Test & Review
Wingfoil
Wing Test: Fanatic Sky Style TE 4.7 2023 Board
Published March 23, 2023 · by The GlissEvolution Team
Kevin tests the Fanatic Sky Style TE 4.7 2023 Wingfoil board
Experience: Advanced rider
Weight: 65-67kg
Riding styles: Freestyle, freeride, surf, jumping.
Previous quiver:
Fanatic Sky 4.8 60L + Sabfoil W799-W1000-W800 + Ensis Spin 3.1m², 4.1m², 5.1m²
More info on Kevin
SKY STYLE TE 4'7-inch 55L TEST
Hello fellow riders,
Here's a presentation and test of the new Fanatic-Duotone 2023 Sky Style TE 4'7-inch in 55 liters.
This board is designed for smaller riders and/or advanced riders.
The Sky Style TE version is available in 4'9 65L, 4'11 75L, and 5'1 85L.
The range is completed with the Sky Surf TE 4'2-inch 25l, 4'4-inch 35l, 4'6-inch 45l, and the Sky Free TE 5'3-inch 95l, 5'5-inch 105l.
Upon unboxing,
you'll discover a new shape with premium construction (carbon PVC sandwich).
It's compact and features balanced proportions.
Board 5kg - 5.6kg with Duotone EVA straps + leash
Sky Wing boards come standard with windsurf straps from the brand.
I opted for Duotone EVA straps to save weight and prevent additional water absorption, as EVA straps are hydrophobic.
They are super comfortable; I recommend them without hesitation.
3 Fanatic straps = 445g - wet = 660g, or 13% of the board's weight.
3 Duotone EVA straps = 190g - wet = 230g, or 4.6% of the board's weight.
Fanatic-Duotone R&D has brought many new features for 2023.
There's great work on the rails; they are straight from the back to the middle and then slightly tucked in towards the nose.
The finish is clean, and it seems more solid.
The deck features a very pronounced and lowered concave, with more volume on the front. This creates a bulb effect.
The pad is a bit softer than the 2022 boards. This provides more comfort.
There's a handle on the hull shape that's a great feature, even for this volume. It makes launching easier and eliminates the need for a deck handle.
The US rails seem longer to me, 27cm.
A multitude of strap adjustments are available: Y-strap, in-line, goofy, or regular.
On the water,
In displacement mode, with my body size, getting started on my knees is effortless, thanks to a very good volume distribution.
For roll (lateral axis), the concave deck offers good control for bracing the knees.
In a kneeling or standing position, it's more stable longitudinally due to its extra volume at the front. There's less pitching for take-off compared to the 2022 models.
The moment I load the wing, the board immediately lifts clear of the water; I don't submarine.
For take-off,
I find it incredibly easy to get going. This board is stiff and responsive underfoot. It offers excellent glide from the start, with solid support at the tail.
Its length-to-width ratio, combined with optimized rails, gives it great glide for getting up and going.
The low-end range feels very similar to my old Sky 4.8 at 60L.
When pumping, I feel a lightness under my feet. This makes it super efficient for launching and getting into the glide.
My ride feel,
Once flying, it's incredibly lively and stiffer than my 2022 Sky 4.8. The deeply concave deck provides superior control of the foil. This makes it more direct and allows for better heel/toe pressure control.
Some riders might find the board a bit thick under the back foot at 10cm.
During touchdowns, the front volume lets the board bounce back, preventing any nose-diving.
Jumping is pure joy! Its stiffness gives it incredible pop on impulse, and its compact nature makes it super maneuverable in the air.
Another key feature is its bulbous nose, which allows it to re-emerge from the water immediately after landing.
Regarding improvements, we need straps specifically designed for this type of board.
The original straps are too bulky and heavy.
Finally, the €2099 price tag is too steep for many riders.
This is a truly excellent 2023 model.
Fanatic and Duotone have done an outstanding job with their R&D.
This board is ultra-versatile. It offers increased stiffness and an improved shape for greater responsiveness and glide. It also features better volume distribution for enhanced balance and control.
I'm hoping the 5-liter reduction will help me maintain my low-end range. This will allow me to take off in a 10-knot gust.
This will be my go-to board for 2023.
Looking forward to seeing you on the beach and sharing some stoke. Best regards, Kevin
Safety Reminder
Always identify your gear before heading out. This helps if you lose it on the water or, for the more forgetful among us, if you leave it at the spot.
If you abandon your gear on the water, call CROSS at 196 from your mobile to prevent unnecessary search efforts.
For those who love print, you can find tests in the latest WingSurf magazine #9 (Nov-Dec 2022):
Test of the Sky Style, Fanatic Aero Free & Carve Foils, Duotone Slick SLS, and Ensis Top Spin.
Here are some useful links:
- Test of the Sky Surf 4'4 and Sky Style 4'7, by Erwan Jauffroy on Watersports Zone.
Key Features
| Section | Key takeaway |
|---|---|
| Kevin tests the Fanatic Sky Style TE 4.7 2023 Wingfoil board. | Experience: Advanced rider, weighing 65-67kg. Riding styles include Freestyle and freeride. The board is also suitable for surf and jumping. |
| TEST SKY STYLE TE 4'7-inch 55L | Hey fellow riders! We're stoked to bring you a full presentation and test of the new Fanatic-Duotone 2023 Sky Style TE 4'7-inch in 55 liters. |
| Board 5kg - 5.6kg with Duotone EVA straps + leash | Sky Wing boards come standard with the brand's windsurf straps. |
| On the water, | In displacement mode, my body size allows for effortless knee starts, thanks to the excellent volume distribution. |
| At take-off, | I find it incredibly easy to get going. This board is stiff and reactive underfoot. It offers excellent glide at take-off with solid support at the back. |
| My ride feel, | Once flying, it's much more lively and offers greater stiffness than my 2022 Sky 4.8. |
| This is a truly excellent 2023 model. | |
| Safety Reminder, | Always identify your gear before heading out. This helps if you lose it on the water or, for the more forgetful among us, if you leave it at the spot. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kevin tests the Fanatic Sky Style TE 4.7 2023 Wingfoil board: what you need to know
Experience: Advanced level. Weight 65-67kg. Riding styles: Freestyle, freeride, surf, jumping. Previous quiver: Fanatic Sky 4.8 60L + Sabfoil W799-W1000-W800 + ENSIS Spin 3.1m², 4.1m², 5.1m². More info on Kevin
SKY STYLE TE 4'7-inch 55L TEST: what you need to know
Hey glide enthusiasts! We're excited to share a presentation and test of the new Fanatic-Duotone 2023 Sky Style TE 4'7-inch in 55 liters. This board is perfect for lighter riders and/or advanced riders.
Board 5kg - 5.6kg with Duotone EVA straps + leash: what you need to know
Sky Wing boards come equipped with the brand's windsurf straps as standard. I chose Duotone EVA straps to reduce weight and prevent extra water absorption, as EVA straps are hydrophobic.
On the water: what to remember
In displacement mode, my body size allows for effortless knee starts, thanks to the excellent volume distribution. For roll (lateral axis), the concave deck provides great control for bracing your knees.
At take-off: key takeaways
I find it incredibly easy to get going. This board is stiff and reactive underfoot. It offers excellent glide at take-off with solid support on the back. Its length/width ratio and optimized rails give it great glide when starting.
My ride feel: key takeaways
Once flying, there's a lot of responsiveness and greater stiffness than my Sky 4.8 2022. The very pronounced concave deck provides better foil control. This makes it more direct and allows for improved heel/toe pressure control.
Got a question about the gear mentioned here?
The GlissEvolution team rides what they sell. They are available to answer your questions in person at the Pornichet store or by phone.
