Hi Roe,
We had the 11' 2" Hobie ATR sitting on the rack in the shop for a couple of weeks before the fins arrived for it, so we just sat and admired it and were curious to see how it would go.
It's a little more old school in terms of plan shape and at 29.5" it isn't super wide, but it is quite stable. I finned it up and took it down to the river for a flat water session a week or so ago and was absolutely blown away at how well it paddled. It had amazing glide and top speed, more so than the Fanatic Fly's and I attribute this to the narrower width and flatter rocker line.
The Hobie ATR 11'2" is a thruster (2 + 1) setup which will catch the littlest bump and surf it well, very much long board style of surfing although it will get around reasonably well with the aid of the paddle and by keeping your weight well aft.
The deck pad is like walking on the finest shag pile carpet in the middle of the standing area with the foredeck and aft deck with a more aggressively textured full length deck pad. The soft smooth deck pad in the middle can be just a little slippery if charging up the board or rapidly changing direction on that surface, but this is more an observation than a criticism, it didn't effect my surfing it and was worth it totally for the comfort on your feet.
I reckon this board is a cracker and although it will be beaten by other boards in the surf, it's speed and glide in flat water make this more of a flat water/cruiser and small wave rider. A great board for family fun and paddles so well on the flat. You just don't feel like your pushing water like other bigger rockered boards. If you closed your eyes, you'd swear you were paddling a racer. The quality is excellent.
I'm a big fan!
DM
