Out of the box
On the water
k g i e t a r s h e d: h a r d b o a r d s
Styled to rip – Fanatic Stylemaster 9ft x 29” x 115L Pure 2017 spotlight
At roughly the same time last year we had the opportunity to try out Fanatic’ s 2016 10ft Stylemaster as part of a comparison test which you can read here- standuppaddlemag. co. uk / 2015 / 11 / 09 / peas-in-a-pod-fanatic-stubby-8-6ft-ltd-stylemaster-10ft-woodcomparison-review / We liked it then and we like it now. As a progressive wave rider that copes with toes over styling and being thrown around, it was a new type of surf SUP that moved away from smaller traditional shape designs. We therefore couldn’ t wait to try the brand’ s 2017 9ft version – a board which promised to be even more rippable.
Price:
9 & 10ft Pure Light- £ 1,049 9 & 10ft WE Ltd- £ 1,599
Info:
www. fanatic. com / product / s tylemaster- 2 /# productDetailsTabs3
Out of the box
Coming in bright white accented blue livery, it’ s a sexy looking sled straight out of the box. Fanatic’ s Pure construction is, as always, top shelf with pinpoint attention to detail given to all key areas. The deckpad is superb, being grippy but comfortable and running two thirds of the way along the SM’ s deck. As with the 10ft version, toes over aficionados will need to wax the front section if they’ re considering a walk along the plank. While this is fine it does seem a shame to cover up the 9ft’ s graphics with a layer of wax. But needs must …
Flip the Stylemaster over and the supplied fins come as a 2 + 1 thruster configuration, with a Futures box style fitting. Fanatic’ s high end performance skegs look great in blue honeycomb with a 6” central foil and two smaller 4 1 / 2” side bites. Being able to position the middle fin forwards or aft allows for a degree of tuning – riders can loosen the ride and stiffen it up accordingly.
Featuring a wide round nose, for hanging five or ten, a single into double concave with V bottom, domed deck and super thin stepped rails, it’ s most definitely not the perceived all round SUP you have in mind when first laying eyes. The Stylemaster may appear similar to your everyday 10.6ft but it isn’ t.
On the water
The first thing riders will spot when jumping aboard the Stylemaster 9ft is that dome deck. Having transitioned from flatter deck SUPs, this will be an odd sensation. The reason for the dome is twofold: comfort and to allow unwanted foam to be stripped away from rails making it more performance orientated and better in punchy waves. This isn’ t to say it won’ t lap up slack swell, but more on this in a mo …
At 115L the‘ float’ properties of the 9ft aren’ t going to be as much as boards with a higher number, obviously. That said, 29” width is enough to give the Stylemaster 9ft stability – after a few sessions even intermediate paddle surfers will become used to the SM’ s ways and as such it would make a good SUP to transition from big wave riding vehicles.
Gliding effortlessly, it’ s a swift process gaining access to line ups and even in choppy conditions is pretty composed for its dimensions.
s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k 84