2013 TABOU SPEEDSTER 110L LTD TEST REVIEW REPORT

THE LOW DOWN

The Speedster is an all-new board line in the Tabou range, replacing the Manta FR from last year. Labelling it as a ‘World Cup Freeride’ board, Tabou aim to share many of the performance features from their Manta PWA slalom race boards in an easier to control and less harsh-on-the-legs package.

AT-A-GLANCE

Compact shape with rounded nose and bevelled pintail.

Slight, sloped deck recess around mast track

Flat deck in stance area

Quality Tabou straps and ramped footpads

Double concave hull

Ltd carbon construction

Shortest in the test

PERFORMANCE

The most instantly noticeable characteristic when jumping onto the Speedster is the nice stable feel and comfy ride from the raised deckpads positioned over a domed rail and flat-decked stance area. The sailing position is elevated and perfect for channelling power into the board. The double-concave hull lifts swiftly onto the plane and accelerates well while skipping over chop without any worries at all. It’s certainly no slouch and in a straight line would give most full on slalom boards a good run for their money. But it’s when it comes to cornering that the Speedster really excels. A superb carver, once the rail is set, it simply grips and powers around at full tilt onto the opposite tack. With such a freeride feel it’s a super-versatile gybing machine capable of being thrown around all kinds of turns.

THE VERDICT

The Tabou speedster is a very capable freerace board that delivers awesome all-round performance, with a top-end that can mix it up with a hard-core dedicated slalom racing boards, yet still remains a lot of fun to sail. Able to deliver performance to any level of sailor the Speedster is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a fast and comfortable blasting or racing hull.

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