u might want to say what size you want compared as each size taboo is diff apparently.
Have been fortunate to test both, but unfortunately the Taboo is a 12m and the Rally is a 14m.
However, I can comment on what I have experienced so far.
Bottom end
The Rally pulls like a truck in light wind and the turning speed is fairly similar to most the other brands we stock in that size.
The Taboo tends to lack this bottom end compared to the likes of the RPM 12 switchblade 12, and Rebel 12. Its not by a lot but is noticeble when demoing these kites back to back. If anything I would say the power efficiency of the Taboo would be similar to that of the Cab Nomad.
Top end
top end would be the opposite to the above, as the 14 Rally doesnt handle stronger conditions as well as the Taboo, taking into consideration the size difference but also comparing to the other 14's we have at the moment (RPM, NXG, Switchblade, Rebel). The Taboo in the top end of its range excels and makes this kite very exciting to ride.
Turning speed
Both kites are definately not the fastest kites in the market at the moment, but they do deliver a nice sweeping turn with consistant power through the entire rise and fall of each stroke. Looping the 14 Rally was challenging as it was obviously slower due to it being a 14, but also I felt it was inconsistant in its power and was sluggish through the turn. I was not impressed with the wing tip flutter that consistently happened on the Rally, not sure if this happens on the smaller sizes. The flutter makes the kite sluggish and un-responsive and noticeble even when aggresively signing the kite in lighter winds.
The Taboo performed much better when aggressively turning or looping then the Rally, and the canopy stayed well in shape right through a loop. Easy to loop it low for mega loops and downloops well out of large jumps. Very confident doing unhooked f16 and attempting L3's etc.
Overall stability
Both kites are stable when parking and riding. As mentioned before the Rally tip flutter is a concern where the Taboo out performs most kites in this department. In gusty and patchy wind both kites handle well and dont stall all fall out of the sky for etc.
Relaunch
Again both kites relaunched well in all conditions by using the simple outside line pull and hold method. The Taboo relaunches much better than the Nemesis NXG 2010. The Rally prob relaunches better due to its more delta shape.
Bar and safety
Rally; Im not a fan of below the bar depower. This is not ideal if you regularly adjust the trim on your kite as the cleat makes it difficult to depower when the kite is under any load. The SS safety system runs with a mini 5th line that attaches a short way up the centre lines. this is becomming a very standard method of depowersystem on most bars these days.
Tabo: Best use above the bar trim straps on the new redline performance bar which they have done from day dot. very similar to previous models but has been redesigned so that there is less excess strap dangling around when fully depowered. The buckle and webbing system has been overhauled also. The safety line is very similar to the one SS have used.
Cosmetic features.
Rally comes with the standard style bag SS have used over the past couple of years. Its orange, and long enough but sometimes is a struggle with the width being a little narrow. Once packed away though the bag is a tidy back pack style.
Not a huge fan of the Slingshot colours and graphics, very basic and sometimes conflicting colour schemes. The traditional SS theme. But hey im no artist and prolly couldnt do any better..
Taboo packaging comes with options, as this kite marketed to the intermediate to advanced riders, who already have pumps and bags, you have the choice to purchase these items separately. Approx $80 for the bag and $30 for the pump. The kite does come with a lightweight sack (similar to what Ozone kites have). This idea is quite good and cuts the price down if you dont really need a bag or pump because you have heaps any way, or you use an electric one etc...
Colours and graphics on the Taboo are a real improvement on Best from last year, these kites really standout and they have some sick options to choose from.
Construction
Rally construction is the same as previous models. Not a lot different.
Taboo construction is a definate improvement. The quality of the stitch lines and the attention to detail has improved considerably. The Taboo is being manufactured in a new Factory in Shri Lanka. We have literally flogged the 12 Taboo demo we have here and it has absolutely no sign of failing. Very impressed with the overall build quality.
I would say that the Rally would suit a beginner to intermediate looking for an easy kite to help them choose which direction of the sport they want to head. Freeride kite with stable easy handling and relaunch allowing for average lofty jumps, firm bar pressure, the abilty to unhook and experince wakestyle and posiibly suited well for strapped wave riding beginners. The Rally is an all round kite.
The Taboo would be classed as the next level up, a kite that is more specialised in the Wakestyle / freestyle genre with enough stability and turning speed to make any wave rider happy. This kites performance and relaunchability would better suit an intermediate to advanced rider looking to quickly progress into high end performance riding and large powered loops.
Joe
Thanks Joe for such a comprehensive review. I would be interested in hearing how the 12m and 10m Rally perform when you have had a chance to fly them.
just seen the 8m taboo. What a beast. It is bombproof. Heaps of panels, loads of dacron, no pulleys, 6 struts but no centre strut. I might be able to demo the 12m today if we get a little wind. Anyone interested see you at woodies this arvo
Occam's Razor is attributed to the 14th-century English logician, theologian and Franciscan friar William of Ockham who wrote "entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity" (entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem).
I suspect the taboo will fall foul of Occam's Razor. The description is a dog's breakfast and the justification for differing strut numbers is just a pile of poop. I'm not saying that they won't be nice kites to fly, but their marketing is flat-out contradictory and unappealing.
Plenty of kites adjust well for feel and performance across a big size range without having to stuff about with radical design alterations between sizes.
The counter-example at the moment is obviously the rally: 3 struts on all sizes, does everything pretty well, punters know what it's about, and no need for complicated spiels.
Djdododjo dont u think its a good thing that best r trying new ideas. How else is our sport going to get better? It could b a flop or it could b the way of the future only time will tell.
And ur right rallys do everything pretty well including flapping, if u wanna loop that thing bring ur earplugs
My post was as much about their marketing as about kite design. And yes, try new ideas, but the radical experiments should be part of a serious r+d process, not some experiment for consumers to deal with.
The narrow middle strut not connected to one-pump and requiring high pressure just sounds ludicrous. Combine the worst of one-pump and multi-pump and require high pressure from crappy pumps designed for 8psi. Stiffness will decrease roughly with the 4th power of the diameter whilst only increasing with the square of the pressure. The wind resistance saved will be trivial whilst the engineering problems will be substantial.
On the other end of the spectrum, if the rally flaps due to lack of struts/pulleys then they have taken the pursuit of simplicity too far. Maybe more adequate trailing edge scalloping would help?
This kite is different. Very different. I have now flown the 12m and played around with the 8m.
The canopy when powering/depowering has little change in angle of attack. The kite is depowered more by changing the canopy shape and creating a vortex. The kite feels exactly the same hooked or unhooked and I was running as fast as I could downwind in various scenarios and the kite could not fall out of the sky.
They have no static pull and are gutless. Tried a 12m RPM and 12m taboo back to back. Was smoked on the RPM with 1/2 depowered and was just riding comfortably on the taboo. However it kitelooped better than the 12m RPM even in marginal winds for the taboo
A smooth gutless stable unhooking machine that would be very hard to fly unless you are a proficient rider. For crappy onshore surf I'd still rather be on a Kahoona but the taboo would be the one Id take on a surf trip.
Djdojodojojo ur right bout middle strut either all one pump or all independent
dave....... I agree they r a bit gutless but i think its wat makes it so smooth and stable they handle really well with good wind i havnt once yet felt overpowered
for light days try the 17m i was using mine today probably had 10knots wind and a 133 cab caliber(dont buy cab ive had nothing but troubles) i was riding upwind, enough power to do unhooked tricks only other kite out was 14m rally demo he was riding on big board and just holding his line not bad for 14m
I have had a demo on the taboo 12m twice now.
Day 1: 16knots - very hard work as the bottom end was poor not what I was expecting. Felt a little like the 2010 nomad in light wind.
Day 2: 22 -24knots - AWESOME! Very fast, nice direct feel, boosted huge and handled the wind (I am 78kg and wasn't overpowed and had no depower on).
Not sure if I could put up with the poor bottom end though.
If i didnt have a 17m to go with the 12 id completely agree with u there
having the 17 allows me to kite as low as 6 knots with a big board (true 6 knots off a wind metre) and ive used it in bit over 15 knots by then the 12m is in its prime, if ur lookin for one kite for all conditions taboo not the right kite, when they r powered they r just awesome very hard to beat
Yep, Taboo sounds like the Nomad or even a Core XR - they need to be ridden a particular way. If in lighter winds on a twinny, stand more upright/board flat to get speed up then keep your board speed going and all will be good. Because of this these kites tend to suit riding surfboards.
The 12m at 16 knots should be fine for a 78kg'er. Just fly and ride them the way they need to be.
see taboo for wa review
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Taboo-review-from-WA/
I have now had the chance to try these 2 kites in the 12m back to back a couple of times.
- Looks/Build quality = Taboo
- Stability = Taboo
- Bottom end = Rally has about 10% more bottom end
- Top end = Taboo is a lot more stable than the rally in higher wind
- Turning speed = both were similar
- Bar pressure = the Rallys is a little too light for me. The Taboo had a good connected feel.
I was concerned about the Taboo origionally but after a few goes now I am convinced this is the way I am going to go. Awesome kite!
Thanks everyone for the feedback.
