After going out in the strong stuff lately on my Tabou Pocket wave 78ltre I got to wondering how small most manufacturers go with freeride boards and if I'd notice much difference going from a wave to a freeride.
I don't go upwind on the Pocket well although I've only sailed it about 8 x .It also seems to not be an early planing board. My other boards are Tabou Rockets freerides 95 & 125ltres.The pocket seems fast once it gets up & goes & gybes great.
Have a Fanatic Freewave 78. Love it!
Live in Auckland so real waves are hard to find and I had read that there is no point in a waveboard if you can't get upwind to the waves in any case. Haven't actually sailed a real waveboard so can't comment on the difference, but the freewave certainly goes upwind well when powered up. Not so well if underpowered.
I imagine it is faster than a waveboard as I have started to want the thing to slow down so I can play in the small stuff.
Really the difference between 'true' wave and small freeride (FSW) shapes. A small Freestyle Wave board like the Fanatic Freewave, JP or RRD FSW will plane quicker, point higher and be faster in everything except really strong winds where a wave board with more rocker will give you better control and handling. If you rarely use the Pocket Wave in the waves and mostly sail back and forth and/or bump n' jump then you may be better off on a small FSW around 75-78L. Can you borrow one on a windy day to try?
Also, pretty much all of the so called 'freeride' boards in the 75-90L range nowadays are Freestyle Wave boards (5-10 yrs ago there were many more smaller freeride boards in the 80-90L range but the FSW's now rule that category!)
A 78L freeride / free style wave will usually ride bigger than a 78L wave board due to flatter and usually wider tail. However a FSW may be smoother through chop as the wave rocker is better suited for waves rather then messy chop.
The smallest FSW is usually around 78L so you would need to do some research to find one with a narrower tail or get a smaller wave board which is good in chop.
The Pocket wave will plane slower than most FSW style boards due to the rocker, volume distribution and outline. A FSW will ride a bit bigger, but will also generally be a little more forgiving - as already said.
Going on whet you have said you are finding difficult about the Pocket you may be better served with a FSW style board. It will be easier to plane and a bit more suited to high wind bump and jump than a full wave. A FSW will still get you out in the surf if you want to go that way in the future but may be a more versatile option. In saying all that I only ride in the surf and use a full wave board.
If you are keen to stay with Tabou I would be having a serious look at the 3S. If you are also looking at other brands a StarBoard Kode, or a number of other FSW style boards might fit the bill.
Agree with the above.
If you could find a FSW in about 75L you'd love it for the kind of sailing you do
Thanks. That's suprising.Before I posted this topic I thought freestyle wave were radical and more wavey..
I prob can't afford to upgrade but I'll keep my eyes open. I find the Pocket only gets up & goes with 25kts + ( consistent) although the biggest sail I've used on it has been a 4.2m so I might try my 5 + 5.8m with it. Only prob is I only have a 24cms fin.I don't really want to have to get more fins as I already have about 9!
Since using it at Canton & successfully gybing it I like the feel of the smaller board although it feels faster than the 95 which is a bit scary in chop.
I'm told (by the dealer) that to get those to go upwind well you need to have your back foot in front of the back strap, not in it.
I hope that helps.
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Have you tried the smallest Rocket and compared it to the Pocket wave?
I'm tipping the Rocket will plane earlier and go up wind better.
-You seem to like the 95 Rocket, so it might be a good one to demo.
My Freewave 78 has 23cm fin (had to go downstairs and check) normally sail with 4.3 to 5.5 and haven't really found the need for an extra fin yet.
I had to really change my stance with this board - far more upright and driving off the front foot not the back was the key.
Recommended max sail is 6.0 so I tried one day with 6.3 and it went like a rocket, just couldn't put any pressure on the fin until up to speed. Wouldn't do it on anything but flat water as it felt over powered, but definitely possible and all with the same size fin.
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