Does anyone have a comparison between the 2012 Naish and the 2012 Fanatic, speed, stability, downwind wave riding etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

You're obviously talking about the Naish Catalina, with the sunken deck? Compared to The Fanatic Fly Race?

Fly Race Carbon is super light. That would be the one I would steer towards. I think the Catalina was orientated to Surf Style BOP (Battle of the Paddle) Races.

I have only had a short paddle on both, on separate days. Both are good boards. The Catalina surf quite well, easy to handle.... I would go out on a limb, and suggest that the Catalina is easier to handle in the surf... Catalina is semi narrow at 27"5/8, and The Fly is 30"1/2. But The Fly seems to come in a 27"3/4 option now.

If you're heavier, The Fly 30"1/2 could be a good option....

http://www.fanatic-sup.com/content/products/sup/fly_race/index_eng.html
www.naishsurfing.com/boards/glide/glide-details/?hgm=1_6

For me personally, I like 14-17+ feet of fun. And the S.I.C. F-18 is one serious weapon !! Built for SPEED !!
www.sicmaui.com/f18.htm It's not cheap though, and hard to find them in Oz.

62mac said...

Ask Lacey he knows just don't start him on fins

a laugh a minute

62mac said...

laceys lane said...

62mac said...

Ask Lacey he knows just don't start him on fins

a laugh a minute

So what do you think Lacey, I'm keen on the Fanatic 30 wide model,flatwater only.

mac, you like your production sups i think, so yeah, i reckon thats the goer for you.

dc does have wide model 12'6 s too
cheers

Mac, DC14 would be good for you. QLD made board, and better for touring than the 12'6. Perfect for a tourist like you! Just kidding buddy!

Lacey, where are DC at with their 14's at the moment.... I can't keep up ! What's happening on the Manta front?

babson said...

Does anyone have a comparison between the 2012 Naish and the 2012 Fanatic, speed, stability, downwind wave riding etc. Any advice would be appreciated.

That you've referred to the 2012 Naish and the 2012 Fanatic suggests that you are not talking about the Catalina or the white Fly Race, which were both 2011 boards, and to call a spade a spade, were both ultimately uncompetitive in all the categories that you've mentioned.

The 2012 red Fly Race from Fanatic is a much better board than the white one, it's faster, a better wave rider, and even though it's 3 inches narrower, it's somehow more stable. The white one is okay, but the red one is a ripper.

I don't know if anyone's seen a 2012 Naish 12'6" race board in Australia yet. I'm sure it will be vastly superior to the Catalina, which is really the red headed step child in the otherwise flawless Naish range.

laceys lane said...

Simondo said...

Mac, DC14 would be good for you. QLD made board, and better for touring than the 12'6. Perfect for a tourist like you! Just kidding buddy!

Lacey, where are DC at with their 14's at the moment.... I can't keep up ! What's happening on the Manta front?

simondo, i'm not in tune as much as i was, but dc have two models in the 14' range. one at 28" and one at 30". they have a model name but it escapes me at the moment.

mantas are good, i've still got mine. i was short of work for a bit and looked at passing up the 12'6, but managed to get through ok.

imo, if you want one board to do all- get a 14' er. its amazing what one and a half feet extra on a 12'6 makes

cheers

Yes 14 foot is a fair bit faster than 12'6, for most paddlers.

Simondo said...
Yes 14 foot is a fair bit faster than 12'6, for most paddlers.

I'm not so sure about that anymore Simon.. PT's new little 12'6" was noticably faster than my 17 today.

DJ

Which 12'6 DJ?

Simondo said...

Which 12'6 DJ?

It's his 23" wide Starboard proto (EJ's old board).

Maybe I'm just slow but I'm pretty sure the board had something to do with it.

DJ

PTWoody said...

DavidJohn said...

Simondo said...

Which 12'6 DJ?

It's his 23" wide Starboard proto (EJ's old board).

Maybe I'm just slow but I'm pretty sure the board had something to do with it.

DJ

No doubt, yeah the small chop today was just bumping the big board about and slowing it down whereas the skinny 12'6 was getting mini glides. Only trouble is, you can't actually stop when you're on this thing - it's like being on Cadel Evans' bike, perfectly balanced and stable, as long as you're moving quickly.

In my opinion, the 12'6 vs 14' debate comes down to the rocker on the 14'. If I see an equally skilled paddler on a 14' Glide or Open Ocean in front of me in a flattish water race, ie with no DW conditions or significant wave action, I'd back myself to run them down on my 12'6. Most 12'6 boards seem to have more water line than a 14' with DW rocker.

i'm not knocking, but the glide is really the only big rockered 14'er around?

is the new sic 14' bullet going to be classed as a big rockered board in oz- probably.

in hawaii both bullets are consider lower rockered boards. goes to show the different in conditions

nzal said...

Fanatic 12'6" * 27 is real nice board . Super light & fast. Not sure about downwinders , but fun surf yesterday before snow hit.

So it doesn't ski well then?