At this stage the go i have is the only board ive used so i cant really compare it to others but just from my experience ive found it to be exactly as advertised, an excellent progressive board. I looked at the starboard start first but decided id out grow it too quick and i think i was right. For what i want it to do for now the board is perfect. Getting the basics hooking into harness using footstraps tacking and gybeing steering up and down wind was all achievable really quickly for me with this set up. I now need to concentrate on fine tuning to get the most out off my gear and maybe one day get a wave board and hit the waves. The only thing i still really struggle with is water starts and i think thats due to the fact i find it so easy to uphaul with the wide board. I need to devote a day to water starting but is hard when your mates are buzzing past you.
I bought a new Starboard Go 144 in 2008. Mainly for the wife (75kg) to learn on but i've enjoyed it for some light wind freestyle.
This board is not an early planer - It's way too heavy with the tuff skin on it. But hey, it's perfect for the wife. She uses either a 5.0 or 5.6. No Centre fin fitted. She has no problems goind upwind, but hasn't evolved to the planing thing yet. Has a big single fin which can be dangerous and annoying for learners, because they usually sail in shallow water.
I've had it up & moving to it's limit - not what I'd call fun. But the wife loves it & perfect for the kids.
All said, it was the best board I could find to get the wife on the water (that I would be seen on too).
Not sure I'd recommend a Formula board to learn on. Sure they are stable and floaty, but also quite fragile.
First time out on my *Board 162 I dropped the rig over the front (not a catapult, just stepped off the front) and cracked the nose 
I'd stick with something more robust like a Go for learners.
