Testing the stubbies
Light wind afternoon at sea. Perfect to test both stubby waveboards. Trying to decide which one I'm going to keep.
Most surfers were sailing with 4.2. Wind was going to decrease, so started with size up.

Sailed with the Banzai 4.7.
Started with the Fanatic Stubby 99, then sailed for a while with the JP Wave Slate 96 then the Stubby again.
Could test both boards well in these conditions.
In the beginning the wind was quite disappointing. Direction was also too much south for the best conditions. I could barely plane, it was really waiting for gusts.
Even with the 4.7 on minimum trim, it was actually too little. This little wind and this direction and also low tide: hardly any waves.
The FSW 102 would have been a much better choice, but I was too eager to test the stubbies. I kept sailing with the Stubby 99. Fortunately the wind came back and I could plane nice and easy. Unfortunately, there were few waves. But could already get a good impression. Sailing cross wind and upwind is really good, even just planing in minimal wind. Only the foot straps are too wide for my taste, my feet are not fixed enough.
Switched to the Wave Slate, first time had been a bit disappointing. Now I was very happy with the board. Upwind, even without a lot of effort was good. Back-side waveriding and some front-side attempts were nice. Board sails nicely, above my expectations. Makes the choice difficult.
Switched back to the Stubby 99 to feel the difference. Really a different board. Feels a lot bigger. Nose and tail are much more square, much more extreme. As a result, the Wave Slate seems to turn more easily. But the Stubby seems easier to get planing and plane through a wind hole. Both seem to have good control. The Stubby feels wider, I was more often outside the footstraps, with the Wave Slate that was less.
Sailed until the wind fell away again and I was already quite tired.

Fortunately, the wind came back and I was able to sail nicely. Good day to test both stubbies. Unfortunately, the wind direction was not good and there were few waves to really test the wave riding well. First impression of both boards is good. Haven't figured out yet which one stays. Positively surprised by the Wave Slate, the first time had been a bit of a disappointment.
Nice sun, wonderful weather, and that on November 1st.

Blokkendam

12:45 1.25 hour Wind: S/SW
Board: Fanatic Stubby 99 TE - Select X1 21cm/Choco RTM 2x12cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya 90% 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  First time on the Stubby 99. A lot of volume, that is noticeable. Board is very stable, also non planing. Wind in the beginning sometimes too little to plane. Sail quickly on minimum trim. Even with minimal pressure in the sail, I could still get upwind planing, if I tried a bit. In the harder gusts I could comfortably sail cross wind. Unfortunately few waves but could do some back-side hits. A few attempts at front-side: waves too low, but felt that this board can be good at this. Wind fortunately came back, so sail could go to medium trim.
14:00 1.25 hour Wind: S/SW
Board: JP Wave Slate 96 Pro - MFC TF 21cm/MFC TF 2x12cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya 90% 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  2nd time on the Wave Slate, this time with 4.7 and more wind. Board sailed clearly better. Getting upwind now went well and without too much effort, even if the wind was a little less. Not a lot of waves, but some back-side hits and a few attempts to go front-side golf. Didn't really succeed, waves too low, but the potential is there.
First impression, because the board is slightly narrower in the nose and tail, less extreme than the Stubby, it feels like it wants to turn easier.
Fins were perhaps a bit large, especially in the stronger gusts. Good control. Certainly doesn't feel too big for the 4.7.
15:15 0.5 hour Wind: S/SW
Board: Fanatic Stubby 99 TE - Select X1 21cm/Choco RTM 2x12cm
Sail: Goya Banzai Pro 4.7 - Goya 90% 370 - AL360 E3 Carbon 160-220
  Sail on medium trim. Stubby feels different from the Wave Slate. In terms of volume, the difference is not that big, but due to the more extreme shape, the Stubby feels a size larger. I think it also planes earlier than the Wave Slate. The Stubby can turn tightly. Control is good. Doesn't feel too big for the 4.7.