First Ride on Exo Wave 95

[Rob]

I used to think that I could tell a lot about the performance of a board by looking at it ......WRONG.....more often than not I am wrong these days.

At 59 cm wide (and narrow-looking), the Exo 95 is not all that wide and at 16lbs not all that light, so I was thinking maybe average planing ability.
Well, the planing ability blew me away...amazing really. The wind was very light and gusty, maybe 12-18 kn initially and most of my buddies were waiting on the beach for the wind to pick up, but I was anxious to try the new board and went out any way. With my 6.2 rigged pretty full, all it took was a few pumps and I was off and planing.

Oh yeah, first I went with the stock fin and with my weight (100kg) and the 6.2 it was just too small. I made several runs, but overpowered it to the point of frequent spinout. So I came in and out on a 25 or 26 cm Select wave and though a touch large it held really well and the pointing was also amazing.
I thought the UW 2 88 I had ponted really well, but this board points even higher.

After an hour or so, the wind picked up to a solid 18-20 and I had to flatten my 6.2. Then I really felt the second gear on the board and can say without a doubt "this board is fast" and really really smooth riding.

In the smallish on-shore waves it took me a while to get dialed in. I feel that the board prefers smooth surfing type sailing rather than abrupt radical direction changes. It goes really well from rail to rail and you can ride it with confidence on the leeward rail...not sure how to phrase it exactly.
Also, the volume distribution is such that the board is super stable when underpowered. I couldn't believe that I could stay in both straps as much as I did with almost no power in the sail.


Anyhoo, it was a blast to sail and I can see the tremendous jumping potential
is there as well, though the conditions were not that great because the waves were crumbling so quickly.

The only problem I had was keeping the straps from opening and getting larger......maybe someone has a solution ?

I'll post more feedback after some more sessions.

[Brian M.]

Just curious. At 100kg what made you go for the Exo Wave 95, instead of the 105?

Brian

[Koen B-12]

Hi Rob,

I will get my EXO WAVE 95 soon.
It will replace my loyal original 95.
Even with a weight of 90 kg, I like the 95 a lot as "one waveboard option" to suit a sailrange of 6.6 to 4.5.
In most conditions I have been using a 25cm wave fin on it.
If I listened well to JM, the exo wave 95 should feel very similar to the original, but just a little "better".

What was the problem with the strap? Can you describe it better.
The exo waves are equipped with the new straps. There is a lot of velcro that should prevent them from opening. I don't fully understand how this is happening.

[Rob]

Brian,

There are (3) main reasons for my size selection
1. Most of the time I sail at a location where there isn't any shorebreak, so it is very easy to get out and right away get good speed.
2. I have had many boards in the 95-98l size and the volume seems to suit me well. Having said that, the Exo 95 seems to be the most stable and somehow most buoyant of the bunch. If it drops below 8 kn or so, I will probably be swimming, but that does not usually happen, except in the summer when we are catching storm wind.
3. I really wanted a "one travel" board to fly with. If I had taken the 105, then I would want to have a smaller board as well for stronger winds/waves. Flying with gear is a pain as it is, so I really try to minimize.

Koen,

I know you have a ton of time on the OW 95 and look forward to hearing your feedback. I really think the Exo 95 is quite different and you will enjoy the changes.
The problem with the straps was that they seemed to get larger (open) on their own. I do a lot of twisting going from hard upwind and twisting forward , then back to across or off the wind and more normal foot position.
The new straps have just one layer of velcro on the bottom and one layer on top holding the adjustment portion......A picture would help the explanation.



Unfortunately we do not have any wind in the near forecast, but am really looking forward to sailing some sideshore conditions

[Chuck]

Rob, Koen:

In reading your comments about the Exocet Wave 95 I am curious as to whether you ever considered the Exocet Cross 90 or 102 vice the Wave 95? Have either of you had any experience riding the Cross and if so how do you compare it with the Wave 95?
I have been thinking about buying the Cross 102 for wave, ocean and B & J sailing in 6.5 - 5.5 range winds. I weigh 91KG (200 pounds) but your comments on the Wave 95 make it sound like it offers great performance besides just wave sailing.

Thanks and good winds,

[Rob]

Hi Chuck,

I sailed the Cross 102 when it first came out and would say that it will definately handle larger sails than the Exo 95. As I mentioned, I used my 6.2m on the Exo 95 and probably would not go much bigger than that on it.
So if you are thinking more 6.5 sailing and possibly larger, then think about the Exo 105 or Cross 102.

To really give you much more feedback, I would have to get back on the Cross's and try them side by side. But I can say that for my sailing style and preferances, I prefer the characteristics of the Exo.


RP

The Cross has a better capacity to handle bigger sails because of the outboard footstrap positions and a slightly different orientation. 6.5 is well within the capacity of either the Cross 102 or Exo 105. If in the waves more than flats: EXO. If flats more than waves: Cross.

I have not sailed the Exo 105 on flats yet, but it does well in onshore conditions.

[Koen B-12]

I want to use the board mainly in waves and occasionally b&j conditions. That is why I prefer exo or original versus cross.

Yet another day on the Exo 105 and the 05 Phantom 6.2. Sideshore, 12-21 mph winds, waves only 3'/ 1 meter (ish.) Can get away with murder forcing frontside and backside moves in less than stellar conditions. Early planing threshold that is mind boggling. Super fun on a wimpy kinda day. Life is good. :~]

John I

[Steve]

The Exocet Original wave II was an amazing board line that has been very popular. Every one expected the Exo wave to be a subtle redesign. The large improvment in the 85,95 and 105 was a very pleasant surprise. Exocet took one of the best real world wave boards and set the bar even higher with the new Exo Waves. The Exo wave planes like most 110 liter freeride boards and turns as well as any board I have ridden.