Hi all .I am now ready to buy my next ocean going free ride board ..I will only be using 6.5 -7.0 sails and needs to be 120 -125 litres ..due to the fact that sometimes getting out of a tricky pier requires up hauling and tacking ,before getting into clean air.I currently have a 2008 model 'mistral 124 Syncro .freemove @69 wide .its fantastic in the swell and the volume is the perfect volume for the job .The thing it lacks, is speed ...we have a 4-10 foot rolling occasionally breaking swell that we hook on to.runs for about 2-3 Kms . With a side on wind direction .i use to ride a f2 ride 130 which could keep up with the fast wave .( ocean swell.)
So I am current looking at the naish 2016 120 which is 77 wide and the tabou 2015 rocket@ 69 wide ..the tabou looks the fastest ..I might also look at the 125 JP all ride .I also like the look of the RRD fire move but they are very wide .i don't know if they have the speed ?never used one.
i don't really want to go a race board ..I know their faster ..but I do like to jump .
Any comments or experiences on these few board would be great .
Tardy
Tabou for sure, I have currently just purchased the 118 LTD Speedster and I'm waiting on Reg Windsurfng Perth on my 100 LTD to arrive 
I will say that Speedster is extremely comfortable to ride. I have not been out in the ocean on it but in the chop, in our Lake, super smooth.
Thank s .i also talked to reg today ..about the 2015 .125 tabou .he said the 2016 is even faster due in 3 weeks .
but might consider the speedster ..it does look fast .great photos.what was it blowing 25 + by the looks .
these are the conditions I sail in .ocean can be lumpy .
Yeah it was about 25 to 30 at times. Looking at your pic waves are more rolling than ours and bigger swell. I still believe that you would enjoy any Tabou you purchase. I believe that the Speedster has a lot more potential.
The rig I sailed that day was with my 7 at times over powed but had an absolute blast with all the mates. I had a 22 MxR weed fin as well just to let you know that it holds it quite well with no spin outs.
Can't wait to get the new 100 to give it a go....
Don't blame you wanting a smaller board in that strength .i also have a 117 slalom board .but is demanding in swell .at 25 knots .
the reason for being interested in the tabou rocket ,did have a go on my mates 105 in WA .very forgiving yet fast board
i hope the 125 is as good .also it was light and tuff .
The 2015 125l Rocket is a fantastic board for open water. Love mine and always enjoy my TOW
Select to expand quoteAUS1023 said..
The 2015 125l Rocket is a fantastic board for open water. Love mine and always enjoy my TOW
+1
Awesome board!!!!!!
I sail mainly in the ocean on the Sunshine Coast Qld. I have been using my Tabou 110 litre Thunder (similar to Speedster at 70wide) for light winds (up to 18knots). It is great - goes upwind easily and very fast & comfortable downwind. The wider nose makes it easy to dredge and tack if the wind drops off. The only problem I have with the board is that it is very light & fragile. You can't jump this board without the fear of breaking it. Unfortunately there are not many strong freeride / slalom boards made these days that will handle ocean swells and jumps. Over 18 knots the Tabou is just too fast and too hard to keep on the water. I also have a couple of Tabou Mantas but they have the same problem - much too fragile and too fast when the wind is over 20knots. (I used to have a Tabou Rocket 95 a few years ago but it didn't like going upwind).
When it's rough I have to change down to my 2006 Naish Hybrid (108 or 90 litres depending on wind & waves). The Naish boards are strong but heavier & not as fast but I can happily jump over a 2 metre swell and get plenty of air without the worry of breaking the board in two. (I weigh about 75 kilos). Even the Naish boards have a limit and they are hard work when it's really rough - I then have no choice but to drag out the wave board.
If anyone knows of a strong freeride/ slalom board that you can do long jumps over ocean swells please let me know.
Wow I'm surprised ..I thought the construction these days of the tabou s was pretty good ..maybe the ced version ..might be the go or the bullit .
I've been jumping my mistral syncro for 5 -6 years now and the deck is still fine.
I really do need 125 litres..I'm 96 kgs .
i do have a 117 litre thommen fast ...but it sinks on me when tacking ..in windshadows which I have to deal with.
tricky spot ..but yeah ..the 3s is a ripper.thanks everyone .so far.
I 'm sliding through the back door on this Tabou fest, but I think maybe you should hold back a few weeks till the new RRD FireStorm 123 arrives….
The FireStorm has always been a fast, comfortable and controllable board, but the new one is another step forward.
All the boxes will be ticked, and it is super fast!
Jez
Whoops ...I just brought a 125 litre Tabou ..2015 .69 w 250 L .sail use 5.5-8.5
the 122 firemove was going to be my second choice , but thought it to wide for open ocean .@79 with sail use 6.8 -9.5
I will be looking at a 130 firemove or firestorm 138 for my big sails now ..I really like the finish
on those RRD's.for using my 7.0 - 9.0 .i think the extra width will be a big bonus for these sails .
i still might be flying the RRD flag yet .
Thanks Jez .and everybody else for the input ..I reckon I made the right choice .
Tardy.
Select to expand quoteab01 said..
I sail mainly in the ocean on the Sunshine Coast Qld. I have been using my Tabou 110 litre Thunder (similar to Speedster at 70wide) for light winds (up to 18knots). It is great - goes upwind easily and very fast & comfortable downwind. The wider nose makes it easy to dredge and tack if the wind drops off. The only problem I have with the board is that it is very light & fragile. You can't jump this board without the fear of breaking it. Unfortunately there are not many strong freeride / slalom boards made these days that will handle ocean swells and jumps. Over 18 knots the Tabou is just too fast and too hard to keep on the water. I also have a couple of Tabou Mantas but they have the same problem - much too fragile and too fast when the wind is over 20knots. (I used to have a Tabou Rocket 95 a few years ago but it didn't like going upwind).
When it's rough I have to change down to my 2006 Naish Hybrid (108 or 90 litres depending on wind & waves). The Naish boards are strong but heavier & not as fast but I can happily jump over a 2 metre swell and get plenty of air without the worry of breaking the board in two. (I weigh about 75 kilos). Even the Naish boards have a limit and they are hard work when it's really rough - I then have no choice but to drag out the wave board.
If anyone knows of a strong freeride/ slalom board that you can do long jumps over ocean swells please let me know.
AB - have been looking at this kind of board also, yes the Tabou 3S have a great rep as being fast in tough conditions, you could also look at the Naish Starship, Exocet Cross, Patrik F Cross or CA Freeride. I can't comment on the strength though.
Select to expand quoteTardy said...
Whoops ...I just brought a 125 litre Tabou ..2015 .69 w 250 L .sail use 5.5-8.5
the 122 firemove was going to be my second choice , but thought it to wide for open ocean .@79 with sail use 6.8 -9.5
I will be looking at a 130 firemove or firestorm 138 for my big sails now ..I really like the finish
on those RRD's.for using my 7.0 - 9.0 .i think the extra width will be a big bonus for these sails .
i still might be flying the RRD flag yet .
Thanks Jez .and everybody else for the input ..I reckon I made the right choice .
Tardy.
Good choice - There's still two new 2015 CED Rockets at SHQ Boardsports on sale for $1750 for those that are quick and would like to go quick on the water too 
