The ’08 Evo 75 appears to have been subtly changed from the board we tested last year, with slightly increased tail vee and seemingly a slightly flattened rockerline. Although there’s little doubt that the 75 does have the advertised extra 5L over the Evo 70, the outline dimensions are extremely similar for a step up in board size. The tail widths are the same and we could only find about 6mm difference in overall width. The 75 is very slightly flatter-rockered through the tail and is 3cm longer, but otherwise the two shapes are extremely similar.

On the Water:

The 75 is very similar in performance to the 70, so these comments should be read in conjunction with the comments on the 70. Although clearly sitting a bit higher in the water and being a bit easier to get going than the 70, the 75 is also quite a power-hungry board but it too feels extremely buoyant and stable and therefore not difficult to get planing. In fact its strengths and weaknesses are almost identical although there is a small but clear difference in their moderate wind and weight carrying abilities where the 75 is superior and their susceptibility to chop where it becomes bouncy significantly earlier. Their style and performance when waveriding is also almost identical, though again the extra size and volume of the 75 means that it has better speed and flow at slower boardspeeds in less ideal conditions and becomes bouncy a bit earlier in high speed conditions.

Fittings: As for the Evo 70.

Popularity: The popularity of both boards was similar, although the 75 had the edge as it was usually better suited to the conditions and sailor weights (mostly between 75 and 87kg).

Overall:

Whether due to the changes made this season or the slightly more crossshore angle of the wind at this year’s venue, the 75 seemed significantly quicker and easier than the ’07 version, making it a more all-round board. However, like the 70, it is still clearly biassed in favour of frontside riding, a speciality that it still excels at. Like the 70 it is very well suited to those who prioritise waveriding, most likely as a ‘one only board’ for medium to heavier-weight sailors (c.75-85kg) but also quite possibly as a moderate wind rider for medium to lighter sailors (65-80kg).