REMINDER: THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to monitor the Forums. However, THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to review any materials submitted to or posted on the Forums, and remove, delete, redact or otherwise modify such materials, in its sole discretion and for any reason whatsoever, at any time and from time to time, without notice or further obligation to you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. has no obligation to display or post any materials provided by you. THE ARENA PLATFORM, INC. reserves the right to disclose, at any time and from time to time, any information or materials that we deem necessary or appropriate to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, contract obligation, legal or dispute process or government request. Click on the following hyperlinks to further read the applicable Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Sidebar Sidebar

Lost Mini Driver replacement?

flyinraptr

flyinraptr

Michael Peterson status
Dec 18, 2008
2,847
1,536
113
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
As our season is starting to wind down .... was thinking of clearing out some of my boards that i hadn't ridden in a long time. As i was going through em .... came across my Lost Mini Driver .... it's been at least 4 years since i've ridden it. i cleaned it up it has had some serious ding repairs and looks rather battle weary but still felt pretty good. I've been riding mostly twin fins the last couple of years and quite frankly I didn't remember what it felt like riding it. The Surfline forecast for today was easing swell in the waist to chest range ... so decided to give it a go for old time's sake. Turns out the forecast was a bit off .... paddled out into pumping surf with occasional 6'+ sets. I was riding it as a thruster with the AM2's, Started out catching a left going backside to break the ice .... and it went pretty well ... felt fast and stable. The next wave was an overhead right and i couldn't believe how good it felt ...easy drop ... big roundhouse carve .... lots of drive and speed ... i was laughing thinking i don't remember it being this good. I think maybe i've become more of a back footed surfer is the only thing i can think of. Anyways ... thinking about getting a replacement for next season .... looks like there only available via custom order these days. Is there a current Lost Model that the Mini Driver has evolved into? Or a recommendation on something with a similar rocker etc? Gracias Amigos!
 
R

rgruber

Miki Dora status
May 30, 2004
3,627
1,365
113
I got rid of mine awhile back but found that the Pyzel Ghost shares some of the same characteristics- wide point forward, round tail, refined but not too pro. The Ghost is probably a little flatter in the nose and a little more kicked in tail but they both have more of a low progressive rocker as opposed to staged rockers of many Losts.

Always liked the Mini Driver more as a step up than an everyday board so the Ghost kinda fit right in. But truth be told I hardly ever ride the Ghost anymore since switching to twins. It's sat as the second board in my double boardbag on so many trips that I ended up not bringing it anymore.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yewstreet, flyinraptr and jkb
flyinraptr

flyinraptr

Michael Peterson status
Dec 18, 2008
2,847
1,536
113
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
jkb said:
I had a buddy who owned a mini driver.

He only liked it when there was a good amount of push.

If there were any flat spots where you had to generate your own speed, the thing bogged.
Click to expand...
Definitely, had a lot of push today. Rumor has it November is gonna be epic here ... so planning on a few more sessions on it ... probably experiment with fins ... try it as a quad etc. Will have to check out the Sabo Taj.
 
flyinraptr

flyinraptr

Michael Peterson status
Dec 18, 2008
2,847
1,536
113
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
freeride76 said:
I'd classify Sabotaj as a slightly more user friendly Ghost.

Less top end, more middle range.
Click to expand...
freeride76 said:
I'd classify Sabotaj as a slightly more user friendly Ghost.

Less top end, more middle range.
Click to expand...
Both look interesting! The Ghost seems to be more readily available online. I have some time but would prefer to avoid going down the custom order rabbit hole with Lost. My other option would be .... have a replica made .... I only know of one shaper in Nica .... have a channeled pin twin from him that he shaped from a photo i sent him .... it's been a great board. He also does a pretty good job with replicating boards from what i've seen.
 
R

rgruber

Miki Dora status
May 30, 2004
3,627
1,365
113
Mine went well as a quad with the Mayhem quad set, I think. As a tri I think I ended up with the same Mayhem fronts and smaller rear fin.

I definitely would not order a custom Lost based on experience. If you were going custom with Pyzel I'd get a Shortcut instead of a Ghost. A little fuller in nose and tail. I've always kinda wanted one:

www.pyzelsurfboards.com

Pyzel Surfboards - Shortcut

The ShortCut started as a NextStep, which we chopped 4
www.pyzelsurfboards.com www.pyzelsurfboards.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: frontsidegrab and flyinraptr
Aruka

Aruka

Tom Curren status
Feb 23, 2010
12,220
23,331
113
PNW
Ghost is great and I would say definitely suited to nica tubes but pretty different from the mini driver if my memory serves. Mini driver rocker is more staged and low rocker through the tail. Wider tail too. More backfooted and skatey.

Never tried a Sabotaj. Maybe hard to find one OTR.

Its such a shame lost sucks for customs because i quite like their boards.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flyinraptr
flyinraptr

flyinraptr

Michael Peterson status
Dec 18, 2008
2,847
1,536
113
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Yeah - the Pyzel Shortcut looks pretty interesting .... the outline looks similar to the Mini Driver - especially with the wider tail. The description on the website .... sounds like the Mini Driver as well. I just noticed something re-reading the description of the Pyzel Ghost .... the websites states it is based off the ShortCut. Both sound like good all-around board to handle different Nica conditions. Overall - it was a pretty lack luster season for Nica but in the last 3 weeks or so ... we've had a series of punchy swells with a lot of current (unusual for this time of year). One thing i noticed yesterday on the Mini Driver .... was I able to deal with the current, chase down peaks and get into some fast moving waves relatively well without being on a much longer board. My Mini Driver is 6'5" x 20.25" x 2.81 41L Comparing similar sizes ... Ghost is 6'6" x 20.5" x 3" 40.1L ... Shortcut 6'6" x 20 3/4 x 2 3/4 39.1L. Some differences but kinda in the same ballpark.
 
Last edited:
tedshred5

tedshred5

Michael Peterson status
Aug 5, 2015
2,809
6,600
113
this looks similar as well. more width than a Ghost. pretty sure they would ship to Nicaragua

www.realwatersports.com

AJW Potato Launcher II PU/Poly 6'1

REAL is the number one place to get kiteboarding and kitesurfing gear, surfboards, foils, packages, surf clothing and accessories. Located in Cape Hatteras, we have the best conditions for kiteboarding and kitesurfing lessons, as well as surf and foil lessons.
www.realwatersports.com www.realwatersports.com
 
R

rgruber

Miki Dora status
May 30, 2004
3,627
1,365
113
Have ridden one of these as well and it's not like a Ghost or a Mini Driver. It's basically just made to go straight in the tube. Super stiff. I would avoid unless that's what you are looking for.

Had a period where I was really into these sort of boards and tried a bunch. I might have even owned a Potato Launcher briefly. The Ghost and Mini Driver are way more versatile. I guess you could put a Rusty Slayer on the list (didn't get a chance to ride one of these) or a Rusty Smoothie. The Slayer for the bigger end and the Smoothie for the smaller end.

Off the rack I'd get a Ghost, custom I'd order a Shortcut. My understanding is Pyzel's are much easier to custom order than Lost, though the bar is quite low.

tedshred5 said:
this looks similar as well. more width than a Ghost. pretty sure they would ship to Nicaragua

www.realwatersports.com

AJW Potato Launcher II PU/Poly 6'1

REAL is the number one place to get kiteboarding and kitesurfing gear, surfboards, foils, packages, surf clothing and accessories. Located in Cape Hatteras, we have the best conditions for kiteboarding and kitesurfing lessons, as well as surf and foil lessons.
www.realwatersports.com www.realwatersports.com
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pyzelsurfboards and tedshred5
tedshred5

tedshred5

Michael Peterson status
Aug 5, 2015
2,809
6,600
113
rgruber said:
Have ridden one of these as well and it's not like a Ghost or a Mini Driver. It's basically just made to go straight in the tube. Super stiff. I would avoid unless that's what you are looking for.
Click to expand...
good to know...I was considering a PL2 for wintertime and was under the impression that the 2nd version was more versatile than a straight tube shooter, as opposed to the OG PL.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flyinraptr
ciscojaws

ciscojaws

Michael Peterson status
Jul 28, 2008
2,479
656
113
Kook City, VA
You could always order another Mini Driver.

I always felt the low tail rocker paired with AM2's turned it into a runaway train - I really like mine with more of an upright fin. Great board.
 
  • Like
Reactions: flyinraptr
R

rgruber

Miki Dora status
May 30, 2004
3,627
1,365
113
Didn't like the AM2's in mine either.

Seemed like the it needed some big Mayhem side fins to tame it. I would just throw the center fin from K2.1s in there to loosen it up a bit. That seemed to work best for me.

ciscojaws said:
You could always order another Mini Driver.

I always felt the low tail rocker paired with AM2's turned it into a runaway train - I really like mine with more of an upright fin. Great board.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: ciscojaws and flyinraptr
Y

Yewstreet

Legend (inyourownmind)
Nov 8, 2019
435
802
93
Aruka said:
Ghost is great and I would say definitely suited to nica tubes but pretty different from the mini driver if my memory serves. Mini driver rocker is more staged and low rocker through the tail. Wider tail too. More backfooted and skatey.
Click to expand...
Have you (or anyone) tried a ghost in a non-PU construction? I see there's one on the varial site that I might get before winter really kicks in.
 
V

VaB

Michael Peterson status
Nov 14, 2004
3,078
688
113
Virginia Beach, VA
tedshred5 said:
this looks similar as well. more width than a Ghost. pretty sure they would ship to Nicaragua

www.realwatersports.com

AJW Potato Launcher II PU/Poly 6'1

REAL is the number one place to get kiteboarding and kitesurfing gear, surfboards, foils, packages, surf clothing and accessories. Located in Cape Hatteras, we have the best conditions for kiteboarding and kitesurfing lessons, as well as surf and foil lessons.
www.realwatersports.com www.realwatersports.com
Click to expand...
ship? those guys travel so much they would probably bring it with them
 
  • Haha
Reactions: MrCrash
flyinraptr

flyinraptr

Michael Peterson status
Dec 18, 2008
2,847
1,536
113
San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua
Yeah - definitely want some versatility vs a one trick pony. Interestingly - i noticed that the AJW Potato Launcher II has a 5 fin box option .... i was watching a video on their site with Brett Barley and a review of the OG Potato Launcher and in that they state that the 5 fin option wasn't available because it was specifically designed as a quad with the fin box placement and it wouldn't work right as a thruster. Might be why the Launcher II is more versatile.

I've never had any issues with the AM2 set - although i have an old version from True Ames ... maybe their different. I even ran them a couple of times in my Lost/MR Cali Twin this season .... and they went pretty well. I have some other sets on hand - Machado, Roberts, KS 2.1's .... think i'm gonna try the Roberts set next season and then give it a go as a quad. I can't remember the last time i rode a quad LOL!

If i could get a Mini Driver OTR - i would be tempted to go for it ..... so far the only option i've seen readily available is the Ghost ... the more i look at them ... the more i like the look of it.

I don't usually order and ship anything directly to Nica .... dealing with customs etc is a hassle .... i use a shipping service Bahia Nica .... when i order something i ship it to their Miami location and then they deal with shipping to Nica and customs. It can either go by air or by sea .... always cheaper by sea but takes a bit longer usually 2 1/2 - 3 weeks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aruka
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Share this page
Top Bottom