The large footpad initially screams: "Beginner board!", but when you look at the shape and features, the Duotone Eagle One also looks like a great freerider. "Once you've finished the beginner course, you can ride this board forever and not need anything else!", is how Felix Nollmann from Boards & More describes the concept of the board. Let's see if that works.
On land
To achieve the desired goal, shaper Daniel Aeberli has given the Eagle One the same scoop rocker line as the smaller Eagle siblings, "for extremely early, passive planing", says Felix. The idea behind it: Once you've felt the rush of gliding, you'll be hooked and stick with it.
Advanced surfers will find a very sporty foot strap position on the outside of both Eagle One boards, and there are two other variants further towards the centre of the board for learning to surf with straps. Markings in the deck pad are designed to help place the feet, while a (well-balanced) recessed grip and a carrying strap at the tail make handling on land and before launching in the water easier. Two fins in lengths of 40 and 48 centimetres are included in the scope of delivery (for both the 168 and the 188). The additional centre fin gives beginners safety and supports them when going upwind. The 40 cm fin is mounted at the back and the 48 cm fin in the centre. For planing, the centre box is closed with a blind plug and one of the two fins can be used in the tail. "Because it has no daggerboard, it is significantly lighter than other boards of this size and hangs better on the foot when planing," promises Duotone. Our test boards weighed in at 13.9 kilos (Eagle One 188) and 12.14 kilos (Eagle One 168). The planing surface is quite long on both boards, with the smaller model even 20 cm longer than the Eagle One 188 at almost 100 cm. The tail of the board is slightly V-shaped, then almost flat towards the nose with only a slight double concave, which is also slightly more pronounced on the 168 than on the 188.
On the water
"What's the opposite of planing threshold?" tester Frank wanted to know immediately after the first test run. With a length of 2.55 metres, the board glides very quickly even without an active starting aid and, above all, is as directionally stable and harmonious as an 8-speed automatic without any technical refinements. You don't have to slip into the straps straight away, the Eagle provides a gliding rush in almost every foot position - exactly what beginners and intermediates should find addictive. Without much riding technique, the Eagle One puts a big grin on the face of its crew - and perhaps infects someone with the windsurfing virus again. The 168-litre model appears more lively and uses the longer planing surface and lower weight to its advantage. Only really heavy intermediates need the 188-litre model
But even the best planing trip has to end at some point: Despite its relatively compact dimensions, the nose area has enough volume reserves for tacking so that even heavier riders don't immediately go swimming if they make a mistake, and the same applies to jibes that are not planed. Surprisingly, the Eagle One even carries climbers round the bend almost by itself in the power jibe and forgives many mistakes here too. However, there should be plenty of room downwind on the 188, the "built-in" radius is generous. The tighter the turn, the more foot pressure the board requires. The 168, on the other hand, also allows surfers weighing 80 kilos to make "normal" medium turns and appears livelier in the jibe, simply a touch more sporty.
The Eagle is also fun for advanced freeriders, the outer strap positions are also very comfortably positioned for well-powered heating on the rounded deck, and the large pad also contributes to this. In choppy water, the Eagle runs smoothly and comfortably and always remains easy to control. The volume and shape naturally limit the maximum speed a little, but are also the key to early planing even with smaller sails.
If you are still learning, the simple but comfortable deck covering is good and non-slip. The Eagle has enough stability for heavier pilots (85 kg +) when launching the sheet, and the integrated markings for the foot position fit well. The plugs offer all options from the first loop contact to sporty freeriding, the loops are comfortable as usual for Duotone.
Duotone Eagle - the conclusion
Both Duotone Eagle One boards fulfil the aim of being a board for the whole family quite well. From sheet launching to light wind heating, it can be adapted to a wide range of requirements. The fact that it lacks a dash of liveliness to become a fully-fledged freerider is something you can get over, and heavier, completely inexperienced beginners need a touch more tipping stability for their first attempts. However, focussing on planing performance is the right way to get as many people as possible hooked on windsurfing. The Eagle One 168 should be sufficient for beginners with good skills from the basic course (going upwind in light winds), while the 188 is more suitable for surfers weighing 100 kilos or more. The smaller model is also more suitable for children's sails - please fit a much smaller tail fin.
Technical data Duotone Eagle One
- Price: 1799 Euro
- Volume: 168/188
- Length: 255/260
- Width: 83/90
- fin: 40 cm & 48 cm (both)
- Info under duotonesports.com
