FANATIC TRI FINS 2016

My first question on the launch of the Fanatic 2016 boards was, “Why have 3 Tri fin boards in the range?”

I will try to answer the question as the three boards, are very different. The sizes are different but this may help to answer design concepts.

So we have the Free Wave which has not changed but as always they have tweaked things in the construction for 2016. I will use my 86L. The Tri-Wave which has changed considerably, I can test the 82L and the Stubby 77L which is a totally new concept board.

Lets have a look at the 2 new shapes.

The Stubby, the planing machine. This board is very short but not so wide, 77L is 55 cm wide and 212 cm long and the 88L is 57.5 cm wide and 215 cm long. You have to get the volume and stability in there some how, so the first thing you notice is how thick it is in the middle of the board. The volume is all around the front foot strap.

The Tri-Wave, fast carving. 82L is 58 cm wide and 224 cm long, this is becoming a standard size for a wave board. The volume is evenly distributed.

On the stubby I notice there is a relatively flat section around the front foot strap and yes it is there on the Tri-wave but not as large. Speed.

The underwater shapes are very similar, a slight double concave ‘V’.

 So where on a board do we command it to turn? The tail, so lets have a look at that.

The Free Wave has double concave ‘V’ throughout the board but under the back foot strap it goes into what I call a power ‘V’, which is in between the thrusters and the centre fin. It then goes flatter behind the centre fin.

The Tri-Wave now has this and they have taken it right to the back of the board. It has less concave in the ‘V’.

Now the Stubby has taken this a step further and changed it into a power channel. This board is really designed for generating power from the tail in the turns.

Looking at the outlines, these boards are very different.

So after looking at the shapes and setting the boards up with my normal settings, it was time to get on the water. ( Settings:- mast foot back, straps forward, thruster fins back and centre fin Forwards and of cause my 3.7m Hero.) On My Free Wave I always use, Maui Ultra Fins 9cm X Quad and 16.5 X Twin so I placed that size in the Stubby but used a 17.5 X Twin in the Tri Wave.

Of cause it was the Stubby I took out first. There were no waves on this session and on the inside almost no wind so I new this was going to be a challenge on this board. The fore and aft trim surprised me, it is Ok BUT boy you really notice it being only 55 cm wide. Very unstable, especially when you have almost no pressure in the sail. However once you get forward momentum there is a lot of active volume and stability. Once out to the wind line, front foot in the strap and off  we go. (Must check some measurements as that was very easy.) This board accelerates very fast, back foot in and no problem with it being right at the back of the board. Going at full speed you do notice the wide tail but it is not a problem, however if you slow down a bit then it does get a bit bouncy. No problem just sail it very fast. One thing I did notice though, the speed fluctuates quite a lot. This will be due to it’s short length, so gusty conditions make it challenging for free sailing. It is very easy to get the board in the air and having your back foot right on the tail, an interesting feeling. As I said no waves but can’t wait to get some aerials. I also did some tests coming in to get an idea on what it would be like turning it on a wave……………… all I can say is GIVE ME SOME WAVES! Very very manoeuvrable.

So out on the Tri Wave. Jumping from the Stubby onto this makes it feel very stable. It has a comfortable feel sailing out with little wind. I mentioned that little flat section, yes this board accelerates faster than last years and flies upwind. A great improvement. Something else is different, the straps must be further apart, getting a bit of spin out and that could be a reason. Must check it. This board is for high speed carving so it’s going to be great on big waves. Especially with the slightly straighter outline. Go big or go home as the speed this board goes, you are going to go high.

Now back to those measurement questions.

These are only rough measurements to give me an idea of what is going on.

A.) Back position of the mast foot. Free Wave 124 cm, Tri Wave 121 cm, Stubby 116 cm. So yes the working section of the Tri and Stubby is further back.

B.) Front foot strap from mast foot. Free Wave 38 cm, Tri Wave 36 cm, Stubby 34 cm. This will explain why it was so easy to get into the front strap and go, on the stubby. 4 cm closer makes a lot of difference on how you can keep the mast upright/vertical.

C.) Foot strap spread. Free Wave 55 cm, Tri Wave 59 cm, Stubby 59 cm. Ha ha yes 4 cm wider, that would explain things with the Tri but why did I not have the problem on the Stubby? I think it may be something to do with the front foot strap position being closer to the mast, I can keep the mast more vertical.

D.) Back strap from the tail. Free Wave 30 cm, Tri Wave 26 cm, Stubby 18 cm.

Just for curiosity I took some width measurements. E.) Free Wave 54 cm, Tri Wave 52 cm, Stubby 50 cm. F.) Free Wave 37 cm, Tri Wave 34 cm, Stubby 35 cm. G.) Free Wave 12 cm, Tri Wave 14 cm, Stubby 16/27 cm. The Stubby has this diamond swallow tail so I have given 2 measurements.

After this first day of testing I have to say the Free Wave is such a great board and I am pleased they have not changed it. It is such a good bench mark to see how other boards work.

The New Tri Wave has taken many of the characteristics of the Free Wave, early plaining, speed and easier to use. It is still a more radical wave board but in some respects it makes it harder to choose between the FW and the Tri. If it is hard core wave sailing you are looking for, then this is your board. But if you are spending more days not in waves, volume may be the answer as if you place them in one group you have:- FW 116, FW 106, TW 99, FW 96, TW 89, FW 86, TW 82, FW 76, TW 74.

I have to try the Stubby in waves to give the full report on this board. It is going to be amazing but very special. I will be doing a separate test on this. My first thought is that I would prefer the 88L to have more stability in light winds, these are the conditions I like.

 Thanks Noah for letting me use your boards.