Author Topic: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"  (Read 5611 times)

LeeBee

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Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« on: February 13, 2016, 10:06:08 AM »
I am about 6' 2" and 195 lbs. and paddle on very calm lakes. A chop is about 4". Anyone out there have any experience with the Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 14' x 26.5" wide for someone my size. I am sure it will be perfectly stable, curious about speed and glide. Also any idea on weight, as the Fanatic site does not list one? The 2016 model with the "destroyer" shaped bow is 22 lbs. I have an opportunity to buy a "leftover" at a good price.
Thanks
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TN_SUP

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2016, 10:42:53 AM »
LB, I had the 14'x24" 2015 Fanatic Flatwater and found it slow for pure flatwater conditions, only paddled it on windy days or during heavy boat traffic. If you're a speed freak I'd look elsewhere or get it for those rough days. Best looking board in my opinion.
'13 SB Sprint, '15 SIC X-14 ProLite, RH Coastal Cruiser, Think EZE Ski, Kenalu Konihi 84  & Mana

LeeBee

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2016, 10:59:17 AM »
TN-SUP
Thanks, may I ask what you weigh? The alternative is a Block Box UNO 14 x 26.25
I figured at my weight the rocker on the Fanatic's rocker might help keep the entry and exit smoother.
2019 Mistral Stealth 17' 6" x 24"
2019 Mistral Interceptor 17' 6" x 24"
2017 NSP Ninja 14' x 25"
2016 JP Australia All-Around 11' 8" x 31"
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Kai Barton ARES OC-1 outrigger canoe

TN_SUP

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2016, 11:15:44 AM »
Very true, I'm a 6' 155 pounder and could not take advantage of the water line, definitely felt too light for it. Hear good things about the uno. FYI, I bought my Flatwater new for $1400 shipped last year. Very odd that there isn't more data on the Fanatic.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2016, 11:19:10 AM by TN_SUP »
'13 SB Sprint, '15 SIC X-14 ProLite, RH Coastal Cruiser, Think EZE Ski, Kenalu Konihi 84  & Mana

LeeBee

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2016, 12:26:04 PM »
TN-SUP
Thanks I remember (sort of) when I weighed 155 at age 20, 50+ years ago. Will look further into the UNO, but at 250 liters volume I am concerned at my weight I'll push too much water on a board with very little rocker.
2019 Mistral Stealth 17' 6" x 24"
2019 Mistral Interceptor 17' 6" x 24"
2017 NSP Ninja 14' x 25"
2016 JP Australia All-Around 11' 8" x 31"
Stellar S16S surf ski
Kai Barton ARES OC-1 outrigger canoe

Quickbeam

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2016, 06:17:57 PM »
TN-SUP
Thanks I remember (sort of) when I weighed 155 at age 20, 50+ years ago. Will look further into the UNO, but at 250 liters volume I am concerned at my weight I'll push too much water on a board with very little rocker.


Let us know what you think of the Uno. That's a board I've been curious about and would like to hear your impression.
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Area 10

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2016, 07:58:23 PM »
The first Fanatic race SUP designs were very good. The white carbon 12-6x30.5" board was an excellent stable flat water platform for someone who values stability. It even surfed pretty well for a board of that type. The following years' boards were also pretty good, and the 12-6x27"  "red rocket" was ahead of its time, and a sensible evolution of the design. The 14s were pretty decent too. But then IMO Fanatic started pursuing a marketing strategy of creating extreme designs each year with huge changes in the model ranges, presumably to encourage people to update each year. But in doing this they left behind some very well-balanced designs in favour of more extreme ones with narrow use tolerances and certain design foibles. I don't think they've recovered from this yet, which may be why they are languishing some way down the list of the most successful brands in terms of international race wins, some way behind much smaller outfits like SIC who have pursued a more conservative and evolutionary design approach.

The Volkswagen Golf has been a hugely successful car for VW, worldwide. The reason for this is that each new version has built on the lessons from the last. So what they have now is a hugely refined product. People still buy new VW Golfs even though the designs aren't hugely different from the previous ones. There's a lesson there for the big SUP brands, I think.

Luc Benac

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2016, 08:35:50 PM »
The Volkswagen Golf has been a hugely successful car for VW, worldwide. The reason for this is that each new version has built on the lessons from the last. So what they have now is a hugely refined product. People still buy new VW Golfs even though the designs aren't hugely different from the previous ones. There's a lesson there for the big SUP brands, I think.

I which they would have done the same with the Jetta instead of screwing up a very good car (i.e. the 90+ models)

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TN_SUP

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2016, 07:27:49 AM »
Yep, the original 14x27 flatwater was my favorite board and only recently sold it to go narrow (except when leaves would stick to the bow). Wish they continued to refine it, it was great construction and thought I would ride a fanatic for life. I had the fortune to rent a Golf GTI last month and it was a blast! Came with a feeling of being young and hip too.
'13 SB Sprint, '15 SIC X-14 ProLite, RH Coastal Cruiser, Think EZE Ski, Kenalu Konihi 84  & Mana

LeeBee

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2016, 08:48:20 AM »
OK, looks like I'll shift over to the UNO and will give a review after I paddle it a bit. I certainly agree with evolution over revolution on the design, but unfortunately as someone who owned (and seriously modified) VW's since 1965, execution also counts. While a slick design, Golfs are not the most reliable, expensive to repair, etc. I'll stick to my WRX's.
2019 Mistral Stealth 17' 6" x 24"
2019 Mistral Interceptor 17' 6" x 24"
2017 NSP Ninja 14' x 25"
2016 JP Australia All-Around 11' 8" x 31"
Stellar S16S surf ski
Kai Barton ARES OC-1 outrigger canoe

robon

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Re: Fanatic Falcon Flatwater 2015 Model 14' x 26.5"
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2016, 10:47:23 AM »
I think Fanatic paddlers not winning as many races as other companies has more to do with the horses in the stable than their designs . Conor Baxter wins a lot of races every year and Starboard changes their designs almost on a yearly basis. Kai Lenny, Travis Grant, Freitas, and Ching are other examples of riders who have and are going to win races on multiple designs. Same thing with Annabel Anderson and Candice Appleby for female paddlers who win regardless of what designs they are on.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2016, 11:02:48 AM by robon »

 


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