Interesting review on this timeless model. But now, there is... the Pisces, which is described as a kind of "RNF 2.0". Do you think this new board has the same qualities ? Is it so versatile ? Does it handle better waves as well as the RNF (which is not just good for grovelling in mushy waves, as we can see here...) ?
To accommodate the leash plug, I just cut about an inch off the end of the tail kick. You don't really need that much chunk in your tail kick, so cutting some off doesn't affect performance. Cutting holes and other stuff always ends up with the leash ripping up the traction (something corey probably doesn't care about since he gets them free and his boards dont last long, anyhow).
Can’t beat the pro insight, just these little tweaks average Joe doesn’t know. Thanks for this 🤙🏽 I bought a 5’7 @ 31L I’m 155lbs 5’11 surfing 30 years. It’s very important to get the tail pad right back there as Cory says. I didn’t like it as a 2+1, goes great as a thruster. It paddles like a dream and is deadly in steep waves don’t think it’s as forgiving as for example a Lost PJHP but def more radical and loose. In hollow surf it just goes when you point it and hold your line, I think it’s my best all time board is small hollow waves. I also creased mine in hollow pounding beach break 3-4ft first week I bought it but it’s still holding up.
Always appreciate your honest content but I do feel way too many average surfers are focusing on liters instead of dementions on the boards that they ride a majority of the time in all conditions when the proper selection of the fins could make a huge difference the amount of liters unless you can afford a huge quiver of various liters instead of dementions that are proven to work for the average surfer I'm not really sure that I articulated my point very well but over five decades surfing all types of waves I just had to share my thoughts PS love the series Keep em coming God Bless You and Yours my friend and Be well 👍🤙
That's completely fair, fins are an underrated part of the board's performance for sure! We have a video about choosing the right size board where we discuss that a bit, we also talked with Brett Barley in one of his reviews about how he'd become so hyper-focused as a pro on the liters and realized as he was trying new boards that yes that is hugely important, but not the only factor. The tough thing when talking with pros is what we heard here, Cory has 4 of this exact board right now, so he knows exactly the liters, length, width, and thickness he prefers. For most surfers that isn't an option, so they've got to find some standard for comparison which oftentimes becomes volume since it's derived from the other 3 measurements anyway. But as you pointed out, there are times when there's bigger factors, to go back to Brett, he noticed the width of his barrel boards was a huge factor for how he could ride them, so it all depends on the board and the rider. That is why we encourage people unsure of what size they need to call us, and talk to Trip, but not always trust the various volume converters found around the internet unless they know exactly what they need.
Could not agree more . Been shaping for 38 years as a ghost shaper and guys concentrate on litres too much . I've watched them surf and they struggle with basic technique . They tend to want to surf the board instead of riding the wave .
Would a beginner that’s transitioning to intermediate (riding green waves and doing turns) be okay on this if it’s sized up properly? (ie a 170lbs and 5’9” coming down from a 7’2” x 21 3/8” x 2 3/8” and 54ltr mid length gets on the 6’ or 6’2”) Or is it not forgiving enough?
That is a great question, and it is tough to answer not knowing where you surf and at what level. Chances are, if you're still learning, that this board is a little more foiled out for it's size than you'd want. You're going to want more foam (volume/liters) under you to help you paddle and get into waves early while you are learning, something like the Lost LayZToy II. The RNF '96 is a higher-performance fish than most, so it doesn't have much volume to help you unless you sized it up to where you'd basically be back on your mid-length. You COULD get a fish right now, but we would recommend something like the LayZToy II first, and one you're comfortable on that get a Fish sized correctly for you. It'll flatten the learning curve a little so you catch more waves early on, and then once you learn you get to reward yourself with a fun-sized fish to rip around on.
@@REALWatersportsWhat size lazy toy? Southern california waves up to head high. Peaky beach breaks and crappy close outs. Since my original comment I’ve progressed to a 6’6 pyzel gremlin (jjf version with the foam on top and epoxy bottom). I can turn and trim, but nothing near critical for maneuvers.
Thanks for that, really awesome review! I have a q, I’ve only own and ridden EPS, only dibble with PU sometimes in water swaps. My main board is a RNF in timbertek 5’6 @28.5l (as my hpfish) and a seaside 5’6 @32l (more of a groveller) I surf uk slush haha so volume is a friend. But am heading to indo and thinking of grabbing a RNF 96 in PU. Do you think getting the 5’6 @29l would compensate the buoyancy? Or shall I go 5’7 @31l. Im 5’8/9, 150lbs, low-mid intermediate, will be surfing reef and point breaks mostly. Any insight would be appreciate! Cheers guys 🔥🙂
Haha that is our in-house indicator for where Trip is at in his day. Socks and shoes means he hasn't gone for his run yet, sandals mean the run is over, and barefoot means he surfed. Usually, we film early so you'll see him in socks.
