First Impressions of EXOCET WAVE 82

First impressions are pretty good - feels quite different to the other boards I have tried in this size.  Probably a bit easier going - feels quite flat, wide and easy going.  Catches waves easily and holds speed well on the wave.  Bottom turn seems very safe and predictable (shoulders are a bit catchy until you get the technique of turning it).  Top turn is not quite as tight and snappy as the twin fins I have sailed, but plenty good for most riders.  Would say the responsiveness is less than most boards in the turn, but the ease of use benefits from this.

I had a few spin out issues in a straight line, so need to mess around with the fins and positioning a bit to see if that helps - nothing major, but you had to be careful not to push too much.  Hard to say how straight line performance compares as it was too flukey really. 

It looks a big board for its quoted size, but actually isn't that floaty, so I think volume is probably about right.  I was sinking in the lulls at 80kg's (with a fair bit of neoprene on!).

Unfortunately one of the footstrap plug inserts (middle front) stripped before I even got the board on the water.  Starboard had the same issue the last 2 years - you can actually feel the insert 'rough' as you put the screw in for the first time and then it just doesnt tighten.  Hopefully this is an isolated issue and wont crop up on any of the other boards....

Overall, from the the very limited time I have had on it, it seems like a really good, easy going wave board - nothing especially radical, but great for catching small, soft waves and holding speed through the turns.  I imagine pretty good for beginner to intermediate wave riders.  Particularly as it feels less sensitive and more stable than most boards I have sailed of this size (but not necessarily less tight turning when pushed hard).

I need to check the straight line performance and also mess around with the fins to see what differences it makes.

Thanks for giving us the opportunity to test it.

All the best,

Adrian