Hi guys, this is my first post in this forum. I'm here to ask for advice. Let me quickly introduce myself.

After many years of windsurfing, I consider I have a decent freeride level being able to sailing comfortably and having learned all the basics: harness, footstraps, waterstart, gybing, etc. Most of the time I'm on a Fanatic Gecko 120 HRS and when it's windy enough I jump onto a Fanatic Freewave 85 (single fin model). I have no issues with the freewave, in fact, I love that board; but I'd like to replace the Gecko with a more lighter and performant board.

My thoughts are that a good replacement would be either a Fanatic Blast 117 LTD or a Goya Carrera Carbon 118. I've even thought of buying a custom board from a local shaper, there are a few here in Spain and I'd like to support them, but for some reason custom freeride boards aren't a popular choice.

Almost forgot to say my weight: 65kg. The most used sail with my big board is, by far, a 6.4m^2 6-batten freeride (0-cam). The other 7m 2-cam and an 8.2 that does not fit very well with the Gecko and I rarely sail with.

So, what's your opinion?

Do you really need a board that big with only 65kg? Should you not be looking at 100litre boards?

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Shifu said..
Do you really need a board that big with only 65kg? Should you not be looking at 100litre boards?

I agree with Shifu. There are a lot of good boards available in the market that would suit. The Fanatic Blast 100, Severne Fox 105 or Tabou Rocket 105 would be great options.

If we look at your sails in relation to the rough widths of the suitable boards.

6.4 freeride goes best on a 63ish wide board. (which is also the boards listed in the posts above)
7m cammed probably goes best on a 67ish wide.
8.2 on a 77ish wide.

Its going to be hard to find one board that covers all of this. If you you don't use your biggest sail much do you ditch it and get the perfect board for the 6.4 than can stretch to a 7.0? Which I guess at 65kgs you can still use this board in not much breeze at all.

The 8.2 needs a bloody wide board. Your gecko is very wide (77cms?) but I guess it's not racey enough to make the most of the horsepower your big cammed sails provide.

So my advice is a board that's 62-66 wide (approx 105ish litres) so it just fits a 7.0 comfortably and is perfect for 6.4

I'm also from Spain (Malaga), the same weight as you, and approximately the same level.

My biggest sail is a 6.2 which I use with a Tabou 3s 86 that get me going from 14 knots. I've also got a rocket 105 and in my experience I do not plane any earlier with the 86+6.2 than the 105+6.2

If you really want to keep the 7m the 105 should work more than fine. Do you really use the 7m? How much wind do you need to get going with it?

Many thanks for your advices, @Shifu, John340 and MHSA. It seems there is an agreement on avoiding >120l boards. From my experience I roughly need 16-18 knots to start planning with 4.7m^2 and 85 freewave, so 100-105l freeride should be enough as my big board. The downside is the gap between that board and my freewave would be too close. As you see my current quiver is the result of bad choices over the years. Maybe I should reconsider my quiver .

Likewise, I've always felt I only need a few knots more to plane with 6.4 and 7 meters against 8.2. But this is probably due to my freeride board not being racey enough, as pointed above.

@conradwind, I'm from Mar Menor. I think 6.4 is on the edge for a 58.5cm width and I've never used this combo but I'll give a try and let you know if I liked.

105 Rocket is an awesome board.

Ok, another recommendation towards the Rocket, the more classic and narrow shape among others in the category (246cm long). It is 4cm longer than my Gecko. Don't you like short boards?

I'm another fan of the 105 rocket ,its so nice in chop and has great speed ,it has a fair bit of rocker ,but you can sail it all day un like some slalom boards where it taxes on your ankles ,it really is a nice board ,i have the carbon 2017 ,its a keeper ,its nice with a 5,0 and a 7.0 ,picture is with a 6,0

That's fast! You're flying over the water. It seems windy in the pic, do you use the Rocket as you big board?

Construction wise, I want the carbon as well. I think it's called "team edition".

I agree with the rest. I weigh 65 myself and i use a 105l freewave board as my big board. I use it from 12kts with a 7.0...Mind you its only 62cm wide, so a 105 Freeride board that is a lot wider will easily be enough for you and will be usable with a 7.5m sail.

Why does the 8.2 not work on the Gecko? Should work without any problems, have you tried a larger fin?
I don't know the typical conditions you have there, but if you want to have the same performance in light winds, I wouldn't exchange the Gecko for a 105l board. The Blast 117 is already considerably less wide (67 vs. 77 cm) than the Gecko which means it won't plane through the lulls as good as the Gecko. A 105l also will not work well with the 8.2. I would say the Blast 117 and the Carrera 118 are both a good choice for the sails you have.

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flyingmujol said..
That's fast! You're flying over the water. It seems windy in the pic, do you use the Rocket as you big board?

Construction wise, I want the carbon as well. I think it's called "team edition".

it fly's over chop ,I have the 125 as well for my ocean sailing as well as bigger slalom boards ,I am 98 kgs ,it was 20 knots in the picture ,I have had 33 knots on this combo ,not bad for free ride gear ,its a little rocket I haven't used a race sail on it yet ,this summer i will ,

I did 29 knots across breeze (not downwind) in decent chop yesterday on my 105 rocket with a wave sail without trying. They are an excellent board.

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Maddlad said..
I did 29 knots across breeze (not downwind) in decent chop yesterday on my 105 rocket with a wave sail without trying. They are an excellent board.

Yeow .

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DONNERWETTER said..
Why does the 8.2 not work on the Gecko? Should work without any problems, have you tried a larger fin?
I don't know the typical conditions you have there, but if you want to have the same performance in light winds, I wouldn't exchange the Gecko for a 105l board. The Blast 117 is already considerably less wide (67 vs. 77 cm) than the Gecko which means it won't plane through the lulls as good as the Gecko. A 105l also will not work well with the 8.2. I would say the Blast 117 and the Carrera 118 are both a good choice for the sails you have.

I've not tried a larger fin, which size do I need? 42 or even 43-44-45 cm perhaps? Thinking about Select Edge Pro.

Now wondering whether I should replace the Gecko with a 63ish or 67ish width board. If I keep the 8.2m2 then I'll choose the wider. So, I'm going to buy a bigger fin as suggested, sail with 8.2m2 and if I like the combo I could:

a) Keep the Gecko and buy 63ish width board. Cover6.4-7-8.2 square meters with two boards.
b) Replace Gecko with 67ish width board and cover 6.4-7-8.2 square meters with one board.
c) Go kiting.

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Maddlad said..
I did 29 knots across breeze (not downwind) in decent chop yesterday on my 105 rocket with a wave sail without trying. They are an excellent board.

That's very fast. Definitely a board to consider.

Have a look at the Patrik F-Race series...great boards....forgiving and easy to use. Good size range from which to choose.

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Tardy said..

flyingmujol said..
That's fast! You're flying over the water. It seems windy in the pic, do you use the Rocket as you big board?

Construction wise, I want the carbon as well. I think it's called "team edition".

it fly's over chop ,I have the 125 as well for my ocean sailing as well as bigger slalom boards ,I am 98 kgs ,it was 20 knots in the picture ,I have had 33 knots on this combo ,not bad for free ride gear ,its a little rocket I haven't used a race sail on it yet ,this summer i will ,

As I'm building myself up back into sailing after injury I'm borrowing a 125ltre Tabou Bullit. I think it's the similar design as the Rocket just entry level and more durable.
I was surprised to see it's about the same length as my 112ltre Windtech ( which are longer and narrower than usual boards). I imagine that probably helps with the control in chop like the WT. The extra length makes it less likely to bury the nose going downwind over the back of chop.
I can't use my big 7.5m sail so I've been going out underpowered with the 7m Turbo. The Bullit felt lovely for my size up to about 13kts then it got too big for the chop. It would probably be a great board for 8-14kts with the 7.5m when the chop is smaller.
It will be interesting to see how safe I feel when I get it fully powered. I've only had it to 20kts speed.
It's interesting to try another board. I used to have a 2008 Rocket.

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sboardcrazy said..

Tardy said..

flyingmujol said..
That's fast! You're flying over the water. It seems windy in the pic, do you use the Rocket as you big board?

Construction wise, I want the carbon as well. I think it's called "team edition".

it fly's over chop ,I have the 125 as well for my ocean sailing as well as bigger slalom boards ,I am 98 kgs ,it was 20 knots in the picture ,I have had 33 knots on this combo ,not bad for free ride gear ,its a little rocket I haven't used a race sail on it yet ,this summer i will ,

As I'm building myself up back into sailing after injury I'm borrowing a 125ltre Tabou Bullit. I think it's the similar design as the Rocket just entry level and more durable.
I was surprised to see it's about the same length as my 112ltre Windtech ( which are longer and narrower than usual boards). I imagine that probably helps with the control in chop like the WT. The extra length makes it less likely to bury the nose going downwind over the back of chop.
I can't use my big 7.5m sail so I've been going out underpowered with the 7m Turbo. The Bullit felt lovely for my size up to about 13kts then it got too big for the chop. It would probably be a great board for 8-14kts with the 7.5m when the chop is smaller.
It will be interesting to see how safe I feel when I get it fully powered. I've only had it to 20kts speed.
It's interesting to try another board. I used to have a 2008 Rocket.

I use my 125 Rocket in the Ocean ,and it will handle big chop as well and swell riding ,i Maybe a little heavier than you Sue ,but its ok for me in up to 20 knots ,and always seems to stay in control ,I can use a 2 cam 8.5 ,down to 6.0 ,if you can get ya hands on a 115 they are speed machines.very forgiving boards ,they are a true free rider .mine is a 2015 model LTD.still going strong ,
I use a 42 MFC liquid pro fin ,Double concave in the nose makes the ride enjoyable in chop .A rocket is a good add to the Quiver .

I'll have the 100l board and keep the Gecko since I hesitate to have, let's say, a Rocket 105 as my big board. If it turns out I use that board most of the time I'll sell the Gecko. Does make sense to you?

Having been advised with so many good opinions about the Tabou Rocket, and bearing in mind I initially leaned towards Fanatic Blast (another popular choice) or Goya Carrera, which are much sorter in comparison; what are the pros and cons? Early planning and better gliding through lulls to the detriment of maneuverability?

I think you need to buy a board the right size that fits into your Quiver ,and that fit the sails you want to use ,
If you are going to sell the Gecko i would get a 115 or similar size to that ,a slalom board in most cases will plane quicker
than a freeride ,and then there is freerace also to consider ,
i also own a 120 Patrik Frace ,really nice in chop and fast enough to give you the speed thrill ,I'm sure the fanatic blast will
also have that ,you could go straight for a full on race board if you are seeking a rush eg,,116 litre manta ,or 113 Isonic Starboard ,
These are just suggestions ,but I remember i always brought freeride boards ,but i was looking for something different ,
After buying a full Slalom board Which cost a packet ,I found speed ,and loved it ,modern day slalom board are all about control at high speed now and are a lot nicer to use than the slalom ankle breakers of the past ,just something to think about there really is so many nice boards out there to buy ,stocks are limited in the shops though ,hopefully more shipments are due soon .

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flyingmujol said..
I'll have the 100l board and keep the Gecko since I hesitate to have, let's say, a Rocket 105 as my big board. If it turns out I use that board most of the time I'll sell the Gecko. Does make sense to you?

Having been advised with so many good opinions about the Tabou Rocket, and bearing in mind I initially leaned towards Fanatic Blast (another popular choice) or Goya Carrera, which are much sorter in comparison; what are the pros and cons? Early planning and better gliding through lulls to the detriment of maneuverability?

I like longer boards as they glide better underpowered and I don't have to worry about them spearing into the back of chop going off the wind.
On a downside I find the WT harder to gybe with my size. They are very safe and forgiving and you can bounce around on the tail but they require better technique than I have to plane through in the chop.
Not sure of the Tabou as I haven't tried to gybe it powered up. I imagine it would gybe more like my slalom boards but I'd feel safer going into a choppy gybe on the WTs.