised and that I can grow into. I enjoy trekking up rivers and sometimes find the tracking challenging especially in any wind. I recently used a 12'6 Jobe board at a lake (don't know the model), and at first, it seemed flimsy compared to my redpaddle - but I was genuinely surprised at how stable it was and it glided and tracked better. This has made me consider getting a touring board and I think I've settled on this one. I'm only 5'8" @ 65-70kg and sometimes find reaching on the 32' red to be a bit of a stretch so I'm thinking 30' would feel a more natural, maybe even a 28' but I'm concerned about stability. Do you think they would be much difference or I would adjust quickly? I mainly river paddle although I live next to the beach so chop handling would be important. I know the construction is slightly different between the Zen and Deluxe (both single chamber), but is there any noticeable difference in performance to justify the extra cost? Many thanks.
Thanks for watching. You experience is something we often find with owners of allrounders; left wanting when paddling and feeling like the effort put in with each stroke is not translated into glide resulting in a 'sticky' feeling like you are pushing the water out of the way.
The Jobe board you would have a paddled is a Jobe Neva (they only make one 12'6). If hired, it may have been that it was not inflated correctly as this is not uncommon at some centres as they often go unchecked and under inflated. The Jobe Neva is 30" wide like the Starboard Touring Zen.
The overall outline shape of the Touring Zen at 12'6 means it is actually marginally more stable than the Jobe Neva. You would certainly come to terms with the reduction in stability from a 10'6 Ride and enjoy the gains of paddling a longer board (more glide and better tracking) quickly.
With regards to construction, the Deluxe is the more rigid and durable than the Zen but this is not to say the Zen is a bad construction. Zen is a great construction and as a package more than justfys its price and represents excellent value. The could also be said for the Deluxe packages. Due to your overall weight, you won't be stressing the Zen construction so we'd say save the money on the Deluxe, enjoy the benefits and maybe consider upgrading the paddle if there is room in the budget (SUP is a paddle sport overall and paddles are often overlooked as being an important part of the experience / journey).
If you need any further help then please give us a call at the shop or head over to thesupco.com
@@TheSUPCompany Thank you, I'm still wondering whether I could get away with a 28" width board though, that only comes as Deluxe construction. Is there much stability difference between 30" and 28" - considering I may also be paddling along the coast a bit.
I think I have decided on my next board. Gotta wait to get paid and for them to be back in stock though ;)
Funds and stock certainly helps :) It will be well worth the wait. An excellent package.