Lost RNF 96 vs Lost Pisces: Which Performance Fish Surfboard Is Better in 2025?
What Makes the Lost Pisces Different from the RNF 96?
The Lost Pisces represents a significant evolution from the classic RNF 96, featuring a more pulled-in nose with added rocker up front, deeper concave through the mid-section, and a refined wing design that enhances precision and maneuverability without sacrificing the speed and stability that made the original famous.
While the RNF 96 remains faithful to the 1996 design that launched Chris Ward and Cory Lopez to fame, the Pisces incorporates three years of continuous refinement based on thousands of custom boards and feedback from team riders.
Moreover, the most noticeable difference lies in the Pisces' more aggressive performance orientation. It's designed to "turn tighter in the pocket, carve perpendicular on the face, fin-free control in the lip, and still skate freely across the flats." This contrasts with the RNF 96's more traditional fish approach that prioritizes speed and flow over radical maneuvers.
The Evolution Story: From RNF 96 to Pisces
RNF 96: The Foundation
The Lost RNF 96 traces its roots back to the revolutionary fish designs Matt Biolos created for Chris Ward and Cory Lopez in the mid-1990s. These boards became legendary after being featured in the seminal 1997 surf film "5'5" x 19 1/4" and established the template for modern performance fish surfboards.
The RNF 96 maintains the original's key characteristics: low entry rocker for easy wave catching, flat deck with full rails for stability, and a balanced outline that retains turning ability despite the fish's inherent speed.
What sets the RNF 96 apart from traditional fish designs is its performance-minded approach, inspired by Mark Richards' competitive twin fins of the 1970s and 1980s rather than the wide-tailed kneeboard-influenced designs that dominated the fish category.
Pisces: The Performance Evolution
After three years of celebrating the RNF 96's 25th anniversary and building thousands of boards, Matt Biolos recognized the need for evolution. The Pisces emerged from countless custom orders and feedback sessions, incorporating "a tuck here and a nip there, a little more curve and a little less bulk".
Biolos summed it up best: "Change is constant, evolution is everywhere, and everything must evolve. To remain static is to die, in life... and in design."
The Pisces reflects Lost's vision of the fish as an all-around performance vehicle, crafted to work equally well for "bad waves, good waves, mid-level surfers, elite pros... and every wave (and everyone) in between."
Design Comparison: Technical Specifications
Refining the Fish Shape: Wing and Tail Adjustments
Concave and Bottom Contours
The RNF 96 features a flat entry blending into a single concave through the middle, which then transitions into a double concave vee toward the tail. This allows excellent speed and stability across various surf conditions.
In contrast, the Pisces boasts deeper concave through the mid-section and enhanced rail-line rocker under the rear foot. This design generates more lift and acceleration while improving control in steeper, more critical sections of the wave.
Fin Setup Variations: Versatility in Focus
Comparing Fin Configurations for Control and Flow
- Traditional 2+1 setup
- Mark Richards twin fin config
- Power twins for drive
Pisces Fin Options:
- Quad setup for maximum speed and control
- Twin+2 or Twin+1 for hybrid feel
- Thruster for classic shortboard feel
The Pisces’ five-fin box allows surfers to fine-tune performance far more than the RNF 96, making it highly adaptable to different surfing styles and conditions.
Performance Analysis: How They Surf
Wave Range and Conditions
RNF 96:
The RNF 96 excels as a small wave weapon that maintains its effectiveness in larger surf. Its low entry rocker and flat deck provide excellent paddle power and wave-catching ability, making it ideal for weaker conditions. The board's design allows it to handle everything from knee-high surf to overhead waves.
Pisces:
The Pisces is designed to raise the performance bar across all conditions. Its refined rocker and concave design provide "more speed, more quickness, more precision, and more fun" compared to the RNF 96. The board's ability to turn tighter in the pocket and carve perpendicular on the face makes it more suitable for aggressive surfing styles
Maneuverability and Control
Here’s where the two truly diverge. The RNF 96 offers sweeping arcs and flowing lines—ideal for style-oriented surfers. Meanwhile, the Pisces unlocks radical performance, offering fin-free control and sharper vertical turns, thanks to its rail rocker and wing placement.
Construction Options: PU, LightSpeed, and BlackSheep
PU Construction
Both boards are available in traditional polyurethane foam construction with fiberglass lamination. This proven construction method provides the classic feel that many surfers prefer, with excellent flex characteristics and a familiar under-foot sensation. PU construction typically offers the most affordable entry point into these designs.
LightSpeed Tech
Lost's proprietary LightSpeed construction uses lightweight EPS foam with high-strength epoxy resin, incorporating rapid-reflex carbon fiber and vibration-dampening Innegra fibers. This technology provides approximately 2 liters more buoyancy than traditional PU boards while offering enhanced responsiveness and "explosive pop"
Key LightSpeed features include:
- Ultra-light EPS foam core for increased buoyancy
- Strategic carbon fiber placement for enhanced response
- Centerline carbon "stringers" for natural torsional twist
- Multi-weave engineered composite fiberglass for durability
BlackSheep Technology
The BlackSheep construction represents Lost's most advanced technology, utilizing lightweight 1.5lb virgin EPS foam with "Triax-NCF" (Non-Crimp Fabric) carbon fiber. This construction method creates boards that are simultaneously lightweight, flexible, and remarkably strong.
BlackSheep technology features:
- Triax carbon laminated only on the deck with short bottom lap
- Multiple layers of 4oz fiberglass for durability
- Rapid reaction with forgiving flex and dampened feel
- Enhanced torsional control from rail to rail
Sizing and Recommendations
RNF 96 Sizing Guidelines
- Ride 2–6” shorter than your height
- Ideal for:
-
Beginners → more volume
-
Pros → smaller sizing for maneuverability
-
Pisces Sizing Strategy
- Can be ridden 4–8” shorter than height
- More design forgiveness = smaller board without sacrificing control
Who Should Choose Which Board?
RNF 96: The Classic Choice
Perfect for:
- Longboard-to-shortboard transition
- Style-focused or flow surfers
- Consistent small- to mid-size wave conditions
Pisces: The Performance Evolution
Ideal for:
- Experienced surfers wanting radical performance
- Variable conditions
- Riders who want tech construction and fin flexibility
Both boards are suited to a variety of wave conditions — from soft Southern California beaches to reef breaks in Hawaii.
Which Fish Is Right for You?
Ultimately, your pick hinges on your goals:
Choose the RNF 96 if you're after timeless style, smooth transitions, and speed down the line. Go for the Pisces if you’re ready to push limits with one of the most evolved fish boards ever shaped.
Either way, you're riding a modern classic crafted with decades of innovation, rider feedback, and expert refinement.
GET YOUR HANDS ON THE RNF 96 OR THE PISCES SURBFOARD!
FAQs
Is the Lost Pisces suitable for beginner surfers?
It can be, but it's better suited for intermediate to advanced riders due to its refined rocker and tighter turning radius.
What is the main difference in performance between RNF 96 and Pisces?
Pisces offers more aggressive maneuverability and precision, while RNF 96 focuses on flow and speed.
Which construction is best for heavy surfers?
BlackSheep construction offers the best durability and pressure dent resistance for heavier riders.
Can I surf the Pisces in small waves?
Yes! Despite its performance edge, it's designed to skate across flats and generate speed even in gutless surf.
Does the RNF 96 work in larger surf?
Absolutely. Many surfers have used it confidently in overhead and even Hawaiian-sized conditions.
Is there a big price difference between RNF 96 and Pisces?
Base prices are similar, but advanced constructions (LightSpeed or BlackSheep) will add cost depending on options.
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