I have been trying to buy a Used Tabou Rocket for a while now but they either don't come on the market or are snapped up quickly. Is there much difference between the different year models? Tabou claim that the boards are improved each year - is that true and how? What would be a similar board like the 125L? Can't seem to find one of these on the market.

The reason you're having difficulty is that people tend to hang on to them. They are without doubt, one of the easiest freeride boards around. Handle the chop very well and have a good turn of speed.
Tabou say the same every year, along with every other board manufacturer, however, the boards themselves haven't changed much at all. Why bother, if it works don't mess with it. I'm an avid Tabou fan and have a couple of rockets. I've changed brands once or twice but always return. In my humble opinion the more solid construction has absorbed some love taps that would split another board, and have done so.
Don't give up, they are out there. The LTD is only a p**fteenth lighter than the standard model.

^^ +1

Might be a bit out of your price range and/or dunno if any are left, but Windsurfing Perth was selling last years models recently at a considerable discount. They would freight it for you.

I recently bought a 2014 125 ltd rocket from windsurfing Perth and it is the best fast freeride board I have ever had. It's quick, comfortable and entertaining in the flat or ocean . It's also the only larger volume board I've ever had that doesn't make you want to change down a size when the wind picks up. In regards to the manufacturers claim of an improved shape IMHO is true with 2014 96l 3s which is an amazing board and having had a few rockets over the years the 2014 125l feels more alive and rewarding to sail fast on the water . I would recommend one highly to any friend

I am thinking of selling my Rockets. One is a 105, the other is 135. They are older models and a bit damaged so I wont be asking for much. Possibly just enough to get a second hand slalom board of around 110 to 120 litres.

I bought a 2014 "Guru" 135L from Windsurfing Perth.
It's based on the Rocket shape, but a more robust built.

Works really, really well in chop. Stable, confidence inspiring.

I was very happy with the price I got for a brand new board.
The only thing I don't like is the graphics, but then again, who cares...

I'm now thinking of replacing my 2012 Futura 101 with 2012 105 Rocket. ...or 3S...

I have a 2013 125ltr rocket std and love it. I bought it new and while I contemplated it for a while it was a good choice. I'm hanging on to it as most people do. It is great in the bay chop and as mentioned has an awesome range from light winds to to when the wind picks up to a point. My mate has a 115 rocket a couple of years older and I have used it and I also liked this board. But I am not good enough to notice a few percent improvement at the top end year to year. Maybe if I was to hop on one from several years ago the few percent each year may add up?
I am considering a 106 3S to replace an old JP FSW. But like the rocket you rarely see one come along in A1 nick second hand and they are not cheap new.
Good luck finding yours.

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Obelix said..
The only thing I don't like is the graphics, but then again, who cares...

...

Looks like the Starboard tiki man being violated by a cow....?

Thanks for the comments and the offers. I will keep looking but if anyone knows of a 125 (pref LTD) then let me know. I have a 105 which is awesome in its wind range but would like bit more buoyancy for the larger sails and lighter days. It is not too much of a big deal as I have a custom Kevlar/carbon board that still rips but I would imagine that a bigger Rocket will be a bit more versatile.

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Mark _australia said..

Obelix said..
The only thing I don't like is the graphics, but then again, who cares...
...

Looks like the Starboard tiki man being violated by a cow....?

A bit like that shark deterrent suit recently invented...

If its a rocket you want then i would advise you to wait until you can get one because in my opinion anything else will be a compromise at best and a disappointment at worst.
Rarely has any board found a home in my van for as long as my rockets.
A lot of prospective board buyers will start a thread with 'what board will suit a certain bay or beach ?' fact is a rocket will work any where
which is partly why they are so highly regarded and hard to find.

2+ k is a lot of coin but not that much when you compare the 2-3 boards you'll buy in the meantime searching for the ultimate free ride/race board.

I would be willing to say that Reg at WSP moves more rockets through his shop than any in Australia so bite down hard and tell him you want a 2014 ltd 125 rocket and you'll soon forget about the price even if your missus doesn't.

^^ +1 totally agree

We also sell the Rockets and have a 2014 LTD 125L instock - let me know what sort of deal would get you over the line for a new one ;-)

We occasionally get a second hand one (we currently have a 96L LTD) but as everyone has said above they are fairly rare as people tend to hold onto them.

I don't get red thumbing stores offering deals......... guess its not quite hump day yet....

I have a Tabou Rocket 105 from 2011, and highly rate it as a bump and jump, blasting and chop eating board.

Like every Rocket owner here, you can't rave about them enough.

Yeah, just got a 2014 Rocket 105. Happy with its chop handling, gybing, fast planing.

Top end speed . . . .not 100% sold yet. But happy with the board. Except that it had had a ding repaired in the bottom (either it had arrived to the store like that and they didn't know, or the store did the repair). Small, but you know, when you buy new, you expect new. . . .

But Tabou do great boards.

forsyth,

Suggest you post a 'wanted' ad in the Buy & Sell, that's how I got my 95 ltd. Didn't have to wait too long either!

I'd be tempted to upgrade to the LTD Carbon version in the future for my next 105.

Sput, they aren't going to be as fast as a slalom, but pretty damn close, change your fins around if you are after super speed.... board can do so much, but decent fins will do quite a lot (IMO).

But for bump and jump, I'd rather be on freeride than slalom. Slalom's require you to focus, stay alert and work hard on the very edge of disaster - freeride lets you relax, even when you are blasting fast........

At least the Tabou man has his mojo back this year.


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