Like the title says, I need to choose between those 2 FSW boards.
I read UK's WINDSURF magazine march 2014 featuring the 105 FSW boards.
In the intro they categorize the 3S and the Starship as "high-wind freeriders that can go in the surf a bit"
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am a 78kg freerider interested in and progressing into wave. I just started jumping on a 125L board and now I am looking for something more playful.

Both boards seem very similar. I can't find that much information about the Starship though probably because it is new. The 3S in CED construction weighs 1kg less than the Starship and has some extravagant tail cut outs, new for 2014. It also seems that the Starship's sail range is slightly bigger.

Anybody has ridden both boards or maybe has some more experience with the Starship? The WINDSURF magazine guys seems very positive about the Starship. But I have been eyeballing the 3S for over a year backed up with a lot of owners very happy about their board.

If if go Tabou I still have to decide between the 96L and the 106L. That's why the Starship with it's 100L seems perfect..

Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Cheers
Anton

Maybe this will not help with your decision between two boards.... but IMHO if you are freeriding and want to try a bit of waves - any freestylewave will do.

I love the 3S, it is so useable. The RRD and JP are also. Quatro and Goya are but a bit more wave oriented. As long as you have enough volume, and practice with it on flat water so u can gybe it, any will be great for learning in the waves.

Learning in the waves is more about your technique - dealing with waves, shorebreak, backwash, waterstarting in waves, getting smashed, falling off in gybes due to rough water.... so out of all windsurf disciplines, waves is where the gear matters LEAST when you start out.

I've got a 2014 96l 3s and use it in small waves and also high wind free riding. It's easy, safe and very entertaining in these conditions and I'm always very happy every time I get to use it.

However, as mark pointed out most fsw will tick boxes and will enable a smooth entry into small wave sailing for the first time.

IMHO given your weight either a 96/106 3s would work. A 106 3s will provide more light wind range and still turn well. The 96 3s has a very good range but really starts to shine with a 4.7 in 20-30 knots

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AUS1023 said..
The 96 3s has a very good range but really starts to shine with a 4.7 in 20-30 knots

Depends on your weight I'm (70kg) fully lit on a 75 liter boards in these winds. At 78kg the OP would use a 100 liter board in 25kts max, and less if less experienced. I'm talking open ocean, where you'd normally use these boards.

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Yves said...

AUS1023 said..
The 96 3s has a very good range but really starts to shine with a 4.7 in 20-30 knots

Depends on your weight I'm (70kg) fully lit on a 75 liter boards in these winds. At 78kg the OP would use a 100 liter board in 25kts max, and less if less experienced. I'm talking open ocean, where you'd normally use these boards.

Yves , have you tried the new shape 2014 96l 3s ??

The range the new 96 has is really impressive and even at sub 80 kgs for a person venturing out in small waves for the first time would benefit from a little extra float

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Tunafish2 said..
Like the title says, I need to choose between those 2 FSW boards.
I read UK's WINDSURF magazine march 2014 featuring the 105 FSW boards.
In the intro they categorize the 3S and the Starship as "high-wind freeriders that can go in the surf a bit"
This is exactly what I am looking for. I am a 78kg freerider interested in and progressing into wave. I just started jumping on a 125L board and now I am looking for something more playful.

Both boards seem very similar. I can't find that much information about the Starship though probably because it is new. The 3S in CED construction weighs 1kg less than the Starship and has some extravagant tail cut outs, new for 2014. It also seems that the Starship's sail range is slightly bigger.

Anybody has ridden both boards or maybe has some more experience with the Starship? The WINDSURF magazine guys seems very positive about the Starship. But I have been eyeballing the 3S for over a year backed up with a lot of owners very happy about their board.

If if go Tabou I still have to decide between the 96L and the 106L. That's why the Starship with it's 100L seems perfect..

Any thoughts are much appreciated.
Cheers
Anton

what about the F2 Axxis which claims to be two boards in one... and it's european so more likely to be available to you...
free ride and wave board.

Just to add a bit to the discussion, and I'd be interested in what others think. I bought a new Tabou last summer and have been really disappointed with the durability of the board. Having not done any noticeable damage to 2 JP boards over a very long period, I have managed to smash the nose AND put a hole in the deck of the Tabou in no time flat. I honestly couldn't for the life of me work out how either accident happened. I didn't wipe out in either session, but I came back to the beach both times and found the damage. The puncture in the deck was really surprising. I've never done this. I can't even come up with a logical theory about how it happened during the session, I was hardly in the water at all.

Would be interested in what others thought about Tabou durability.

Have used the 3S 96 in Maui with a 5.0 in 20-25 knots and would say its the smoothest "wave" board I have ever sailed.
Sailed the 3S 86 too with a 5.0 and its even more fun.
As a slalom sailor who doesn't like the twitchy on/off feel of a full on wave boards these Tabou boards these boards are heaven.

I am also a recent tabou convert. I've got a 86 3s but have also risen the 96.

I'm 75kg.

I recommend you keep your 125l board and buy the 96l 3s. It jumps beautifully. And the single fin gives you lots of drive.

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Sputnik11 said..
Just to add a bit to the discussion, and I'd be interested in what others think. I bought a new Tabou last summer and have been really disappointed with the durability of the board. Having not done any noticeable damage to 2 JP boards over a very long period, I have managed to smash the nose AND put a hole in the deck of the Tabou in no time flat. I honestly couldn't for the life of me work out how either accident happened. I didn't wipe out in either session, but I came back to the beach both times and found the damage. The puncture in the deck was really surprising. I've never done this. I can't even come up with a logical theory about how it happened during the session, I was hardly in the water at all.

Would be interested in what others thought about Tabou durability.

No issues with my new 3S Sputnik11. I'd say on par with other brands I have used as far as build quality & durability goes.

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Sputnik11 said..
Just to add a bit to the discussion, and I'd be interested in what others think. I bought a new Tabou last summer and have been really disappointed with the durability of the board. Having not done any noticeable damage to 2 JP boards over a very long period, I have managed to smash the nose AND put a hole in the deck of the Tabou in no time flat. I honestly couldn't for the life of me work out how either accident happened. I didn't wipe out in either session, but I came back to the beach both times and found the damage. The puncture in the deck was really surprising. I've never done this. I can't even come up with a logical theory about how it happened during the session, I was hardly in the water at all.

Would be interested in what others thought about Tabou durability.

I've had older ones 2008 and they are very durable- I dropped the 125 Rocket onto the rock wall as I was clambering over and just got a few scratches..Don't know about the later ones..

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Mark _australia said..
Maybe this will not help with your decision between two boards.... but IMHO if you are freeriding and want to try a bit of waves - any freestylewave will do.

Actually I could get a Mistral Syncro 104L from 2011, hardly used for half the price of the Starship or 3S
I can't find much info about this board though...
What do you think?..

I have sailed the Starship for the past year now, the UK windsurf test was spot on. Too bad they did not have the chance to test it in small surf because I know it will surprise many. I saw Michi Schweiger from Naish surf the 90 in Hookipa last year and boy did he rip! Yes it is a bit heavier than the rest but these things are built to last. I have never sailed Tabou 3S, can only compare it to Starboard Kode 103.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/Review/New-Naish-Starship/

My recomendation for the Starship in small surf, footstraps front inside most forward, back footstrap most back, mastfoot 1 cm forward of middle, fin MFC 211 24 cm, sails 4.7-5.7 perfect match.

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Tunafish2 said..

Mark _australia said..
Maybe this will not help with your decision between two boards.... but IMHO if you are freeriding and want to try a bit of waves - any freestylewave will do.

Actually I could get a Mistral Syncro 104L from 2011, hardly used for half the price of the Starship or 3S
I can't find much info about this board though...What do you think?..

Pretty sure it is a freestyle board so NO no no

Almost all dedicated freestyle boards will not be good, too loose, too small a fin, all sorts of things that you may not like.

Stick with any modern FSW

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sboardcrazy said..

Sputnik11 said..
Just to add a bit to the discussion, and I'd be interested in what others think. I bought a new Tabou last summer and have been really disappointed with the durability of the board. Having not done any noticeable damage to 2 JP boards over a very long period, I have managed to smash the nose AND put a hole in the deck of the Tabou in no time flat. I honestly couldn't for the life of me work out how either accident happened. I didn't wipe out in either session, but I came back to the beach both times and found the damage. The puncture in the deck was really surprising. I've never done this. I can't even come up with a logical theory about how it happened during the session, I was hardly in the water at all.

Would be interested in what others thought about Tabou durability.

I've had older ones 2008 and they are very durable- I dropped the 125 Rocket onto the rock wall as I was clambering over and just got a few scratches..Don't know about the later ones..

The Rockets seem to have lot of issues with soft-spots, well probably too big to call a spot, so more like soft-decks. I've seem way to many with soft decks, and too few without, to consider buying a tabou board.

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flatout said..

sboardcrazy said..

Sputnik11 said..
Just to add a bit to the discussion, and I'd be interested in what others think. I bought a new Tabou last summer and have been really disappointed with the durability of the board. Having not done any noticeable damage to 2 JP boards over a very long period, I have managed to smash the nose AND put a hole in the deck of the Tabou in no time flat. I honestly couldn't for the life of me work out how either accident happened. I didn't wipe out in either session, but I came back to the beach both times and found the damage. The puncture in the deck was really surprising. I've never done this. I can't even come up with a logical theory about how it happened during the session, I was hardly in the water at all.

Would be interested in what others thought about Tabou durability.

I've had older ones 2008 and they are very durable- I dropped the 125 Rocket onto the rock wall as I was clambering over and just got a few scratches..Don't know about the later ones..

The Rockets seem to have lot of issues with soft-spots, well probably too big to call a spot, so more like soft-decks. I've seem way to many with soft decks, and too few without, to consider buying a tabou board.

I love the performance, just not happy with the durability. I am guessing that like everything these days if they build them to last, then we won't buy new ones often enough, so they're built to fail and we have an ongoing need. Bit like sails really. When they were mylar/kevlar construction they would last forever. Then we got monofilm and they last a couple of seasons. Windsurfing is no different to any product.

I would go for Starship 100. I am considering myself the same purchase at the moment as i want to use this board with sail up to 6.6m(i am 75kg) I use to have naish FSW 90 from 2010 which is very well built and strong, could expect same quality from Naish nowdays.
Also i have read only good things about that Starship , you cant go wrong.
For the guy coming from 125l board i wouldnt not recomment very wavey board as it harder to get plaining, is more tecnical.Dont know much about new tabou 3S but seems a bit more wave oriented? You can think to buy good turny board later on and leave the starship for blasting and B/J.

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Mark _australia said..

Tunafish2 said..

Mark _australia said..
Maybe this will not help with your decision between two boards.... but IMHO if you are freeriding and want to try a bit of waves - any freestylewave will do.

Actually I could get a Mistral Syncro 104L from 2011, hardly used for half the price of the Starship or 3S
I can't find much info about this board though...What do you think?..

Pretty sure it is a freestyle board so NO no no

Almost all dedicated freestyle boards will not be good, too loose, too small a fin, all sorts of things that you may not like.

Stick with any modern FSW

I use a freestyle board for more than half of my sessions, mostly for freeriding, so I have to disagree with Mark. At least the Fanatic Skates plane early, carve well, and hold speed in jibes nicely. All you have to do is use a bigger fin. Other freestyle boards can also be fun. The Mistral Synchro is not a freestyle board, though. Mistral has the 2010 listed as a "freemove" - a bit turnier than the more popular Screamer.

The Tabou 3S is definitely not a "very wavey" board. In magazine tests, the 3S from recent model years have typically gotten very good marks for early planing, comfort in chop, and jibing. Tabou has two other boards that are pure wave boards. The 3S is a great board for someone who wants to use if for freeriding and to get into waves. I have not seen any durability issues with my 3S 96; I sailed it in 50 sessions for a total distance of 2200 km since November 2012 (mostly freeride & B&J, with a few sessions in small waves).

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boardsurfr said..

Mark _australia said..

Tunafish2 said..

Mark _australia said..
Maybe this will not help with your decision between two boards.... but IMHO if you are freeriding and want to try a bit of waves - any freestylewave will do.

Actually I could get a Mistral Syncro 104L from 2011, hardly used for half the price of the Starship or 3S
I can't find much info about this board though...What do you think?..

Pretty sure it is a freestyle board so NO no no

Almost all dedicated freestyle boards will not be good, too loose, too small a fin, all sorts of things that you may not like.

Stick with any modern FSW

I use a freestyle board for more than half of my sessions, mostly for freeriding, so I have to disagree with Mark. At least the Fanatic Skates plane early, carve well, and hold speed in jibes nicely. All you have to do is use a bigger fin. Other freestyle boards can also be fun. The Mistral Synchro is not a freestyle board, though. Mistral has the 2010 listed as a "freemove" - a bit turnier than the more popular Screamer.

The Tabou 3S is definitely not a "very wavey" board. In magazine tests, the 3S from recent model years have typically gotten very good marks for early planing, comfort in chop, and jibing. Tabou has two other boards that are pure wave boards. The 3S is a great board for someone who wants to use if for freeriding and to get into waves. I have not seen any durability issues with my 3S 96; I sailed it in 50 sessions for a total distance of 2200 km since November 2012 (mostly freeride & B&J, with a few sessions in small waves).

Just a small point on the 3S. It's true the larger sizes have a bit of free ride blood in them but I have the 3S 86 litre and it is 90% wave board. It is very loose indeed but also forgiving it you want it to. the first time I rode it I was using a 4.8 fully lit in a raging westerly and coming into the first gybe I gave it the faintest hint of rail pressure and it glided around in the smoothest carve imaginable, in some very rough chop. It felt really bloody nice. If you like single fin wave boards (which I do) then the smaller 3S's are really nice. Imagine a little bit of that 3S free ride feel with fast and super smooth carving ability and nice and loose. It's a nice combo for the east coast conditions in my area.

I was fortunate to ride the tabou 85l pocket wave and 86l 3s in Maui in some 2 foot waves.

When compared to a true wave board, the 3s is much easier to ride. You can still throw it around on a wave but it has the benefit of lots of drive off the fin. It planes earlier, points up wind ealier. I would say its 80% bump and jump 20% wave board.

A true wave board like the pocket wave is much looser.

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Yuppy said..
I was fortunate to ride the tabou 85l pocket wave and 86l 3s in Maui in some 2 foot waves.

When compared to a true wave board, the 3s is much easier to ride. You can still throw it around on a wave but it has the benefit of lots of drive off the fin. It planes earlier, points up wind ealier. I would say its 80% bump and jump 20% wave board.

A true wave board like the pocket wave is much looser.

That blows my mind lol. I know it's been a long while since I rode a pure waveboard but To be much looser than the 86 3S.. I'm gobsmacked.