Considering the RRD Freestyle Wave 116

whitevan01 · Joined: 29 Jun 2007 Posts: 607

I have an 85l RRD FSW and an 85l Fanatic Freewave. The Fanatic is more "frantic" and the RRD is "friendlier".

the RRD I have is close to 5 years old and is X-tech construction, with the Fanatic is 2 years old and is a Limited Edition (carbon/kevlar). I don't really know how much the difference in feel is down to construction, I think most of it is in the shape (rocker, outline, volume distribution, etc) and location of mast track.

Love the extra padding with the RRD footpads, but the Fanatic is definitely faster, but a bit more difficult to sail IMO.

I only started this madness about 6 years ago or so, so don't have nearly as much experience as you do.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Sun Dec 08, 2013 6:57 pm Post subject:

but its such a sweet madness

Brian_S · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 249 Location: SE Michigan

akrausz · Joined: 19 Sep 2008 Posts: 158 Location: FL

Thanks for all the great responses. It was my birthday, and I couldn't wait for a trip to Hatteras, so I bought a used Fanatic Hawk 108 to hold me over. Should work well for blasting with my new Ezzy 7.0. Probably not gonna be good with the 8.0, so I guess I'll just keep the JP 120 for now.

jingebritsen · Joined: 21 Aug 2002 Posts: 3371

hawk's a rocket ship. great for flat water. notsohotso for waves.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 10:53 am Post subject:

think the Hawk is more a freeride platform, so like said above.

not un similar to the JP X-Cite being replaced.

echo the thoughts on sail size mostly

d0uglass · Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 11:35 am Post subject:

One line of boards that nobody has mentioned yet is the RRD FireMoves. I think if you're looking for a newer and better "playful yet really easy and gentle" board, then you ought to take a look at those. I've ridden the 110 FireMove and loved it for freeriding and jibing in hatteras chop. Rode the 120 RRD Freestyle Wave and didn't like it for freeriding in similar conditions.

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Dec 09, 2013 12:39 pm Post subject:

wanted to try one this year but did not work out, maybe 2014

OP says he got a Hawk

boardsurfr · Joined: 23 Aug 2001 Posts: 1266

Love Hawks, great boards. The ones I have used from different years don't fit the "soft, passive, cushy ride" criterion, though. They were more on the freerace side of things - lively, active, fast, fun.