RRD X-Fire vs Tabou Manta vs JP Slalom VI (2010)

anyone lucky enough to have tried all three?

mainly interested in comments relating to ~100L

Who comes out on top when you consider

1. speed
2. chop handling
3. gybing
4. sail/wind range
5. fin size
6. price
7. construction
8. durability

I just tried the RRD X-Fire vs the Tabou Manta last week during the PWA Korea contest.

1) I couldn't honestly say whether one was faster than the other in straight line speed. I had no troubles with speed on the Tabou's vs the top guys in the PWA fleet, however I think the RRD may have more potential to go faster in windier/trickier conditions as it has better control.

2) The Tabou's handle chop very well. However they are a very loose feeling board and do bounce around a little, so you need quite a stiff fin which seems to make them stick to the water. The RRD is like riding a pillow. It's so soft. I think it's the easiest board handling I've ever experienced. As a result in windier conditions I think you could push the RRD faster as it has more control due to the softer feel.

3) I haven't really been too happy with the bigger Tabou boards in windy conditions for gybing. I have the 79 currently and it can sometimes be a handful to gybe in over 20 knots. Admittedly, not everyone would think of using that board in +20 knots, but sometimes you get stuck on it so it for a race so it would be nice if it could handle strong winds. It needs very harsh rail pressure throughout the gybe, so you are forced to do very tucked gybes (laydowns would be even better) to keep the rail engaged and not spit it. The RRD seems not as reliant on constant rail pressure. You can do real 'safety' gybes with the sail out sideways all the way through and the board still turns really well. With a lot of rail pressure and a good tuck the board appears to accelerate through the gybe. I really liked the RRD for gybing.

5. I didn't try too many fins in the RRD boards as I borrowed Jesper Orth's and used his Vector fins. It appears the RRD require much smaller fins as he was using 42cm on the 122 whereas I use a 46cm on the Tabou which is 125L. I've tested the Tabou with every fin out there and it responds well to a variety of fins. I liked the Deboichet's the best and am currently using an SL2 46 and a custom home made 46 which is very similar to a SL4 shape but a bit thicker.

6. I couldn't tell you the price of either as I got my Tabou's in Europe and I haven't seen RRD's on the east coast here to comment.

7. The construction of the Tabou's is top notch. I've punished my boards in the past 12 months and they look brand new. I don't have the Pro version by the way. Not convinced that the pro version is worth the extra $$$ or not. But haven't tested them directly to really make that assumption. I'm not 100% sure of the RRD construction; I assume they're both made the same as they're full carbon boards and are basically the same weight. The deck pads on the RRD's are much grippier than the Tabou's but I did notice some of the little squares on them were peeling off after a lot of use from Jesper Orth.

8. Durability is very good on both boards from what I've been told. The amount of times I've been over the front in gnarly conditions on my Tabou boards is quite ridiculous and I'm yet to put a whole in one.


Hopefully that helps some of you make a decision about these boards. I can't comment on the JP's but from what I've heard about them they are a great board also. I might have been a bit critical of the Tabou in my comments, as overall they are great boards and my comments about the gybing are only in direct comparison to the RRD - which is probably the best gybing board I've been on in a while.

I would highly recommend both, but if you are serious about slalom racing and want an extra kick in the gybes, the RRD could be a better option.

thanks sean, some good comments for sure