Hey Free-Riders! I'm interested in your experience with different boards over the last 2-3 years, I.e. 2018-2021 boards 100+ litres.
The offerings from the various brands have their differences. Wondering which ones have been favourites and why?
I don't own any board newer than 2012.
Favorite is 2000 Naish Freeride 85.
For light wind, 1999 Naish 97.
I foil when under 17 knots.
Without a doubt ..my 2017 105 Tabou Rocket ..I think you knew i was going to say that OW.
its like a good dog ,it always behaves itself no matter what the conditions ,and it still goes like a bat and of hell ..34 fin supplied is good on it ,but use others on it too ,34 ultra slalom weed fin ,its like a rocket in chop . 120 Patrik Frace ,is a another favourite..it rides like a free rider ..
120 Fanatic Gecko. Easy n fun. A no-brainier 101 RRD Firestorm. Great in open water.
I was on a 2015 111 JP Magic ride. An absolutely fantastic board on flat water, but quite flat and wide, so didn't love chop. I now have a 2020 Severne fox 105 which does love chop and is marginally quicker on flat water and a lot quicker on choppy water as you can just keep pushing. The Fox is a more lively experience and it likes to be sailed fully powered up. The stock fin is excellent, but you might want a 32 for around 5.5 weather.
Select to expand quotePeter Hands said..
Check out Windtech range, and reviews 
sale now on!
+1 Fast , comfy , safe , lively and an absolute ball off the wind in chop..they truck upwind too..
Select to expand quoteGuys
Moving off a viper 80 as too slow in lighter winds/lulls. I'm 210cm tall and 125kg. Water start, gybe, in harness and foot straps. Sail inland in 20+knots off a 7.8 etype sail, with dagger board removed.
Would the Gegko 156 be a good option. Have a 160 foil board and can uphaul the sail when needed.
TIA
Derrick
Bought a new Starboard Futura 86, it's a foil ready board.
I'm not a foiler, zero interest.
Great board, chunky, planes Kwik, Sporty colours, freefunride orientated.
Purchased a NOS board a Naish GT Sport 130ltr 2013 Model. Love it great for us over 60's geezers that have been windsurfing since the late 70's/80's & still love the sport even though the bod's often saying are you mad?
The next day you really wear it in joints, muscles & body aches.
Live life Njoy! Sail like there's no tommorow. 
Select to expand quoteNelle said..
I was on a 2015 111 JP Magic ride. An absolutely fantastic board on flat water, but quite flat and wide, so didn't love chop. I now have a 2020 Severne fox 105 which does love chop and is marginally quicker on flat water and a lot quicker on choppy water as you can just keep pushing. The Fox is a more lively experience and it likes to be sailed fully powered up. The stock fin is excellent, but you might want a 32 for around 5.5 weather.
Totally agree. Brilliant board in 105 iteration. Local average conditions would be a key criteria as the Fox is generally best suited to higher winds and gnarly water. The 120 seems to be less impressive with a number of our local sailors moving their boards on because it was too sticky in the winds in which you would normally sail them i.e. you'd be better on something approaching a slalom board as the water state was more settled. Having said that , it (120) may be a suitable board for a larger rider in those conditions where I'd be on the 105.
Doesn't meet your model year criteria. But... The 2012, v1 RRD Firemove 100L. My 6.5 down to 5.2M board.
Was windsurfing on the Red Sea at a RRD/Ezzy center. Light wind morning. Owner suggested I try the fat board (69cm wide). Had my doubts. Thought I was going to bounce around in the chop due to the volume and width. Surprise. Got home and ordered one for light wind days.
Just a huge comfort and control wind range. Most efficient board I've ridden in the 96 to 111 L range. Feels like a 120L, but when the wind and chop builds up rides like a 90L. If you cannot power jibe this board when powered up. Your jibing skills are worse than mediocre. Planes through soft sections where most boards would drop off. Only major negative is the lack of top end speed. Feels a bit clunky jumping relative to my 86L wave board.
Select to expand quoteOrange Whip said..
Hey Free-Riders! I'm interested in your experience with different boards over the last 2-3 years, I.e. 2018-2021 boards 100+ litres.
The offerings from the various brands have their differences. Wondering which ones have been favourites and why?
Severne Fox 105L. While I had to get used to it in the beginning (2019), it is now clearly my favorite board for blasting through open sea waters.
It is fast, almost effortless, the pronounced Vee is perfect for chop. I put a slalom fin on it, sail it either with Gator or Overdrive sails and it is just a really great board. And looks amazing.
With my 82kg, I use it for anything between 18 - 28kn wind.
Short video:
Well for me it was the Tabou Speedsters 2016, 100, 118 & 138 just absolutely comfortable to ride.
Race sails, Twin cam & Free ride they all worked.
Sailing mostly Lake Illawarra. The boards just love every condition that's thrown at them.
Illawarra Flat water & chop, huge chop and swell the boards were just comfortable.
Really regret selling them.
NOW
I am on the 2021 Fanatic Jags 94, 108, 125 & 135. I feel that they are very similar feel under the feet to the Tabou and yes comfortable to ride.
Took the 108 out a few weeks back in a SE in the washing machine chop chop and again very comfortable. Just needed to work out the atlas sails!! Way to much forward arm pull? Otherwise very happy with the purchases of the Fanatic boards.
Just a bloke that enjoys being on the water when I can with mate's & the Brazilian Brother's from different mother's!
Select to expand quoteOldGuy3 said..
Doesn't meet your model year criteria. But... The 2012, v1 RRD Firemove 100L. My 6.5 down to 5.2M board.
Was windsurfing on the Red Sea at a RRD/Ezzy center. Light wind morning. Owner suggested I try the fat board (69cm wide). Had my doubts. Thought I was going to bounce around in the chop due to the volume and width. Surprise. Got home and ordered one for light wind days.
Just a huge comfort and control wind range. Most efficient board I've ridden in the 96 to 111 L range. Feels like a 120L, but when the wind and chop builds up rides like a 90L. If you cannot power jibe this board when powered up. Your jibing skills are worse than mediocre. Planes through soft sections where most boards would drop off. Only major negative is the lack of top end speed. Feels a bit clunky jumping relative to my 86L wave board.
Agree 100% @oldguy3 . Had a 2014 v2 122 and it was dynamite for marginal/ light winds inland. For 82kegs perhaps the 110/112 would have had a wider range, but the 122 got me planing gybing in no time.
The 2018 (last year they made it 
) JP All Ride 106 is a classic free ride shape. Eats the chop and gybes on rails.
2019 Exocet cross carbon is my favorite freeride board. Very early planing, very comfortable over chop, versatile, fast and easy to use in general.
Looks like they made some big changes at new generation, much shorter length and tri-fin being the obvious big changes, which means outline and bottom shape has to be changed too, why did they change something which was so successful for many years i don't understand.
If i were sailing choppy flat water for speed 1st choice would be Severne fox, which is more like a free-race board in my opinion, but its too fragile and has auto-vent (i will not buy a board with auto vent again), so probably there are better ones around for that role.
Vote for the Tabou Rocket Wide. Best free ride board Ive owned. Tardy, where do you place the straps ?
Select to expand quoteSea Lotus said..
2019 Exocet cross carbon is my favorite freeride board. Very early planing, very comfortable over chop, versatile, fast and easy to use in general.
Looks like they made some big changes at new generation, much shorter length and tri-fin being the obvious big changes, which means outline and bottom shape has to be changed too, why did they change something which was so successful for many years i don't understand.
If i were sailing choppy flat water for speed 1st choice would be Severne fox, which is more like a free-race board in my opinion, but its too fragile and has auto-vent (i will not buy a board with auto vent again), so probably there are better ones around for that role.
Yes, the crosses are amazing boards - real thoroughbred performance and handling in rough water and open sea conditions.
Select to expand quote7176 said..
Vote for the Tabou Rocket Wide. Best free ride board Ive owned. Tardy, where do you place the straps ?
I'm a bit of a speed head but second hole from the back ,front and rear ,mine is the 63 wide ,so its not the wide ,but I want one
a 123 litre 77 wide would be sweet
My all time favorite was a firemove 110L 2013, but haven't ridden that board in a while. I recently tried a Goya Volar in 105, and that is fast, controlable and easy to jibe! Prefer the volars (also tried 130, but prefer the 105) over the JP Magicride, Fanatic Gecko and SB AtomIQ (which i believe was replaced with the Carve last year) which I also tried as it feels lighter & more free/loose on the water.
Select to expand quoteSea Lotus said..
2019 Exocet cross carbon is my favorite freeride board. Very early planing, very comfortable over chop, versatile, fast and easy to use in general.
Looks like they made some big changes at new generation, much shorter length and tri-fin being the obvious big changes, which means outline and bottom shape has to be changed too, why did they change something which was so successful for many years i don't understand.
If i were sailing choppy flat water for speed 1st choice would be Severne fox, which is more like a free-race board in my opinion, but its too fragile and has auto-vent (i will not buy a board with auto vent again), so probably there are better ones around for that role.
My Exocet 94l Cross from 2016 is my favourite board.
From what I've read, people who sailed the shorter 2021 version liked them, and the changes didnt detract from the boards ability to sail fast over swell & chop. For 2022 it looks like they have just added thrusters and some weight. Maybe they have added tail rocker and other changes to make it more wavy, but that would detract from its main focus of old. They made the old x-wave board more wave focused as well in 2021.
The new SCross looks to follow the wider trend, the 115l is now 72cm wide. Thats the smallest size they do. It would be good for 7.5m but I dont want something that wide for a 6.5m sail. Not sure what I am going to replace my Exocet 110l/67cm S with, maybe a new Goya Carrera now the latest version is short enough to fit in my van. No recessed deck, no heavy foilbox, carbon for stiffness, ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Agreed about the Fox.
Select to expand quotePhilUK said..
The new SCross looks to follow the wider trend, the 115l is now 72cm wide. Thats the smallest size they do. It would be good for 7.5m but I dont want something that wide for a 6.5m sail. Not sure what I am going to replace my Exocet 110l/67cm S with, maybe a new Goya Carrera now the latest version is short enough to fit in my van. No recessed deck, no heavy foilbox, carbon for stiffness, ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Agreed about the Fox.
Freeriding in rough water I like a little extra length and a bit less width. My largest board is a 2015 Supersport, 112l x 245 long x 67 wide. Sadly this kind of size is becoming hard to find.
Select to expand quoteShifu said..PhilUK said..
The new SCross looks to follow the wider trend, the 115l is now 72cm wide. Thats the smallest size they do. It would be good for 7.5m but I dont want something that wide for a 6.5m sail. Not sure what I am going to replace my Exocet 110l/67cm S with, maybe a new Goya Carrera now the latest version is short enough to fit in my van. No recessed deck, no heavy foilbox, carbon for stiffness, ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Agreed about the Fox.
Freeriding in rough water I like a little extra length and a bit less width. My largest board is a 2015 Supersport, 112l x 245 long x 67 wide. Sadly this kind of size is becoming hard to find.
The Exocet S-Line was marketed 'for those who like a more traditional narrower type board'. Ben Profit interviewed Patrice Belbeoch at the Defi and he said the new SCross shape was due to customers asking for wider easier to sail boards. Thats probably also why he knocked some thrusters into the Cross as well, people were asking for it.
I have noticed that when I am blasting around on the sea with 6.5m and S-Line 110l most other sailors are on 115l FSW and 5.8m or thereabouts. I prefer the speed over the chop/swell, and its not usually very wavy at that wind strength to warrant a FSW for me. In the harbour, a 115l/72cm & 6.5m would be manageable. I guess they have to make what the majority want as the market isnt huge.
Hi
The best board i have now for blasting around in open ocean a hard chop is a Severne Fox 95.
I use it with Overdrive 6.2 and 5.2 and is a killer combo!!
Not as fast as my Isonic 63 buy way more comfortable for a 50 year old bloke :)
She works in 5knots to 35 knots.
North, South, East & West so far the best free ride.
Eats the chop that Lake Illawarra delivers
Happy Days 
Select to expand quotePhilUK said..Shifu said..PhilUK said..
The new SCross looks to follow the wider trend, the 115l is now 72cm wide. Thats the smallest size they do. It would be good for 7.5m but I dont want something that wide for a 6.5m sail. Not sure what I am going to replace my Exocet 110l/67cm S with, maybe a new Goya Carrera now the latest version is short enough to fit in my van. No recessed deck, no heavy foilbox, carbon for stiffness, ticks a lot of boxes for me.
Agreed about the Fox.
Freeriding in rough water I like a little extra length and a bit less width. My largest board is a 2015 Supersport, 112l x 245 long x 67 wide. Sadly this kind of size is becoming hard to find.
The Exocet S-Line was marketed 'for those who like a more traditional narrower type board'. Ben Profit interviewed Patrice Belbeoch at the Defi and he said the new SCross shape was due to customers asking for wider easier to sail boards. Thats probably also why he knocked some thrusters into the Cross as well, people were asking for it.
I have noticed that when I am blasting around on the sea with 6.5m and S-Line 110l most other sailors are on 115l FSW and 5.8m or thereabouts. I prefer the speed over the chop/swell, and its not usually very wavy at that wind strength to warrant a FSW for me. In the harbour, a 115l/72cm & 6.5m would be manageable. I guess they have to make what the majority want as the market isnt huge.
I happily have four older Crosses in the rack. I won't buy a board with thrusters. Modern FSW are far too wavey now, just pandering to fashion. Probably them best modern option for open water blasting is the 95l Fox, but I have never sailed one.
For me it is the old X-Cite ride boards/Super ride boards from Jp (don't like the magic ride that much). Fanatic Gecko and Blast are also two great free ride boards. And finally the Starboard Futura just beats everything else.
Select to expand quotenudie said..
She works in 5knots to 35 knots.
North, South, East & West so far the best free ride.
Eats the chop that Lake Illawarra delivers
Happy Days
And gives ya a hernia every time you put it on the roof racks
Select to expand quotenudie said..
She works in 5knots to 35 knots.
North, South, East & West so far the best free ride.
Eats the chop that Lake Illawarra delivers
Happy Days
She definitely can't handle 35 knots of wind from the looks of it.
I can't be sure if its a she or he though, it has an extra part erecting below and an extra slit just behind it.
Select to expand quoteSea Lotus said..nudie said..
She works in 5knots to 35 knots.
North, South, East & West so far the best free ride.
Eats the chop that Lake Illawarra delivers
Happy Days
She definitely can't handle 35 knots of wind from the looks of it.
I can't be sure if its a she or he though, it has an extra part erecting below and an extra slit just behind it.
Definitely a shim I reckon 
