S-4 Exocet

[John I]

Great board. I got to try it briefly yesterday in some really holey west wind with an 8.5 Rapid Fire. Good stability, acceleration, early planing, and it tacks easily too. Even at 235 cm long, it balances well for old school basics like that. Of course the 80cm width helps a ton there too. The width to thickness flow on this board is unique. I'd like to spend some more time to check the other characteristics too.

[vhbrennan]

How did the rapid fire 8.5 work out ?

[John I]

It's a good sail. I've spent lots of time on last years Saber 8.5. They compare very closely. Differences in performance between the two are very subtle. As a non-scientific sailor, I frankly have a hard time describing these. One easy diff. to spot is one less cam above the boom. Did that change it? Not noticably. Easy to rig, sail, and pump. Great stable feel, still.

You can freerace them. Using an adjustable outhaul like you would a formula sail works. Applying the same principles as with the VMG. Both cases, when reaching, you need outhaul tension. I look forward to blasting around with S-4 and the RF 8.5. Its a great combo. I put the base at 132cm, BTW. Cheers.

[Jérôme W]

John,
what was your previous board (speedSlider 77 TB75 or something else).
What are for you the main differences between it and th S4 ?
Do you think that the S4 (perhaps with a fin bigger ) can match with the rapid fire 9.7 or even with the bigger size (11) ?
Cheers

[John I]

Sorry, Jerome, I've only sailed the S-4 for a few minutes. Perhaps Armand, Patrice or Steve can answer those questions. I'd rather you get the right information.

[Steve]

I have spent about a half hour on the S3 and liked it a lot. I will have to sail it a lot more before posting a complete evaluation. I have also just received an S4 and I should be able to take it out this week.

[John I]

I've had the SS77 and the TB75 both, Jerome. The SS series are for a broader base of sailors than the Turbo's. SS's can be used from advanced beginner to expert in all types of water conditions: lake to ocean. They have a tougher construction too.

The Turbo's are slalom racers. Lighter construction and a little quirky to get up and go untill you get used to them. The hyperbole (the obvious cause) gives more than it takes away though. When fully lit, the release off the back hits the hyperbole area and drives the nose down for a smoother ride. Also, it creates a slippery tail feeling through jibes. These boards glide through jibes like no other, less drag I guess. One other minor take away aspect concerning the TB's. They would rather not chop hop compared to the SS's. But, that also allows sailing more over powered as the nose won't lift and get winded. TB's will jump off ramps like any other board, don't get me wrong. Not warranteed for buckling either.

All three boards can handle a 9.7 RF, Jerome. Make sure you seek out the best trim of boom hieght, mast base placement, etc to find a sweet spot. Easily the S-4 will handle it best though. As in the TB, the S series is not built for jumping though.

[Armand]

Hi Steve,

We have a very good feedback about the S3 also here in France :

yesterday Patrice lent the S3 for a try to a fellow rider... it took him 1 1/2 hour to get the board back !
Now the guy wants to buy his S3 ASAP ( they are due in France by mid-March at the latest ) !!!

[John I]

Sailed the S-4 with the Phantom 7.4 in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday at Anna Maria Island. Wind was 12-20. It was a great combo. Rides through the chop well. Good acceleration, top end and comfort. Turns well too.

I was surprized at how much wind the Phantom could handle. I even tried it with the Original Wave 105. Another great match. The wind had filled in to about 16-21, so rather than rig down right away, I put on the smaller board... Glad I did. Finally rigged to a 6.2 Charge.

[Unregistered]

Hello there, I would be glab to heara some more information and feedbacks about the new S3 and S4. What is their reallu sailing caqpacity? Really from 11 TO 5. I am particularly intereseted in the smal one (S3); Does it carry from 9;8 up to

[Unregistered]

Hello there, I would be glab to heara some more information and feedbacks about the new S3 and S4. What is their reallu sailing caqpacity? Really from 11 TO 5. I am particularly intereseted in the smal one (S3); Does it carry from 9;8 up to

[John I]

Steve and I sailed this past weekend on RF 7.5's and the S-3 vs S-4. We learned it takes massive winds to get blown off the S-4. That day, we thought it would happen as the wind peeked around 23-25 mph [estimated]. So, from 25 mph and down to say 15, neither was faster or slower. My guess is from 10-15 the S-3 would stay in the car. Can't really say where the S-4 tops out yet. That's pretty cool knowing that at least. We were both surprized at how it stayed good in some pretty insane gusts.

Differences between the two boards are both subtle and striking if that makes any sense. In ride, acceleration, and comfort they felt rather similar. Gybing the S-4 was more of a back footed affair than the S-3. I guess the tail width played the biggest part in that difference. So, the S-3 gybes more traditionally slalom, and S-4 more like a formula? [Trying to find that one sentence].

Fantastic boards both.