The 3S is basically a 'freestyle wave board', this should answer your question. The rocket is a chilled out slalom board, the 3S is a chilled out wave board. It's fast for a wave board but a fast wave board /= a fast slalom board. It also has a very wave/freestyle board outline and I wouldn't run a cammed sail on one.

So basically look for something else, imo.

I have a 2013 3S and as elmo says they are no slouches. mine is a 106 litre and I've done 29 knots on it with a 5.7 gaastra manic wave sail. Like CJW says they have a waveboard outline which means narrower in the tail and I think cambered sails aren't really suitable for this reason. I pull mine out in 20 knots plus when the chop is crappy. It's a very smooth and relaxed ride and it has an uncanny knack of staying on the plane through the transition part of the gybe. The 3S can be snapped around in a laydown gybe but there's no real need to gybe it this way as it will plane through a long wide carve no worries and this type of gybe tends to be more fun on a 3S.

I haven't tried it in waves yet but I think bottom turns would be too stiff for a dedicated wave sailor but ok for someone like me who only messes around in small waves on rare occasions.

+ another vote for the 3S. Mine's a 2012 116lt and at 110kgs, is my go-to board (when the wind is 20+)

I have a 2012 3S 96 and love it. I have sailed it with a 5.8 KA Koncept and a MUF 26 WeedSpeed without any problems. I think the bigger ones should handle the bigger cambered sails without problems, as long as you switch to speedier fin. Not many companies have powerbox slalom fins, but Maui Ultra Fins does. I'm 90 kg and use the 3S 96 when the wind hits 20 knots, usually with a 6.5 Gaastra Pilot or 5.5 Matrix.

The Rocket is a fine board, too. Which board is faster will depend on the chop and rider skills. The 3S is more comfortable, and therefore will often be faster in chop unless the rider is an expert. On flat water, the top speeds I have reached on the 3S with a camless sail (30 knots) are close to what I have reached on slalom gear (31.6 knots, in better conditions). I think the speed difference to the Rocket will be even smaller, unless you're going a lot faster.

That said, there is one caveat: the 3S shape has changed a lot over the years, and not all years were great. The changes in 2011-2012 (depending on volume) were great, but I'm not sure how the 2009 was. The test of the 2009 3S 97 at http://boards.mpora.com/boards/freestyle-wave/tabou-3s-97.html sounds quite different from the 2012 tests.

The Rocket has also changed, but less so, since it's more "single minded" compared to the "do it all" 3S. The 3S has had years where it was more freestyle oriented and slow (mid-2000s) and move wave oriented (2009). The 2012 model emphasizes comfort, turning, and freeriding more. During a trip to Cabarete a couple of years back, the Rocket was my go-to board; I preferred it to all the JP and Starboard boards that the rental place had (they did not have the 3S).

martR said..

Maybe i can help,

The rocket is faster than the 3S but there has been some changes the last few years.
The older 3S ones are a bit more freewave stylisch and are a bit slower to get planning and sails more ''through'' the water while the newer ones sails a bit more ''higher'' on the water.

The 76 is a really good shape and hasn't been changed, the 86 newest shape is from 2013 and the 96 is from 2012 just like the 106.
The newer shapes sails like i said higher on the water , plane much earlier and have a higher topspeed, they feel more crisp, lighter at your feet and more alive.
They turn maybe a few procent less then the older models but still very good.
The newer models are a few steps forward and i would always goes for the LTD construction, in my eyes they are (one of) the best on the market today.

The rocket is more a freerace board, or better said a freeride feeling board with the speed of a slalomboard.
Superfast but with easy control and not a hand full.

So if you are looking for an 2009 3S i would go for the rocket option but if you have the possibility to get a new model 3S in LTD i would suggest that one.
I don't know your weight but keep in mind that the 3S 96 2012/2013 feels more like 98 or 99 liters and this board can handle a 6.6 for sure (although i am not a fan of cam sails on it but it is possible for sure, no problem...), we get very good reactions from customers and great reviews.

Hope this helped a bit.


Martin
Ps, don't worry about spin-outs...


Gaastra/Tabou/Maui Ultra Fins

Im 64 kgs.. I can only afford a cheap 2nd hand board ( $700 max ) so no choice I'm afraid..I already have the rockets thats why I wanted a comparison. I have too big a gap between my 125 & 95 rockets which means in gusty summer conditions I tend to use the 125 ( + 60 of my weight ) in rather choppy 18kts at times - it feels like a cargo carrier off the wind.
I want a board to fill the gap between the 2. I am into GPS sailing now but Im not very experienced with that and I know I wont get very good speed in the chop. However we often sail through the chop to get to the lee of some sand islands where its flatter and then do speed runs. Hence preference for a faster board that handles chop.
My favourite board is my 2008 96 rocket 59 wide but I dont use it with the larger heavy cammed sails as I think it would be a pain to uphaul due to its size.
The Tabou website says the 2010 3S was given more of a wave design than the 2009 but you say in practise the 2009 are slower to get up and go and more wavy?

sboardcrazy said..
. I am into GPS sailing now but Im not very experienced with that and I know I wont get very good speed in the chop. However we often sail through the chop to get to the lee of some sand islands where its flatter and then do speed runs. Hence preference for a faster board that handles chop.

if you sail mainly flat water and want to go fast, why don't you go for the tabou manta that's what there designed for or a dedicated slalom), if your worried about a bit of chop getting to the flat water you just need to toughen up, maybe you mite find at the end of the season you mite be a better sailor, windsurfing is all about progression

MartR nailed it and also a good point about the ltd construction. Mine is a std and it can be a little harder to pop the board than some of my lighter boards. Sue ask yourself what conditions will you use this board in and what do you want it to do. If you want it for gps sailing then rocket/manta is the go. If you want a board for comfort and reasonable speed in feral ugly chop then a 3S might be better.

I'm glad I have a board like my 3S. It reminds that I sale mostly for fun and not numbers. I love gps sailing but it can be a bit of a trap sometimes.

keef said..

sboardcrazy said..
. I am into GPS sailing now but Im not very experienced with that and I know I wont get very good speed in the chop. However we often sail through the chop to get to the lee of some sand islands where its flatter and then do speed runs. Hence preference for a faster board that handles chop.

if you sail mainly flat water and want to go fast, why don't you go for the tabou manta that's what there designed for or a dedicated slalom), if your worried about a bit of chop getting to the flat water you just need to toughen up, maybe you mite find at the end of the season you mite be a better sailor, windsurfing is all about progression

I don't need to harden up.Ive been sailing a board much bigger for my size than the others for several years. I get sick of feeling like its hit hull speed and burying going down the waves and its also more tiring sailing a big barge in feral chop. I'm quite good at keeping it down on the water with mast pressure but figure its time to take it easy with something more comfortable.

CJW said..

This is going to sound harsh, so try not to be offended, it's not my intention. Firstly in my opinion buying a 3S would be a backward step and a waste of cash considering what you want to do; sail fast, GPS etc. Secondly the gap between the 125 and the 95 is not large considering it's slalom gear. Thirdly at your weight you should easily be able to up-haul just about anything on the 95, have you ever tried?

I think I've said this before but often people get into the trap of buying new/different fins, new boards and new sails in an effort to feel 'comfortable', or think it will somehow drastically improve their sailing, it won't. By doing this you often chase your skills around in a circle and never really hone or develop skills to overcome sailing something that's a little tough or even approach the limit of your current gear, I think you fall into this category.

My advice, save your cash, use the 95. You might find it a bit difficult at first but persevere, you might surprise yourself. By challenging your abilities and working on improving them you'll improve your sailing out of sight. I apologise if this sounds harsh, I guess it is in reality, but you have two great boards, I'd say almost perfect for your ability and what you want to achieve, just fang them.

Sorry I bit at the last post ..had a crappy day....I know I should try and uphaul the 7.2m on the 95 but its heavy enough on the stable platform of the 125. Also the 95 still wouldn't plane as early as say a 1073S/105 rocket with the same 7.2m sail would it? I hate grovelling.. We can get 500m lulls which are crap..

Waiting4wind said..

Another board to consider if you want a cheap board that handles rough water and has very good speed. A 2003 JP FSW, they were more freeride oriented. You can pick them up cheap if you can still find one intact. But it needs to be a 2003, the model before was harsh in chop and the model after more focused on freestyle.

Exocet slalom boards are also very good in chop. I would reccommend a tb58 11 ( i just sold mine). This is an 80l board, ideal for 5.8 and 6.6m. I also had the 90l but this would be too big for you. Slalom boards have bigger / more powerful tail. I'm using the tb58 in my avatar pic, it was 25-35 knot day witha 5.2m

Another board I would reccommend for comfortable speed is a Fanatic Hawk 95l.

I owned a Hawk 93L for many years and often sailed it over quite choppy ocean water. Felt a bit quicker and more lively than than my current 2010 Rocket 95 LTD, though not necessarily hard to control in rougher chop, just needed more courage to 'put the pedal to the metal' when the Hawk felt like it had no limit to the top-end whereas I felt at times like I had reached my limit! Also an amazing turner, would rate the Hawk as one of the best gybing boards I have ever owned! One downside is the construction - they're quite lightly built compared to the Tabous or other brands (much like most Fanatic boards from what I've heard).

+1 for JP FSW's also
I also own a 2006 JP FSW 85 and would also suggest considering a JP FSW in preference to a Tabou 3S Sue as the JP's are certainly a quick board with a good fin and the bigger sizes have the inboard/outboard strap option (think the 2007 model FSW was one of the best years).

Any board you get in the 105-115L range, remember that the vast majority of slalom boards have Tuttle boxes (if not all of them?) which will mean that you can't swap fins between your other boards (think the Exocets use Tuttle, don't they?)

GazMan said..

Waiting4wind said..

Another board to consider if you want a cheap board that handles rough water and has very good speed. A 2003 JP FSW, they were more freeride oriented. You can pick them up cheap if you can still find one intact. But it needs to be a 2003, the model before was harsh in chop and the model after more focused on freestyle.

Exocet slalom boards are also very good in chop. I would reccommend a tb58 11 ( i just sold mine). This is an 80l board, ideal for 5.8 and 6.6m. I also had the 90l but this would be too big for you. Slalom boards have bigger / more powerful tail. I'm using the tb58 in my avatar pic, it was 25-35 knot day witha 5.2m

Another board I would reccommend for comfortable speed is a Fanatic Hawk 95l.

I owned a Hawk 93L for many years and often sailed it over quite choppy ocean water. Felt a bit quicker and more lively than than my current 2010 Rocket 95 LTD, though not necessarily hard to control in rougher chop, just needed more courage to 'put the pedal to the metal' when the Hawk felt like it had no limit to the top-end whereas I felt at times like I had reached my limit! Also an amazing turner, would rate the Hawk as one of the best gybing boards I have ever owned! One downside is the construction - they're quite lightly built compared to the Tabous or other brands (much like most Fanatic boards from what I've heard).

+1 for JP FSW's also
I also own a 2006 JP FSW 85 and would also suggest considering a JP FSW in preference to a Tabou 3S Sue as the JP's are certainly a quick board with a good fin and the bigger sizes have the inboard/outboard strap option (think the 2007 model FSW was one of the best years).

Any board you get in the 105-115L range, remember that the vast majority of slalom boards have Tuttle boxes (if not all of them?) which will mean that you can't swap fins between your other boards (think the Exocets use Tuttle, don't they?)

I still have a 2007 Jp FSW, it's looser than the 2006, a nice board (which is why I still have it) but not as quick as the o6. I,ve tested them sided by side.

I haven't been on a Tabou 3S since 09 but fuark they were a corpse then and probably still are..

No dis-respect intended W4W, comment just sounded amusing and worthy of a reply!

Have taken notice of your past comments in other threads re JP FSW's, sounds like you know the boards really well. Curious to know what fins you used for making them go quick (both upright and weed) as heard that the standard JP fins were pretty ordinary. Also, do you normally run them with outboard straps for speed?

Looks like the 3S isn't suitable. Bugger. If I was replacing my 95 or smaller Id consider one.
So would I notice any difference between the 95 - 105 Rocket? Thinking stability for subplaning and uphauling heavy sails.. I find slogging very tiring and would rather waste energy holding down a bigger board that would plane earlier..I'm getting older and I want to make sailing as easy as possible.Not in my 30-40's any more..
From the windsurf article it sounds like I am using the best combo for my needs - Racesails / cambered on Freeride boards..

GazMan said..

No dis-respect intended W4W, comment just sounded amusing and worthy of a reply!

Have taken notice of your past comments in other threads re JP FSW's, sounds like you know the boards really well. Curious to know what fins you used for making them go quick (both upright and weed) as heard that the standard JP fins were pretty ordinary. Also, do you normally run them with outboard straps for speed?

All taken in gest, allways open to a witty reply. So waiting for the witty reply ..

I use the FSW as b&j boards so usually with 3 straps. If I go deep off the wind for a speed run, the single strap in the back is quite comfortable and feels safe. When I do flat water on a FSW I have this old JP fin, it's a ripper, 28 cm, it's almost upright with a slight sweep on the tip. So decent speed with control. Rarely use a weedy.

I mainly use my slalom for speed, but for me the FSW have been good for up to 31 knots 2 sec avg.