Compared to the SB 161 the SB 162 grew wider in the stern, and became less scooped with a thinner and wider nose (without the rather (ugly) angular nose of the 161). Of course the wider One-Foot-Off call for a fin with much lift, and like its predecessor the 162-package include the fine Drake R19 (however optical a little different). The Starboard tester and developer Rémi Vila (who maybe is on the Deboichet payroll?) has recommended serious 162-owners to buy the new and (stated) very soft Deboichet R20 +6. At this moment (May '08) the R20 hasn't been released yet, and an ill-natured rumor tells that Deboichet has run into problems with the durability of the fin (perhaps the same problem as Hurricane has faced with their soft fins?).

From the beginning there's been mixed feed backs as to the performance of the 162. Many sailors have stated that the 162 is faster and easier downwind than the 161, but some sailors have had the impression that the 162 is rather sticky, doesn't accelerate very well, and that the board isn't primarily sailed from the rear leg (as usual for formula boards). As far as I can see the complaining guys have mostly been lighter sailors who supposedly find it difficult to load their fins - and the answer from Starboard (Vila) has been that the 162 is pretty fin sensitive and demand one of the new generation of very soft fins (for instance the new R20 +6 when/if it shows up). To sum up very provisionally: At this moment the SB 162 seem to be best for heavier and/or stronger and fit sailors, who have the capability to load the (soft!) fin so that the board lifts free from the water.