Afternoon all,
Looking for some input into the virtues of the JP Super Sport (100ltr) and the Tabou Rocket (105ltr).
Basic info: I am 76kgs, do most of my sailing in 15 to 25 knots on Port Phillip Bay. I want a quick board that will manage sails from 4.7 to 6.6 (though mostly 5.5 and 6.6).
Most of my sailing is bump and jump and blasting in the bay, so I want the right board for those conditions. Love to go flat water blasting but 90% of my sailing will be in bay conditions.
Really appreciate opinions.
Cheers.
Can't comment on the JP, but have ridden the 106 Rocket and other tabou's regularly. Very comfortable in the chop, and quick. Footpads are well cushioned and footstep positions are good. I have always found the taboo boards to be very comfortable. If you are dealing with heavy chop and really are into the bump and jump side of things, you might want to throw the Tabou 3S into the mix. Won't be as quick, but will be more forgiving in the chop and so on. (food for thought).
Hey Sputnik,
Sorry, I can't comment on either of those and I know that's what you were asking for but... I recently got myself a 2014 3S 106 and feel it's the perfect bay bump and jump board with a really good top speed. Very comfortable too. I've tried it with a 5.8m in light to over powered conditions and it performs well in the Bay. I have also tried it with a 6.5m freeride sail and it felt really good but my opinion is 5.8-6.5m would be its ideal/sweet spot for sail sizes. I'm 80kg. With the GPS strapped on I managed 27 and a bit knots but know it has more in it (in the bay) as the sail was set too flat and I felt underpowered on those down wind runs. It wouldn't surprise me if it faster than the Rocket in rough conditions! Couldn't go wrong with any of the boards you mention I would think, just depends on if your more blasting or bump and jump orientated.
It all depends on the year of the JP your comparing the Tabou to.
the older JPs were a rough ride in the rough stuff until they went to the double concave bottom, then they are very comparable to the Tabou.
All the Rockets have deep double concave entry and are great in the rough stuff.
What years were you trying to compare? That is the key.
A guy I sail with sold his Tabou 105 Rocket and bought a JP Super Sport because he wanted to be faster. He says it is faster. Personally I'm very happy with my Tabou 105 Rocket. It's a great all round board, and I'm happy enough with the speed. The 5.5 and 6.6 will be perfect on it, although it will carry up to 7.5 for lighter winds, preferably with a larger fin. Unless your trying to wring out that extra knot on your GPS, I'd go for the Tabou.
I've only used a GPS on one occasion, and I got 28 knots, although I only weigh 66 kg, and that was in rough chop on Botany Bay, not alongside the runway.
Select to expand quoteBertie said..
It all depends on the year of the JP your comparing the Tabou to.
the older JPs were a rough ride in the rough stuff until they went to the double concave bottom, then they are very comparable to the Tabou.
All the Rockets have deep double concave entry and are great in the rough stuff.
What years were you trying to compare? That is the key.
Comparing the 2013 boards. The Tabou has a much deeper double concave entry than the JP, and by the looks slightly more rocker too. My main concern at the moment is that the JP is going to be too far down the slalom end of the spectrum to really enjoy it on the bay. To be honest, its mostly straight line blasting I enjoy, but I do love to get the board airborne when a nice wave sits up in front of me.
Thanks for the comments to date. Appreciate them.
tried both, JP a tad faster but not as comfy as the tabou, found the JP to be a bit hard on the back leg, more like a slalom board.
Tabou a dream to jibe !!!
Be careful if you're buying an older Rocket 105, they did not have the double concaves and ride hard in chop.
Select to expand quoteIan K said..
Be careful if you're buying an older Rocket 105, they did not have the double concaves and ride hard in chop.
Maybe a Bombora Tri-fin would do the job then? 
Select to expand quoteIan K said..
Be careful if you're buying an older Rocket 105, they did not have the double concaves and ride hard in chop.
Its a 2013 - and the double concaves are there. Very clearly there.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..Ian K said..
Be careful if you're buying an older Rocket 105, they did not have the double concaves and ride hard in chop.
Maybe a Bombora Tri-fin would do the job then?
Ah yes! Back in the day, in our 20s , we wouldn't have appreciated how smooth riding poly construction and double concaves must have been. As we all close in on our 70s, the old bones getting chalky, will we create a fresh market for poly boards?
Select to expand quoteseanhogan said..
tried both, JP a tad faster but not as comfy as the tabou, found the JP to be a bit hard on the back leg, more like a slalom board.
Tabou a dream to jibe !!!
thanks Sean, looks a little more foregiving
I have a 2011 Tabou Rocket 105 - could not say enough good things about it... the board is perfect for the bay, carries sails up to 7m and goes super well in chop...and likes to bump and jump.
Seriously, a tops all-round board....and fast...
*Seems like go better with a Gaastra sail and boom :P
Select to expand quoteIan K said..Harrow said..Ian K said..
Be careful if you're buying an older Rocket 105, they did not have the double concaves and ride hard in chop.
Maybe a Bombora Tri-fin would do the job then?
Ah yes! Back in the day, in our 20s , we wouldn't have appreciated how smooth riding poly construction and double concaves must have been. As we all close in on our 70s, the old bones getting chalky, will we create a fresh market for poly boards?
I'm guessing the sheer mass had a lot to do with it as well. Just leave your vent screw out and you can replicate that easy enough.
Looks like the Tabou is nudging ahead in the voting. Thanks again for all the feedback.
When renting in Cabarete a few years back, I had the choice between lots of JPs and Starboards, and two Tabou Rockets of different sizes (~95 & 105). I tried a few different boards, and ended up taking the Rockets whenever I got a hold of them.
I have sailed various newer JP SuperSports (though probably not 2013s), but have not liked any of them in the past 4-5 years. The FSW to slalom boards from Tabou all offer excellent control, including the 3S (got a 96 and love it), the Rocket, and the Manta. For bay sailing, I think you'll be much happier with the Rocket.
I have had a few of the 100L SuperSports over the last 5 years and the 2013 is the stand out one for me, if you want to take your sailing to the next level then go the Super Sport its a simple as that.
The rocket is an awesome board but its a bit more freeride and comes with a freeride fin from memory to suit that you will probably want to upgrade if you are all about going fast on the bay.
The Supersport comes with a G10 slalom fin which I have found to be good so much that i have bought another in a different size.
Select to expand quoteJman said..
I have had a few of the 100L SuperSports over the last 5 years and the 2013 is the stand out one for me, if you want to take your sailing to the next level then go the Super Sport its a simple as that.
The rocket is an awesome board but its a bit more freeride and comes with a freeride fin from memory to suit that you will probably want to upgrade if you are all about going fast on the bay.
The Supersport comes with a G10 slalom fin which I have found to be good so much that i have bought another in a different size.
JMan - timely post. One of the main reasons I am looking at upgrading is to take the next step. I am on a JP Allride 106lt right now. I want to go faster, but largely in bay conditions.
What do you do for a quid? You don't work in a sailboard store do you?
Rocket 
!!! Easy speed, safe gybing and you can sail all day . Also consider rrd firestorm very quick and comfortable ocean blaster like the rocket
Select to expand quoteJman said..
I have had a few of the 100L SuperSports over the last 5 years and the 2013 is the stand out one for me, if you want to take your sailing to the next level then go the Super Sport its a simple as that.
The rocket is an awesome board but its a bit more freeride and comes with a freeride fin from memory to suit that you will probably want to upgrade if you are all about going fast on the bay.
The Supersport comes with a G10 slalom fin which I have found to be good so much that i have bought another in a different size.
Sputnik11,
You could just get a G10 Supersport slalom fin and use it in a Rocket which will make it perform better than with the standard freeride fin! (I picked up two s/hand Supersport fins for $70 ea from Windsurfing Perth to use in my 95 Rocket).
Select to expand quoteGazMan said..Jman said..
I have had a few of the 100L SuperSports over the last 5 years and the 2013 is the stand out one for me, if you want to take your sailing to the next level then go the Super Sport its a simple as that.
The rocket is an awesome board but its a bit more freeride and comes with a freeride fin from memory to suit that you will probably want to upgrade if you are all about going fast on the bay.
The Supersport comes with a G10 slalom fin which I have found to be good so much that i have bought another in a different size.
Sputnik11,
You could just get a G10 Supersport slalom fin and use it in a Rocket which will make it perform better than with the standard freeride fin! (I picked up two s/hand Supersport fins for $70 ea from Windsurfing Perth to use in my 95 Rocket).
If its just the fin, then this is a good suggestion. I think JMan was arguing the board is a better all round option.
Interesting, have been looking at prices and they vary a lot. I want to buy local but can get boards much cheaper interstate. Will give th e local store a chance to match the price. Also, not for windsurfing shops, am yet to find a really good website, most of them really stink. Links don't work, no prices listed. No online shop, just promo materials. I know retail is a tough gig, but you do yourself no favours by having a 3rd rate website. Just saying.
Again, really appreciate the ongoing feedback.
just brought a rocket, bloody amazing. steady, fast and great to jibe.I can't wait to get on the water again
I recently went back too rockets after 3 seasons on rrd xfires. My intentions on the rrd's were to gain a little more speed and performance for LOC. After crashing and burning regularly in overpowered ocean downwinders for the past 3 years the confidence and control that the rocket offers has been worth the change for me .
Select to expand quoteAUS1023 said..
I recently went back too rockets after 3 seasons on rrd xfires. My intentions on the rrd's were to gain a little more speed and performance for LOC. After crashing and burning regularly in overpowered ocean downwinders for the past 3 years the confidence and control that the rocket offers has been worth the change for me .
Not too much of a compromise on speed?
Does anyone use the standard Tabou fins? 
When I bought mine, everyone was using anything but the original fin, and it didn't take me long to decide to go down the same path.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..
Does anyone use the standard Tabou fins? When I bought mine, everyone was using anything but the original fin, and it didn't take me long to decide to go down the same path.
I've used a mixture, a 36 cm Curtis SR6b on an 08 115 , but when it fatigued I used the stock 38 fin, That fin was quite OK although it delaminated after a while. Then I used a Flying Objects 40 which was too big. Have used the stock 32 fin on an '07 105, ( the rough-riding one, the concaves were introduced in '08) That fin's OK also. Nothing wrong with the standard Tabou fins, it's all in the mind.
OK - everyone can relax. I bought the Tabou. Pick it up tomorrow. Hopefully get it on the water later this week.
Select to expand quoteHarrow said..
Does anyone use the standard Tabou fins? When I bought mine, everyone was using anything but the original fin, and it didn't take me long to decide to go down the same path.
Yes.. when I'm not using weedies. Mind you I haven't got more than 28. something from my 95rocket so far while I've bettered that with the 115 Xcross + Pocket wave...
Select to expand quoteSputnik11 said..
OK - everyone can relax. I bought the Tabou. Pick it up tomorrow. Hopefully get it on the water later this week.
Welcome to Team Tabou!
Select to expand quoteSputnik11 said...AUS1023 said..
I recently went back too rockets after 3 seasons on rrd xfires. My intentions on the rrd's were to gain a little more speed and performance for LOC. After crashing and burning regularly in overpowered ocean downwinders for the past 3 years the confidence and control that the rocket offers has been worth the change for me .
Not too much of a compromise on speed?
Speed difference on the flat is a bit but on open water not much at all. to be fair xfire is full on pwa slalom and the rocket is tabou's fast free ride board.
