The SUP Vic board test was a great initiative. Thanks guys. Looking back over some of the average times, in order 6 of the average times were 3:26, 3:27, 3:27, 3:28, 3:29, 3:34. The results sort of beg for more testing actually! 
But the results also show that the quality 12'6ers are all more or less about the same speed, and the BIGGEST anomaly is actually the engine sitting on top! This is highlighted the most by the female paddler Jean, who obviously doesn't have the "grunt" of say Hock. Jean is a very competent female paddler. But it shows that if you build up strength, endurance and technique, you will ultimately go fast. (not being sexist, but most males are naturally stronger than the females...)
With some analysis, I ask what went wrong on Hock's run on the Starboard New/ACE 25.5 AST? Quite a slow time... But Hock is big in the upper body / chest, and it might have simply been a case of being "top heavy", and struggling with balance which translates to "less power to the ground" so to speak. But Hock's poor time gives this board a worse score.
It would be interesting to re-run the averages, without the slowest time on each board... A "mean" with a "median" twist!
Also note that the test was in calm flat conditions....
Selecting a 12'6 for yourself: Demo and Demo... Test & Test
Ask yourself what style of paddling you want to do with it... Open water, or closed waters / rivers, or just for calm days....
Narrower 12'6 boards v's Wider 12'6 Boards - ask yourself what type of paddling you do... generally and generically, I think the narrow designs are a little bit more orrientated to the flatter conditions, rivers, bays, and smooth conditions without ocean side chop, and perhaps lighter riders, and more experienced riders, and riders with good natural balance. The wider boards will generally provide better stability, which is generally better for heavier male riders, and open water choppy conditions. But a "very good" rider can still manage a narrow board in bumpy conditions...
Ideally, we would each be able to afford and store 2 x 12'6 boards ! 
I'm about 90 kegs and 183cm. For me, if I was choosing between the Fanatic 27 or Fanatic 30, it would be an easy choice... I would need the 30 wide to cater for the open water style of paddling I like. But I would be more than happy to paddle the 27 in a river race.
Same same for the two Naish Boards. 30 wide for open water, 28 wide for rivers. Quite an easy choice actually. (for me).
That's my 2 cents worth anyway.... thanks for reading.
www.supvic.com/sup-vic-rps-126-race-board-speed-test-results/
www.sup-guide.com/sup-paddleboards/race-boards/126-race-board-test-supvic/
From memory, DJ was quietly surprised how well the Naish 12'6 x 30 goes in Down Wind conditions.
Similar, I was very happy with the Fanatic 12'6 x 30 Carbon. It was 14-18 knots, and it went unreal !! Can't comment yet on 25+ knots. But I'm sure it would still go very well.
Just a note on the paddlers... Jean was coming back from a broken arm and hadn't paddled in weeks when we did the test so she was, by her own admission, very much out of condition. Jonathan was also nursing his shoulder.
Hock's run on the Ace/New looked pretty good on the water until he got to the turn and he just couldn't spin the thing around. It's a common problem for that board and you will note that the only people to really do decent times on it in the test were Jonathan, Warwick and myself, who are all far more familiar with the shape.
it's interesting about the paddler. now my board is 27" wide- no dropped deck. i can go ins and outs and surf it. however, if i get slack on my paddling and start pulling the paddle out past behind myself and start jabbing at the water, all of a sudden it becomes quite tippy. im adjusting my balance point all the time- not good.
i generally find if i've done a lot of dw ing i need to do some technique work in the flats.
mind you its taken a long time to know my paddling with expert help, what i'm doing wrong and be able to fix it at my paddling level
cheers
You guys are absolutely correct in that the engine is more important than the board, fin or paddle. However, in saying that, at the pointy end of the field where the engines are similar, a couple of seconds makes the difference between winning and losing and yes, a missed paddle stroke, a boat wake or whatever can be the difference, but if all things are equal .......
A fast board however, is a fast board. If it is less effort to go faster than a competitors slower board, you can store up energy by maintaining same speed and slip by with energy reserves from an easier stroke rate than your competitor trying to keep a high speed but at the expense of additional effort.
If ultimate speed made no difference, F1 teams wouldn't bother with shaving milliseconds from their cars speeds, and America's cup boats wouldn't be concerned with seconds of advantage over a two hour race.
But yes, for the average paddlers, it won't matter much at all.
Interesting comparison regardless. Nice work!
DM
