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Isthmus Sailboards Staff Review
Conditions: 18-25 mph winds Sails: 5.2 Ezzy Wave Panther Fin: MFC SC weed 24 Strap position: inset and 2 from rear with single rear strap Test Date: 5/8/2010 Test review by: Jon Massmann - Isthmus Sailboards 
This new design from RRD is a slight departure from last years FSW 100 model. The tail has a bit more Freestyle thickness design while the nose scoop rise on the front is less vs. ’09. The graphics are absolutely stunning, along with the finish and all fittings for RRD. The heel bumpers have been beefed up even more for 2010, while the stock fin – MFC G10 Freewave CNC fin is excellent for all round performance for the Freestyle Wave class board. Due to wind strength I used a MFC SC weed 24 (and to test out). – which took away from some of the fin
On to the performance: this board pops on a plane with little effort. It has good top end speed qualities and is sensitive to foot steering. Catching air off flat water, small chop, medium chop…is easy. This board floats air nicely! As for tricks and turns: the new volume distribution makes helli-tacks, willy-skippers and other newbie freestyle tricks easier then past years – especially spin maneuvers. The jibing qualities are of the “choose your type of turn” classification. Maybe not quite as snappy as the ’09 due to slightly thicker tail and rail shape – yet very capable. On swells it turns with ease and provides a good surf quality. The thicker lower profile nose and tail helps for slides, user friendly jibes and slog comfort (when the wind backs off). Once again, my recent test involved a MFC SC weed fin. This fin has the profile of a wave fin with a long base area to help shed weeds. It worked well with the board – but likely took away a bit of performance from the Freewave stock fin performance (especially in the speed and early planing). In summary after 2 test sessions (this one and one in Hood River this past fall / stock fin), the RRD Freestyle Wave 101 LTD is a true all-round board with chameleon adaptability ideal for Freestyle, wave and free riding uses. It’s very comfortable and forgiving to sail. It has a deceptive feel that you aren’t sailing very fast – yet head to head vs. other FSW boards is plenty fast. The RRD FSW 101 delivers very early planing for its size and volume, and is more capable then most in its class for free-style action. And is probably the most forgiving FSW board in transitions and to jibe. Perhaps not quite as fast a feel as last years – but a hair more user friendly. The RRD FSW ltd 101 is an excellent choice of advancing intermediate to expert sailors looking for a one board all-rounder that won’t disappoint. - JM : check out the specs : |
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