Freeride or Wide Freeride?

outhaul · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 254

The trend is wider/shorter but why?
Is it inherently easier or more cost effective to produce boards under 250cm?

Brian.bigfella@gmail.com · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 127

The trend is actually moving back towards long/narrow. Like most things windsurfing, once someone figured out that wide, thin boards were a good thing every manufacturer took that to the extreme. Now things are moving back.

Take the Gecko 146, at 250cm long and 85cm wide, vs an RRD Firemove 140 at 238cm long and 90cm wide. The Gecko will "ease" onto a plane a little smoother and be a little more forgiving. It won't plane quite as soon as the RRD, but it won't be far behind.

I don't think that we'll see a mass return to 9' narrow boards, but long and narrow does have its charms. Having ridden many of the short/wides I can tell you there's an element of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride going on. For those of us who just like cruising that can be a bad thing.

Brian.bigfella@gmail.com · Joined: 11 Jun 2012 Posts: 127

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2016 10:41 am Post subject:

What isobars wrote , using more language than me was , plenty of discussion exists on this subject. Their is no way anyone can say categorically that a Rocket Wide will do this that or the other better than the Rocket. TABOU made a gross error IMO the wide should have a different name, obviously it's a different board. I suppose your own thread is revelant

Having owned 1, bought 1YO , owned 3 months then sold, ridden offering from 2 other companies, I think it's not needed in my stash. A friend has a RRD n JP, and lives them both. They all were easy to ride, very quick to plane, seemed to be more at home with a slightly smaller sail than the largest suggested. I would be very reluctant to recommend over the Freeride , but certainly suggest a test . If that's not possible then look into those brands that have a forum..Fanatic..Starboard etc.

Joe: for a shop that doesn't like the Rocket Wide to not carry them,,a good decision, they can't be objective, the boards obviously have appeal, proven by that pretty much everyone has a wide version.

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

outhaul · Joined: 27 Sep 2011 Posts: 254

coachg · Joined: 10 Sep 2000 Posts: 3550

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1548

If you have skills you don't need the wide. If your just getting into the straps
and learning how to plane, than the wide board is the way to go. The regular Rocket has been the bench mark for freeride boards for a long time.
My lake has more Rockets the any other board. I have the 115 LTD. Everyone is very pleased with their board choice...The stock fin sucks

gvogelsang · Joined: 09 Nov 1988 Posts: 435

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1548

I'm about 170 ish. My 115 is as big as I would ever need. I use it in lite wind 6.5 down to 5.5. It planes early, gets to wind with speed and turns great for a big board. I could go 7.5 on this board but never find the need to go that big. When it gets solid 5.5 or stronger I go to the 93 liter 3S.
Its fast enough , has great control, smooth ride and just fun to sail on. Its a nice jump for me and where I sail... My 115 is the LTD. The 3S is the CED and is very lite weight....