Anyone seen the 2023 Fanatic Downwinder foil board? It looks like great lightwind wingboard to me.

They missed the boat on tail shape IMHO.

Do you think it should have been more drawn in ? Narrower ? I am starting to look at this kind of shape but options are limited. the AFS Blackbird looks interesting too.

Another enticing option:

www.gong-galaxy.com/en/product/gong-foil-board-cruzader-fsp-pro-2023/

I know it just from their website, whether it is any good remains to be seen.

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ZeeGerman said..
Another enticing option:

www.gong-galaxy.com/en/product/gong-foil-board-cruzader-fsp-pro-2023/

I know it just from their website, whether it is any good remains to be seen.

The length/with proportions of the Cruzader are quite different, at 6'6 it's only 18 7/8" - almost 48 cm narrow. The AFS Blackbird 6'4 is 23 1/2 - almost 60 cm and the Fanatic 6'2 is 25'' - 63.5 cm

I just saw this Kalama board (7'6"x22", ~100 liters) in action as a light wind wing board in conjunction with an Armstrong HA1325. The rider was ~78 kg and using only a 4.5m hand wing. It was amazing to see him easily pump up onto foil in 7-8 kts of wind. Very impressive as a downwinder rig for light winds and SUPping. He said if you were only using it to wing (not SUP) you could get away with an 18" width. Also said that Kalama is completely backlogged on orders for these boards

That looks like a great prone downwind board but for winging? You'd really have to be desperate for a session. My 6'5 x 23 115L Kalama custom I've used for winging a few times and it's already amazing how quickly it gets going. It's 12# so that thing is probably 11ish.
Maybe as a novelty once in a while but they weren't laid up to withstand regular winging.

It looks like a similar sized Gong is closer to 15#

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Thatspec said..
That looks like a great prone downwind board but for winging? You'd really have to be desperate for a session. My 6'5 x 23 115L Kalama custom I've used for winging a few times and it's already amazing how quickly it gets going. It's 12# so that thing is probably 11ish.
Maybe as a novelty once in a while but they weren't laid up to withstand regular winging.

It looks like a similar sized Gong is closer to 15#

If you're referring to my post, He said that he only wings with it in very light wind as a learning tool to improve his SUP downwind skills. The idea is that he tries to maximize bump connecting rides while luffed out as long as possible. Gets back upwind easily to start over. Makes transitioning to 100% SUP foiling far easier, which seems to make sense to me

It did convince me that we'll definitely see some light wind wing board design improvements as time marches on

i was out riding my 78 liter/5'0" Code with 6m SLS Slick and big Veloce xxl foil at the same time as him. Both of us having fun, just very different riding objectives

I was Dave, just too lazy to quote...
After I purchased mine lightly used last fall, another came up identical to the one you've pictured. 7'6 to me is beyond compromise. My feeling is anything over about 6' regardless of weight creates touchdown problems, wind resistance problems, and others. Actually not so much about length but length in front of your front foot. Even with the 6'5 there's plenty. Kalama, Riggs and Dylan make it look easy but I'm not going to be able to maintain that perfect pitch control.

Pretty neat though, could probably also have a 4.5 as my biggest wing at 87Kg.

I'm told these have high density foam in the stand area. I'm afraid my knees are going to be leaving dents as they don't line up with the front foot strap area. It has to be a ridiculously light glassing schedule to be 12# even at 115L.

Yeah they are cool tools, but with some caveats.

Any updates or feedback on anyone using the Fanatic 6.2 downwinder for light wind winging as an option?

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Thatspec said..
My feeling is anything over about 6' regardless of weight creates touchdown problems, wind resistance problems, and others.

6'9'' x 18.5'' and none of the problems you are describing. The touchdowns are silky smooth, and haven't felt the wind affecting the board either.

I recently bought a 6' 2" Fanatic Downwinder for use as a light wind wingfoil board. It definitely gets moving & off the water quickly. I'm also finding due to it's narrow width I'm less likely to put a rail onto the water when gybing.
The large volume in the nose compared to the tail means I have to get my weight a long way forward if parked in a lull.
Touchdowns are positive & it tracks forward well.

Hi Gregwho what foil size are you using and wing size?
thanks

Hi, I didn't see this thread and opened a new one with my experience with the Duotone downwind board.
Here it the thread name " Duotone Downwind Board Review | Wing Foiling Forums, page 1 (seabreeze.com.au) "

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Carbonlover said..
Hi Gregwho what foil size are you using and wing size?
thanks

I'm 105 kg so my go to wing is a Slick SLS 7 M, 5 M for 20 knots plus. I use an Axis HPS 1050 foil & a Spitfire 1100 in stronger wind, both with short fuselage & 400/90 or 375/65 tails