This is the review from our test team of the Fanatic Stingray LTD 110 foil board, which was featured in our September 2020 edition of Windsurf Magazine.
THE LOWDOWN
The Stingray is Fanatic’s dedicated windfoil board offering, with three sizes in the range for 2020, from 110 to 140 litres. Having tested the middle 125 litre version last year, its the turn of the newest sibling in an otherwise unchanged lineup (save for the colour scheme). With the two original sizes available in either HRS or LTD construction, this 110 is produced solely in the dearer technology, targeted towards “higher wind and manoeuvre-oriented foiling”. Plenty of effort has been made to make the Stingrays as compatible with every riding style and foil type: they each have an extended mast track length, along with inboard and outboard strap positions and both Deep Tuttle Foil Box and US track connection options. The design of the 110 itself is well considered and easy on the eye compared to some others in the group, without as much of a noticeable departure from convention. Indeed, with a length of 215 cm, the Stingray looks positively long in outline! It has a subtle bevel to temper the hard release of the rail edge; plenty of vee in the hull and some rocker in the nose profile. Many established design traits are in place to make the foiling experience as accessible as possible. Even mounting and dismounting the foil in the 110 is made both practical and easy, with the recess around the fin bolt holes enlarged to countersink the heavy duty washers, or make them easy to grasp, post session. And whilst not the lightest at just shy of 8.0 kg, the finish and feel of the 110 is one of real quality, coming complete with Fanatic’s premium straps, mounted on their excellent dual density diamond-grooved deckpads.
BRAND CLAIM
“The Stingray is our dedicated free foilboard with an incredibly easy and fun character. All details of its shape are designed to make the world of foiling as accessible and fun as possible, and it will grow with you as your skill and performance level progress.”
PERFORMANCE
Step back in time by five years or so, and you’d be forgiven for considering a board of 215 cm in length as quite extreme. And yet by today’s wind foiling standards, the Stingray appears somewhat traditional in appearance, its outline both long and tapered in the tail. On the water it is also delightfully easy and familiar to use, tracking predictably and accelerating on the water’s surface in an orthodox manner, using the board’s waterline rather than relying more on the foil. Balanced on both feet, it boasts a similar feel and character to its larger sibling tested last year, being well mannered and easy, without doing anything untoward. Equally happy to be loaded and ridden hard, as it is cruising around at half speed, the Stingray is a flattering board to use and exemplifies why smaller, narrower boards are actually easier to foil well on. With everything closer to the centreline, it feels more natural underfoot, the straps located automatically, which in turn helps to grow rider confidence, as they feel connected with the foil at all times. A freeride wind foiling exponent in the truest sense, it provides plug and play ease and helps the rider make the most of every session. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for some crossover versatility into wing foiling, Fanatic offer the SKY SUP Foil WS – a 6’11” contender with 142 litre of volume and a whole heap of usability in transitioning into other foiling disciplines.
VERDICT
The new Stingray 110 is a wind foil specific contender with supreme balance, composure and comfort, which will flatter even the more nervous pilot as they progress further in their foiling journey. Footwork in foiling transitions has never felt more natural!
VITAL STATS
Website: http://www.fanatic.com
Price: £1779.00
Volume (Quoted): 110 litres.
Length: 215 cm.
Width: 65 cm.
1ft off: 52.4 cm.
Weight (‘Naked’): 7.98 kg.
Box: Deep Tuttle Foil Box and 2 x 10” US Boxes
Sail Range (Quoted): <8.0m
Sizes Available: 110, 125, 140.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST: