Lost Surfboards Black Sheep RNF 96 5'8 FCS II

Dims:

The RNF-'96... After designing several variations of "Fishes" from fall 1994 to 1995, we got a little going with the designs. By the start of the winter of '95/'96 we had refined a basic design that enabled us to refine, replicate and resize the original RNF (by hand) with some consistency. We continued to build small quivers for both Chris Ward and Cory Lopez and send them everywhere, with Cory taking different versions to each stop on the WQS tour.

These 1996 Fish were all hand-sculpted and not the most consistent creations, but they became the basis and building blocks to offer the design to people outside of our own circle of friends. They were the boards that Chris and Cory took to the North Shore as teenagers and left their indelible mark on the surfing universe.

The RNF-'96 is based in reverence, but not 100% consistency, on the original "Fish" we developed for Chris and Cory the year before the groundbreaking 1997 surf film: 5'5" x 19 1 /4". Although very few examples from this era still exist (at least in our possession) and most of those that exist are very thin and imperfect relics of Cory's boards (we can't find any of Chris' boards from this era at all), it's coming When replicating and executing, it's all about what looks and feels right... and what works best.

I still have the remains of a 5'10 x 20" x 2-5/8" personal board. A board I carried to Durban SA in July '96. It was a liberating board that changed my life in small waves, not only as a designer but also as a surfer struggling with the status quo of boards in the mid-90s. With this board I was able to surf very small, rippable waves in and around the Durban Piers for a few weeks that year. Never before had so many people (including other shapers) asked me, "What are you driving?", and that's when I knew we were in for something more than just frivolous fishing fun. These designs were something the entire surfing world could touch and enjoy.
I've always felt that the main difference between our RNF and most others from the '90s and beyond is the fact that our outline is increasingly based on the MR-inspired, high-performance, competition-oriented twin-fins of the late '70s/early '80s years based. Relatively tucked tails, developed through trial and error, for maximum performance and control...not just in small waves, but in all sizes and shapes of waves.

To put it simply, most fish since that time have been predominantly influenced by kneeboards. Inspired by the Lis style of the early 70s, with a wide tail and parallel outline that were good for stand-up surfing in small waves, but have since failed to match the top performance of modern shortboards. Our fishing has always been about performance, not just a crutch that allows you to go fast in small waves.

In order to develop better surfboards, we took a little freedom. Based on the last 25 years of board building, we have sought to develop a consistent (and dare I say better) surfboard that faithfully follows the diverse RNF of 1996, but is not necessarily exact. Thanks to the careful testing carried out by many members of our top team, including Kolohe, Coco, Ian Crane, Crosby Cola and other "guests" (and even pedestrian testing by myself) over the last few months of 2020, we are very confident that the RNF-'96 will meet and exceed expectations - as an all-round, rip-fun machine for a wide range of surfers.

FEATURES

Rocker curves: The proven original curves have been retained.
Outline Curves: Both nose and tail were typically the same width at 12" and remain so, but with more precision, including an additional curve and width of 6" from the tail. A "secret" to the success of the original was that, unlike most other "fishes", the width of the tail on ours was closer to that of a typical HP shortboard. This allows for much more control over the tail than typical fish designs.
Lower contours: The classic combination of single concave and double concave with accelerating vee are the defining design elements and adhere to the specifications.
The thickness of the flow, deckline, rails and tail foil: In those rudimentary handshape days, they were completely different. Each board was different, and most of them had significantly different curves and thicknesses from one rail to the next.
Which board is the right one if you build it? Ultimately, I relied on my gut feeling about what would work best.

BlackSheepBuilt boards start with lightweight, 1.5lb virgin EPS and utilize the most advanced "Triax-NCF" (Non-Crimp Fabric) high quality carbon fiber to create a fast, responsive and lively surfboard. A board that is both light and flexible and surprisingly stable.

"Triax" carbon is laminated on the deck only, with a short lap on the bottom, and bonded to multiple layers of 4oz, "D-Size" fiberglass, top and bottom, for both durability and performance.
Designed for quick response, a forgiving flex and a cushioned feel underfoot.
The combination of Triax Carbon and fiberglass helps BlackSheepBuilt boards feel lively and exciting, but at the same time familiar.
The unique performance of BlackSheepBuilt boards comes from the Triax Carbon, which combines a three-axis +30/-30°/0 layup. It is an "un-crimped", multi-directional carbon that enhances and controls torsional force from rail to rail.

The 0° nose-to-tail fibers create a lively "stringer" that accelerates flex rebound and gives the feeling of quick response when the board is under pressure.

The +30/-30° fibers control and accelerate the return of torsional forces along the entire length of the board.

Multiaxial carbon fibers are a great alternative to traditional woven carbon fibers because they consist of alternating aligned layers of unidirectional carbon reinforcement.

Because they are not woven, the fibers do not curl under and over vertical fibers like traditional woven fabrics do. The fibers lie flatter, retain less resin, remain smoother, straighter and stronger, and have a more natural flex. Unlike traditional fabrics, there is also no 90 degree carbon from rail to rail, which creates weak points and easy cracks for deck dents, cracks and breaks.
Due to the +30/-30° fabric orientation, the torsional force and pressure from the surfer's feet radiates outward to a larger portion of the rail line, providing greater drive, better connection and therefore better control of the edges and the edge of the board. Strength and stability underfoot and along the rails work together.
WARNING: Carbon fiber surfboards can easily get hot! They're dark... and like all dark things, they soak up the sun and heat up. The BlackSheepBuilt boards are made of lightweight EPS foam and a carbon fiber shell.

BlackSheepBuilt boards are high-end surfboard construction. Treat her like that too. Don't leave them in the car while shopping. Do not leave them in direct sunlight while you tan on the beach. They will get hot and it is possible that they will overheat and blister. Protect your investment and take good care of it. We recommend storing these boards in a heat-reflecting bag. Take the bag to the beach if you want to hang out in the sun before or after surfing. If the boards get dented, let them dry and repair them properly. With proper care and a little love, these boards will take the daily knocks and bruises very well, stay light and extremely lively on the waves, and provide hundreds of days of surfing pleasure.