freewave boards

capetonian · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Florida

I have owned the following FSW boards over the previous 4 years:
Goya One 105 L (tri fin)
Tabou 3S (now called 3S classic) 116 L
Quatro Tetra 109 L
Fanatic FW Stubby 105 L
Severne Dyno 115 L

For flat water bump and jump and the ability to handle chop the Tabou 3S and the Severne Dyno get my recommendation. Tabou #1 and Severne close #2 in bump and jump conditions. For pure wave riding applications the Severne Dyno and the Fanatic FW Stubby were the best. Severne #1 and Fanatic #2. I can see why you found the Fanatic Stubby too bouncy, but the Severne has a much more settled ride.

The Quatro Tetra and the Goya One were also good compromise boards, but I feel the Severne is as good in chop while being more satisfying in the waves. I also demoed the newer Goya One 106 in Maui, and it felt similar to the previous generation Goya One, possibly less wave / more flat water oriented than the previous generation.

I now almost exclusively sail the Severne here in Florida for waves and flat water even though I have plenty of other boards in the garage.

capetonian · Joined: 11 Aug 2006 Posts: 1197 Location: Florida

The Dyno 115 has a narrower tail than the Fanatic FW Stubby 105, so that may be part of your answer.

manuel · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 1158

Try the fw stubby as a single and you'll be surprised!

dcharlton · Joined: 24 Apr 2002 Posts: 414

The Tabou 3S classic is my all time favorite. I had the 96 and 116 (2012/2013). I don't think I've ever loved a freewave board so much. Just incredible boards.

DC

loopless · Joined: 30 Jun 1997 Posts: 426

I think you should have kept trying with the stubby freewave. I love my 105 - much better than what would be the previous generation JP FSW I used to have. It takes some getting used to-I agree the spin out can be an issue , but it’s easy to pull back. I ride in light DTL side/side on conditions and it comes off the bottom and smacks the lip nicely. The fanatic ‘stubby’ concept is not a fad. I also have a Blast 115 and I can tell you that thing rips free ride. It’s so nice be on a relatively narrow board vs the wide free ride shapes.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 2643

Quote, loopless, (stubby freewave) 'I ride in light DTL ....and it comes off the bottom and smacks the lip nicely.' That describes exactly what my relatively old custom tri fin wave ski (short and wide) excels at, so the attraction is clear and agree with you that 'stubby' in windsurfing is not just a fad. The fact that I now prefer a moderate length and width (Exocet Cross 08 94 litres) single fin windsurfing board for 'do it all', is probably my failing in no longer wanting to be so radical.(Ouch, it hurts!)

When you say 'it's nice to be on a relatively narrow board vs the wide freeride shapes,' talking about freeride, not surfing, it's another bulls eye for many of us. When I compare my fairly modern Exocet Cross 2008 94 litre ( 240 by 60 ish) with, say, my 1998 Bic Saxo 94 litre (270 long and very narrow) it's clear that the Cross is far more versatile, and wins hands down. Though when things are taken to extremes in the stubby trend, I would much prefer that old Saxo (it can perform) to one of 'them', no matter how many fins, or because of, they choose to sprout!

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:44 am Post subject:

GURGLETROUSERS · Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 2643

Indeed, I was thinking of 'You Too'. Wink

and couldn't resist!

But on a wider point - Much like the 7 ages of man, there are ages (changing priorities) in the windsurfing game, for those with excess of 35 years of going hammer and tongs at it.From what I observe few last such a time span without a change of direction. Some just fade away and move on; some develop nasty habits such as kiting, foiling, and just talking a good day in the car park; some catch the cycling bug (me too) which they carelessly allow to gradually take precedence, and only appear at the beach once in a blue moon. (Always with excuses.)

For those of us who do stay the course, and will continue to do so, radical can no longer be a valid objective. We peaked a long time ago. We are no longer able to 'progress' if that in fact has any obvious purpose) so we settle for continuity, and SATISFACTION, which would involve a 'normal decent' session, with many smiles, and optional singing.

I really can't see why such no longer appeals to those who simply drift away. It did once, so what has so changed for them??