Hi,

I currently have two Tabou Rockets, 105L and 140L. I'm not sure of their age as I bought them second hand from the distributor. David told me but I forgot.

My 140 which I really like is I think a bit big for me. The largest sail I use is a Loft 02 7.4m. From what I've seen and read it seems to be that a board of around 120L would better suited for this sail. I also use the 140L Rocket with my 6.6m Loft 02 which works okay but again could be better balanced with a smaller board.

So I'm thinking of getting a board around 120L. The only real condition is I'd prefer to have a board with a powerbox finbox. All my fins use powerbox and I don't want to go through the expense of having similar fins for different fin boxes.

So far I've considered Tabou Boards, the Rockets 125 and 115 and also now with the talk of freestyle boards, the 3S. I have two questions about these boards.

According to the Tabou website and forums the newer Rockets are much better than the older ones. Can anyone confirm this or is it just marketing hype?

Secondly can anyone comment on the 3S 116 for more freeriding, especially with bigger sails? I'm keen to go fast. I can only get about 25 knots out of the Rocket 140L which is a bit disappointing. Is the 3S also a bit limited in top speed?

There is a chance the Rocket 140L may have two replacements, with a smaller board plus a bigger board with the eva deck for both myself and my wife to use. The gap between the 105 and 140 seems to be too big at the moment.

I have the 3s 2011 in the 96 and rate it very highly but its not not going to be as quick as a rocket of the similar volume. The 3s is a fsw board that is very easy to sail and gybe in rough water. For me the 3s sits between my slalom and wave board.
Though if you were to use the out board strap set up and a more vertical fin the 3s would turn into a more flatwater blaster I supose.
The best speed Ive had on my 3s was a 26 peak with a 5.8 wave sail on choped out Port Phillip bay.

Be interested to hear how the new rockets go. The old one is a great board for blasting about in chop and swell. Its fault is that it's hard to gybe in rough water. If you try and aggressively carve on the leeward rail it jumps about, loses speed but gets around anyway. Straighter edged slalom boards are much better at gybing in the rough but maybe not as easy to sail off the wind. (experts may differ).

I put it down to too much nose kick in the older ones, it bogs down on a turn in chop with too much angle of attack. Have they moderated the nose kick in the new one? Anyone got a new one? How did you find the 105 gybing in chop Moby? Is it just me?



Ps. This board (115) was the subject of a controversial repair 6 months ago. It's had a hammering since, still going strong.

Select to expand quote

Mobydisc said...

Hi,

I currently have two Tabou Rockets, 105L and 140L. I'm not sure of their age as I bought them second hand from the distributor. David told me but I forgot.

My 140 which I really like is I think a bit big for me. The largest sail I use is a Loft 02 7.4m. From what I've seen and read it seems to be that a board of around 120L would better suited for this sail. I also use the 140L Rocket with my 6.6m Loft 02 which works okay but again could be better balanced with a smaller board.

So I'm thinking of getting a board around 120L. The only real condition is I'd prefer to have a board with a powerbox finbox. All my fins use powerbox and I don't want to go through the expense of having similar fins for different fin boxes.

So far I've considered Tabou Boards, the Rockets 125 and 115 and also now with the talk of freestyle boards, the 3S. I have two questions about these boards.

According to the Tabou website and forums the newer Rockets are much better than the older ones. Can anyone confirm this or is it just marketing hype?

Secondly can anyone comment on the 3S 116 for more freeriding, especially with bigger sails? I'm keen to go fast. I can only get about 25 knots out of the Rocket 140L which is a bit disappointing. Is the 3S also a bit limited in top speed?

There is a chance the Rocket 140L may have two replacements, with a smaller board plus a bigger board with the eva deck for both myself and my wife to use. The gap between the 105 and 140 seems to be too big at the moment.

A Tabou Manta of about same Litres, or JP Slalom VI 122

Select to expand quote

Ian K said...

Be interested to hear how the new rockets go. The old one is a great board for blasting about in chop and swell. Its fault is that it's hard to gybe in rough water. If you try and aggressively carve on the leeward rail it jumps about, loses speed but gets around anyway. Straighter edged slalom boards are much better at gybing in the rough but maybe not as easy to sail off the wind. (experts may differ).

I put it down to too much nose kick in the older ones, it bogs down on a turn in chop with too much angle of attack. Have they moderated the nose kick in the new one? Anyone got a new one? How did you find the 105 gybing in chop Moby? Is it just me?



Ps. This board (115) was the subject of a controversial repair 6 months ago. It's had a hammering since, still going strong.

RE hard to gybe in rough water .I just thought it was me not having enough mast foot pressure and not getting forward enough..? I haven't really sailed any other modern board to compare.
My 95 seems to carve around well although I lose speed out in the chop .I sometime catch a rail and get thrown off entering but I think its because I just changed from the 125 down to the 95 & hadn't adjusted to its needing less foot pressure to start a turn.
I feel I have too big a gap from the 125 - 95 which is why I often hang onto the bigger board longer than I should.If I win the lotto a 110 odd would be nice. What year is yours? Mine are 2008 and same paint job.
I'd like to know whether the new ones are better too..hope not then I can stop drooling over them..

A Manta or JP Slalom would do the trick for speed but unfortunately I must rule them out due to them using tuttle fin boxes.

I'm not the best gyber in the world by a long shot. I find Rockets pretty easy to gybe in flattish water. However in choppy water I find them difficult to gybe. Both the 140 and 105 have a tendancy to straighten out in chop and then start careering downwind. I think its more driver than board error.

It would be good to know what the new Rockets are like though all the same. The other option could be the JP Supersport or another JP board that uses powerbox finboxes. I had a go of I think a 120 litre Supersport and didn't mind it. It felt narrower and more directional than the Rockets. One issue could be length as I wouldn't want a board longer than 240cms.

Should add I am comparing the Rocket to a Naish Hybrid. Exactly the same width at 64 cm and similar 110 litres. It gybes like a champion, get it on the rail and it slices through chop still holding speed. At only 214 long it's barely got a nose to catch. But it's not good for me downwind in steep swell, so I prefer that for the lake. Also comparing the Tabou with a starboard sonic 90. It also gybes well in chop. Aus1111 recently explained in another thread why, at only 55 wide, the sonic feels sketchy in ocean swell. We're all searching for our perfect board.

Select to expand quote

Ian K said...

We're all searching for our perfect board.

Seems to be that this years boards are the perfect ones compared to what was put out last year.

What about the 3S 116 with a 7.4m sail on it? I might ask this question on the Tabou forum which seems to have a ton of spam.

Hi Moby,

I can't comment on specific Tabou boards, but I think a board around 68 cms wide might be what you're after. My big board is 68 (S-Type 126) would be perfect for what you're after (except it's tuttle) as it takes my 6.8 and 8.5 comfortably.

Good luck with your search & demo as much as you can!

Check out a Naish Nitrix. They come in various sizes starting at 115. I bought the 115 for my wife to learn on after she spent a little bit of time on a Starboard RIO. I thought the Naish would be a bit of a plank in relation to my 106 All Ride pro and 93 Single Thruster pro but when i took it for a run it was really really nice. Extremely comfortable to ride and it is very easy to jybe. It handles chop really well also. In fact i can't think of anything it does wrong it's just a very good all round board.

If you're after speed the rocket 125 will really suit your needs. I'm assuming that you are keeping the 100..... Correct? I've ridden the 115 with 7.0 gtx fully lit and it is just easy. Jibes smoothly in rough or smooth water.

The 3s will not have the speed of the rocket on any tack - even with straps outboard and straighter fin. The 3s is a great board, I have the team 106, and absolutely love it. But it sits between my mantas and da curves.

Hope that helps.

JP Supersports 118. Sensational.

Moby go the Rocket 115. I had the 125 and switched down to this seasons 115. Run both 6.6 and 7.4 02's Loft on it last few days no issues. Gybes easy as.
The 115 is that good, I am thinking of ditching my 136 Rocket.

Ive currently have a 105 rocket and 96 + 106 3S boards.

Difference in top speed is bugger all, maybe 1 knot maximum.

I use a Tectonics goldwing in powerbox on the 3S, which transforms it into a speed machine in rougher water. The 3S absolutely loves slalom type fins Ive found out.

Just come back from getting 32 knots on a lake today with my 96 litre 3S and 4.7m wave sail!

Perhaps the Rocket 115 would be the go and get rid of both the 105 and 140.

Thanks for the other suggestions. I've haven't ridden a Naish Nitrix so can't compare. There don't seem to be many Naish boards around Sydney. A few but not many.

I once demoed a JP Supersport. It was quite good. It felt narrower than the Rocket and a bit longer.

Select to expand quote

mineral1 said...


The 115 is that good, I am thinking of ditching my 136 Rocket.

What year is yours Mineral? I remember they'd "improved" the next model after mine, straightened the outline curve between the straps.

Select to expand quote

Ian K said...

mineral1 said...


The 115 is that good, I am thinking of ditching my 136 Rocket.

What year is yours Mineral? I remember they'd "improved" the next model after mine, straightened the outline curve between the straps.

Ian, I Have the 2011 in the 105 and 2012 in the 115 and the 136. They turn like a dream. You would be wrapped to take one for a gybe.
Been on the 115 last three days, learning how to gybe properly from Guy Cribb. Not sure what to do about the 136, the 115 does all it does, so it may go back for something else in the range. I can imagine the Minister for finance when I ask though

Select to expand quote

mineral1 said...

Ian K said...

mineral1 said...


The 115 is that good, I am thinking of ditching my 136 Rocket.

What year is yours Mineral? I remember they'd "improved" the next model after mine, straightened the outline curve between the straps.

Ian, I Have the 2011 in the 105 and 2012 in the 115 and the 136. They turn like a dream. You would be wrapped to take one for a gybe.
Been on the 115 last three days, learning how to gybe properly from Guy Cribb. Not sure what to do about the 136, the 115 does all it does, so it may go back for something else in the range. I can imagine the Minister for finance when I ask though

Jealooous! 2011/12 boards ..Guy Cribb lessons in Australia?You lucky bugger!So what were you doing wrong and how has he improved things?
I've been using his gybing video but boy having someone watch and tell you exactly what you are doing wrong and suggest a fix would fast track things!

Select to expand quote

mineral1 said...

Ian K said...

mineral1 said...


The 115 is that good, I am thinking of ditching my 136 Rocket.

What year is yours Mineral? I remember they'd "improved" the next model after mine, straightened the outline curve between the straps.

Ian, I Have the 2011 in the 105 and 2012 in the 115 and the 136. They turn like a dream. You would be wrapped to take one for a gybe.
Been on the 115 last three days, learning how to gybe properly from Guy Cribb. Not sure what to do about the 136, the 115 does all it does, so it may go back for something else in the range. I can imagine the Minister for finance when I ask though

How have the Guy Cribb lessons gone? I noticed you guys were spending a lot of time standing around (good gybe markers though ). I wish I had signed up for the course, as it is always good to get some decent instruction.

So Mineral1, you rate the current Rocket 115 highly? How fast do you think they are good for? I've managed just under 30 knots on my Rocket 105. However I think its good for at least 33 or 35 knots.

I'd be happy to just have one main board for sails from 7.4m down to 5.5m. Something that can get me home if the wind drops but takes off in higher winds. I can slog home on the 105 so the 115 should be no problem.

Select to expand quote

FormulaNova said...
How have the Guy Cribb lessons gone? I noticed you guys were spending a lot of time standing around (good gybe markers though ). I wish I had signed up for the course, as it is always good to get some decent instruction.

Yeah I'd be keen to find out too, if it's on next year I might make the trip across from the east

Select to expand quote

adamhatfield said...

FormulaNova said...
How have the Guy Cribb lessons gone? I noticed you guys were spending a lot of time standing around (good gybe markers though ). I wish I had signed up for the course, as it is always good to get some decent instruction.

Yeah I'd be keen to find out too, if it's on next year I might make the trip across from the east

Pity we don't get enough reliable wind to have it over here!

Select to expand quote

sboardcrazy said...

adamhatfield said...

FormulaNova said...
How have the Guy Cribb lessons gone? I noticed you guys were spending a lot of time standing around (good gybe markers though ). I wish I had signed up for the course, as it is always good to get some decent instruction.

Yeah I'd be keen to find out too, if it's on next year I might make the trip across from the east

Pity we don't get enough reliable wind to have it over here!

If the weather is good, it is worth it to fly over there. I suspect that a few people did, as there seemed to be a few people from interstate asking for advice and directions.

They were lucky, in that Safety Bay had some wind on the Saturday and a lot of wind on the Sunday.

I don't know how they went though, as I was using a 8.5m on the Saturday and a 6.5m on the Sunday. On the Saturday it looked like hardly anyone was planing, and on the Sunday it looked like it was too windy...

I've got a 2011 Tabou rocket 125 and I' really impressed with it. I'm not a great windsurfer so not sure I can provide the most detailed feedback but it seems to perform really well with a 7.7 Hellcat but still performs pretty well with a 6.2 Firefly. Seems to plane very easily, my gybing is crap so can't comment there, certainly a lot faster than my smaller exocet cross. It also doesn't feel too big compared to the x-cite ride 130 I had before it - although that was a 2007 or 2008 and no idea how the xicite has changed since then. If I had my time a gain I'd be quite tempted to get rid of the cross (105) and get a 115 rocket to cover all bases to keep things simple given how well it performs in chop. The rocket got some very good reviews last year which is why I thought I'd give it a go. Not quite sure what the wind looks like for the weekend and when I'll be out but you are more than welcome to give it a go and see what you think - thats probably going to be the best way to get a feel for it.

Guy Cribb clinic, very good. cant fault him best three days tuition ever. It blew each afternoon so it made it worthwhile. Typical Safety Bay for this time of year.
Start at 9am, and still going at 7pm each of the three days. He has so much to download into thick heads like me there is a bit of standing and taking it all in. In the end, me included, missing bark and blisters on feet and hands
My main mission was gybes. Showed me heaps and at least now I have something to work with.
One thing I did take in was his approach and technique is heaps different. First thing he did was get us all on 30cm harness lines. I was skeptical at first but soon got the hang of using these. So much easier on the body.

Moby, good for 30 knots on a 115, no issues.
Haven't gone to it yet, but had last year 125 up to 29+ at Venus Bay in South Aus Jan 2011 so cant see why not. They do skate rather well I reckon.
The 115 goes uphill like a ripper. I had a 5.7 Hellcat with a 36 weed fin and could just about match it with the good guys yesterday. They had between 30 and 33 weed fins.