Hello, I am currently an happy owner of a Gecko HRS 2019 133L.
I jybe out of planing, water start, planing in both straps. In the last 6 months it has been a terrific progression with this board.
I sail from 12-13 knots with my E-pace 8.2 and 45 cm Select fin, to 25 knot with 4.7-5.8 sail and 37cm Select fin.
I am currently able to manage this range, with chop/wave till 1 m height (especially when blating not perpendicular to wave).
Said that, I am looking for a new board in order to manage high wind/chop in better way as my gecko 133L is showing it's limits........
My weight is 75-78 along the year.
My doubt: considering the same sail range (light wind, early planing, big sails and high wind, 1m wave, 25 knots) I need to take a decision:
1) Keep the gecko as "light wind board, flat water - lake style" and buy a freewave board in the range of 105L (I do not bump and jump still) -too advanced board for me?? -
2) Sell the gecko and buy a 117L Blast or a 115L Rocket that would fit all condition (doubt is about 1 m wave as the gecko is suffering a lot) and keep only the blast for all.Can you advice?
Luke
Its always going to be better to have two. 105 to 110L freeride like Rocket I reckon.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
Its always going to be better to have two. 105 to 110L freeride like Rocket I reckon.
What he said, for sure ^
I think 2 boards is the minimum you should have in a quiver 
,why not buy just a smaller Geeko ,or similar ,
I have a 105 Rocket ,fantastic boards ,5.0-7.0 there is the new rocket plus too, a little wider and a little more top speed ,
enjoy the search
Select to expand quotelucab said..
2) Sell the gecko and buy a 117L Blast or a 115L Rocket that would fit all condition (doubt is about 1 m wave as the gecko is suffering a lot) and keep only the blast for all.Can you advice?
Luke
On Fanatic's website the recommended sail size for the 117l Blast is up to 8.4m. They always overstate the sail sizes, nearly all brands do it.
JP are a bit more sensible about it, the have a recommended sail size and an ideal sail size range. eg Superride 102 has 4.7-7.2 & 5.0-6.7 respectively.
For your weight and skill level, your 8.2m on the 117 Blast will feel way too large and difficult to use.
I'd definitely keep the Gecko and buy a mid sized 105 freewave (the less wave oriented ones) or freeride board depending on where you sail.
Then when you get more advanced, buy a smaller 90l board to make the most of 25 knots wind.
Keep the gecko as your light wind board, they are really nice boards. :)
Then get a smaller freeride board (or FSW) for stronger winds. Try to demo one before you commit to buying anything, boards are very different and it is a personal thing. I didn't like the Blast (when I rented one) in bump and jump conditions, it feels more suited for flat water freerace sailing rather than a freeride/FSW which is better for learning (it turns better and handles better in waves for intermediate sailors).
Like all said, 2 board option, 133lt only with 8.2m and around 100lt for 4.7 and 5.8m.
If you have waves when its windy you may like trifin freewave boards as well, it may give you new skills such as back foot pressure control, it will improve your gybes and they are usually more durable to impacts if you fancy trying some jumps.
If you are getting good winds regularly (18-25+kns) you may even think about 3 boards given 133lt is very light wind special, in that case around 105 freeride now and around 85-95 freewave later on.
From my experience narrower and longer freeride board shapes (classic shapes) help in choppy/wavy waters for blasting. My favorites are exocet cross, severne fox, jp all ride in order for the ones i tried, patrik and tabou has good looking options too but haven't tried them.
Thanks everybody, I have got the tabou 3s classic 2021 107L. Great freewave board, early planing, single fin.
Let's bump and jump!!!
Select to expand quotelucab said..
Thanks everybody, I have got the tabou 3s classic 2021 107L. Great freewave board, early planing, single fin.
Let's bump and jump!!!
Can't go wrong with a 3s classic.
Had a 97 and it was real fun to use.
