I have only sailed the Severne Fox 105 a few time but I thought I would give a first impression. On the first session conditions started quite light (15-18 knots) but the forecast was for stronger conditions to happen later so I rigged a 6.2. Initially I had to pump onto the plane and had to wait to get back into the straps as the board accelerated. These were pretty light conditions but the board still planed pretty easily. I felt pretty comfortable with just the front foot in the straps some of the time, the extra vee seems to really soak up the bumps (there was an outgoing tide which made things a little rougher than you would expect in that wind strength). In these lighter conditions the board feels pretty light and manoeuvrable underfoot. As the wind filled in the board really starts to ride more off the tail and the stronger conditions seem to unlock more and more speed potential. My fastest runs were in wind conditions in the high twenty knot range. I didn't bother to change sails as control was never a problem and as the tide dropped conditions smoothed out a bit. I had a second session out in the ocean with a small swell running. In these conditions the speed of the board becomes quite apparent but it is quite happy ride over the swells without needing to jump. I rode a couple of small waves close to shore and there is enough manoeuvrability to have a bit of fun. This is no waveboard but it is pretty adaptable, it has plenty of speed and really banks into the gybes, there is a temptation to really corner sharply as there is so much grip but my fastest corners were where I didn't push to hard and just let the board do the work.
I swapped my Sonic 97 over for a Tabou Speedster 100 the other day.
It feels way,way different from a Manta or a Sonic. A bit like the 105 Fox.
I use a Techtronic Falcon 34cm fin with a 6.6 and 7m. This fin adds adds to the super soft ride. I tried a 35 cm carbon Sonntag SLR but it feels on the big side for the board.
You do lose a fraction of speed with the Speedster especially going in to the wind,a little across the wind,downwind it smokes,especially powered up!
It gybes so nice I feel I'm a pro now
I swapped over to my 115 Manta late yesterday and it now feels like sailing a box in comparison.
I dislike the Tabou Rocket - it's too slow and unexciting.
The Speedster is similar to the Fox. Fast and ultra smooth.
I have a Fox 120. My experience is similar to the reviewers in regards to early planing and riding off the tail.
The stock G10 fin is also excellent. Pushing through bumpy stuff is a blast with no fear of crashing.
With a bigger fin 44cm and a 8.1m sail i can get it planing in 10-12 knots. I weigh 75kg's
My sessions have become much longer with less fatigue on this board. I sailed 75km without a break last week, which i have never been able to do on my Starboard atomiq's.
I plan to buy the 105 for the big days soon
Huuuge fan of my Fox 105. Cuts through chop superbly and handles really well. The lack of rail catching in chop makes it fast and lively to sail. Accessible performance is my summary. Thanks for the detailed review !