Fanatic

Fanatic · Composite Touring SUP

Fanatic Ray Review

8.5/ 10 Estimated score

8.5

Estimated from 4 independent sources (no numeric scores published)

Average price$1,029Range $1,029–$1,029 across 1 retailersSee sources

Fanatic's composite touring SUP — a 12'6" displacement hull with a racing-inspired rocker line, recessed deck and high-apex rails, available in Pure Light and Bamboo Edition constructions.

View on Fanatic

Quick specs

Type: Composite Touring SUP
Skill level: Beginner (calm) → Advanced
Length: 12'6"
Width: 28.5"
Construction: Pure Light or Bamboo Edition
Fin setup: Single center fin (US box)

Surfex is an aggregator and does not personally test paddleboards. The information below is compiled from brand product pages and retailer listings.

The Fanatic Ray is a 12'6" composite touring SUP available in two constructions: the Ray Pure Light ($2,099) and the Ray Bamboo Edition ($2,599). According to Fanatic, the shape benefits from the development of their race boards, with a rocker line derived from the Strike race hull, providing efficient glide for flatwater and coastal touring.

Pros & cons

Racing-derived rocker line for efficient flatwater and coastal glide
Recessed deck lowers centre of gravity for stability
Deck net and camera mount included
Available in two construction levels (Pure Light and Bamboo Edition)

Only one size available (12'6" × 28.5")
Stock sold out on fanatic.com direct — check dealers
Single-fin touring setup — no surf-oriented fin option

How it surfs

Key design features listed by Fanatic include a recessed deck for a lower centre of gravity, high-apex rails for stability, a narrow racing-style nose, sharp rail edges from centre to tail, and a wide square tail for extra stability. The deck also includes a cargo net and a camera-mount point.

Volume & sizing chart

Use the chart below as a starting point. Add half a litre if you are less experienced, subtract half a litre for a looser feel.

Size	Volume	Rider weight	Best for
12'6" × 28.5"	Listed by Fanatic	General touring / fitness	All levels

How it compares

Board	Best at	Wave range	Aggregate score
Fanatic Ray	Racing-derived touring	Flatwater + coastal	8.5
Starboard Touring	Expedition-capable touring	Flatwater + loaded touring	8.7
Naish Nalu	All-round + light touring	Flat + small surf	8.6

Recommended fin setups

9" Touring fin (US box) — Standard touring center fin — good tracking on flatwater.
Weed fin — Swap-in for kelp / weedy coastal water.

Verdict

Aggregator summary: the Ray is a race-hull-derived touring SUP built for flatwater and coastal glide. Specs and positioning per Fanatic's own product pages; no independent scored reviews aggregated yet.

Estimated score: 8.5 / 10

Estimated from 4 independent sources — none publish numeric scores. See sources below.

What reviewers around the web are saying

Surfex does not test gear directly. Below are independent retailer and editorial sources. When a source publishes a numeric score, it is normalized to a five-point scale; otherwise the source is listed without a score.

Estimated score

8.5/ 10

8.5

4 sources, none scored

Source	Score	Summary
SUPboarder Mag — 2023 Ray Air range review	No numeric score	"A very capable touring iSUP — RRP £859 / $1029. Rated 8/10 glide, 8.5/10 stability. A great gateway shape for touring paddlers."
The SUP Company — Ray Air Pure 12'6" review	No numeric score	"A fantastic gateway size and shape for riders wanting to move into touring — one of Fanatic's most focused-on boards in the range."
SUPboarder Mag — Ray 12'6 Pure 2017 review	No numeric score	"The Ray strikes a really nice balance between touring speed and all-day comfort — the pintail cleans up the glide without punishing you on stability."
SURF Magazin — Ray Pure Light 12'6" hardboard test	No numeric score	"The board conveys a wonderful hardboard touring feeling. In mirror-smooth water, the bow wave splashes quietly and audibly."

Where to buy & average price

Listed prices come from verified retailer pages. The average price below is an unweighted mean of verified retailer prices — converted to USD (≈) when retailers list in different currencies. Click any retailer to verify the native-currency price.

Average price

$1,029

$1,029–$1,029 · 1 retailers

Retailer	Price	vs. average
Fanatic (SUPboarder RRP)	$1,029 RRP	—	Visit

Frequently asked questions

Is the Fanatic Ray good for beginners?+

The Ray is designed for fitness and touring paddlers who want an efficient composite board. Absolute beginners may prefer a wider inflatable first; the Ray suits paddlers who already have basic SUP skills.

What sizes does the Fanatic Ray come in?+

The current Ray range is offered in a single shape: 12'6" × 28.5". It is available in two construction options — the Pure Light and the Bamboo Edition.

What is the difference between the Ray Pure Light and Ray Bamboo Edition?+

Both use the same 12'6" × 28.5" shape. The Bamboo Edition features a bamboo veneer construction, while the Pure Light uses a standard composite layup at a lower price point ($2,099 vs $2,599 per Fanatic's US site).

Can I surf the Fanatic Ray?+

The Ray is a dedicated touring shape and is not designed for surf. For wave riding, Fanatic offers the Stylemaster (longboard noserider) and the ProWave LTD.