Fanatic Falcon 113 2012 Preview

 

Here are some quick observations of the 113(2012) Vs the 111(2011) 

• The rails are boxier in the tail and the straps are closer to the rail meaning a more committed stance. 
• The tail around behind the back straps is more bulbous flowing into a flatter and slightly thinner working area between the front straps. 
• With a quick check of the bottom with a ruler it looks like there is a little more vee(than 2011) under the back foot as well as some tail rocker(2011 had none). 
• There are still the double concave in the nose but this washes out into a vee right up the front instead of a flat like the 2011 model. 
• The track recess appears much deeper but I think this is partly due to more volume in the shoulder of the rail. 
• The track recess also extends right to the nose reducing volume and lift and increasing stiffness.

RS Racing Evo IV

RS Racing Evo IV and JP Slalom VIII

There are a few images floating around in cyberspace of the new RS Racing Evo IV.  The most obvious change is the break from the Iconic Burnt Orange.  The EvoIII started this move with a redder orange as well as blue and red printing on the body panels.  The new design is reverting back to a higher aspect ratio and looser mid and lower leech.  Smaller sizing is also changing and there is less choice in the way of dedicated speed sizes with 5.8 being the starting point.  Perhaps some limited edition speed specials will be produced.

RS Racing Evo IV vs Evo III

The advertising graphic only represents the colour, material and reinforcement changes and does not hint towards the amount the aspect ratio is changing as the outlines are identical.  There looks to be more reinforcing/opaque panels in the foot of the sail and less at the bottom of the leech above the clew.

RS Racing Evo IV Overlay

Fanatic Falcon 2012 Sizes

The board bags on the 2012 Fanatic site show the sizing of the upcoming and yet to be released 2012 Fanatic Falcon range of slalom boards...

XS (245 x 57)
NewWave 69 / 76 / 83, FreeWave 75, NewWave Twin 72 / 79, Quad 75 / 81, all Falcon Speeds

S (247 x 62)
NewWave 91, NewWave Twin 86 / 93, Quad 87 / 94, FreeWave 85 / 95, Hawk 100, Falcon Slalom 89, Ray 100, Skate 89

M (249 x 66)
FreeWave 105 / 115, Skate 99 / 109, Shark 105, Hawk 110, Falcon Slalom 99

L (258 x 70)
Shark 120, Ripper 102, Ray 115, Falcon 113, Hawk 120, Ripper 120

XL (268 x 85)
Shark 135 / 150 / 165, Falcon 125 / 140 / 165, Ray 130 / 145, Hawk 135

Looks like;
>the 85 is now 89
>the 102 is now 99
>the 111 is now 113
>the 122 is now 125
>the 134 and 148 have been replaced by a 140.

Widths are anyones guess but based on the popularity of the 2011 shapes I am sure there will only be slight tweaks rather than wholesale changes.

JP Slalom VIII 2012 Sizes

I always like to check out the JP board bag sizing for the coming year as it usually has models which have not been put on the website.

JP Slalom VIII Range
59
66
68
78
84

I am pretty sure there will be a smaller size also that is not added to the small board bag list:
http://www.jp-australia.com/2012/index.php?id=647

It appears the larger boards have been resized:
The 76 is now 78cm wide.
The 82 is now 84cm wide.

There have been other leaks on the web but this is on the official website;)

New JP Super Light Wind 2012

JP have added a second size of SLW to complement the original 90cm design.

The 92cm SLW is like a scaled up X-cite Ride and is 16cm longer than the 90 and both come with a moulded 56cm carbon fin. The 92 also has an inboard strap option and 11L more flotation enhancing its appeal for begginers and intermediates.

The 92 is available in FWS and PRO construction, the 90 is available in PRO and GOLD construction.

JP Speed 2012

JP have released the 2012 speed range with one upgraded design; the 49 is now a 50 and has been designed to complement the new wide base style of weed fin pioneered by C3. Looking at the plan the nose looks a little wider and spoon like reminiscent of the Carbon Art speed boards. It appears that the boards are no longer supplied with fins, it would be great if they came with a C3 Slingshot!

Fin Screw Tabs

I had to make some washers for my fin screws tonight and thought I would make it easier to insert and remove them from the recessed holes on my boards with standard tuttle boxes. The holes are recessed about 25-30mm below deck level and are too small in diameter to get a finger either side of the screw head.  By extending the rubber washer into a strip, two tabs are created allowing the screw to be placed perfectly.  I dont know why I haven't done this before as most of the time when I need to get the screws out I have resorted to tipping the board upside down and shaking them out.  You can sometimes guide the screw in and remove it on the tip of the screwdriver but this is hit and miss and magnetic tips don't work on 316 stainless.

 

 Fin Screw Tabs - Easy insertion and extraction!

Cut strips out of 1.5mm Neoprene Rubber - 100mm x 17mm

Wad punch centre of strips with 3/16 punch

Hole wad removed.

Place the screw & washer into the strip and bring the tabs together.

Insert into recess, alight tabs with water flow;)

Tighten.