FANATIC SHARK LTD 150L 2013 TEST REVIEW
FANATIC SHARK LTD 150L 2013 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
Easing and speeding-up the transition from learner boards to the world of planing. For more experienced sailors there are more modern shapes emerging, including Fanatic’s own Gecko, that are also worthy of consideration and keeping longer term in a quiver.
RECOMMENDATION
Give the HRS version strong consideration. Unless struggling for lift in underpowered conditions contemplate a smaller fin, especially if mastering beachstarts.
BRAND POSITIONING
Fanatic bill the Shark as a pure freeride product and the Sharks sit alongside other Fanatic ‘freemove’, ‘freecarve’ and freerace models. They claim the range is ‘perfect for progression and forgiving to intermediates…the perfect platform for fast learners and a lifetime of Freeride pleasure’.
OVERVIEW
Outline: Slightly rounded profile with pronounced pintail and central wide point.
Deck: Fairly flat with some doming shape around footstraps
Rail Profile: Full and boxy, particularly between front straps and mast track. Tucked along most of the length until thinned-out tail.
Bottom Shape: Rolled vee to double concave
Rocker Line: Slight nose lift with a few mm of tail release
PERFORMANCE
Underfoot: Although one of the widest in the selection the Shark feels a tad narrower but there’s ample stability for those less steady on their feet.
Early Planing & Acceleration: Lighter riders had no problems in marginal winds but thought the fin size excessive. The mast track is placed quite far back, presumably to aid early planing. We found it better quite far forward for more control in planing-strength breeze.
Top Speed: The domed rails allow a good stance for enjoyable speed and the light feeling and hydrofoiling sensation lift clear of chop very well.
Gybing & Manoeuvres: Forgiving and easy to carve fast turns, especially for larger testers, but once again a smaller fin could increase the fun and help tighten up those arcs.
Handling & Ride: A trademark Fanatic lively, directional feel in all conditions but everyone remarked on the jet of water spurting against their front calf muscles at speed!
THE VERDICT
A quintessential first time freeride shape with a track record of helping intermediates progress. Probably not an accomplished sailor’s freeride choice as the Shark’s focus is on making life easy rather than being more technical to sail or out-and-out excitement.
For more information on the
FANATIC SHARK LTD 150L 2013
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