Windsurf Magazine UK April ‘07
On the water the 115 yet again didn’t disappoint, being one of the most natural and easy boards to sail in this group, with a massive amount of performance on offer. It still feels like one of the smaller boards here, being no more than it’s quoted volume, yet has a real ease and familiarity about its character, giving it a wide user appeal. Rising up onto the plane super smoothly, it accelerates progressively, ironing out any lumps or bumps ahead of it. It’s almost as if it glides over the chop, never catching or stalling on its shoulders. The ride is just the right side of involving whilst maintaining control at all times so as not to unnerve the anxious passenger. As with its predecessor, the speed of the 115 is deceptive, thriving on being partnered with an efficient high performance sail. In the hands of an experienced sailor, the board can be taken into seriously challenging conditions, where its compact controlled nature underfoot only serves to encourage the rider to push harder. The fin is also an excellent compliment to the board and helps drive it quickly upwind without any hint of spinning out…or railing up across the wind. A marvelous board to use, it will flatter the intermediate and provide masses of room for progression into stronger wind strengths.
Thanks to the slightly winder shoulders, the 115 is more stable and forgiving during the tack than we recall last year’s version being. In the gybe the Rocket has an excellent level of versatility and can adopt any carving arc, cutting into the turn almost instinctively and holding its edge through the harshest sea states. Enter the gybe steadily or crank into it with an aggressive style, nothing seems to make it falter, making it equally commendable for low intermediates and experts alike
Yeah! I'm ordering one of these today!
Since you seem to be from Tabou, can you tell me if the 115 sounds right for me?
82-85 kg, fresh water lake sailing, only tiny chop, good sailor (hit virtually all my jibes), target sail is 6.2 Loft lip wave. My next board down is a Mistral Ecstasy. Will also sail a 5.2, but only about 20% of the time. Wind dies, and I need to slog home, or slog around till it picks back up. Must stay upwind.
Is this too small for me, or just right?
The guy at the shop thought it had like 220 lbs of flotation, that sounds pretty ideal to me. What do you think?
Board is available for test drive! Give us a buzz on 9336 5440.
Sweet babe...
Ciao
Alberto
Here's test from the latest Windsurfing USA magazine. 15 testers take part so it is very thorough, hope you find it useful.
WHAT WE LIKED: Many felt it was the fastest in the fleet. It also received high marks in the jibes, and was liked for its light, crisp construction. Three testers liked this as their favourite.
BUYER BEWARE: It’s light and spunky, which made for hands-on ride that required concentration. It’s beam and broad-reaching biased. Some testers found the foot-strap covers cumbersome.
BETTER THAN THE FLEET AT: Outrunning everything, and receiving praise from testers who don’t live for speed.
BEST SUITS: Go-fast people (and wannabes) looking to turn and burn on their local waterway; also air-time specialists who want a lightweight rocket.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: Available in standard construction.
Others tested: Goya X1 105, Bic Techno II 118, Exocet Cross 118, Fanatic Hawk 125, F2 Stoke 115, Hifly Free 126, JP Super Sport 116, Mistral Screamer 114, Naish Freeride Slalom 115, RRD Z Ride 120 Ltd, Starboard Carve 122 Wood and Tiga Free-X 120.
Yes 6.2 is ideal and I have used it with up to 7.5m GTX with great success on fresh water, where you need more volume. I am a little heavier at93-95 kgs but I also have a larger board. You could run a smaller fin with the 5.2 and about 5.6 would be a nice size for it.
Shame your in the states as we have demos of this board in Sydney and Perth.
Yeah! I'm ordering one of these today!
Since you seem to be from Tabou, can you tell me if the 115 sounds right for me?
82-85 kg, fresh water lake sailing, only tiny chop, good sailor (hit virtually all my jibes), target sail is 6.2 Loft lip wave. My next board down is a Mistral Ecstasy. Will also sail a 5.2, but only about 20% of the time. Wind dies, and I need to slog home, or slog around till it picks back up. Must stay upwind.
Is this too small for me, or just right?
The guy at the shop thought it had like 220 lbs of flotation, that sounds pretty ideal to me. What do you think?
Thanks for your info, I ordered it yesterday! Looking forward to a great spring sailing season.
