"Maintaining the high reputation that the Tabou range has rapidly established for itself, the Rocket 80 provides easy, exciting and accessible performance across an impressive wind range. It comes very highly recommended." Windsurf (UK) June 2005

"Overall, the Rocket 80 is a great choice for any intermediate to advanced rider." Windsport, Spring 2005

Tabou Rocket 69 - Windsurf (UK) March 2005
The Rocket 69 is the second largest hull in Tabou’s range. With its name relating to its width dimension, it carries 125L yet is still only 246cm in length. The 69 has quite a rounded outline, with an even volume distribution throughout its length, including in its rather bulbous nose. Also available in standard double sandwich construction, we got our hands on the ‘Limited Edition’ full carbon sandwich model, finished with its gelcoat sanded and weighing an impressive 8.3kg, making it the joint-second lightest on test here. Provided with excellent pre-contoured straps and an extended deckpad, the only problem we encountered were the small rectangular pieces of EVA deckpad on the rails between the back and front straps. Being very slippery on our board, we have been reassured that Tabou are aware of the problem and have treated the pads to make them adhesive.
 
On the water, the 69 soon became a real favourite amongst the team, providing a supremely comfortable and exciting ride, that makes it manageable for the intermediate yet exciting for the expert sailor. At idle, it has the stability to carry large rigs, responding well to the slightest increase in power and accelerating steadily onto the plane. Once there, it displays an incredible blend of response and control, feeling super lively underfoot, yet not to such an extent that will start alarm-bells ringing in the nervous intermediate’s head. The 46cm fin supplied with the 69 suited it completely, never seeming to hold the board’s performance back. It provide plenty of lift for early planing and for pointing high upwind; it certainly didn’t hinder the hull’s carving potential, and there wasn’t the slightest hint of getting over-finned in extreme conditions – exceptional for a foil of this size. Loading the Tabou with a freerace sail, it skims efficiently across the surface of the water, the shoulders clear of danger and although reaching a definite top speed, it is very impressive. In transition, the board turns in very willingly and has a smooth progressive bite, showing good versatility in response to varied gybing styles. It also proved very easy and forgiving to tack, the rounded voluminous profile of the nose absorbing the impact of clumsy footwork, whilst remaining stable and secure. As such the Rocket 69 has masses of appeal, from the nervous intermediate right up to the expert sailor, looking for a board to enjoy blasting in the summer breezes.
 
Verdict: With an excellent wind range, and a perfect blend of speed, liveliness and control, the Rocket 69 is a real gem of a board and comes very highly recommended”.

Early Planing - 10
Top End Speed - 9.5
Carving Ability - 10
Ease of Use - 9.5

Tabou Rocket 80 - Windsurf (UK) June 2005
At a Glance; The 80 is the largest board in Tabou’s Rocket family, dressed in the same distinctive livery as its smaller siblings and available in both ‘standard’ and ‘limited’ sandwich construction (as the one tested here). Named after its width dimension, the 80 has a length of just 245cm, giving it a very rounded and modern outline. Supplied with Tabou’s excellent pre-contoured footstraps, a good range of footstrap settings and a 52cm Powerbox fin, it also features an all-over deck-pad, providing adhesion to the board when standing forward at idle. With the smaller Rocket 69 performing so well in our freeride review earlier in the year, we had high expectations for this board to live up to.
 
Ride and Handling: We were not to be disappointed! Although certainly one of the smallest in the group, the Rocket 80 was up and on the plane at the slightest whiff of enough power, accelerating smoothly to a deceptively fast top speed. The footstraps were effortless to locate, even in their most outboard settings, and whilst the level of feedback given to the rider was impressive, feeling crisp, light and responsive underfoot, it was by no means overbearing for the aspiring intermediate to handle. The Tabou fin supplied is once again an excellent compliment to the board, providing enough lift in marginal conditions, without the slightest hint of it losing its manners as the wind increases. Pointing efficiently (helped by tilting the board to leeward slightly), it proved supremely comfortable for covering great distances with, and retained its composure when sailed in overpowering conditions, responding like a board thirty litres its junior.
 
Maneuverability: Despite its speed, the Rocket 80 is very easy to initiate into the gybe, its thin rails biting confidently and holding the hull in a smooth progressive arc. Versatile in its application, the board is equally happy cruising through a pronounced turn as it is being driven through a tight forceful corner. Similarly, tacking proved hassle free, with enough response and support to accommodate sailors of any ability. 
 
Suitability: With excellent all-round suitability for intermediate to expert sailors, the Rocket 80 is best partnered with sails ranging from freeride to dedicated race foils, and can easily cope with flat-water through to medium sea states. Also performance range and versatility in application
 
Verdict: Maintaining the high reputation that the Tabou Rocket range has rapidly established for itself, the Rocket 80 provides easy, exciting and accessible performance across an impressive wind range. It comes very highly recommended.”

Tabou Rocket 80 - Windsurfing Magazine May 2005
Sail Range: 6.0-9.0
Width: 80.2 cm
Volume: 150 L
Weight: 21.75 lbs.
Length: 248.3 cm
Included: Straps, pads and Freeride 52-cm fin
Fin Box: Power Box
Price: $1,299

expert tester consensus: 9.5
overall speed: 9.5
comfort/control: 9.5
int./adv. tester consensus: 9
early planing: 9

“What We Liked: Smooth takeoff and release onto a plane, a big sweet spot for sub-planing stability and, best of all, its speed was one of the fleet’s forerunners. In higher winds, it stayed trim and true to rider needs. It also blasted upwind and downwind without hesitating. Half-length deck pad, straps and fins solidified its impressive performance.

Better than the Fleet at: Surprising testers with an impressive ride for real-world windsurfing and beyond.

Best Suits: Aggressive novice to expert sailors looking for wide-board planing and pointing power; families with multiple sailing levels; light-wind junkies wanting one board to cover a big range of wind conditions.”
 

TABOU ROCKET 61 Windsurf (UK) Jan./Feb. 2005
"Jumps on a plane instantly with any hint of wind and accelerates rapidly to a very impressive speed...feels as if it has unlimited top end speed, continually accelerating through a gust...an exceptionally versative machine, suiting freerace to freeride/freemove applications.

Verdict: With blistering acceleration and seemingly limitless top end, this freerace thoroughbred can nevertheless be de-tuned to become applicable for the ambitious intermediate; its ease of use belies its performance. Recommended"