Finally I got to check out the new Coreban Dart.. When I first set eyes on this new down-wind board it looked like a hot rod or racing speed boat.. Loved the paint.
Concidering this was not the full carbon it was surprisingly light and the new Coreban hand hole is amazing.. it wraps so far under each side I could hardly reach the sides.. and you could put your keys, wallet, and even your little black book in there and still have space some spare change.. Just kidding but it sure does feel good and helps heaps to carry the board.
I started with the deack pad.. Besides being nice and grippy it was flat through the front section where you often step when paddling for a runner.. Then it quickly went to a noticably deep concave through the main standing area.. then back to flat towards the tail.. then slightly domed just before the tail kicker pad.. So you should know where you are on the board by the feel through your feet and never need to look down to see where you are like some boards.
The shape is interesting.. I would not call it a displacement hull.. IMO it's a planing hull with a pronounced belly in the nose area.. Sorta like the Starboard with there cluby board shape but because the nose area is not as big it shouldn't go boof when pearling like the Starbies.. I think it will behave a bit more like the Glide but it will be interesting to see just what this board does when it does pearl.
Besides the belly in the nose area the rails are super soft.. soft all the way back two thirds back from the nose.. and at the last third the rails start to get a solf tucked edge turning into a full sharp edge in the last couple of feet.. It shouldn't catch when opposite rail surfing and you should be able to push the nose left or right with wide paddle strokes.. It should also handle being pushed around in back wash areas and confused water.
The tail is thick and boxy so you should be able to get back there without sinking it or water wrapping up and over the tail slowing you down.. Notice the huge ramped up kicker pad.. You shouldn't ever accidently step off the tail with that there.. Looking close you can see the odd area where the paint is a bit sloppy.. Shame but its probably something that only I would notice.
Flipping the board over shows that beautiful bottom shape.
Here's a great view showing that odd nose shape.. It will be interesting to see how it paddles into chop.. I don't think it will cut through like a Bark type displacement hull but shouldn't slap like a full planning hull like the Naish.
b
As you can see there's a fair bit of V through this board.. belly in the front.. Flat down the center (about 8") with sloping V off each side and the most V just befor the fin box.. I'm guessing this is to help you turn this long board on runners and maybe even lift the rails when really humming along.
The fin looks good.. Good amout of area.. More upright to also help with turning and stability.. and enough curve in the tip area to alowe you to drag through sand in the shallows without catching like the Glide fin..Here's the Croc shot.
The bag is awesome.. 3/4 coffin shape so you dont have to unzip all the way around that 14' of board and shiny silver on the bottom should help reflect sun rays and a removeble shoulder strap so you can take it off when on the roof of your car so no more flapping about.. There's a nice center handle to help when not using the shoulder strap.. and also handles on the tail and nose.. It's a nice snug fit so it shouldn't flap too much when driving fast with it on your car roof racks.
Good job Coreban... but where's the demo's.. .. Most people like to try before they buy.
b
.. Most people like to try before they buy.
