I have a chance to pick up an ex rental RRD Wave Cult V6 104L as my new lighter wind wave board (88kg plus a lot of neoprene) for side-on windswell with occasional proper groundswell use. It's replacing a 95L Quatro Quad LS which isn't quite big enough some days but I love on a wave and will be paired with an 85L Simmer Quantum that suits me really well once I've got some wind.
Reviews on that board in smaller sizes seem to say it'll do what I want so my question is construction:
They have 3 available. 2 wood and one LTD.
The LTD has some very well repaired minor dings, the wood is in better shape. Same price either way.
I sail off rocky beaches and value durability.
Thanks,
Grant
Pros would go Ltd.
I would go wood, as I've done with Firemove and Fwave.
Durable vs the lightest 12 oz of performance.
I would save weight only on light wind boards.
Weight is definitely secondary to me. But at least according to RRD the LTD is stronger. They don't offer good graphics of their construction in that year unfortunately.
Ltd is stiffer, less flexing, meaning more brittle against dings from rocks or masts.
High end construction for higher wind boards mean earlier planing, less effort, but more shock.
Up to you.
I choose comfort and control when there is enough wind to plane.
I'm just not used to boards with no carbon at all. Everything I've had from the last decade or longer has had at least some in the right spots.
It's rare for bigger wave boards to come along used let alone getting any choices.
Grant, replied to your PM
Forgot to mention, don't worry about no carbon, JP did it with just S glass and wood and people seemed to not complain about the feel.
(They were not durable though...... but I doubt that would reflect upon RRD, it was a JP thing)
Bottoms will surely still be just glass on all models, so whilst carbon is more easily damaged by impact I don't agree with Lee's assertion about rocks. Mast, maybe. But you never know what extra patches are on nose or upper / front rails.
I've never seen major problems in RRD, and certainly not the ltd construction in last few years. Found the V6 Cult hard to ride though. Funny bottom turn, but I didn't play with setup enough
Been sailing RRD boards now for over 10 years and can say the wood version will do the job. better ding resistant and the weight saving is not going to change things unless your planning on a podium place on the PWA. I've ended up using wood versions the last couple of years without a single ding to date.
Found playing with strap positions will make a big difference. Start with front straps at the front and back at the back on these boards. My preference is 1 from front on front and 1 from back on back. Hope this helps.
Looks like the wood will suit me best.
It's also in the better shape and since they were rentals I'm guessing most people probably grabbed the carbon board, not need for the more durable option if its not yours.
The softer ride will probably be nice as well with the chop we tend to get before its properly windy enough to smooth out the inside.
Hopefully I get on well with the design.
