Gday, long time stalker of this forum first time posting. I believe it is my responsibility to report on my Ghost.
I’m 37, fit, surf ok, 180cm and 83-86kgs. I bought a 5’10 (30.1ltrs) squash tail Phantom of the rack 4 months ago and fell in love. The board goes insane in onshore slop to slightly over head punchy beachies/mellow points. Pretty much 2-6 out of 10 conditions. I feel it begins to lose its capability outside of that range........Enter the ghost.
I read this forum for 2 weeks over and over to determine what size to get. I like to feel the board so I was always going to get stock dims. Either 6’0 or 6’1. Long story short, under the arm the 6’1 felt too wide for me as a good wave board. 6’0 felt perfect (29.7ltrs). My first impression of the ghost was when I jumped off the boat to surf an outer reef and the thing paddled like a 6’3. So much so I paddled for about 20m and checked the dims😂😂😂
The board is insane. I’ve had 4 surfs on it now all in good to excellent waves, shoulder to double overhead surf. To say it paddles longer than it is, is an understatement. I actually think my 6’3 FMN2 step up will get cobwebs on it now I have the ghost. The hold during late drops is like nothing I have experienced in a board before, it holds a rail so well in the critical part of the wave, only to accelerate through the bottom turn, it encourages you to let go of the rail in backhand tubes. I remember my first turn, I pushed as hard as I could on a backhand turn in the pocket on a solid wave, normally my fins would release, but the board just held in so hard on the rails the feeling was unreal. Pyzel hits the nail on the head when he is talking about planing and floating. You feel this in the board, somehow it’s exaggerated.
I hope everyone on here has the same experience with the board. I believe the sizes are perfect for myself and I hope I help someone else out when looking at this magic board.
I got this board in a strong glass job as we have some heavier waves where I live. I ride it with the future JJF mediums and I don’t think I’ll even try another fin.
I reckon if your looking at this as a step up be careful with the length. To me it will ride as a step up in your normal shortboard dims. (If anyone even has a normal shortboard dim these days)
Enjoy, I have and will continue to....yew!