If, figuratively speaking, "the micrometre screw" is sometimes required when determining the performance of classic test groups, then in this large system comparison - at least in individual matches - we were able to measure with a worn-out folding rule. At least when comparing freeride vs. race slalom, you really don't have to look for the differences in the smallest details. In contrast, the gradation between freeride and freerace is much finer. Depending on the board/sail combo, the width of Lake Garda was just enough to make recognisable differences. These test boards and sails are also representative of their respective classes. This means that the differences from freeride to race can largely be transferred to other brands, even if the "Rocket" freerider tested here is not the best because of its strong performance ( Test surf 3-2022 ) makes the gap between Freeride and Freerace narrower than usual.
AN LAND
With widths of between 75.5 and 77 centimetres and lengths of 2.32 to 2.42 metres, the boards appear quite similar at first glance, although the ten centimetre difference in length between the Rocket and Manta is considerable. It is interesting to take a look "behind the scenes", as the cut-outs in the tail on the underside show how the cut-outs get bigger, deeper and more aggressive from the moderate Rocket to the racing machine Manta. This also trims the planing position: the less surface area next to and behind the fin is still in contact with the water, the more a board "flies" over the waves - which also requires more riding skill - and also reduces the wetted surface area, which can improve speed.
The second criterion that significantly influences the riding characteristics and comfort is the deck shape in the area of the foot straps. On the Freerider Rocket, the board is less thick under the heels, the curvature of the edge is slightly flatter and the outer position of the straps on the Rocket (photo below left) is significantly further inwards than on the Manta (below right). On the Rocket+ freerace board, the edge rises somewhat more steeply and on the Manta race slalom board, the straps are extremely far outwards, with the heel on the side of the thick rail. Of course, the straps can be moved inwards, but the Rocket freeride board is the most comfortable and actually suitable for beginners. The Freeracer Rocket+ and of course the race pro Manta save these positions because the board characteristics do not suit straps that are positioned far inwards.
The differences between the three sails in the Freeride No Cam (GA Matrix), Freeride/Race Cam (GA Cosmic) and Race (GA Vapor) groups are already very obvious on land. The wide mast sleeve of the race sail extends all the way to the trapeze lines, whereas the camberless sail only has a narrow tube. Camberless sails come out of the water much more easily when sheeting and water starting. The Cosmic's mast pocket is rather moderately wide. The contact pressure of the two cambers on the mast is also very moderate on the Cosmic. This makes rigging easier and ensures very smooth rotation in the jibe. With racing sails - like here on the GA Vapor - the camber is as tight as possible on the mast. So tight that you have to "surf in" the rig for a few sessions before the camber can rotate completely without any help. This is the only way to achieve the extremely stable profile required. Setting up a racing sail is not that complicated, but the trimming forces for racing sails are always extremely high. In contrast, tensioning the luff of other sails is almost easy. Even camber sails such as the Cosmic require neither more force nor significantly more time to set up than camberless models, but simply the correct sequence when setting up, then it goes like clockwork.
System comparison: surf interim conclusion
The pure racing material is significantly more demanding (trimming forces for the sail, strap positions for the board). In contrast, there is hardly any difference between freeride and freerace for surfers with average riding ability. The freeride set (Rocket/Matrix) was only recommended as the most suitable combination for intermediate riders after the assessment on land.
ON THE WATER
The practical test for system comparison we have divided it into two parts: GPS speed measurements with different combinations and then direct duels against each other. Location Lake Garda, steady Ora with medium pressure. We achieved speeds of between 45 and 48 km/h during numerous runs on a light space wind course with Rocket+ and Rocket. After switching several times, we can attribute around 1.5 km/h more to the Rocket+/Cosmic combination than to the Rocket with Matrix.
A direct system comparison shows the same picture: the surfer on the Rocket+ has to make an effort, but can then slowly pull away from the pure freeride set-up. The Freeracer Rocket+ glides a little more freely, the Cosmic is a nuance smoother in the hand, which is the key to its slight superiority. The subjective feeling of speed seems faster with the camber sail than the 1.5 km/h difference actually is.
Then we grab the slalom material for the Rocket and Matrix. Without pumping with the slalom stuff, the test ride doesn't work at all because the Freerider is already gliding 100 metres while the "Racer" is still bobbing. The stiff racing sail needs to be pumped very energetically and the way into the loops is quite fiddly on the Manta. On the other hand, the Freerider, the Rocket, is also simply an extremely good glider and super easy to surf. Once you get going, however, the Freerider doesn't need to make any more effort. Always flying, always tense, the slalom racer thunders away at around five kilometres per hour more on all courses.
In the gybe ranking, however, the Rocket/Matrix combination is again way ahead. The Freerider is hard to get out of planing, is super smooth in the turn and the sail shifts easily. The freerace duo, on the other hand, requires slightly more concentration. The camber sail is noticeably heavier, but with the super batten rotation it is also very easy to jibe, and above all it pulls powerfully out of the turn immediately after shifting - better than all other sails. And finally - also suitable for fast jibes - the Manta can be chased into the turn with a lot of speed, but needs to be guided very well. Pulling the feet out of the loops before the jibe - without slowing down - requires much more practice. The sail seems surprisingly light, but the camber needs to be shaken properly - and either you already have the perfect jibing technique or you can only continue from a semi-planing position after the turn.
Customised tuning
Sail change: With the race sail on the Rocket+, we achieved around two km/h more speed than with the 2-cam sail. The perceived speed difference was significantly greater with the hard profile. The change from the Matrix to the Cosmic on the Rocket was similar. The result was one km/h more speed, a sportier feeling and a greater range without having to retrim.
Foil suitability and alternatively the hybrid
The name "Fifty" on this board certainly doesn't mean how good it is in every discipline - in that case it should be called "Eighty". According to our impressions, it primarily stands for the fact that the board should be used just as often for foiling as for finsurfing. The Fifty comes with a fairly short fin, is very direct and sporty and feels closer to a slalom board than the two Rockets. The jibing characteristics are good, as is the speed, but the rather short board doesn't plane as well as the Rocket on its longer planing surface and surfs a little more sporty and demanding. The Fifty is perfect for foiling with the particularly large distance between the two rear straps on the wide tail and is the most suitable board in this round - with very few compromises compared to pure foil boards. But the other boards also get at least decent marks for foiling. The Rocket+ flies very stable and only slows down more when touching down. The Manta is much more forgiving of small intermediate landings, but is a little more sensitive in the air.
System comparison: surf summary
Race material is visibly faster, but should be reserved exclusively for very committed surfers (with real racing ambitions). Freeride and freerace boards only differ very slightly in this example. Both are fast and both are very easy to surf. Minor differences lie in the planing and the biggest difference is in the strap options.
With the choice of sail, on the other hand, the performance potential and sporty feeling can be increased more than with the choice of board. Freeriders who are looking for noticeably more performance than with a camberless sail should still not look towards a racing sail, but should instead choose a 2-camber sail such as the Cosmic or at most the slimmed-down version of the racing sail (at GA this would be a "Phantom" with three cambers and a mast pocket width between the tested Cosmic and Vapor. However, the Phantom was not at the start). The two freeride sails tested are quite close to each other in terms of performance, with a slight advantage in favour of the Cosmic camber sail. Therefore, when making a decision, the sportier feel and the wider range of use in one trim of the camber sail and, on the other hand, the easier handling of the no-cam sail should be taken into consideration, as should the theoretical Vmax.
System comparison boards Freerace - Freeride
Freerace system comparison: Tabou Rocket+ 123 TEAM
Volume litres:103/113/123/133/143
Width cm:69/73/77/81/85
Length cm:237/237/237/237/237
Weights kg:6,7/7,1/7,4/7,7/8,0
Finn:Tabou FR HP 42 cm
PLUSDriving performance, power jibes
NEUTRAL: Moderate loop position for climbers
MINUS: none
Prices:2499* / 2199 Euro **
* = TEAM construction ** = LTD construction / Sizes 123-143 L in MTE construction for 1699 euros
Marked in bold = tested material
Freeride system comparison: Tabou Rocket 125 TEAM
Volume litres:105/115/125/135/145
Width cm:63/69/75,5/77,5/79
Length cm:246/242/242/246/250
Weights kg:6,8/6,9/7,2/7,5/7,9
Finn:Tabou FR HP 42 cm
Prices: 2499*/2199** Euro
PLUSComfort, jibing, planing, control
NEUTRALno suitability for foiling
MINUS: none
* = TEAM construction ** = LTD construction / Sizes 125-145 L in MTE construction for 1699 euros
Marked in bold = tested material
Freerace system comparison: Tabou Manta 77
Volume litres:64/75/96/106/116/122/135
Width cm:48/54/61/66/71/77/85
Length cm:228/228/233/233/233/232/232
Weights kg:4,6/4,9/6,2/6,3/6,7/7,0/7,6
Finn:without
Prices: 2599Euro
PLUSSpeed in the entire wind range
NEUTRAL: Passive gliding, demanding
MINUSno fin included in the scope of delivery
Marked in bold = tested material
Freeride system comparison: Tabou Fifty125 TEAM
Volume litres:115/125
Width cm:72/76
Length cm:232/232
Weights kg:7,0/7,2
Finn:TMFC Ride C 40 cm
Prices: 2499*/2199** Euro
PLUS: Sensible dual use
NEUTRAL: nothing
MINUS: none
* = TEAM construction ** = LTD construction
Marked in bold = tested material
