Standup Zone Forum
The Foil Zone => Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP => Topic started by: Caribsurf on January 20, 2021, 08:46:19 PM
-
Thinking about buying a Fanatic 54 foil board. I currently ride the 66 115 liter Sky Sup foil board and like it, but feel I could shorter, I weigh 180 lbs and am advanced surfer , windsurfer and SUP surfer so I think I could handle 54 and 95 liters but not certain. Ideally Id like the 58 Fanatic @ 110 liters but they are in short supply...
Thoughts? Anyone riding the 54? Thanks in advance
-
The length is definitely doable, it's just be a matter of whether you'll be comfortable on a board that'll be floating just at the waterline or slightly below it.
I recently paddled a 5'1 @ 99 liters comfortably at me 185 lbs, but it was certainly a challenge paddling into waves with it, because I was pushing a lot of water, instead of gliding on top of it.
So when I ordered my 5'1x27" SUP foil board, I thickened it up a bit to get a more comfortable, and easier paddling 102.5 liters in it. Just know that you won't be getting as many waves with a smaller, less volumed board as you do with your current board.
But if you're willing to give up a few waves to gain the added maneuverability, and pump-ability of a much shorter, smaller board...then that 5'4 might be what you're looking for. My current board is 5'7x28"@104 liters, which catches waves great, and is so much better in the air than my older 6'0x28.5"@110 liter board.
-
Thanks Califoilia, good info.
I should have mentioned this board is a wing foil board and not a SUP foil board. I can still use the 66 to foil surf.
The 54 is specifically designed for wing foiling which is another reason I was questioning its stability.
-
Thinking about buying a Fanatic 54 foil board. I currently ride the 66 115 liter Sky Sup foil board and like it, but feel I could shorter, I weigh 180 lbs and am advanced surfer , windsurfer and SUP surfer so I think I could handle 54 and 95 liters but not certain. Ideally Id like the 58 Fanatic @ 110 liters but they are in short supply...Thoughts? Anyone riding the 54? Thanks in advance
@Caribsurf, I'm same weight and 10+lbs with full rubber up here in PNW (Vanc.Isl), riding the 5'0 Sky Wing. Similar story, went from my sup foil BluePlanet 6'6 116 lt to the 5'0 75 lt sky for winging only. I have to get up onto board and onto knees with wing in air very quickly to balance as it's very pitchy twitchy, you cant just sit there on knees or stand without wing pressure. It's a combination of the narrow width (24") and short length that make for a really small balance point/zone on the board while dead in the water, but I love it once up and winging it's is sooo much fun on a small board, and it actually made transitions so much easier for me. There are times i have to prone paddle out to wind line or in from wind line. That being said, I have a friend with the 5'4 Sky Wing and he to loves his board and has none of the issues that I have for stability as it's a considerably wider board, more length, and with 20 litres more volume. He was a windsport rookie going directly to the 5'4 Sky. He is 165 and 10+lbs with rubber, so close to you if you're not all bundled up too? I'm quite sure, I would have no issues with the 5'4 too at those dimensions, haven't tried his board yet but hope to.
For a dedicated wing board, if you're keen to advance, I'm sure you'd love the 5'4 Sky Wing (or something similar in volume, like DW's). I don't think I would be going bigger than 100 lt (floats 220 lbs), you won't need it at 20+ litres over your weight, and the length just takes up space once you're flying!
-
Thanks Califoilia, good info.
I should have mentioned this board is a wing foil board and not a SUP foil board. I can still use the 66 to foil surf.
The 54 is specifically designed for wing foiling which is another reason I was questioning its stability.
Roger that. Saw you mention everything but wingdinging in your post, but should have realized that being that you posted it in the "Wingsurfing, Windfoiling, Wingfoiling, Wing SUP" section.
So from what I've seen (I don't wingding myself), 95 liters will be more than enough for winging, and you could probably go even lower with a little experience.
From what I'm told, the wing adds stability wanting to hold or pull you up once you get it above your head...in essence, making you lighter as it pulls you up off the board somewhat.
The general rule of thumb I've heard for winging board volume is your weight in kgs. So at 180 lbs, a wingboard even down around 81-82 liters would work for you (I use weight in kgs + 20 (give or take) for my SUP foil boards) .
-
More Good info Califoila, and since I will SUP foil in surf as well, that is very helpful. Right now trying to advance with my winging.
I think my SKY SUP will do well in the smaller waves and swells...I expect to get out and try it soon.
thanks again
-
Thinking about buying a Fanatic 54 foil board. I currently ride the 66 115 liter Sky Sup foil board and like it, but feel I could shorter, I weigh 180 lbs and am advanced surfer , windsurfer and SUP surfer so I think I could handle 54 and 95 liters but not certain. Ideally Id like the 58 Fanatic @ 110 liters but they are in short supply...Thoughts? Anyone riding the 54? Thanks in advance
@Caribsurf, I'm same weight and 10+lbs with full rubber up here in PNW (Vanc.Isl), riding the 5'0 Sky Wing. Similar story, went from my sup foil BluePlanet 6'6 116 lt to the 5'0 75 lt sky for winging only. I have to get up onto board and onto knees with wing in air very quickly to balance as it's very pitchy twitchy, you cant just sit there on knees or stand without wing pressure. It's a combination of the narrow width (24") and short length that make for a really small balance point/zone on the board while dead in the water, but I love it once up and winging it's is sooo much fun on a small board, and it actually made transitions so much easier for me. There are times i have to prone paddle out to wind line or in from wind line. That being said, I have a friend with the 5'4 Sky Wing and he to loves his board and has none of the issues that I have for stability as it's a considerably wider board, more length, and with 20 litres more volume. He was a windsport rookie going directly to the 5'4 Sky. He is 165 and 10+lbs with rubber, so close to you if you're not all bundled up too? I'm quite sure, I would have no issues with the 5'4 too at those dimensions, haven't tried his board yet but hope to.
For a dedicated wing board, if you're keen to advance, I'm sure you'd love the 5'4 Sky Wing (or something similar in volume, like DW's). I don't think I would be going bigger than 100 lt (floats 220 lbs), you won't need it at 20+ litres over your weight, and the length just takes up space once you're flying!
Hey Rob, that is very encouraging news and thank you very much. Wow you are on the 5'0 that sounds so tiny.
Knowing that a virtual beginner started with the 5'4" gives me more confidence that I will be fine on that board. It's possible the much larger Sky SUP foil board might be holding me back some as well. I was set on the 5'8" @ 110 liters, but maybe I will go via the 5'4" They are in demand, so if I could always sell it if I didn't like it but I am sure I will like it.
-
Hi Carib,
I bought the 5'4 last spring and rode it all last season on every wing-able day. It is the one. We have the 4'8 as well and we had the 5'0. I have also ridden the 5'8.
The 5'4 is different from all of the other Sky Wings i that it has no tail chop and is flat out to the rails (no bevels). That maxes out its volume for its size and combined with zero tail rocker it makes it very fast on the surface.
It is super easy to get foiling in light wind, lets you ride smaller foils, is reasonably stable, and remains great fun when it is full-on nuts.
The other boards in the line are OK. The 5'8 is bigger and more stable but is kind of a dog to get moving. The smaller boards are fun once up, but frankly they would be way better with the flatter maxed out design of the 5'4.
A lot of the fancy pants shaper stuff really has no positive result on wing boards. The 5'4 is almost like an unshaped board. It is a block with some nose rocker...and that works great for winging.
The only downside is that it is heavy. If and when the make a lighter one, I will buy it again.
-
Thanks so much Admin, I knew you would offer some helpful insight since you have owned many Fanatic boards. I appreciate your feedback , and glad to hear the 5'4" in your estimation is THE board.
I am just about sold on this board...
Can I ask how much you weigh?
-
I am 172 right now but I rode it at 180 towards the end of summer :). It is a great size for us.
-
I am 172 right now but I rode it at 180 towards the end of summer :). It is a great size for us.
Perfect, thanks again...good incentive to stay in shape so the board floats me
-
Just ordered the 54. Very excited to have a wing foiling specific board! Thanks for everyones helpful input.
-
Awesome, congratulations! I received my first wing board - 5.4 quatro wing drifter. Still waiting on florida to deliver some winds for maiden voyage.
-
I had a 5'4" Sky Board which I sold pretty quickly. At my size it was a complete bitch to get up on, and the few times I managed to I was sweating gumdrops about falling on the far side of the river. I went to the extreme of making some training wheels for it (yeah. stupid) but they didn't help at all, the instability is in pitching forward, not simply the fact that it was at least 6 pounds of buoyancy shy of floating me. It's a startlingly heavy board for its size so that weight has to be subtracted from the 95L. I figured net available buoyancy to be about 89 liters.
I loved the feel once I got up on it, but I only managed that a few times. Mostly I just flopped around until I got fed up and grabbed my 6'4" Flying Dutchman.
-
Thanks Pono, even if its a heavy board, its still 3lbs lighter than the 66...It also has a handle next to the foil box, so it will be a lot easier carry. 15 lbs isnt that heavy to me, and hopefully heavier equates to more durable...
-
At 180 you are going to love it Carib. It will be an adjustment from your 6'6 but in a few weeks it will feel great. The board's weight is frustrating mostly because it could easily be made better. This could be an 11 to 12 pound board. The extra weight is most noticeable before launch.
I really hope that Fanatic has a lightweight construction in the works. Call it a pro line, elite line, gimpy old guy who can barely get to the water line, I don't care. I will buy it. My walking looks like Jerry Lewis playing a drunk guy now, even when I am not carrying this clunky cluster of swords. I have pretty much lost control of my parts. I am all in for light. :)
-
Haha, too funny Admin. Maybe you walk like Jerry Lewis, but I bet you foil like Dean MARTIN
-
Hah! I wish! We are down in Baja now. My problem is that I have a head full of dreams and willing delusion when my reality is trying to get back to last season's (low) level performance. Every kneestart and every jibe is a minor miracle. :)
-
I had the opportunity to ride my new Fanatic 54 Sky Wing for the first time today, and this board is great! It was paired with the 5m Duotone in 15-18 mph winds and was the perfect set up for the day.
I was impressed with the stability of this 95 liter board and had no problem at all with knee starts. Like Admin said, getting on foil is quick and effortLess and will be even easier once I attach the front straps for pumping. The ride was smooth and easy and board so responsive and loose. I found jibes to be so much easier than my larger 66 Sky SUP foil board. And despite its smaller deck, I actually found walking the deck and switching stance before, during and after jibes much easier. That doesnt make sense but its true. On my other board I would tend to round up or come off foil in an instant. The Sky Wing allowed me to switch stance and stay up on foil..a few times I actually found myself standing with parallel feet and I was expecting to crash, but kept gliding along on foil...amazing.
I love the handle on the underside..makes carrying board and wing a lot easier.
I am so glad I went with the 54 95 liter and and not the 58 110.
-
Awesome news Caribe! I knew you'd love it and the size would be no issue. It made a world of difference to my riding and transitions going smaller. I'm really impressed and happy with the Sky Wing's build quality and performance!
-
Ya RobM pretty amazing how that board rides..comparing that to my first board, I think I was holding myself back. Wish I had gone smaller sooner.
Anybody on the fence about this board should go fir it. I am so glad I did.
-
That's fantastic Carib, it's always great when a new board works for you right outta the box. Congrats on a right choice, and on what sounds like a great board...great news!!
-
So happy to hear that Carib!
I found the same thing. This board basically taught me to jibe on the foil. I think it is the lack of nose weight that allows you to control pitch through the turn more easily. Having no tail to catch is nice also.
-
@Caribsurf, I'm same weight and 10+lbs with full rubber up here in PNW (Vanc.Isl), riding the 5'0 Sky Wing. Similar story, went from my sup foil BluePlanet 6'6 116 lt to the 5'0 75 lt sky for winging only. I have to get up onto board and onto knees with wing in air very quickly to balance as it's very pitchy twitchy, you cant just sit there on knees or stand without wing pressure. It's a combination of the narrow width (24") and short length that make for a really small balance point/zone on the board while dead in the water, but I love it once up and winging it's is sooo much fun on a small board, and it actually made transitions so much easier for me. There are times i have to prone paddle out to wind line or in from wind line. That being said, I have a friend with the 5'4 Sky Wing and he to loves his board and has none of the issues that I have for stability as it's a considerably wider board, more length, and with 20 litres more volume. He was a windsport rookie going directly to the 5'4 Sky. He is 165 and 10+lbs with rubber, so close to you if you're not all bundled up too? I'm quite sure, I would have no issues with the 5'4 too at those dimensions, haven't tried his board yet but hope to.
I made an homage/copy of Rob's 5' ... it is a fun one. I was immensely relieved first time trying it, that i was able to make it work. Though I didn't get enough days in the dependable summer wind to really feel comfortable, it's a bit of work to get up, especially in medium to marginal wind. So I end up riding it a bit tentative, i.e., afraid to make turns or try stuff as I dread the water start, especially once tired. Need more time on water to get it feeling comfortable. But in light wind, I have my doubts I will ever get comfortable, my big 6'10" sup foil is just so easy and fun it's hard to give up.
Rob: if you could go back in time, would you still buy the 5' or would you prefer the 5'4" as more an all-rounder? Seems like that would give up slight performance but with a lot of low-end benefit. And since i am not exactly pushing loops, I don't know if that performance benefit is worth the cost. I am considering gluing some blanks to make a 5'4" homage next.
-
Rob: if you could go back in time, would you still buy the 5' or would you prefer the 5'4" as more an all-rounder? Seems like that would give up slight performance but with a lot of low-end benefit. And since i am not exactly pushing loops, I don't know if that performance benefit is worth the cost. I am considering gluing some blanks to make a 5'4" homage next.
Hey JuanDF, in hindsight I think the 5'4 at 95lt may be a better all-rounder for me at 185lbs/85kg. I would probably have no issues riding it into the 35+ kn conditions similar to what I can go in with the 5'0. It's the low end that's a real struggle for me to be able to get on the board for a knee start with little to no wind to pressure up the wing to balance against, or if up on foil and the wind drops i eventually have to go to prone as I can't keep standing and balanced. That being said, I'm considering still pushing the low end with the 5'0 by getting the Axis 1150 front wing for light conditions and possibly more powerful wing like Ensis.
-
Seems sensible....the 5' works, but the 5'4" opens up ease of use just that little bit extra perhaps.
That brings up a thought....maybe one of rippers can comment. I know the smaller the board the better the ride....but how much better?
EG: The sky 5x24x5.5 board at 75L can be knee started, just barely, easy in high wind, doable in medium wind, challenging in light wind. The armstrong 4.11x21x3 surf foil at 30ishL is a full-on sinker ... doable in high wind, challenging in medium, not doable in light wind.
So in med-high wind, how much better is the performance of a sinker board for all aspects of riding, carving in waves, pumping, etc versus the same length but thicker and wider knee-starter? Airs are obvious, lighter and smaller is optimal. But for other riding aspects....anticipate smaller board is more responsive....but a little bit better or a lot better? I guess ultimately the question....is the investment in the learning curve and the lower-end suffering worth it? :-)
-
Seems sensible....the 5' works, but the 5'4" opens up ease of use just that little bit extra perhaps.
That brings up a thought....maybe one of rippers can comment. I know the smaller the board the better the ride....but how much better?
EG: The sky 5x24x5.5 board at 75L can be knee started, just barely, easy in high wind, doable in medium wind, challenging in light wind. The armstrong 4.11x21x3 surf foil at 30ishL is a full-on sinker ... doable in high wind, challenging in medium, not doable in light wind.
So in med-high wind, how much better is the performance of a sinker board for all aspects of riding, carving in waves, pumping, etc versus the same length but thicker and wider knee-starter? Airs are obvious, lighter and smaller is optimal. But for other riding aspects....anticipate smaller board is more responsive....but a little bit better or a lot better? I guess ultimately the question....is the investment in the learning curve and the lower-end suffering worth it? :-)
I asked a similar question about minimal knee start boards on Wingsurf. Here is the answer I got. So the guy who designs these boards (Sky) does not ride a sinker, and his skills are most likely way above anyone on this forum. Always a lot of talk on this forum about high end skills (I recall the sinker board thread), but not so much on the demonstration part..........
-
I think volume helps in every way, until it starts making a board heavy. With some production models, they start out heavy, so you have to go pretty low volume to get rid of this weight.
In a perfect world, you would have all the volume you need, at the weight you want.
Landing jumps is easier with volume. The foil is the cushion, not the board.
Some things that could help production boards become lighter....fewer strap inserts! 60 holes in a board comes at a cost, weight.