Hi!
I am hesitant between the Tabou Rocket 135 and 145.
Concerning the former, I am concerned that at 72 cm width it might be too narrow and too tippy, making uphauling and stability a bit of a problem, all the more so that I am used to a 180 lt, 81 cm wide Rio. Concerning the 145 lt Rocket , I notice that manufacturer's specifications call for a 9.5 mt sail for the light wind range, which is the range in which I normally sail ( 10-12K). The problem is that my largest sail is an 8.5 and I wouldn't want to buy a new one. Do you think that, at 79 kg of weight, I would be underpowered with an 8.5 sail on a 145 lt board in marginal winds? Or would I still be able to plane without too many problems ?
Or do I really have to go to a 135 ? It would be, I feel, a bit outside the comfort zone, at least not until I get used to it. But summers are so short here, that I wouldn't want to waste any more time in re-learning the ropes...
Thank you
Ittiandro
With the same size sail, yours being 8.5, i would think the 145 should plane earlier.
9.5 would prob be the max sail size recomended by the maunfacturer not a must have size - but I'd say at your level ( I'm guessing your ability) you wouldn't notice any earlier planning with the 9.5 vs the 8.5 in marginal conditions on a Tabou Rocket. As you progress you can always upgrade sail size later if you wish.
The 8.5 and 145L would be a good combo for your marginal conditions and short season, a good board to keep even if you progress and wish to go even smaller volume.
I've got an older Rocket, a 74cm wide 140L version. The biggest sail I use is a 7.8m. In marginal winds, by marginal I mean 5 to 10 knots I can't get planing or if I do get planing I drop off the plane when the wind drops. If the wind is a consistent 10 to 12 knots it gets planing quite easily.
A friend of mine has a Tabou Rocket 135 and its similar to the 140. I think his biggest sail is an 8.5 Severne. Again in marginal winds you won't get planing. In marginal winds I guess the best option is a formula board with a 12 meter sail or a raceboard with a big sail too.
However my wind measurements are not totally accurate as I don't have a wind meter and are just my guessimates. I weigh around the same as you, a few kgs lighter.
Tabou Rockets are comfortable cruisy boards that are very easy to sail, so if you get one you should be happy with it.
I could have gone to a 9.5 to go with my 140 ltr board but I would have has to buy a 520 mast and bigger boom so I went with an 8.5 so I could use the 490 mast and existing boom that I already used.I don't think that there would be much difference in getting up and going between the 2.
