Hi,
long story short, I have come in possession of a 2020 Futura 137 (wood) and a Tabou Rocket 145 (Carbon). Both are 2020 models.I need to keep one and sell the other. Too bloody freezing to test now, so does anybody have some insight/input/recommendations to share about the boards and which one performs best? I sail in relatively flat, sometimes choppy water and often need to use a weed fin. Prefer to sail a bit up/down wind and "explore" a bit, rather than just slalom back and forth.
I like the Tabou as it is carbon and has more volume. Don't like powerbox.
I like the Futura as it is foil ready with deep tuttle and because my surf buddy has the same board (albeit in 2021 edition with 144 as opposed to 137 liters, but he is 10 kg's heavier)

All insight is welcome ??

Rocket easier, Futura more progressive.
If it's your only board, Rocket should handle higher wind and bigger chop.
Futura should plane up sooner, good if you have higher wind boards.

What I would do is ride them back to back on the same day ,same rig and I reckon one will stand out to you as being the favorite ,both are really great boards .I have 2 rockets ,very comfortable boards to ride ,(125litre) it's the only board I ride in the ocean ,not ridden a futura that recent ,but the 2022 isonic 127 liter I have is a ripper .It's not a bad choice you have .the starboard might be the faster of the 2 ,rocket don't need much thinking to ride them .I hope you get some warmer weather .

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KennethBloch said..
Hi,
long story short, I have come in possession of a 2020 Futura 137 (wood) and a Tabou Rocket 145 (Carbon). Both are 2020 models.I need to keep one and sell the other. Too bloody freezing to test now, so does anybody have some insight/input/recommendations to share about the boards and which one performs best? I sail in relatively flat, sometimes choppy water and often need to use a weed fin. Prefer to sail a bit up/down wind and "explore" a bit, rather than just slalom back and forth.
I like the Tabou as it is carbon and has more volume. Don't like powerbox.
I like the Futura as it is foil ready with deep tuttle and because my surf buddy has the same board (albeit in 2021 edition with 144 as opposed to 137 liters, but he is 10 kg's heavier)

All insight is welcome ??

My Futura 71/109 is ridiculously easy to sail, and it is my big board given my 68Kg. Never tried the Tabou Rockets, I am sure they fine, but a power box on a 145L would be a disqualifier.

I'm not up to date, but....
Starboard makes Carve for freeride, Futura for fast Freeride, Isonic for race/slalom.
Tabou made Rocket for freeride, Speedster for fast Freeride, and Manta for race/slalom.
So, pick your poison.

Whats your weight? I think both are too big.

Yeah, size of boards are interesting.
For almost 40 years, I thought 145 liters as too big for my weight...140-180 lbs.
There certainly are bigger and smaller riders. An old bud was 275 lbs.
2nd year windsurfing, while I had 3 waveboards ranging from 80 to 95 kiters, I bought the new Seatrend 9'4", at around 122 liters.
Pretty rangy board. With a 5.5, I could plane in 12-17 mph breeze, and with a 3.9, could sail it at Crissy Field ebb in gusts over 30 mph.
Not bad for one board, all conditions.
Nowadays, wishing I had a 135 liter board for exploring windsurfing in Eastern Puerto Rico. 72 kg. weight.
Just too many coves and wind shadows to use smaller boards.
145 is a fine size.