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Home Archives for San Fransisco Bay
Fanatic 2014 Free Wave 116 – Test author Bill Hilow

July 24, 2015 By Bill Hilow Leave a Comment

Fanatic 2014 Free Wave 116 – Test author Bill Hilow

It’s a special board. I am 98 kilos and have 20+ years of experience mostly in San Fransisco bay.

Sailworks Windsurfing SailSan Fransisco Bay – About the conditions of the surf spot

I typically sail in wind that is +30 kph which in San Fransisco means daily opportunity.  The bay is not very glamorous. It’s typically cold and foggy. The launches are usually off rocks or barriers designed to reduce erosion and covered with barnacles or mud. As SF is a crowded urban area most launches have issues with drainage. In fact some of the windiest spots are often at the convergence of drains that lead into the bay.  Currents are strong and wind occasionally shuts down at very inopportune times meaning you are swimming against both current and wind! Regardless wind is strong and most important consistent!

Fanatic 2014 Free Wave 116 – Impressive performance

I have only sailed this board 3 times and already I have mastered it. The Fanatic FreeWave CWS has it all. Light weight, solid construction and a powerbox! I use the rear straps in dual configuration. I use it with sails in the 5.5-6.0 range. The board planes up in a hurry. It has a lively fun ride. I never thought I could air out a boxy 116 liter board but this thing can handle jumps and has significant pop. You can slash down the face and then launch into the air. In the air you will notice it’s size but landing it off the wind properly delivers smooth landings. Tail slides are fun, even with dual straps. Jibes like it’s on rails. Considering the significant thickness around the front middle it gets around turns like a wave board should! You can bury the nose but it keeps carving. Fun in jumps, fun in the straight and easy to jibe. Very impressive~ // Bill Hilow

Fanatic 2014 Free Wave 116

Filed Under: Board Preview, Fanatic, Freeride Tagged With: Fanatic, Freewave, Sailworks, San Fransisco, San Fransisco Bay, Wave, Windsurfing

Fanatic Hawk 100 L Wood Sandwich 2012 – Test report: Bill Hilow

July 22, 2015 By Bill Hilow Leave a Comment

Fanatic Hawk 100 L Wood Sandwich 2012 – Test report: Bill Hilow

In over 20 years of sailing in San Fransisco this is the preeminent freeride rocket. My main board in any conditions including open ocean blasting. Not since the Mistral Electron of yore has there been another board with this competence and versatility. It gobbles chop, lofts airs like a 88lt.

Fanatic Hawk 2012 – Two gear board, waterstart or fullspeed

Takes commitment to ride. Basically has two gears. Waterstart or full speed. There really isn’t any in-between. As soon as you step on the back strap the board jumps and keeps accelerating until you hit top speed or stuff it.  I sail most often with a 5.5 and and 26cm FinWorks Wave Blade. All carbon.

Fanatic Hawk 100 L – Great speed potential, yet an really good allrounder

Top speed is of course limited to fin, sail and bottom shape.  Jibing takes commitment and a flat area to initiate. I try to scrub speed by sailing a bit upwind then overcommitting to the lee rail. The board is short and wide but never plows.  Upwind performance better than average, off wind performance it’s forte’.  If you’re fully powered in chop or big rolling swell no freestyler will challenge you. I guarantee it. Exciting ride with slippery feel. // Bill Hilow

Fanatic Hawk 2012 100lt

The old- USA Haute 86lt, Glass board circa. 1988 The new- Fanatic Hawk 2012. 100lt

Filed Under: Fanatic, Fanatic, Freerace, Freeride Tagged With: Fanatic, Fanatic Hawk, Freerace, Freeride, San Fransisco, San Fransisco Bay, Windsurfing

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