Did it go good as a thruster in big surf? Control at high speed? How big a center fin did you use as a thruster? What fins does Matt recommend for a Quad and what quad fins do you recommend?
I’m curious how this board performs with a quad setup? Do you need to have your weight on the tail to come alive? How does it feel when you step to the middle of the board to trim and glide?
dope board, my single quiver right now. operates very smoothly (hence the name) but also got performance in its DNA. anything between knee/waist to double overhead
Hey guys, I’m fairly new to surfing. I’ve been surfing here and there for the last few years, just renting a board and going out but recently went on a 4 week intense surf camp trip out in Sri Lanka (I’m based in England) and fell in love with it. Looking to really take it up and now looking to buy a board. I don’t have the luxury of getting loads of boards so wanted to get one that’s very versatile. I’m currently comfortably ridding waves between 4ft-6ft and can go left or right easily and now really working on going up and down waves more. Been looking at this board and been seeing some really good reviews. Would it be a good first board for me to buy and if so what size. If not what are some other boards I could look at? On the Sri Lanka trip I was riding a 8ft NSP and 7.6ft soft board.
I’m thinking about getting this board this weekend. I’m looking to take this out on big days in Santa Cruz. What fin setup and size board would you recommend? I’m 6 and about 180 lbs
I’m no expert but if it’s a big day, I’d say 2+1 just so u can get that extra hold because the big powerful waves will already give you plenty of speed as it is, meaning the extra speed of the quad is unnecessary
David, that's tough to say. If you've had experience duck diving a mid-length you probably could, but it definitely won't feel like a shortboard if that's what you're used to.
Thanks - surprised myself the other day duck diving a 7ft 6 fun board but my go to is an 8ft 2 modified performance longboard so anything smaller than that feels sinkable as long as you get your weight on the nose...just wondered what the experience of the guy who rode the 7ft 4 was?
@@davidhughes9398 Trip can duck dive his, but we try not to use that as the gauge for us all, he's a big dude. If you were duck diving a 7'6" fun board, you should be fine on the Smooth Operator at 7'4"
They are very similar, the Smooth operator would probably have a little more range to it on bigger days. Both will catch a ton of waves and if you're experienced you may be able to get some better upper range out of the Tree Hugger as well.
Flat tracker. Both are amazing boards, but the Flat tracker has such an amazing feeling to the glide. We'd pick the smooth operator over most mid-lengths out there.... except for the Flat Tracker. Such a refined performer for what it is built to do
Is reallitic to use a smoioth operator as setup in overhead, ti head and half like indo reef having some tubing sextion ? Like at uluwatu race trak or peak ?
Yves, you definitely could, set up as a quad and charge it. It has pretty low entry rocker to be a step-up, but if you're able to get in early enough you could rip it as a quad
I'm 6'6" and 210 lbs and would say I'm an aging intermediate surfer (58 y/o). I've been riding a 7'2" Takayama Howard Mini for the past couple of years. Looking for a bit of a step up (with a little more nose rocker) for bigger days that would still be serviceable in smaller surf on days when the swell is late or the surf report is off. What would you think about a 7'6" Smooth Operator to fill that role? I've also been looking at a 7'6" Stewart Funboard Comp. Open to other recommendations as well. Mahalo.
I'm 662-10 and 44 years old. I am riding a CI Med length 7'10" and I am super stoked with it. I could have gone with the seven six and been just as happy but there's nothing wrong with the longer one especially at our height. This response is 2 years late I hope you found a board that works brother!
Very similar, both have a fun, smooth shape with very low entry rocker. Neither are really getting into the step-up range but both are great mid lenghts!
Did it go good as a thruster in big surf? Control at high speed? How big a center fin did you use as a thruster? What fins does Matt recommend for a Quad and what quad fins do you recommend?
Let me ask you this, I'm just curious is it a mid length????
I too am wondering if REAL would consider this a mid length
Yes, it's a mid-length
@@REALWatersports why is it so thick
@@luciaseacreature8705 It doesn't get too thick until you're in the 7's, and this board feels so well balanced you won't notice the thickness
Uh, I guess you didn’t hear him say it’s a MID LENGTH about 10 times.🤪
I’m curious how this board performs with a quad setup? Do you need to have your weight on the tail to come alive? How does it feel when you step to the middle of the board to trim and glide?
dope board, my single quiver right now. operates very smoothly (hence the name) but also got performance in its DNA. anything between knee/waist to double overhead
What fin setup do u ride on big days. I was thinking single fin and 2 trailers
Hey guys, I’m fairly new to surfing. I’ve been surfing here and there for the last few years, just renting a board and going out but recently went on a 4 week intense surf camp trip out in Sri Lanka (I’m based in England) and fell in love with it. Looking to really take it up and now looking to buy a board. I don’t have the luxury of getting loads of boards so wanted to get one that’s very versatile. I’m currently comfortably ridding waves between 4ft-6ft and can go left or right easily and now really working on going up and down waves more. Been looking at this board and been seeing some really good reviews. Would it be a good first board for me to buy and if so what size. If not what are some other boards I could look at? On the Sri Lanka trip I was riding a 8ft NSP and 7.6ft soft board.
I’m thinking about getting this board this weekend. I’m looking to take this out on big days in Santa Cruz. What fin setup and size board would you recommend? I’m 6 and about 180 lbs
I’m no expert but if it’s a big day, I’d say 2+1 just so u can get that extra hold because the big powerful waves will already give you plenty of speed as it is, meaning the extra speed of the quad is unnecessary
My egg - inspired mid length is 7’6. It’s setup as 2+1
It glides and flows.
It’s a true mid length
I’m thinking about getting one this weekend. Looks beautiful
Good review. Can you duck dive the 7 4? I'm 6ft 2 and 80kg and considering that model?
David, that's tough to say. If you've had experience duck diving a mid-length you probably could, but it definitely won't feel like a shortboard if that's what you're used to.
Thanks - surprised myself the other day duck diving a 7ft 6 fun board but my go to is an 8ft 2 modified performance longboard so anything smaller than that feels sinkable as long as you get your weight on the nose...just wondered what the experience of the guy who rode the 7ft 4 was?
@@davidhughes9398 Trip can duck dive his, but we try not to use that as the gauge for us all, he's a big dude. If you were duck diving a 7'6" fun board, you should be fine on the Smooth Operator at 7'4"
@@REALWatersports I'm 5'11" 180lbs and I duck dive my 7'6" Smooth Operator like my groveler. Maybe even easier. Jut put your hands in the right spot.
Since you’ve spent time on both, how would you compare this to the Vernor Tree Hugger?
+1 to this. I live in SF and debating on whether to purchase a 6'6'' Vernor TH or a 6'6'' Lost Smooth Operator.
They are very similar, the Smooth operator would probably have a little more range to it on bigger days. Both will catch a ton of waves and if you're experienced you may be able to get some better upper range out of the Tree Hugger as well.
Refined version of the Rusty Zeppelin?
Im debating with flat tracker vs smooth operator.. help me out which to choose.. looking for midlengh glide easy use
Flat tracker. Both are amazing boards, but the Flat tracker has such an amazing feeling to the glide. We'd pick the smooth operator over most mid-lengths out there.... except for the Flat Tracker. Such a refined performer for what it is built to do
Christenson
Is reallitic to use a smoioth operator as setup in overhead, ti head and half like indo reef having some tubing sextion ? Like at uluwatu race trak or peak ?
Yves, you definitely could, set up as a quad and charge it. It has pretty low entry rocker to be a step-up, but if you're able to get in early enough you could rip it as a quad
@@REALWatersports Thank you very for your fast and detaild answer
Enjoy surfing !
man i want one sooo bad, just cant afford it
Do you have any sizing recommendations for someone 133lbs and 5'9"?
Nicholas, what size boards have you ridden that you enjoyed?
@@REALWatersports I ended up snagging the 6'10" and love it. Can't duck dive it but just have to pray I can make it out between sets.
@@MrNickTisch Nicholas, I'm in the same boat on mine. Luckily they paddle like a beast! See you out there- Brett
I'm 6'6" and 210 lbs and would say I'm an aging intermediate surfer (58 y/o). I've been riding a 7'2" Takayama Howard Mini for the past couple of years. Looking for a bit of a step up (with a little more nose rocker) for bigger days that would still be serviceable in smaller surf on days when the swell is late or the surf report is off. What would you think about a 7'6" Smooth Operator to fill that role? I've also been looking at a 7'6" Stewart Funboard Comp. Open to other recommendations as well. Mahalo.
I'm 662-10 and 44 years old. I am riding a CI Med length 7'10" and I am super stoked with it. I could have gone with the seven six and been just as happy but there's nothing wrong with the longer one especially at our height. This response is 2 years late I hope you found a board that works brother!
How big of a single fin would you put in for a 2+1 setup? Mainly looking for the board to do some nice turns - I’ve ordered a 7’2 thanks!
Benjasmin, around a 7" fin would work
How does this compare to a Huevo Ranchero?
Very similar, both have a fun, smooth shape with very low entry rocker. Neither are really getting into the step-up range but both are great mid lenghts!