Magic Ride/Gecko/Volar

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

I would not pass up a Tabou Rocket LTD 125 or 135 if you could find one at a good price. Considered by many to be one of the best free ride boards built

mmclimbhigh · Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Posts: 42

Thanks for the good feedback everybody! I have narrowed down my choice to either a RocketWide 135 or MagicRide 139.

I had time the other day to dive deep into this forum, as well as SeaBreeze, regarding light wind board options. I am trying to not to overthink it, but with the cost of the new board, I would like to make a wise and sensible decision. Furthermore, I'd like this board to be a viable choice for many years to come.

Tough call regarding options: foil? longboard? windsup? large freeride? Or the crazy Starboard Serenity/Exocet RSD2 that Average Joe spoke of?

I've determined that my best approach (locale, etc.) will be a higher volume freeride board. This board will compliment my 110L Firemove perfectly. There will be a little overlap, but I think I should be good to go. Thanks to the good feedback from CoachG, ss59, and others, I've opted to stay away from the larger 145+ liter boards. I don't really want a "dull" ride. And, as mentioned, I would like this board to be a good mentor in dialing in skills such as heli-tacks, fully planing carve jibes, etc.

I still have the old Mistral Prodigy for the superlight days. In fact, I busted it out yesterday and had a good time. Other windsurfers on the beach and the Prodigy was the only one on the water. I even caught a couple planing rides up to 18+kts top speed. That thing is huge though! Perhaps I should consider renting a slip at the marina for that barge so as to not suffer loading and unloading that lead based supertanker!

Thanks again my friends. Haul ass, safety last!

Cheers! MM

NOVAAN · Joined: 28 Sep 1994 Posts: 1549

It doesn't matter what you ride as long as you are having fun. While getting a new larger board will help some in marginal winds, you still need enough wind. There is a point where bigger everything just adds weight and drag. The Rocket Wide is not a great light wind ride like the standard Rocket. It requires more technique to get it up and going. Its more of a free race board
that likes a bigger sail and needs to be pushed down wind and a some pumps to break free. Read windsurf magazine review for the 2018 110 rocket wind.

mmclimbhigh · Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Posts: 42

Update:

Just wanted to wrap up this thread with an update on my journey to find a good 2nd board...

I was very fortunate to find a 2017 - 142 MagicRide Pro Edition (Thanks JB!) in excellent condition. The board is fantastic! Just what I was looking for. It's a great light wind board with respectable speed. Planing in 10kts (high gusts) with an 8.2m GA sail and a 51cm TrueAmes Sweeper Sunday. I was somewhere in the 25mph range sailing deeply on a broad reach. Also, this board will be a crucial learning platform to work on carve jibes, heli-tacks, backwinded sailing, and 360's. So much to learn! I reckon I'll keep the board for many years to come.

Just want to say "thanks" to everyone for their input. I've reached out to the crew here for a couple of years along this journey to find a good light wind board for my skill level and locale. Namaste!