I have a question for rocket owners out there...
I have a rocket wide 120l 2017 and very happy with it. At 98kg it does sink about 10cm when uphauling but i can tack, uphaul without any problems.
I was thinking of getting a 135l board to help with lulls better. However the 2020 rocket is 0.5cm wider and 6cm longer. This means that much if the volume must be in the board deck shape - maybe the outline is fuller. I cannot see how this is going to help i.e.the extra volume in the board thickness. It is not much longer.
The 2017 rocket 135l on the other hand is 10cms longer and 1cm narrower. My thinking is it will transition better from planning to semi planing and back? Once under way for a given board length and width the extra volume above the water is irrelevant?
Any thoughts?
The wide Rocket IMO is a different board, the character , a direct comparison using math, doesn't compute.
Trying to make one gives me A headache.
Ive got a 2014 135 Rocket. 250x72. Im 105-110kg on the weighbridge. PLENTY of float for me n 8.5m. Think its one of the easiest boards to ride. Transitions from dredging to planing super easy. Handles lumps n bumps with no fuss. Kinda like youre along for a cruisey ride as the board just gets it done for you. Stoked!
I had a standard 135 Rocket, and 135 Rocket Wide, and now I have a 145 Rocket. ( l am 105kg.)
The wide series are easier to uphaul, due to the width. The standard Rocket floataton is more in the tail than the front.
The 135 standard was much faster than the 145, but for my weight, I found the 145 to be the optimal size. Works well in choppy waters.
I used the 135 wide only on the river. It was easy to move in light winds, also very stable, but didn't like it for anything else. Sold it very quickly.
Having said all this, after 2017, the Rockets boards changed.
The "wide" is getting narrower, and the standard is getting wider. ???
So my comments are relevant to the pre-2017 models.
Select to expand quoteObelix said..
I used the 135 wide only on the river. It was easy to move in light winds, also very stable, but didn't like it for anything else. Sold it very quivkly.
Thanks! I may be able to swap my 2017 wide 120l for a 2017 135l normal one. Given what is written above, I expect that the normal will tend to sink the tail less when coming from full planing to semi planing. To overcome this with the wide 120l I need to shift my weight very quickly forward and in the harness as this happens to keep the board level. With a similar width planing speed should be similar, although I note that the comment above that the boards have different characteristics.
Apart from handling chop, how are are their characteristics different?
I found the wide less responsive in turn, or even to stop, but faster to get going, and would work in less wind than the standard.
Either 135 will sink less than 120 for your weight.
Should be a spot on size for 98kg.
I would say, go for the swap if you can.
I have a 3S in 115, and a JP in 98L, but this 145 Rocket is my main board for up to 23-25 knots winds in the open ocean, which translates to 90% of my time on the water.
Select to expand quoteObelix said..
I had a standard 135 Rocket, and 135 Rocket Wide, and now I have a 145 Rocket. ( l am 105kg.)
The wide series are easier to uphaul, due to the width. The standard Rocket floataton is more in the tail than the front.
The 135 standard was much faster than the 145, but for my weight, I found the 145 to be the optimal size. Works well in choppy waters.
I used the 135 wide only on the river. It was easy to move in light winds, also very stable, but didn't like it for anything else. Sold it very quickly.
Having said all this, after 2017, the Rockets boards changed.
The "wide" is getting narrower, and the standard is getting wider. ???
So my comments are relevant to the pre-2017 models.
This echos my feelings on the Rockets or similar wide boards.
My 2012 135 Rocket , is a joy.
Thanks everyone for the input.
Rockets sell like hotcakes here in Europe. I'm going to pick the first 135l one I can find and pass on the 120l after a comparison. The one available for swap is gone after 1 day on ebay.
I have noticed the price of a second hand rocket has increased the last couple of years!
I've just bought a 2017 Rocket wide 100 and not had chance to sail it yet I'm hoping will get out on it tomorrow in 5 or 6mtr wind I'm looking forward to giving it a good blast.
I'm hoping it will be ok in chop as was a bit unsure about the width before buying.
I'm a 80 kilo rider.
