Grenfell....says you:
"The key to these shapes is keep'em short - make them wider, even fatten them up for the more distinguished, larger gent if you like, they are meant to be more manoeuvrable as a result"
Says me:
The reason I was attracted to the "Vanguard" style shape in the first place, was the potential to get on a
narrower board. Period.
Short and fat is not my cup of tea....neither is a flat, wide tail, but that is loved by many, maybe even some
less distinguished, smaller ladsI want to drive and carve.
Which is
exactly why I chose the 8' 10 x 29 Sunova Speeed
For me, that
is narrow.... and I don't want
or need shorter..... the board absolutely rips for me.....
and....it's maneuverable

If I was 50 years old and 70kg, I'd be on the 7'6 x 24 3/4" Speeed..... but I'm not.
Different strokes, for different folks....
if that's ok with you.
I agree.... Fanatic struggles to accurately market their boards.....
I also think they made a mistake by not offering the Stubby in HRS as well.... that would make it affordable for a lot more people.