My new Toys have arrived, one a week before and one a week after I broke 2 ribs!!! Torture, ahhhh all I can do is look at them.

So this is more a 'first impressions " rather than a review, although I have used one of them once.

First the RRD FSW 96.

After the untimely demise of my beloved SSD Custom ( I suspect a semi submerged log being the offender) I did a lot of research into what production board could replace the wonderful 'all round" qualities of the board I designed and Mark built for me. The RRD FSW Wave appeared to fit the bill having the attributes I like for a Port Phillip Bay "fun board", fast rocker, rounded outline, lots of V and tucked ,forgiving rails.
Jez at Second Wind in Perth is the importer and came to the party. Thanks Mate



When I took the board out of the box I was instantly impressed, the finish is excellent, stunning "out there" graphics, great quality fittings and a really nice shape. The colour matches my fluro yellow 2011 KA Sails which is most important, after all it is all about how you look!!!!!
I spent a bit of time with a ruler and it shows that the board does have a very fast rocker line , I hazard a guess almost the same as the slalom boards but also has a lot of V right through, especially under the mast track, and really nice tucked rails.
This board will be great in the crazy PPB messy chop and the super squishy pads will make it even more comfortable.
I can't wait to give it a run but I fear that a few sets of grubby hands will get to use it before mine.

The second board is almost the polar opposite to the RRD, certainly graphically. Not racing Formula any more I still craved light wind blasting but wanted something easier than a Formula. A big slalom board sort of made sense. I liked the look of the Thommen V4 boards, the RS Slalom series and enquired about an RS84. Not available in OZ, the KA European Importer , Peter Weitenburg sorted one for me with Mark Thoms in the Netherlands, Peter Thommens business partner and a terriibly nice guy.



The appearance of the board is stunning in a beautifully understated manner. All white with the Bamboo deck and very subtle graphics. Super elegant.
It comes with a high quality board bag and fin, these guy's have done an amazing job with the product presentation and quality.
The shape is really nice, very wide at the mast track but a relatively narrow tail for it,s overall width. Subtle V right through with additional rail bevels in the front half.
A simple no BS bottom shape which is super efficient. Tail cuts at the back for reduced wetted surface.
I have sailed this board once. It was a little more difficult to get planing than I had anticipated but I will blame that squarely on the fin which I feel is small for this board. Would be great in full powered conditions but a bigger fin is needed for marginal stuff.
Once up the board was very easy and lively. I did not have a GPS on so I have no idea of my speeds. I was especially pleased with how easy and comfortable the board was downwind, I guess it,s slalom breeding. It was not an arm wrestle like Formula boards can be.
So far very impressed but I need more time on it and a bigger fin for the super light stuff. I think the board will be a great match for a Koncept 8.5-9.5.

Now , does anybody have a miracle cure for broken ribs so I can go sailing and put an end to this new toy torture!!!!

Thommen boards are not made in the Cobra factory. Is that correct? What volume is your Thommen?

Correct Moby, They are made in China in a factory I think called Jinlee or something like that. Used to make AB as well before the link to Mistral and the move to Vietnam.

The board is very nice. Volume it 132 I think. Spotti has borrowed it today for the Breakwater to Beacon race if there is enough wind to hold it.

Good to hear there are some alternatives to Cobra. When getting back into windsurfing a few years ago it was both suprising and disturbing to find out one company had a virtual monopoly on board manufacturing. Monopoly is the wrong word as anyone can make a board if they want to but it sort of had the effects of a monopoly.

They look like a good board combo.

ah yes i know all about torture just having 8 weeks off the water didnt get any new toy in that time though. New boards looks nice, I like the bamboo finish.

Although those are great boards I'm very sad to see my favourite boarddesigner going for production. I wish I could relieve your pain with some pics of building the big love muscle but I had to pause due to the low temperatures in my shaperoom.

Unfortunately I also crashed my ribs yesterday. So let's get well soon!

Hi Fred, Well the reason for production was purely timing. The Thommen was a spure of the moment decision made a month ago due to our so far pretty windless season and my desire for something for light winds. Had I designed and got something built the season would be pretty much over by the time I got it.
I also knew that as soon as the big board arrived it would get windy, a cunning plan!!!
As with the RRD I did not anticipate destroying the SSD that I designed, so again the decision to go production was purely based on timing, the quickest anybody would have been able to turn over a custom would have been 6-8 weeks , again a big dent in the season.
As it turned out with my injury I very well could have gone custom again. A Mirror ball would have been handy.
Regardless I am very happy with these boards but don't worry, I will still be designing more in the future.
Love to see your new one when it is finished.

Would be very interested in hearing how you find the RRD when your back on the water Martin.

Nice choice of boards!

That RRD looks like fun. I bet you move the straps inboard.

Nah Ulf, I like going fast, bugger this turning stuff

The torture finally ended!!!!! Got a sail in yesterday 4 weeks after the smashed ribs. Wasn't painless but OK and didn't pull up too bad this morning.

Used the RRD FSW96 for the first time. Wind was maginal so wasn't the best tryout but I know this is going to be a great board. It matched perfectly with the Koyote 6.6 and when there was enough wind to be powered up it felt great. Very easy and comfortable and hammered through the messy Bay chop.

Hopefully we will get a solid 20 knots soon so I can really give it a really good workout.

Martin,
I wanna know how that Thommen performs in better conditions than your first outing - it's a lovely looking board. Good to hear your ribs are on the mend.

Sure, Maybe tommorrow after work could be a good day for it, we will see.