Hi folks,

Has anyone got references or tested Exocet Rs 380 Elite raceboard (>2014)?

I own a Konaone for my lightwind sailing spot, and now I'm looking for a good 2nd hand raceboard (not easy to find them in Spain). I have been offered a very good deal on this exocet, however I haven't found any reviews. The starboard phantoms 377/377L get most of the racers and reviews.

http://www.exocet-original.com/en/rs-380.php

Being a 3rd/4th design refinement from 1st exocet warp I guess it is a safe bet, but if anyone has any references I will appreciated it!

I have also an specific question regarding the higher volume raceboards (300 l, the case of this exocet, but also phantom 377L) compared to mid volume (~260 l, e.g. Phantom 377, mistral equipe II). For a 80 kg rider as me, I guess the higher volume they will be more in handful in high winds (20+ knots) But how? Too much railing upwind? More difficult jibe? Can it be partially compensated with smaller daggerboard and fin?
For sure they will be better lightwind.

Thanks guys for any ideas!

Marc

You could also ask this question on the North American iwindsurf forum
There are Exocet oriented riders there - perhaps one of them have tried the 380

If you prefer - I can do that for you as well ...post on iwindsurf that is ...
joe

Hi Joe, thanks for the tip! Good to know that in NA they are exocet fans. I don´t have an account in that forum yet but I will try to post there and summarize here if I get any feedback

dunn

www.iwindsurf.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=295348#295348

Just finished the Raceboard Worlds here in Brisbane, Australia. While the majority of the fleet sailed Starboard Phantom 377 / 377Ls, There were several of these Exocet boards and a few older mistral and F2 boards, as well as some RS:X's.

From my observation during the racing, as well as comments from others, the Exocet boards seemed to go very well upwind, but perhaps the Phantom has a slight performance edge downwind in some conditions. Of course a lot comes down to rider preference and skill though.

From my observation the build quality of the Exocet boards also appears to be pretty good.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to sail one to do a more direct comparison with my Phantom 377.

I have a 2017 Phantom 377, and a 1998 F2 Lightning WCE. The Lightning is my favourite all round board. It is lighter, stronger, and well behaved when sailing in high wind, and wave conditions. However, again I think the Phantom is slightly faster downwind in marginal conditions.

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azuli said...
Just finished the Raceboard Worlds here in Brisbane, Australia. While the majority of the fleet sailed Starboard Phantom 377 / 377Ls, There were several of these Exocet boards and a few older mistral and F2 boards, as well as some RS:X's.

From my observation during the racing, as well as comments from others, the Exocet boards seemed to go very well upwind, but perhaps the Phantom has a slight performance edge downwind in some conditions. Of course a lot comes down to rider preference and skill though.

From my observation the build quality of the Exocet boards also appears to be pretty good.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to sail one to do a more direct comparison with my Phantom 377.

I have a 2017 Phantom 377, and a 1998 F2 Lightning WCE. The Lightning is my favourite all round board. It is lighter, stronger, and well behaved when sailing in high wind, and wave conditions. However, again I think the Phantom is slightly faster downwind in marginal conditions.

I second that.
I found the phantom c/b to powerful in strong wind which made the board tip. Solution can be to pull it up a little or use a smaller one. You can do the same with Exocet if needed.

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azuli said...
...
I have a 2017 Phantom 377, and a 1998 F2 Lightning WCE. The Lightning is my favourite all round board. It is lighter, stronger, and well behaved when sailing in high wind, and wave conditions. However, again I think the Phantom is slightly faster downwind in marginal conditions.

Amazing about the F2 being better to sail and lighter despite being 20 years older!
Is that the lightning 377 or Race 380

The F2 Lightning World Cup Edition 249L. It weighs about 1kg lighter than my brand new Phantom 377, and is much more resilient to bumps and scratches. So its easier to take away on holidays for cruising, as I'm less worried about damaging it.

Apparently the Race 380s are pretty fragile, but higher volume with sharper, blocky rails like the Phantoms.

I have an Exocet RS380 Elite and used it in the Worlds. I am Super Heavy Weight (107kg). Upwind, it was faster and points higher than the 377's I was competing against.


I got to the top mark in a pretty good position but got passed on the downwind legs. I need to do some work on the downwind legs. The 377's seem to be faster downwind but I need to work on downwind skills and weight.

AHD did/do a raceboard which had huge volume. On in the buy & sell. I like the blue too.

A 1988 Jim French Race Board - 380 cm, 220 litres also for sale a great upwind and downwind board.

There is also for sale a Mistral Equipe LCS XR 1988 another great board of similar vintage and competitiveness.

Returning to the question in this thread; I like the look of the Exocet 2017 model which appears as from 2016 to have a revised centreboard and now the new Coach sails made by XO, designed by Christophe Boutet.

The Exocet must be a very competitive board given the Brazilian success:

www.exocet-original.com/

"Adriano won the overall on last 3 events in Brazil with Exocet, wind condition were up to 20 knots in some races.

South American Championships - Sao Paulo- Brazil - July 2016 3 Place Master and 6 Overall, [his] first time with the new board.

Aratu Iate Clube festival - Aratu Bahia - October 2016
1 Place Over all.

State of Bahia Championships - SSA- Brazil - November 2016
1 Place Over all.

and the success in Europe:2016 European championship Mens 3rd place Christophe Boutet, Womens 1st place Jeanne Mailhos.

Starboard has greater numbers in sailors. I believe body weight is a big issue in this racing lighter sailors will travel faster downwind for sure.Maybe weight divisions are the best way of evening up sailing.

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Duff12 said..

azuli said...
Just finished the Raceboard Worlds here in Brisbane, Australia. While the majority of the fleet sailed Starboard Phantom 377 / 377Ls, There were several of these Exocet boards and a few older mistral and F2 boards, as well as some RS:X's.

From my observation during the racing, as well as comments from others, the Exocet boards seemed to go very well upwind, but perhaps the Phantom has a slight performance edge downwind in some conditions. Of course a lot comes down to rider preference and skill though.

From my observation the build quality of the Exocet boards also appears to be pretty good.

Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to sail one to do a more direct comparison with my Phantom 377.

I have a 2017 Phantom 377, and a 1998 F2 Lightning WCE. The Lightning is my favourite all round board. It is lighter, stronger, and well behaved when sailing in high wind, and wave conditions. However, again I think the Phantom is slightly faster downwind in marginal conditions.

I second that.
I found the phantom c/b to powerful in strong wind which made the board tip. Solution can be to pull it up a little or use a smaller one. You can do the same with Exocet if needed.

Duff12 Excellent NZ expatriate sailing for WA. Well done on your result.You deserve a medal !

Hi Folks, thanks for your help

In addition I was contacted by another a Spanish racer (not sponsored by Exocet) that owned this board, and tested many others (now riding a F2 380 or a Kiko's prototype I think). He is 83 kgs and he says that, eventhough it is not the quickest on downwind, the board doesn't nosedive in front waves downwind (Some other people said Lightweigh sailors had this issue with older models). Upwind is one of the best, according to him. This agrees the feedback I got from you.

I think I will buy it, it is a very good deal and I as you have pointed many fine racers in lightweigth division make it win, so the limiting factor will be my training time, not the board.

Thank you guys for all the feedback, when I got it on the water I'll try to write my impressions (although my comparison point will be Konaone)

Best winds!

Marc

BTW, I also posted in UK's boards windsurfing forum and it triggered interesting discussions regarding raceboard rocker:

http://forums.boards.co.uk/showthread.php/77651-Exocet-Rs-380-Raceboard-tests-300-liters-RB-questions#yjqdaAVSdyj7Tzhf.97