Length (cm) 245
Width (cm) 74
Vol (L) 140
Weight (Kg) 8.70
Fin Tabou Freeride 48cm (Power)
Sail Range 6.0-9.0m
Price £799.00/£1049.00
The 74 is new to the Rocket series for 2006, filling
the gap between the 69 and 80 well. It comes
available in standard (glass sandwich with carbon
reinforcements) or limited (carbon sandwich)
construction as the one tested here, being one of
just a hundred produced and weighing in at an
impressive 8.70kg. With a very rounded nose shape
holding lots of width and volume up front, the outline
then tapers rapidly from the front straps to become
relatively narrow in the tail. On the underside, the
board takes a very conventional shape, the amount
of vee progressively increasing to become
pronounced in the tail. The rails also adopt a very
straightforward form, hard up to the board’s
midpoint before tucking gradually to the nose. Whilst
the deck is flat in the nose and around the mast
track, the tail is smoothly domed, and looking at its
profile, the 74 has a lot of rocker flat, with only a
slight amount of nose lift before ending in
appreciable nose kick. Supplied with Tabou’s heavyduty
straps and a 48cm fin, it a very well finished
and attractive looking board.
Ride and Handling
Feeling large and stable, the 74 sits poised underfoot
at rest, capable of taking a 9.0m without complaint. In
this group of boards, it stands alone as the earliest
planing here, releasing from the water stunningly well
as soon as there is the slightest hint of enough power.
Simply gliding up onto the plane, it does all the hard
work for the rider, trimming itself effortlessly and
skimming over any chop. The ride is very clean and
efficient, the board’s shoulders keeping clear of danger
whilst the rider’s ankles remain dry. Using the
corresponding footstrap plugs for the front and back
foot, the stance given is quite wide, which may seem
uncomfortable to the smaller sailor at first, yet once you
have adapted to it has the major benefit of providing a
lot of control over the board. Covering distance with
ease and capable of pointing at impressive angles, the
74 responds well to the provision of more power, the
rider able to load the fin confidently, securing their heel
against the edge of the back deckpad. In overpowered
conditions, it does reach a top speed that it can’t
accelerate beyond, giving the others in the group a
chance to catch up. Immensely enjoyable to use for
long periods, it is a true light-wind machine, combining
ease of use and performance. This Limited
construction is very light, and would only be advisable
for the experienced rider, yet in the standard, tougher
construction, with its well-positioned training strap
options the 74 has masses of user appeal.
Manoeuvres
With such control and confidence in the fin’s ability
in a straight-line, when it comes to the gybe the rider
cant help but feel inspired to plough the Tabou into
the turn to see how it handles. And the answer is …
superbly! Capable of adapting to any style or
carving angle, it holds to the inside of the corner
beautifully, cutting through choppy water easily and
feeling much smaller underfoot than its quoted
volume would suggest. In the tack the 74’s wide
voluminous nose gives the rider masses of time and
room to get round the front, which is very welcoming
when carrying large sails.
For: Ease and practicality, offering high quality
performance that is easy to tap into. Fantastically
early planing in marginal winds.
Against: Performance of this Ltd version comes at
a price, and less careful sailors would be advised to
go for the more durable standard double sandwich
construction.
