No wind so in doldrums and daydreaming about getting rich and getting a CA board..
Anyone ridden a Tabou Rocket AND a CA freeride or slalom board..? Just wondering what sort of differences an intermediate would notice?
User friendliness in chop is very important to me. I'm thinking of getting a 105 - 110 ltre board to replace my 125 ltre Rocket for those gusty summer NE 12 - 18kts of Coal Pt Lake Macquarie.
My current 125ltre is 69cms wide. I think the CA are wider for their volume so they would be quicker to plane and more stable than the 125.. seeing a 105/110 ltre board is only my weight + 40/45 rather than 65 like my current board I should find chop easier?
I'd also like to go faster if possible..
Hang on to your 125 if you can, there will be times when you need it. I regretted selling mine. I now have it back!
If I had the choice I'd stay with the rockets as you already know how they handle, gybe etc
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~af2nk/2010-Tabou-Rocket-245-cm-105-litres.aspx?search=6dS%2bE7kXONTNaWZQFworNw%3d%3d&t=0
We don't see that many CA freerides around. I have not ridden one so can't give a comment as to how they compare. I have tried a JP Australia freeride board and it felt longer and skinner than a Rocket. It was good to ride.
To go faster I think we have to bite the bullet and get a slalom board though some people get to 35 knots on their Rockets. I can't get my bigger one over 27 knots and the smaller one over 31. It will be a while till they are replaced so there may be a chance I can wring out some more speed on them one day.
Select to expand quotepepe47 said..
Hang on to your 125 if you can, there will be times when you need it. I regretted selling mine. I now have it back!
If I had the choice I'd stay with the rockets as you already know how they handle, gybe etc
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Windsurfing-Boards/~af2nk/2010-Tabou-Rocket-245-cm-105-litres.aspx?search=6dS%2bE7kXONTNaWZQFworNw%3d%3d&t=0
You were lucky you could get yours back..
Got that one bookmarked..
Just waiting till I feel have enough cash to splurge and wondering how to get it past the other half.. Have to pay him back what I owe him first ..
Moby I don't think I'll ever be able to do faster speeds than my boards..I don't really want to get rid of my 125 as its great for those 8kts days where I'm desperate to get out on the water..Problem is if I get any more boards I'll need a bigger car + another shed to store them..
Another thing is I have a 95 Rocket so I thought a 110ltre might be a better gap? Or get a wide floaty board to replace the 125..Something I can uphaul the 7.2m cammed sail on.. I can uphaul the 4.8m + maybe the 5.8m non cammed sails on the 95 but the bigger cammed ones are a bit of a struggle even on the 125 in chop and wind..
Hi Sue,
I have a Carbon Art Freeride 60 you can demo if you would like to try it. Just message me to arrange.
Steve Walsh
Couple of the guys here at Inverloch Windsurf Club have ridden both... perhaps Old Salty and Nazsail could make their comments...
I was going to say that given how the Tabou is renowned for being such an easy gyber and good handling, I doubt the CA would be better.
So will be very interested to see what those guys say
Firstly I really like Carbon Art boards and have ridden them for a while, so with that in mind here,s my take on the freestyle boards that I?ve ridden.
I normally ride CA 40(60L) SL52 and 53 (87L) Sl66(110L)
I borrowed Drifts 135l free ride for a few weeks while my slalom board was out of action and I used it for our local speed comp. At 135l it?s the biggest volume board I?ve ever used and yet it felt small but floaty. That extra rocker in the freeride makes it a very comfortable board to sail yet still retain a great straight speed. Had it max out with a 6.6 in 30kts with lots of chop, it was happy plowing over everything.
A little slower to get onto the plane than I was use to but once up it just flys through the chop with no problems, a bit slow to come out of the jybes as well. But be mindful that I,m usually using slalom boards and the biggest is a Sl66 (110L).
Haven,t ridden Dougs small freeride board yet as he,s only got it wet once and it not right to steal it off him so soon but he lookes much more comfortable in the Invy chop/wash that we get.
Haven,t ridden the Tabou but one of IWC members looks very happy on his.
Try both and see which one suits your sailing style and budget
Hey sboardcrazy,
As Kato mentioned I have a CA Freeride 77 (125 litres) and a CA Freeride 63 (105 litres). I'm extremely happy with their performance... They love the chop but also have a great locked in feel.
The main reason I switched to CA was the fact that I could have an input into the design of the boards- there were a few tweaks that I discussed with James during the shaping stage.
We had a few Tabous down here on demo a while back- they feel pretty similar to the CAs.
Pete(Nazsail) blasts around on his Tabou all the time and looks like he enjoys it!
Anyway, if you are ever down Inverloch way, you could demo either one of my CAs...
Cheers and big breezes
Thanks everyone.I've pm'd Steve re trying his although I suspect it is a smaller size than I was looking at at 60cms wide?
Re getting the 105 ltre Rocket.. as my other rocket is 95ltres wouldn't that be too close in sizes?
Select to expand quotesboardcrazy said..
Thanks everyone.I've pm'd Steve re trying his although I suspect it is a smaller size than I was looking at at 60cms wide?
Re getting the 105 ltre Rocket.. as my other rocket is 95ltres wouldn't that be too close in sizes?
Next time at Canton you can have a go at my Rocket 105. I'll try your 95 if thats okay?
Select to expand quoteMobydisc said..sboardcrazy said..
Thanks everyone.I've pm'd Steve re trying his although I suspect it is a smaller size than I was looking at at 60cms wide?
Re getting the 105 ltre Rocket.. as my other rocket is 95ltres wouldn't that be too close in sizes?
Next time at Canton you can have a go at my Rocket 105. I'll try your 95 if thats okay?
Ok. I had a go on yours once before but Ill have to go out in the chop as that will be more like conditions at Coal ( although the chop there isn't as sharp as Canton)..The problem will be getting suitable wind.. If its light enough for me to try the 105 with my 6.6m + it wont be enough for you to try my 95..
Select to expand quoteMobydisc said..
We don't see that many CA freerides around. I have not ridden one so can't give a comment as to how they compare. I have tried a JP Australia freeride board and it felt longer and skinner than a Rocket. It was good to ride.
To go faster I think we have to bite the bullet and get a slalom board though some people get to 35 knots on their Rockets. I can't get my bigger one over 27 knots and the smaller one over 31. It will be a while till they are replaced so there may be a chance I can wring out some more speed on them one day.
Sorry to hijack this thread but curious to know Mobydisc what fins you're using in your Rocket 105 to get over 31 knots (I've got a 95 LTD and found the std fin let go too much for my liking when pushed)
Can CA put a Powerbox in their 'custom' boards? Thought they mostly or exclusively had Tuttle boxes? May be worth finding out sboardcrazy if you want to use your existing fins and not have to fork out on a new fin quiver just for one board that uses different fins than the other boards you already own. Appears to be a problem updating to nearly any brand of slalom board as I don't think there are many 'modern' slalom boards that use the Powerbox fin system. Can anyone think of any that do?
Maybe a fast freerace style board like the JP Supersport could be worth considering as they use Powerbox fins, though not sure what they're like in the rough stuff.
Select to expand quote[b]GazMan [b]
Sorry to hijack this thread but curious to know Mobydisc what fins you're using in your Rocket 105 to get over 31 knots (I've got a 95 LTD and found the std fin let go too much for my liking when pushed)
I've never used a stock Tabou fin in the Rocket 105. I bought it second hand and it came with a small freestyle fin that I have not used. Normally I get to around 30 knots at Canton Beach. It's very weedy there and a weed fin is mandatory. My fastest speed on the 105 was with a custom/cheapo weed fin. Its okay on one tack, port. On starboard it's spinout city.
Select to expand quoteMobydisc said..GazMan [b]
[/b]
[b]
Sorry to hijack this thread but curious to know Mobydisc what fins you're using in your Rocket 105 to get over 31 knots (I've got a 95 LTD and found the std fin let go too much for my liking when pushed)[/b]
How much wind was there that day and was it SW ? End of next week is looking promising..
shh...
Select to expand quoteGazMan said..
Can CA put a Powerbox in their 'custom' boards? Thought they mostly or exclusively had Tuttle boxes? May be worth finding out sboardcrazy if you want to use your existing fins and not have to fork out on a new fin quiver just for one board that uses different fins than the other boards you already own. Appears to be a problem updating to nearly any brand of slalom board as I don't think there are many 'modern' slalom boards that use the Powerbox fin system. Can anyone think of any that do?
Maybe a fast freerace style board like the JP Supersport could be worth considering as they use Powerbox fins, though not sure what they're like in the rough stuff.
I thought I read somewhere the supersports were technical to sail or didn't like chop?
May depend on the year of SS board and who is giving their opinion:http://www.boardseekermag.com/windsurfing-equipment-tests/2011/110-freeride/jp-supersport-2012.html
www.weatherwise.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/Jp-supersport-109/
Not sure about the SS either as I haven't ridden one, thats why I mentioned 'a fast freerace style board like the JP Supersport' coz I can't think of any other freerace boards that use Powerbox fins!
However if you were to go 'pure' slalom board in that size and were prepared to put up with the different finbox, then I think that the Tabou Mantas would be the closest to the Rocket in terms of board feel. Have heard many reports that the Mantas are quite smooth over chop, much like the Rockets but faster and more locked down.
Fanatic hawks are good in chop, gybe great and have v good speed, they use power box. If you jump to Tuttle then the Exocet slalom boards are smooth and fast, the double density pads help.
Haven't tried the Rocket but late last year I bought my dream board - 2011 CA Freeride 63 with two C3 fins (Sting 32 and Venom 36). I am 68kg by the way.
Bare in mind that I was stepping up from an ancient fanatic bee for my large board. Initially in the shop it looked far too wide and I was leaning towards the 60 as the bee gave my knees hell in the chop at 56.5 wide. The guy convinced me that the 63 was the best option as I won't own a larger board and it would be great in the chop.
He was right. Happy as with the 63. Sailing with a Hot Speed Demon 6.6 (no-cam) and it feels like it could take more power. Fins are amazing and the board seems to have 3 gears. Just cruising in 1st with the venom if under-powered, fully powered and it finds second and keeps accelerating. Put the Sting in on a fully powered day and you have 3rd - then the sail feels like its holding you back. Has been a journey getting used to the extra speed this season has barely stepped out of line in the chop though and feeling really comfortable now to push hard. Gybes are easy but still learning to plane out.
First time out it was about 5 knots gusting 10-12. Very strange feeling of pumping onto the plane then the board would just fly through the gust into the next big lull. Might be looking for a 7.3-7.5 for lighter days but don't think I need a bigger board.
