Fanatic fly v Falcon

I have a 12'6 Fly Race x 27" and use it for the odd downwinder but a 14' would be way better. I think the Fly Race is the 2012 model which was updated to become the Falcon.

The 2012 Fanatic 12'6 x 27 Fly Race is the flat water race board but I got it based on what I saw in these reviews and video:

Stevo is correct. The Fly Race has been updated to the Falcon. In the 2015 range the Fly Series is more the All Round style of board. At 85kg in 14 foot there are a number of options for you depending on the type of paddling you're doing. I have both the 14 x 24.75 and 14 x 27.25. I'm about 87kg at the moment and use the 14 x 24.75 in marginal lumps and small swell but if I'm paddling down winders in the ocean and larger swell I'll often use the 14 x 27.25 for its improved stability.

If you're paddling flat water or enclosed waters the thinner 24.75 is the go as it is definitely faster on the flat than the wider 27.25. It is slightly less stable, however, time spent on it will make this negligable if you're really not paddling in swell.

I'd suggest the 14 over the 12'6" every time unless you want a BOP board or have a smaller garage.

As you live in Cronulla, call Sam Parker at WindsurfnSnow at Collaroy. Sam has demo boards and is one of the most experienced paddlers in the country. He'll sell you the board that is best for you and he'll encourage you to try as many options as possible to help you out.

The 2012 falcon is like a floating footpath, at least the 30" wide one is. It is however very fast in flat water. Not at all good in the ocean though. I have a 2014 falcon and a mate I train with has a 2012 falcon. He is about 5-10 seconds per km quicker than me on flat water but in the ocean, the falcon picks up the bumps so much better and I am usually a couple of hundred metres ahead of him in a matter of minutes (nothing to do with skills - we are both novice in the ocean).

So, I wouldn't recommend the 2012 falcon if you are stuck on getting a fanatic and want to use it for downwinding - the 2014 or 2015 falcon would be much better. I haven't paddled the 2013 falcon but I believe it is more suited to downwinding than the 2012 but not as good as the 2014/15