Starship 100 or RRD fsw 100

I'm looking for a bump and jump and blasting board have now focused Naish starship or RRD freestyle wave I think starship is quick board and controllable on chop but quite like the look of the RRD fsw but not sure if it has same top speed if sailed like for like. Any advice or help be really good.

Thanks LeeD for your thoughts I guess I was thinking the SS for speed but was wondering if the RRD could match ss for top end too. I've got the chance of the RRD fsw at good price but can get a ss but it's bit more money I do like look of the RRD but don't want comprise top speed.

For instance, a top slalom board is the fastest in the water until the conditions get too rough and then a wave board might be faster and easier to sail.

Beginner/intermediate here with a 2017 Starship 100. Nothing much to compare it with except bigger/wider boards, but I think it performs great in chop and is really easy to handle.

I may be slightly biased.. but... you really can't go past the RRD FSW. They're not slow, (which of course is a relative term) and they are superb, maneuverable bump jump boards, thrusters in the smaller sizes now. In Cocos we use both the free ride fins, and 28/32 Leading Edge B4 fins which gives them a super wide wind range.
I'd grab the 2ndhand board, as they are really sought after! If you don't, I'll take it for the shop:)
Jez

I tried the new starship 100 2019 and the RRD 96 V5Both are excellent boards fast, smooth and super easy to ride. The RRD has more versatility and will definitely be better in surf conditions thank to the trifin set but also her thinner rails and narrower tail. She's a real swiss tool if you play with the strap and fin settings and shows superior comfort in many conditions. But for pure blasting in chop and four straps sailing, I think the starship is a bit better. The larger tail gives more power and a bit higher and electric ride while the boxy and round rails are ultra forgiving. The board is super fun, she feels light under the feet, ride on the tail, and can change direction in a blink. She urges you to point and jump any bump around. A real funboard.Hope this can help, even if you are looking for older models

The two boards are excellent you won't be deceived anyway. Yet for the sail do you mean you intend putting a slalom rig on those boards? (maybe my bad english) If so I don't think this would bring any improvement on their performance. Slalom rigs with cambers are heavier and need constant traction to bend and work properly. Only a larger and more powerfull board can bring this and you will probably loose comfort in choppy weather with the nose hitting harder. If speed is the goal there are plenty of light no cam slalom sails going super fast now (Gun Rapid, Loft Oxygen, Severne NCX, Point 7 ACX etc..). They should be much more appropriate in my opinion and would leave you free to do a duck-gibe at the end of the reach. I sugger you try both solutions before buying

Yeehaa, another Starship thread I have nothing but good things to say about this board! Mine is a 115L 2016 model and the construction is still going strong. Super solid, stiff board. I use it all the time. As stated, wants to jump every wave in its path. This is my go to board, and the wind range is huge. If ya want the feeling of a wild, thrilling fast ride, with the maneuver ability this board offers, you will want this board. Plus, another cool feature is, that when you hit a lull, the board doesn't immediately fall off the plane, like many other short boards do. The starship still cruises through the lull, until you catch another gust to keep the planing going. Board responds great to pumping if needed to enhance the planing, or keep the board planing through lulls.

I changed the foot strap settings in the front so they are slightly more parallel to the rail. I will take some pics to show, but I installed the extra wide dakine tyrant foot straps, 2 in the front and 1 in the rear. Works amazingly well, perfect stance and comfortable too. I just had to work with the foot strap settings until I got it right.

Spoke with the Big Winds staff at Hood River, and they love the new starship. They say it's faster than the my model. Almost uncontrollably too fast they said. I would no doubt, not hesitate for a moment to buy the new model if I needed a new board.

Haven't sailed RRD boards, so can't comment on them.

Here are the pics I was going to post on my Starship foot strap adjustments.




On the front straps, I moved the back of the foot strap back an extra hole changing the angle of the strap. My feet and ankles thank me for it. The stance feels nice and comfy now. Love the dakine tyrant straps as well. This strap allows enough room to slide my feet into the straps, allowing me to hook into the straps securely for jumping. I'm getting more air now. I always wear booties, so the wider, taller straps are perfect for that.

Majority of people (including myself) find that outer straps are the preferred positions.