So, I finally got to try our new Fanatic FW95 2020 yesterday. It was pretty windy, started the day on 4.2/FW75L, things got lighter by the end of day, so I tried the 95 with a 5.3 in conditions similar to Doug's West in The Gorge: a mix of small to medium swell, chop and flat water.
Just like the FW75, I felt at home from the very first second, like if I always at the board. there is no doubt in my head that anyone who own a previous Fanatic Freewave 95 (classic shape) will love that 95.
But how does it compare to the previous STB? I have yet to find a day that I can switch easily from me STB95 to the newer 95, but my first impression is that the 95 regained its freeride appeal it had lost with the STB. Although I had the footstaps centered. I could feel that the board will love straight line blasting with the footstaps on the outside positions. And you can push as hard as you want with your backfoot, the new 95 won't spinout.
The new 95 felt to me bigger than the previous STB. I would think that the ideal sail sizes moved from 4.7-6.0 to 5.0-6.3. Although the 2020 is as playful in waves/swell compared to any previous Fanatic Classic (if not more), the STB still has an edge.
In an ideal world (that is, the possibility to travel with two 95 liters boards) I would still bring the STB, knowing that the STB shines in very specific conditions.
To summarize. I think that all Fanatic Classic Freewave fans or anyone looking for a freewave board will love the 2020-21 Fanatic Freewave shapes. Die hard STB fans may be a bit deceived, but hey, there is the Mamba. Would love to have feedback on the FW95 STB vs Mamba 94.