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2008 STARBOARD RIO Package. Summer pricing from $1,439 with Free Shipping*!
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The Rio is simply about windsurfing as Jim Drake intended it to be: everyone, everywhere and everytime.

The new shapes have evolved to offer the joys of pure freeriding to all, from beginners and progressing windsurfers to families and advanced riders, everytime: whether there's wind or just a light breeze, the new Rios offer more glide in the light stuff and a smoother transition on to the plane as it gets windier.

For advanced riders, the longer, narrower shape combined with the inboard heel-recesses and more flexible daggerboard allows the board to power upwind off the leeward rail. When planing, the wide tail with large cutaways and tail side-cuts deliver a powerful and exciting ride.

For intermediate and progressing windsurfers, the security of the daggerboard gives the confidence to go out without worrying about drifting. The radical deck design with its heel gutters and inboard-only footstrap settings make it easier than ever to get into the footstraps for the first time.

For beginners, the Rios pack plenty of rail volume around the midsection for optimum stability. The longer shape with a lower rocker offers a smooth gliding sensation straight from the start.

The full EVA deck - an orginal Starboard innovation - brings total comfort. Built in Tufskin for maximum durability, a new integrated nose protector provides further protection against mast impacts.

Specifications

Model	Volume (litres)	Length (cm.)	Width (cm.)	Tail (cm.)	Weight* Tufskin (kg.)	Sail range (Msq)	Drake Fin	Fin box
Rio L	215	290	85.0	67.2	14.6	2.0-9.50	Shallow 410 FRN + Clipperbox Daggerboard 570	Deep Tuttle+Clipperbox
Rio M	195	275	80.5	58.7	13.1	2.0-9.55	Shallow 410 FRN + Clipperbox Daggerboard 570	Deep Tuttle+Clipperbox
Rio S	175	269	76.0	56.2	12.3	2.0-9.50	Shallow 410 FRN + Clipperbox Daggerboard 570	Deep Tuttle+Clipperbox
Tufskin weights +-6%.

The Rios' Clipperbox III daggerboard system comes with newly developped uni-directional back-plated lips that totally prevents any water from gushing through the daggerboard case when the daggerboard is retracted and board gets planing. For the first time, you can feel the efficiency of a non-daggerboard hull in a board with a daggerboard system.
Summary:

The All-Wind windsurfer
Radical new deck design makes it more exciting, more comfortable to ride inboard and easier to rail upwind. It's also easier than ever to get into the straps and get planing
Narrower, slender shapes give more glide for beginners and more upwind railing power for advanced riders
Extra-wide tails provide early-planing power
New Clipperbox III
New integrated nose protector
Longer nose with a lower rocker gives more longitundinal stability and more glide in light winds

Suitable sail types are entry level, progressive and freeride sails.

Compared to the Start boards, the Rios have more lightwind speed and glide because they are narrower and longer. They are designed for all-wind freeriding, from lightwinds to higher winds under the feet of either beginners, progressing or advanced windsurfers. The Starts are designed purely to make windsurfi ng as easy as possible. They are more stable and feature a colour-coded deck specifcally targeted at making learning and teaching easier.

The Rio is an ultra-stable, comfortable, and progressive board that will suit entry level sailors and those looking to progress as easily as possible.

Based on the same wide and voluminous designs of the Start, the Rio features super-fat rails in the midsection for extra stability and a sand-proof daggerboard system. The full EVA deck ensures comfort; the multiple insert positions cater for beginners to advanced sailors; and the round, thin tail outline improves jibing.

The Rio will allow you to learn and progress in windsurfing quickly and easily. The wide, shallow fin provides good forward motion and control. With an optional Racing fin fitted, advanced windsurfers will be surprised with its speed and performance.

Integrated mast impact protector

Shape designed for maximum stability and to get planing quickly.

Slight concave in the nose helps guide the beginner's feet around a tacking maneuver.

Center carry handle.

Sand-proof Clipperbox daggerboard system

Slight convex ridge along the center line helps guide the beginner's feet to stay close the board's center.

Nose carry handle for convenience.

Extra fat rails in the midsection enhance stability.

EVA Tufskin construction for maximum durability, comfort, and value

4 insert positions: beginner, intermediate to advanced.

Full EVA deck for maximum comfort

Summary:

Stable, comfortable, and easy board for all.
Many versatility and comfort features:
Daggerboard.
Enhanced stability.
Full EVA deck.
Wide shallow fin for forward motion and control.
Multiple insert positions (beginner/intermediate/advanced).
Durable and tough construction.
Performance with an optional Race fin fitted.

In comparison

Compared to the Start, both models are designed to offer maximum stability and comfort with wide outlines, plenty of midsection volume, a full EVA deck and a daggerboard system. The Rio however does not have the Roller Wheel in the tail. With more upmarket graphics, the Rio will appeal to many private buyers because it is not branded as a school product.

The Start will be more suitable if you are looking for a pure beginner product, with the added convenience of a Roller Wheel. The Start usually appeals more to windsurfing schools and clubs.

Compared to the GO range, both ranges allow the user to learn to windsurf and progress. However, the Rio with its daggerboard is much more beginner orientated, with its list of special features designed to make learning as easy and as accessible as possible.

The GO boards are more progressive freeride shapes, designed to make the progression to high level windsurfing fast and exciting. To be suitable for beginners, the GO boards will need to be fitted with the optional side fins.

Starboard Rio M Windsurf (UK) 7/06

At a Glance
The Rio is part of Starboard's enormous range, and shares similar hull shapes to the Start S, but without the integrated rollerwheel feature. The hull is quite rounded in shape, with starboard's typical cutouts in the tail. The Rio looks very similar to the Carve series, being covered in Carve-esque blue and white EVA graphics. The EVA extends right round the (bevelled) rail, and is accompanied by a nose protector, and also footpads for the blasting/semi-inboard positions, the only board to have such. There is a wealth of footstrap options, with four different footstrap settings gradually moving further inboard and forward to cater for every ability. The footstraps are Starboard's excellent standard models, offering excellent support. The daggerboard is of Starboard's own design, and it built into the board, instead of removing it for transport, the handle unscrews instead. The fin is of a sensible size and tough construction, and the tuttle finbolts have plastic covers to protect the rider's feet. There are well-positioned carry handles in both the middle of the board and the nose.

Ride and Handling
The Starboard feels very stable on the water, with the wide nose and tail providing plenty of floatation for errant steps. The deck grip is good, and has a slight dome in the deck, concave around the masttrack to keep feet around the centreline when tacking, and convex in the back for grip. The nose feels short and compact, but the board does feel slightly large, great for early steps, but perhaps a little too large and "safe" for more aggressive starters. The Rio tracks quite well considering the rounded shape, the fin in the tail provides good directional stability upwind to balance the lack of rail straightness. The board turns well in manoeuvres, spinning in the gybe and feeling stable in the tack. The Starboard feels like a classy bit of kit, and would be a board that we would want to hang onto, to last someone from their second step right up to competent intermediate.

For: Attention to detail, good balance between manoeuvrability, stability and straight-line performance.

Against: Makes the Start look obsolete, why not have just one beginner range to make choosing easier?

Verdict: Wide user appeal in a classy package, a board that an early intermediate will want to hang onto. Highly recommended.