Description

The Lima Carbon is a high-performance paddle from Starboard, designed primarily for racing, touring, and flat-water paddling. It’s built to deliver a clean catch, efficient power transfer, low fatigue, and excellent responsiveness. It sits in Starboard’s lineup above more “all-round / beginner” paddles and provides many features demanded by serious paddlers and racers.

Construction & Materials

• Blade Material:
  The blade uses 3K carbon lamination (plain weave) with a PVC core. This gives it strength, stiffness, and a relatively lightweight feel.

• Blade Shape & Ribs:
  In the 2024 version, the Lima Carbon blades have twin ribs (“CNC Core Twin Ribs Shape”) which reduce blade core volume (≈ 15%) while increasing rigidity. The ribs help the blade maintain shape under load and help the paddle cut through water more cleanly.

• Blade Face / Concave:
  The power face has a concave shape which guides the water along the blade during the stroke. That helps reduce flutter or wobble, make alignment easier, and improves “feel” through the catch and pull phases. Its trailing edge (tip) is rounded to help water release smoothly; then edges become sharper for more defined water flow and stability.

• Blade Angle:
  The neck (where shaft meets blade) has a 10° angle built in. This helps orient the blade for efficient power catch and reduces drag by keeping the paddle closer to the board during stroke.

• Shaft Material:
  The shaft is carbon, with stiffness options (flex levels) depending on model. For Lima Carbon, available flex levels include S35 (stiffer, better for taller paddlers or more aggressive strokes) and S40 (a bit more forgiving, more comfortable over longer sessions).

• Rail / Edge Reinforcement:
  The perimeter of the blade is reinforced with carbon filament infusion to give greater impact resistance — helping protect the blade edges against knocks, splash, bumps.

• Core:
  The core is lightweight PVC to help keep weight down, maintain shape, and provide enough buoyancy/stiffness.

Design / Shape / Blade Geometry

• Narrow + Flat Profile:
  The blade is relatively narrow compared to wide cruising blades, and fairly flat in profile. This reduces drag, allows a quicker feather/recovery, and helps paddle close to the board’s rail (edge). Good for tracking and efficient strokes.

• Square Tip + Rounded Leading Edges (in some models):
  Some versions have a more squared tip to give more immediate power “bite”, while the rounded leading edges help with forgiving water entry and smoother performance. Rounded edges help with corrected strokes, especially when alignment isn’t perfect.

• Blade Sizes:
  Multiple sizes: from XS up to XXL. As blade size increases, blade length and width grow accordingly. Also as size increases, area increases (so more power) but weight also slightly increases. For example, XL blade area is about 95 in² / ~612 cm² etc.

Shaft / Handle Options

• Shaft Options:
  Fixed one-piece shafts and adjustable shafts (2-piece, 3-piece) are available. Adjustable versions help with travel, sharing among users, or tweaking length for different board or wind/conditions.

• Diameter & Shape:
  Common shaft diameter is 29 mm round, which balances strength, comfort, and weight. Some versions have “skinny” shafts or oval shape options.

• Handle / Grip:
  The handle (“super handle” in Starboard description) is designed wide, flat on top to give a good grip, and to distribute hand pressure evenly. This helps especially when paddling lots or in crosswinds, giving more control even when your stroke isn’t perfectly aligned.

Performance & Feel

• Catching & Power Transfer:
  The Lima Carbon is known for a “direct catch” — it enters the water cleanly and immediately engages. The ribs help maintain shape, the blade geometry ensures that power isn’t lost by flutter or water “slipping.” Suitable whether you’re accelerating or maintaining pace.

• Efficiency & Fatigue:
  Because of its light weight (carbon materials, PVC core, slim blade core), less energy is wasted, which reduces fatigue especially on long paddles or during racing. The clean recovery (low drag) helps maintain cadence and rhythm.

• Tracking & Control:
  Narrow profile and blade concave/ribs help paddle stay straight, reduce side slip, and allow better steering control. In crosswinds or choppy water, these features help you maintain your line. Handle design and shaft stiffness help you apply power consistently.

• Versatility:
  With different shaft / piece options, various blade sizes, the Lima Carbon can be used for a range of paddle styles: distance/touring, sprint racing, fitness paddling. For riders sharing gear, travel, or needing flexibility, adjustable versions are helpful.

Summary

 The Starboard Lima Carbon is a high-performance performance paddle: carbon blade and shaft, stiff construction, precise blade geometry (concave, ribs, 10° neck angle), multiple sizes and shaft flex/shape options. It gives excellent power transfer, efficiency, and “race feel”. It is optimized for paddlers who want speed and responsiveness more than rugged durability in harsh terrain. If you match it well to your size, paddling style, and conditions, it is a top-tier paddle.