Your first impression of a new board begins as the packaging comes off. In this Starboard TV episode, Starboard Korea team rider Chae Guktae of Dolphin Surf, Korea's top-ranked wing foil rider, takes out the 2027 TAKE OFF for a closer look.
The board in the video is the TAKE OFF 105L in XTEC CARBON D2 construction. It is the largest size in the range, but what first surprises Chae is its weight.
Chae Guktae opens the new TAKE OFF
Inside the box is an included board sock: a protective cover that wraps around the board. Removing it reveals a white deck and black pads. Meet the new TAKE OFF in this video of just over four minutes.
The largest 105L, now lighter
Chae holds the 105L board, measuring 6'6" long and 25 inches wide. He describes the largest model as bigger than expected and considers its width the most suitable in the range for beginners.
The surprise is the weight. Chae quotes a specification weight of 6.3kg and compares it with his 2024 75L model, which weighed around 7.5kg. The new board has 30L more volume yet weighs less in that comparison.
The colour has changed too, as a comparison with the 2024 board at the back of the shop shows. The blue board has become white for 2027, and Chae describes the new lines as cleaner.
- Dimensions
- 6'6" × 25" (201.3 × 63.5cm), thickness 5.8" (14.7cm)
- Volume
- 105L · The largest size in the TAKE OFF range
- Weight
- Quoted specification weight: 6.3kg, as presented by Chae Guktae in the video
- Recommended rider weight
- Wing foiling: up to 100kg; SUP foiling: up to 95kg (product specifications)
- Foil boxes
- 2 × 14" US boxes · Compatible with most foil brands
- Disciplines
- Freeride wing foiling and SUP foiling, using a paddle to get the board onto the foil
What has changed for the 2027 TAKE OFF?
TAKE OFF is Starboard's wave and freestyle wing foil board. Smaller sizes respond quickly in waves and jumps, while larger sizes such as the 105L also serve freeride wing foiling and SUP foiling. The 2027 shape includes the following refinements.
- Outline
- Up to one inch narrower for faster acceleration and more agile handling
- Nose
- A slightly longer nose improves glide and stability before take-off
- Tail
- More tail volume improves fore-and-aft balance (trim) and stability
- Rocker
- Refined rocker, the board's lengthwise curve, supports quick acceleration and smooth recovery from touchdowns
- Standing area
- A thicker standing area improves foil control and balance
- Foil boxes and footstraps
- Foil boxes move slightly forward, with footstrap positions adjusted for wave and freestyle riding
- Sizes
- 50, 60, 75, 90, 95 and 105L · The 50L and 60L are available only in CARBON D2
XTEC CARBON D2 and CARBON D2: what is the difference?
Pointing to the Carbon and D2 markings on the rail, Chae explains the lightweight construction and materials. TAKE OFF comes in two constructions. D2 refers to a lighter structure with an optimised internal laminate that removes unnecessary material.
- XTEC CARBON D2 (the model in the video)
- An expanding epoxy sandwich structure maintains strength and impact resistance, while the lightweight D2 laminate reduces weight. Carbon Load Frame rail bands add stiffness. Carbon reinforcement around the foil boxes and PVC Omega stringers support the areas under the greatest loads.
- CARBON D2
- The lightest performance construction in the TAKE OFF range. A traditional epoxy layup keeps weight down, while carbon and PVC standing-area reinforcements support the impacts of jumping and landing.
First impressions now, riding impressions in a later video
Lifting a board and inspecting its shape is a different experience from taking off and turning on the water. This video is an introduction to new equipment, rather than an on-water performance test.
Chae closes the video with his expectations and plans for a later test video. In the meantime, compare sizes on the product page and in the wing foil selection guide to find the right fit for your riding.
The board in the video may differ in size from the representative product photograph. Check the size, construction and included equipment of your selected option before buying.
