Boards UK
::2007 Exocet Cross 94::
The 94 is the second smallest of four all-new Cross shapes from Exocet for ’07.
With a width of 60cm and a conspicuously wide tail it is above average in size for
this test, so smaller sailors might be better suited to the 84L version.
On the water:The Cross 94 is very much a little freerider by nature. With
its wide tail, flat rocker and little vee there is a lot of board in contact with the
water compared to the overall size of the hull, which makes it very quick to get
going and extremely stable and solid in feel. Its early planing and sail carrying
potential are very high for its size.
Once planing it is very comfortable, particularly ergonomic for blasting in the
outboard straps. (Indeed, it’s perhaps a bit wide and directional to be truly
comfortable in the inboard ones.) It is fast and tracks well through chop and
swell. Gybes are reliable rather than radical; it’s a very easy board to turn.
In waves it’s not the most throwabout, but gives good control and you can
charge around the break at decent speed getting some good air. Our freestylers
found that, though more suited to freeride, it could pop and slide fairly well and
was very stable and reliable.
Range: With a bigger fin it planes very early with sails up to about 6.5m or
even bigger, being quick to feel powered up on the wide and solid tail. It remains
very controllable for blasting in chop or swell with small sails as long as the water
conditions don’t get too bouncy, but it doesn’t feel a small board by nature, so in
stronger winds you’re aware of its size.
Fittings: The straps are fiddly to adjust but comfy. The pads are also comfy
with the nice shock-absorbed heel section for soft jump landings and a nice
gybing pad. The fin is fine in the mid to windier range, and if you do want to make
the most of the board’s excellent potential with bigger sails it’d be worth
investing in a larger foil too.
Popularity: It didn’t quite have the manoeuvrability or versatility to
bring it to the top of anybody’s lists, but its excellent ride and balance were
noted by everyone.
Overall: One of the most compact and fast yet predictable boards for allround
use with 6.0- 6.5m+ sails. Principally a very comfortable and reliable
blaster / gyber, yet versatile enough to offer good old-school and reasonable newskool
freestyle, and decent manoeuvrability and jumping. Very recommendable
for intermediate to advanced sailors moving down the sizes.
RECOMMENDED
Freeride-Biassed All-Rounder
www.exocet-original.com
: check out the specs :
