Description

The Starboard Ace Air Foil Inflatable is a high-performance, travel-friendly foil board aimed at riders who want both downwind SUP-foiling and crossover capabilities for wingfoiling. It takes Starboard’s popular “Ace” design heritage and reimagines it in inflatable form, with upgraded materials, narrower outlines, and features that allow early take-offs, good tracking, and a responsive foil experience.

Construction & Materials

• Carbon Top Plate: The board uses a carbon top plate (instead of aluminium in previous models) for foil-mounting. This plate reduces weight—Starboard claims up to ~2.4 kg lighter vs the aluminium-plate version.

• “Deluxe Lite” Inflatable Core: Uses a woven drop-stitch construction (Linear Knitted Dropstitch in some sizes) to make the board lighter and stiffer.

• Welded Rails: Seam construction is via welded rails rather than glue/adhesive, which improves durability, reduces leak risk, and prolongs board life.

• Galvanized 2000D Rails: For increased strength and stiffness around the edges.

• Deck Features: In some sizes there’s a V-shape in the deck combined with a wider, flat standing area, using inverted EVA trays to improve stability, especially in choppy water, and for more forgiving stances.

• Footstrap Inserts Adjustable: Multiple positions for foot straps: 4 positions in front, 5 in back, with ~18 cm spacing between inserts allowing a wider foot strap span. This lets riders adjust stance and trim for better control in flight.

• High Nose & Tail Rocker: The rocker (curve) at nose and tail is elevated to help in early takeoffs off downwind bumps, and for forgiving touchdowns (less abrupt impacts) when landing.

• Pin Tail Design: Tail is narrowed and comes to a pin shape for better tracking, efficient water release during takeoff & touchdown, and helping with forward momentum.

• Edge Release / 3D Rail Edge: There is a rail edge technology that helps clean release of water from rails, improving planing and takeoff performance.

• Air Plug/EVA Plug for Foil Cavity: The cavity for the foil mount (top plate) is flush when the foil isn’t mounted, improving waterflow and reducing turbulence underneath.

• Extras Included: Board comes with leash (coil leash), a pump (Tiki pump with dual nozzles for board and wing), and a travel/wheelie bag sized to carry foil gear.

Performance & Use-Case

• Downwind Foiling: Excellent performance in downwind SUP-foil scenarios. The narrow outlines, longer lengths, high rocker, and lightweight construction allow early take-offs from bumps, good acceleration, and stable flight over downwind swells.

• Wingfoiling Crossover: The board works well for wingfoil in lighter or moderate wind, especially because of its lightweight build and carbon plate. It’s not a dedicated wingfoil board, but provides good utility for those who want to mix disciplines.

• Flatwater & Light Conditions: Because of its thin profile (~4.75″ thick), narrower width in some sizes, it’s more suited for lighter wind / lighter rider weight when used in flatwater or pumping to foil. Wider sizes (like the 8′2″ × 23″) give more stability.

• Handling: The pin tail and rail edge help with tracking (holding direction), clean takeoffs, and softer landings. The elevated nose/tail rocker helps reduce nose-dive risk in swell or when landing. The carbon plate gives a more direct, connected “feel” with foil, reducing flex or lag. Users via reviews have noted that despite being inflatable the ride is stiff and responsive.

• Portability & Travel: As an inflatable foilboard, the Ace Air Foil offers major advantages in packing, travel, storage. The lightweight plate, welded rails, and overall lower board weight help. The bag is designed to carry the board plus foil gear.

Summary

The 2024 Starboard Ace Air Foil Inflatable is a high-quality, high-performance, inflatable foilboard built to satisfy riders who want to fly downwind, wingfoil, or crossover between disciplines without hauling hard boards. It offers excellent take-off, good Glide, efficient handling, especially when sized appropriately. Its main draw is combining performance with portability — giving many of the benefits of rigid foilboards, but in an inflatable package. If you’re in the market for a do-everything foil rig you can travel with, it’s a strong contender.