So I have received my D2 Elite and given its innovative design I am writing a short review to give me thoughts. This is Part 1 of a review of the board that is based upon 3 races in light winds in the raceboard fleet at my local sailing club, Dobroyd Aquatic Club. The wind in these races ranged from 5 to 7 knots.
When I ordered this board I was hesitant about its width, volume and large wetted surface area and the impact that these could have on light wind performance. However after speaking to Patrice from Exocet he assured me of its light wind credentials.
When the board arrived I was a little taken aback by its sheer size, in particular its back end, which is huge! You can see from the photos that the rear end of the board has a formula board look about it. However the bow of the board is reminiscent of the original D2s but more aggressive in its shape.
The rails of the board for most of its length are rounded except for the last metre where they become square. This is much different to the 2011 Starboard Phantom design with its hard rails that assist with upwind angles.
Prior to the races I was only able to do a short test of the board and quickly noticed many similarities to sailing the old D2s, although with the wide back end it was much more stable. Like the D2s its upwind performance is exceptional with great height and pace when it hits its groove.
At my club racing I am usually in the top five although rarely winning. With the Exocet D2 I was able to set up a commanding lead in Race 1 and was ahead throughout the race. Despite a poor start in Race 2, which saw me towards the back of the fleet, the board’s outstanding speed in these light conditions quickly propelled me to 2nd place. In Race 3, I was again able to win the race relatively comfortably.
In short, the new Exocet RS D2 Elite is a light wind weapon! Some of the key features of the board that give it this quality are:
- Its ability to sail a high angle upwind. In yesterday’s racing the board at times was sailing probably 5 degrees higher than my competitors.
- When the board hits its groove its straight line boat speed is very quick. I was probably travelling 10% quicker with the new board. Upwind in 5 to 6 knots of wind I was at times travelling around 8 to 10 knots.
- Despite the soft round rails, the board wanted to rail and sit on one side of its bow. As a result, while sailing upwind a third of the back end width was actually sitting out of the water. Which I think is reducing the weeted surface area?
Even in these light conditions the board showed good pace downwind. Sailing downwind in light conditions is not usually my strength however with the new board I did not lose any ground that I had made on the upwind legs.
A couple of other features worth mentioning are the center board action which is very smooth because of the new pedal and similarly the mast track action which is also smooth and silky.
So, based on the 3 races in light conditions I would have to say that this new Exocet RS D2 Elite board is looking to be an absolute winner.
I am hoping to trial the board in more wind shortly and will report back for Part 2 hopefully together with some videos.
Awesome! Thanks Pat.
How’s the weight of the board?
Planning threshold guess?
I like it!
Thanks for the excellent post! I’m not sure we’ll see any reviews in mags about this intriguing board, so it’s nice to read some details. Do post again when you’ve sailed it in some wind. Patrice says it planes fast, but he can probably sail a garage door fast.
Very, very encouraging and can’t wait to see answers to the same 2 questions, ie. all-up weightand how it gets on in stronger winds. Further questions for me are daggerboard size compared to say F2 Lightning or Cat and the fin size used for the light wind races. Is the board available on the open european market?
Thanks for the post and look forward to hearing other comments,
Dave Gilchrist
More info! ;^}
What board is that next to it?
What size sail did you use?
Show the daggerboard down, it’s much further back than the comparison board. How hard/easy is it to jibe that tail?
Wow, does this remind me of the experiences on my original Porsche design. Amazing light air upwind, tendency to rail easily, downwind OK. I’ve never seen anything since that threw a more perfect clear sheet of water from the bow.
I especially like the pcitrues comparing the common Starboard Phantom 380
and the new Exocet RS D2. It is so much larger. Unbeleivable.
Can´t wait to read the next report.
The Titanic has arrived. Beautiful board, I hope it’s nice and light.
Where are the stats anyway?
Nice board, too bad one side is oil stained… Such a good design, such a bad taste for colors.
Yes, the painting is not the best choice from Exocet. Ligth grey at the top and some black points at the bottom. Not my style.
Eager for Part II and the video!
C’mon Pat help out a cold canadian with a video of the new board!
Joe
I have met last sunday Stephan Vandenberg, former olympic champion, on Boot Dusseldorf Germany. He tested the rs d2 for one week and is sure that this is the winning board. Its faster and is better upwind than the starboard phantom. only 50 boards will be build, price 2899 euro
So light wind performance sounds to be in the D2 class – clearly the width isn’t a big problem. The real test will come in more wind , will thw width make it easier to control than a D2, and when the breeze really kicks in will it be faster ~(and more fun) to swing up the centreboard and power upwind formula style? If so they may need more than 50 built….
Were there old divII boards in the same race, with equivalent sails?
So how is Part 2 of the review going? Great opportunity here to have the longboard sailboarding world look towards LBWS for the first comprehensive review of the Exocet RS D2. Be a shame if that went to waste…..
First outing on my RSD2. Wind was very light at around 3 or 4k, using my Demon 10.5 VG5, this board certainly has some light wind speed!
Hey Ian – more details please.
How is the d2 in higher wind?
Freeride?
I am going to order a 377 or a d2 shortly so I would some more info.
Thanks
Joe
Joe
Only had the one outing so far. Apart from being big and quite heavy(all race boards from Cobra are) it feels realy easy to sail, stable and smooth.
I only plan to use it in the 3-12k range, after which i often switch to a big shortboard, in this range i don’t think there is a better choice than the RSD2
Thanks Ian,
What would guess the planning threshold is for the d2?
hi from Canada, I see there another icebound canuck here too!! good I cant wait for the second review.
with that width one would think the planing threshold is below that of narrower boards and as reviews have said the wide tail and the big fin allows one levarage and fast beam reaching something that I lack in my old f-2 lightning WC edition no matter what the fin size i put in there .
however in nasty swell and chop downwind in a blow i would say to keep your weight aft as it will be a wild ride!!!