Untitled Document
Test Winner - Aug. 20, 2010
Boardseeker.com
"The Tabou Rocket really hits the nail on the head when it comes to freeriding. It tops the tables in nearly every performance category, yet impressively blends all this performance with being one of the easiest boards to ride."
"The Tabou Rocket has quite rightly established itself as a benchmark freeride board thanks to a fantastic blend of performance and ease of use...The easiest board to go fast on. It goes quick without even trying hard and is really comfortable at the same time..Unbelievable control at the top end for a board of this size and the best early planing performance of the group."
"Tabou have really hit the nail on the head with this board. For blasting, gybing, early planing and fun, you won't find a better board on the market. Without question, the Tabou Rocket is the quickest board onto the plane in the group...what impresses most however, is the ease at which it manages to get going."
"It really is head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to true "ease of planing"...The Rocket lives up to its name. It really is a quick board, but in keeping with form so far, it's the ease at which it goes fast that impresses...the group leader for intermediate and beginner carve gybers."
TEST WINNER!
Gaastra Matrix 6.5 - Boards (UK )
"very clear favourite...we very strongly recommend this sail for freeride sailing and drag racing...very impressed with it's competitive edge over it's rivals ...faster and more comfortable than opposition....best acceleration, always fast. Impressive"
Gaastra Matrix 7.0 - Boardseeker.com (UK ) "The Matrix is a top performer in stronger winds and really stands out for its light handling and maneuverability...Feels very light and maneuverable in the hands...Great control at the top end - can handle a lot of wind...felt like one of the smaller / more maneuverable sails on the water, making it a lot of fun in transitions...You sail around on the 7.0, waiting for bigger and bigger gusts to hit. Then you realize that people around you are sailing on 5.5s and you're still pretty comfortable it's that stable!" Once you blast off on the Rocket, you instantly get a feeling of freedom. The unique bottom shape combined with the shorter outline gives you a flying sensation in the lightest of winds. These boards are built to do it all- step on and you can't deny the smile that hits you. Perfectly crafted deck shape, an unbeatable rocker line combined with magic rails keep the Rocket on top of the game.
Fabien Vollenweider (Tabou Shaper) comments:
"We keep learning how to make our Manta race boards faster and faster - this translates directly over to the Rocket range! We have a couple new shapes that will show you some of the fastest freeride GPS numbers out there. Be ready to go fast... Get maximum performance from lighter weight and stiffer ride. This is the top of the line freeride machine!"
Standard Wood/PVC Glass
is built for the customer that wants a great board without breaking the bank. The perfect balance of strength to weight ratio, makes this full PVC sandwich structure a popular construction - strong enough to take some abuse and light enough to keep you smiling!
GT AST High resistance composite technology
"an optimum weight and durable construction for every-day use. A thick, durable outer skin gives the board hull a high strength, ding and impact resistance. Strategic use of glass reinforcements ensures an adequate stiffness."
Fabien Vollenweider (Tabou Shaper) comments:
"This board works for everybody- we have developed a perfect construction that delivers durability and performance all right here in the standard construction."
GT Wood and AST - our most popular construction: The same original shapes just in most durable and affordable construction. Slightly heavier and less reactive, the GT suits the budget minded Freerider that wants a great and durable board
Newly designed 115 and 135- more planing and better top end speed
The NEW smoothed Rocker Line gives quicker acceleration. New outlines combined with a small winger on the tail give unmatched top end and life to these new designs
Rocket 135 has increased its length for smoother planning
Increased double concave entry in the nose area to prevent hitting chop and smooth out the ride
New Size- Rocket 155 GT- basically a Cool Rider 160 without the Center fin or Eva deck pad. Much lighter board with a high end fin, make this a performance oriented entry level/progression machine
Integrated heel cushions
Rocket GT 95, 105 and 115 in Wood construction - similar weight and feel to the Standard Wood - highly recommended!
Rocket GT 125, 135, 145 and 155 comes in AST construction and with exta footstrap insert positions (to move footstraps inboard or outboard) for faster learning and progression - highly recommended!
Fabien Vollenweider (Tabou Shaper) comments:
"This board is mainly for the consumer that wants a great shape and doesn't have a lot of budget to spend. The boards are great - a proven shape that you can grow into."
Tabou Rocket
Our flagship model has taken another leapin board design.
The development team has done a great job to deliver test winning results.
Tabou Test Reports: Boardseeker Magazine, (Full test at bottom of page)
Rocket 125
"Tabou have really hit the nail on the head with this board. For blasting, gybing, early planing and fun, you won't find a better board on the market.
Without question, the Rocket is the quickest board onto the plane in the group...what impresses most however, is the ease at which it manages to get going. It really is head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to true "ease of planing"... The Rocket lives up to its name. It really is a quick board, but in keeping with form so far, it's the ease at which it goes fast that impresses...the group leader for intermediate and beginner carve gybers. The board is extremely stable, tolerant to heavy footed technique, maintains planing exceptionally well and has great inboard footstrap positions for gybing. Not only this, but when you do drop off the plane, you are on the most effective board in the group for getting back onto the plane. What more can you ask for?!"
* Rocket 105 and 115 are new designed to match with the winning bigger brothers. The new bottom shape makes them easier to control and ads some speed. The unmatched control and acceleration makes them a want to have Board for 2008.
* Rocket 125 has proven it is the one to watch! Last year's new addition stays the same and shares itstest winning performancewith the rest of the Rocketrange.
* Rocket 135 is derived from the test winning Rocket 125. The bottom shape gives you speed and early acceleration like you have never felt before. Turning is smooth and easy giving you the feeling of a much smaller board. Lighting fastwith a well balanced andeasy ride, watch out for the all new 135!
* Rocket 145 steps it up with another 10 liters of voumeand delivers all the benefits of the Rocket 125 and 135. Loaded with a very even thickness flow, this board has some zip forthe big sailor! The objective was to makea big board that could get planing faster than the test winning 2007 Rocket 150, turn like a 125 and still have speed to burn! We are proud of this new shape and look forward to seeing it at the top of the Freeride podium.
Developed closely with 2 time SuperX world Champion: these Rocket boards are proven to deliver test winning results.
NEW & IMPROVED
New Sizes
Double Concave Fast Rocker line
Refined Outline
Heel Shock Absorbers
Multi Footstrap Placement
Options for every preference.
Tabou Test Reports: Windsurfing Magazine
Rocket 105
What We Liked: "speed stick on steroids!", "Fun to run", "Smoking fast!" "all exact words that came out of the test team's mouths. The Rocket's ready to blast no matter who's at the helm" light or heavyweight, intermediate or expert. It didn't disappoint in the jibes, either.
Better Than the Fleet at: Getting our freestyle-crazy expert to want to own a slalom stick!
Best Suits: Any sailor that's looking for a speeding thrill.
Other Highlights: At 13.1 lbs, it's the lightest board in the entire test by over a pound.
Rocket 145
What We Liked: The "magic carpet" offered a stable, invigorating ride for intermediate and advanced testers alike. One tester noted that it "floated over chop" and another left the water shouting "Tabou -- WOOHOO!" Comfortable, accessible speed for any sailor.
Better Than the Fleet at: All-around performance that's accessible for sailors of any skill level.
Best Suits: Get-on-and-go sailors who want a fun and friendly ride that doesn't require tuning and tweaking.
Other Highlights: Ultra-comfy Tabou foot straps, solid molded prepreg fin.
Model
|
Length
|
Width
|
Volume
|
Weight
(ROCKET)
|
Weight
(GT/GURU)
|
Power Box
|
Sail
Range
|
| Rocket 95
|
237 cm
|
58 cm
|
95 l
|
6.7 kg
|
|
30
|
4.2-6.5
|
| Rocket 105
|
237 cm
|
61 cm
|
105 l
|
7.3 kg
|
|
32
|
4.5-7.0
|
| Rocket 115
|
237 cm
|
66 cm
|
115 l
|
7.6 kg
|
|
38
|
4.7-8.0
|
| Rocket 125
|
245 cm
|
69 cm
|
125 l
|
7.8 kg
|
9.0 kg
|
44
|
5.5-8.5
|
| Rocket 135
|
245 cm
|
72 cm
|
135 l
|
8.2 kg
|
9.4 kg |
46
|
6.0-9.5
|
| Rocket 145
|
245 cm
|
76 cm
|
145 l
|
8.5 kg
|
10.1 kg |
48
|
6.0-9.8
|
| GT/GURU 155 |
256 cm |
76 cm |
155 l |
|
10.3 kg |
48 |
6.0-10.0 |
GaastraPilot rig includes GaastraPilot sail,Chinook CompetionAlloy boom, Chinook one bolt rubber twist on foot, Chinook Alloy Extension, Gaastra Uphaul and WD Epoxy Mast (upgradefor Fiberspar Reflex 3200 30% carbon maston Gaastra Pilot rig).
*Free shipping conditions may apply. The use friendly, lower priced version of test winning Gaastra Matrix.
Gaastra Matrix 6.5 - Boards (UK )
"very clear favourite from this test...we very strongly recommend this sail for any recreational freeride sailing and drag racing...great feedback and power while retaining easy handling, good top end and maneuverability...very impressed with it's real competitive edge over it's rivals without sacrificing comfort in any way...faster and more comfortable for blasting and maneuvering than opposition...excellent acceleration and top speed...extremely forgiving in heavy chop...allows very easy maneuvering of the board and goes neutral for easy handling...it is the first time for several seasons that we tried a no-cam sail that seems to move the genre forward a notch....best acceleration, always fast. Impressive"
