Description

The 2024 Starboard Air Foil Inflatable is a cutting-edge inflatable foilboard designed specifically for wingfoiling, SUP foiling, and light foil pump / downwind foiling. It builds on Starboard’s earlier Air Foil design but incorporates new refinements making it lighter, stiffer, and more responsive, particularly mapping to wingfoil and SUP downwind use cases.

A key idea behind the Air Foil is to bring foil performance to the inflatable world while still offering portability, travel convenience, and easier transport — so users can pack, carry, and travel with a foil board more easily compared to rigid foil boards.

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Construction & Technology

1. Top Plate Foil Mount (“Direct Flight” Plate)

• The Air Foil features a patented top plate foil mounting system that places the foil mast directly on a rigid plate integrated into the deck, as opposed to mounting underneath the board. The design keeps the rider’s feet extremely close to the foil mast—just under ~1.5 cm—which delivers a very direct, sensitive, and responsive “flight feeling.”

• This top plate approach reduces flex and delay between rider input and foil response, giving more control and less wobble during foiling.

• When the foil is not mounted, an EPP plug seals the cavity, producing a smooth bottom surface and ensuring clean water flow under the board to minimize drag.

2. Inflatable “ZEN” Construction and Welded Rails

• The Air Foil uses Starboard’s ZEN welded rail construction — a single-layer, linear drop-stitch inflatable design with heat-welded rails. This construction helps keep the board lighter, more durable, and stiffer compared to older glued or multi-chamber inflatables.

• The welded rails reduce potential leak points and increase longevity, while galvanized 2000D rail bands add stiffness and board performance.

3. Footstrap Inserts & Foil Track Adjustments

• Adjustable footstrap insert positions are spaced about 18 cm apart, giving more room for riders to adjust their stances and trim on foil. These positions allow fine tuning of foot placement for better foiling balance and control.

• The foil track is slightly elongated in the 2024 build, giving some room to adjust mast placement for different foil setups and rider preferences.

4. Shape, Rocker & Tail Design

• The nose and tail have been updated with a more pronounced rocker to promote easier lift-off and more forgiving touchdown — especially useful in downwind or choppy water foiling.

• The tail is narrow, helping it sink cleanly during takeoff and improving release from water, which benefits early foiling. Combined with the directional rocker, the design helps reduce nose dives and makes touchdown smoother.

5. Lightweight Performance Optimizations

• In the 2024 version, Starboard introduced a carbon plate option (versus the older aluminum plate) which helps reduce the overall weight of the board by up to ~2.4 kg.

• Weight estimates vary by size, but the Carbon versions are lighter, making them more travel-friendly and responsive.

6. Travel-Ready Bag & Accessories

• Each Air Foil board typically comes with a dedicated travel bag that provides space for the board, foil gear, pump, and wing (FreeWing) or leash. The bag has padded compartments and features for organizing foil gear.

• Some versions (Carbon Zen) may include footstraps, leash, or gear to help beginners set up more easily.

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Performance & Handling

Foil Response & Feeling

• The direct-mount top plate keeps the foil very close to the rider, producing a tight connection and responsive feedback. This eliminates much of the lag or wobble often found in traditional inflatable foil boards, resulting in more intuitive control.

• Riders report a “direct flight sensation” where the board feels more like a rigid foil board in terms of control, despite being inflatable.

Take-Off & Touchdown

• The raised nose and tail rocker, combined with the flush top plate and drag-reducing plug, make early take-offs easier and more forgiving. The design helps the board rise quickly onto foil and reduces nose-diving or slammed landings.

• The EPP plug that closes the cavity under the foil mast contributes to smoother water flow and cleaner planing before takeoff.

Tracking & Glide

• Once foiling, the board’s shape and foil mounting choices offer good tracking and stable flight. The length and tail design help the board track well before lift and maintain stable flight throughout.

• Glide on flat water or in pumping conditions is improved relative to older inflatable foil models, thanks to the refined rocker and plate design. However, as with all inflatable boards, some drag and flex remain relative to rigid foil boards.

Usability & Versatility

• The Air Foil is versatile — it’s suitable not just for wingfoiling, but also for SUP foil pumping and light downwind SUP foiling. This makes it a good choice for foilers who want one board to work in multiple foiling scenarios.

• It’s also travel-friendly due to its inflatable nature, making it practical for trips and storage, though it still retains much of the performance necessary for early foil flights.

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Summary

In short, the 2024 Starboard Air Foil Inflatable Foilboard blends portability with performance, especially for foilers who want better “direct flight” connection and foil responsiveness than a typical inflatable foil board—while still enjoying the advantages of packability and portability. Its innovative top plate, drag-control features, and refined shape make it a compelling choice for wingfoilers and SUP foilers alike, especially when travel, storage, and ease-of-use are important. If you’re looking for a foil board that travels well and still delivers a foil-like riding experience, the Air Foil is one of the top inflatable options available.