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Smik Spitfire V3 review

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Created by BrettV > 9 months ago, 11 Mar 2020
BrettV
NSW, 6 posts
11 Mar 2020 9:52AM
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Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.

CaptainJimbo
160 posts
11 Mar 2020 8:04AM
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BrettV said..
Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.


BrettV, sounds interesting. Can you give us an idea of your weight and surfing capability/experience? Might help for those of us interested in a new Sup.
Cheers, Jimbo

Ishie
NSW, 48 posts
11 Mar 2020 1:35PM
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Does WSS stock them? I have the 8'3 V1 and love it, but can't help thinking about the new models.

BrettV
NSW, 6 posts
12 Mar 2020 8:16AM
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As with all manufacturers you order, unless its a very commonly used model, its not easy getting a demo in your size, aussie made boards like the smik are about 1/3 the wait time. The Spitfire V3 has been refined a fair bit and includes the belly channel as well, which I believe is the key difference/benefit between previous versions, SUP's by nature improve alot with a belly channel, more lift, speed and release when you need it. Hence why Starboard have incorporated it, yet there board is ridiculously more expensive and wait times as mentioned. You can always contact Scotty at Smik, his quite hands on in many aspects, once again Aussie service, feedback and talent with more personalised service and support.

BrettV
NSW, 6 posts
12 Mar 2020 8:33AM
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CaptainJimbo said..

BrettV said..
Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.



BrettV, sounds interesting. Can you give us an idea of your weight and surfing capability/experience? Might help for those of us interested in a new Sup.
Cheers, Jimbo


Hey Jimbo, Im 74kg, 5ft8, 54 yo. Ex-prone, so best described as a good intermediate in differing breaks, I often am out in conditions where other Suppers arent. To give you more of a comparison I test rode from WSS a demo Fanatic Pro Wave 2020 at 8ft 5 108 Litre versus the Spitfire at 8ft 3 112L. The "pro" wave is exactly that, I believe designed for pretty much a Pro level supper, unless you were to go the 8ft 9 at 120L yet that defeats the purpose really. Its quite a challenge paddling around the zone, is loose on the wave and very top to bottom yes but so is the Spitfire for my level, if you were an advanced surfer and had mostly pristine conditions and you can have a multi board quiver it would be ok to have, Yet we live in AUS hey and not many of us can afford a quiver worth more then a few thousand.

CaptainJimbo
160 posts
12 Mar 2020 8:46AM
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Select to expand quote
BrettV said..

CaptainJimbo said..


BrettV said..
Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.




BrettV, sounds interesting. Can you give us an idea of your weight and surfing capability/experience? Might help for those of us interested in a new Sup.
Cheers, Jimbo



Hey Jimbo, Im 74kg, 5ft8, 54 yo. Ex-prone, so best described as a good intermediate in differing breaks, I often am out in conditions where other Suppers arent. To give you more of a comparison I test rode from WSS a demo Fanatic Pro Wave 2020 at 8ft 5 108 Litre versus the Spitfire at 8ft 3 112L. The "pro" wave is exactly that, I believe designed for pretty much a Pro level supper, unless you were to go the 8ft 9 at 120L yet that defeats the purpose really. Its quite a challenge paddling around the zone, is loose on the wave and very top to bottom yes but so is the Spitfire for my level, if you were an advanced surfer and had mostly pristine conditions and you can have a multi board quiver it would be ok to have, Yet we live in AUS hey and not many of us can afford a quiver worth more then a few thousand.


BrettV, Thanks for that info. I'm about 70 kg and 72 yrs. Surf most days on my McKill 9'6" which is heavy due to water leaks but wonderfully stable and surprisingly manoeuverable. My other Sup is a Sunova Speeed 8' 10". I've had the Sunova for about 2 years but I find it a bit too tippy in anything other than clean conditions. How does your Speeed compare to the Spitfire for stability?
Cheers, Jimbo

Ellobuddha
NSW, 624 posts
13 Mar 2020 7:28AM
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Hi.

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. I have been SUPing for about 2-3 years and an average prone before that.

I had been riding a 10ft cheap Evoke and and 8'8 JP wide - 140ltrs. The waves in my area are fairly weak points and I weigh about 105kg so need some foam.

2 weeks ago I got a 9'5 Spitfire V3 for my birthday. All l I can say is I love it. It's very stable at rest. It takes a steep drop well and I have found it surfs really well from the middle and responds well with only small foot pressure changes. The speed it picks up is great and I can get around sections I normally wouldn't make. It surfs heaps smaller than its length. Far more responsive than than the JP at 8'8.

Super impressed and can't get out on it enough. My partner has an 8'3 v2 which she loves as well which convinced me to get one. I just wish I was 20 kg lighter.

Scotty was a legend to deal with. Definitely worth a run.









BrettV
NSW, 6 posts
13 Mar 2020 8:12PM
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Select to expand quote
CaptainJimbo said..

BrettV said..


CaptainJimbo said..



BrettV said..
Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.





BrettV, sounds interesting. Can you give us an idea of your weight and surfing capability/experience? Might help for those of us interested in a new Sup.
Cheers, Jimbo




Hey Jimbo, Im 74kg, 5ft8, 54 yo. Ex-prone, so best described as a good intermediate in differing breaks, I often am out in conditions where other Suppers arent. To give you more of a comparison I test rode from WSS a demo Fanatic Pro Wave 2020 at 8ft 5 108 Litre versus the Spitfire at 8ft 3 112L. The "pro" wave is exactly that, I believe designed for pretty much a Pro level supper, unless you were to go the 8ft 9 at 120L yet that defeats the purpose really. Its quite a challenge paddling around the zone, is loose on the wave and very top to bottom yes but so is the Spitfire for my level, if you were an advanced surfer and had mostly pristine conditions and you can have a multi board quiver it would be ok to have, Yet we live in AUS hey and not many of us can afford a quiver worth more then a few thousand.



BrettV, Thanks for that info. I'm about 70 kg and 72 yrs. Surf most days on my McKill 9'6" which is heavy due to water leaks but wonderfully stable and surprisingly manoeuverable. My other Sup is a Sunova Speeed 8' 10". I've had the Sunova for about 2 years but I find it a bit too tippy in anything other than clean conditions. How does your Speeed compare to the Spitfire for stability?
Cheers, Jimbo

Yeh hey JImbo , I wish I could surf most days, Ive been supping for 2.1 years, I do surf a bit in winter though. Your doing well mate at 72 yo, its great how SUP paddle/surf can enable people to stay fit at any age and it beats just about everything for fun while your getting your heart rate up(except sex). I started on an 8ft 10 speed (130L), dropped to an 8ft 5 speed (112 Litre) and the Smik spitfire is 8Ft 3 (111L). I agree the speeed is tippy yet when smoothish conditions its quite manageable, where as the spitfire is I would say 25% more stable yet much looser on the wave- add say 25% in that dept. For shooting the line the speeed is the killer due to speed, its manouverable enough yet does not surf its size well and feels like a lot out front to swing around. The design elements of the Spitty make it much more performance orientated and quite fast, yet stable around the zone, the spitfire 83 is the full carbon model yet surprisingly not a hell of a difference in weight on the scales comparo to the 85 speeed. Both handle steep take offs well, which what you generally need here in in sydney.

CaptainJimbo
160 posts
14 Mar 2020 5:36AM
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Select to expand quote
BrettV said..

CaptainJimbo said..


BrettV said..



CaptainJimbo said..




BrettV said..
Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.






BrettV, sounds interesting. Can you give us an idea of your weight and surfing capability/experience? Might help for those of us interested in a new Sup.
Cheers, Jimbo





Hey Jimbo, Im 74kg, 5ft8, 54 yo. Ex-prone, so best described as a good intermediate in differing breaks, I often am out in conditions where other Suppers arent. To give you more of a comparison I test rode from WSS a demo Fanatic Pro Wave 2020 at 8ft 5 108 Litre versus the Spitfire at 8ft 3 112L. The "pro" wave is exactly that, I believe designed for pretty much a Pro level supper, unless you were to go the 8ft 9 at 120L yet that defeats the purpose really. Its quite a challenge paddling around the zone, is loose on the wave and very top to bottom yes but so is the Spitfire for my level, if you were an advanced surfer and had mostly pristine conditions and you can have a multi board quiver it would be ok to have, Yet we live in AUS hey and not many of us can afford a quiver worth more then a few thousand.




BrettV, Thanks for that info. I'm about 70 kg and 72 yrs. Surf most days on my McKill 9'6" which is heavy due to water leaks but wonderfully stable and surprisingly manoeuverable. My other Sup is a Sunova Speeed 8' 10". I've had the Sunova for about 2 years but I find it a bit too tippy in anything other than clean conditions. How does your Speeed compare to the Spitfire for stability?
Cheers, Jimbo

Yeh hey JImbo , I wish I could surf most days, Ive been supping for 2.1 years, I do surf a bit in winter though. Your doing well mate at 72 yo, its great how SUP paddle/surf can enable people to stay fit at any age and it beats just about everything for fun while your getting your heart rate up(except sex). I started on an 8ft 10 speed (130L), dropped to an 8ft 5 speed (112 Litre) and the Smik spitfire is 8Ft 3 (111L). I agree the speeed is tippy yet when smoothish conditions its quite manageable, where as the spitfire is I would say 25% more stable yet much looser on the wave- add say 25% in that dept. For shooting the line the speeed is the killer due to speed, its manouverable enough yet does not surf its size well and feels like a lot out front to swing around. The design elements of the Spitty make it much more performance orientated and quite fast, yet stable around the zone, the spitfire 83 is the full carbon model yet surprisingly not a hell of a difference in weight on the scales comparo to the 85 speeed. Both handle steep take offs well, which what you generally need here in in sydney.



Ta Brett. Confirms what I suspected. Looking seriously at Smiks now. Hope to have good news before long. Cheers, Jimbo

thegreatsup
502 posts
14 Mar 2020 8:20AM
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That new v3 does look like an incredible shape. It looks like the tail is a touch more pulled in and narrow than the previous v2 model?

BrettV
NSW, 6 posts
15 Mar 2020 8:59AM
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benjl said..
That new v3 does look like an incredible shape. It looks like the tail is a touch more pulled in and narrow than the previous v2 model?


Could be Benj, have to ask Scotty about the refinements V2-V3.










Whassup
NSW, 84 posts
15 Jul 2020 7:27PM
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Hey Brett. Late response to this thread. Thanks for your thoughts very useful for me.

I am a SMIK fan for a few reasons. I am similar weight height and age to yourself.

For my intermediate surf sup level the capability of these boards is really accessible. I have an 8'0 Hipster and an 8'5 Short Mac. Really enjoy both boards,on different conditions. Both have good stability which for me surfing on the Northern beaches in Sydney and surfing in often choppy conditions and beach breaks allow me to have fun long sessions without getting knackered if the boards too twitchy and takes more focus to balance on which makes it more tiring.

The Short Mac - no longer available - is such a fun board on smaller days, choppy or glassy, with great glide and stand on the tail and you can still really throw it around. But it also handles the bigger sets.

The Hipster is a f'n revelation for me so much fun in conditions from small to mid sized. Even in small mush it's a lot of fun - though you have to work hard paddling on to the wave.

I am am about to get a Spitfire 7'10. I expect it will carry more speed, still be easy to throw around and snap turns on but also it's stability will gift you longer sessions scoring waves not battling to stay upright.

Best part is all are shaped by an Aussie company. Scotty keep up the good work.

cbigsup
454 posts
15 Jul 2020 9:09PM
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I own a HipTwin 8'4", a Short Mac 8'8", and a 9'2" HipTwin MiniMal. All were customs as I am a fussy old Fahrte.
Scotty is really awesome to work with on customs and very responsive.
Am working on another, but it's top secret. No jinx!
Cheers Biggie

Whassup
NSW, 84 posts
16 Jul 2020 8:06AM
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Nice. I had thought of a HipMal but don't often feel the need to go bigger than the ShortMac. How does it surf, as expected?

Cool quiver.

cbigsup
454 posts
16 Jul 2020 8:12AM
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Works awesome. One foot to DOH. Turns great from the tail and noserides well. I believe the HipTwin MiniMal became a favorite of many SMIK riders.

bufordGB
NSW, 3 posts
21 Jul 2020 6:15PM
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Select to expand quote
Whassup said..
...

I am am about to get a Spitfire 7'10. I expect it will carry more speed, still be easy to throw around and snap turns on but also it's stability will gift you longer sessions scoring waves not battling to stay upright.




hey Whassup,

I ride a Spitfire V2 7'10" as a quad. I'm 74 kg, 52 yo, been riding SUP for three years - used to ride a 8'0" Blue Planet Taro Chip - intermediate prone-y for a couple of years before that. I am 100% sold on the Spitfire but have discovered there's a good reason that Smik market it as a performance board: it's light, super-responsive and rips down the line but I have to be way more aware of my centre of balance when waiting around for a wave in bouncy conditions (a la Curl Curl). There's been more than a few occasions when I've tipped off the board from leaning too far away from centre. Perhaps these will prove valuable first steps on the road to becoming a Shaolin master...

BrettV
NSW, 6 posts
12 Dec 2020 7:20PM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
Whassup said..
Hey Brett. Late response to this thread. Thanks for your thoughts very useful for me.

I am a SMIK fan for a few reasons. I am similar weight height and age to yourself.

For my intermediate surf sup level the capability of these boards is really accessible. I have an 8'0 Hipster and an 8'5 Short Mac. Really enjoy both boards,on different conditions. Both have good stability which for me surfing on the Northern beaches in Sydney and surfing in often choppy conditions and beach breaks allow me to have fun long sessions without getting knackered if the boards too twitchy and takes more focus to balance on which makes it more tiring.

The Short Mac - no longer available - is such a fun board on smaller days, choppy or glassy, with great glide and stand on the tail and you can still really throw it around. But it also handles the bigger sets.

The Hipster is a f'n revelation for me so much fun in conditions from small to mid sized. Even in small mush it's a lot of fun - though you have to work hard paddling on to the wave.

I am am about to get a Spitfire 7'10. I expect it will carry more speed, still be easy to throw around and snap turns on but also it's stability will gift you longer sessions scoring waves not battling to stay upright.

Best part is all are shaped by an Aussie company. Scotty keep up the good work.


Hey Whassup late response from me now ! Im considering going from 83 spitty to a 78 or 710 hipster.
I guess you got the spitty 710 by now, how is it going and compare to the 80 hipster?

Lizardman
VIC, 106 posts
15 Apr 2021 7:45AM
Thumbs Up

Select to expand quote
BrettV said..

Whassup said..
Hey Brett. Late response to this thread. Thanks for your thoughts very useful for me.

I am a SMIK fan for a few reasons. I am similar weight height and age to yourself.

For my intermediate surf sup level the capability of these boards is really accessible. I have an 8'0 Hipster and an 8'5 Short Mac. Really enjoy both boards,on different conditions. Both have good stability which for me surfing on the Northern beaches in Sydney and surfing in often choppy conditions and beach breaks allow me to have fun long sessions without getting knackered if the boards too twitchy and takes more focus to balance on which makes it more tiring.

The Short Mac - no longer available - is such a fun board on smaller days, choppy or glassy, with great glide and stand on the tail and you can still really throw it around. But it also handles the bigger sets.

The Hipster is a f'n revelation for me so much fun in conditions from small to mid sized. Even in small mush it's a lot of fun - though you have to work hard paddling on to the wave.

I am am about to get a Spitfire 7'10. I expect it will carry more speed, still be easy to throw around and snap turns on but also it's stability will gift you longer sessions scoring waves not battling to stay upright.

Best part is all are shaped by an Aussie company. Scotty keep up the good work.



Hey Whassup late response from me now ! Im considering going from 83 spitty to a 78 or 710 hipster.
I guess you got the spitty 710 by now, how is it going and compare to the 80 hipster?


I'm 70kg 169 cm tall, low intermediate Sup surfer and considering buying an 8'6" 125L or the 8'8" 135 L Spitfire as I dont get to surf all that often and as yet I dont go out in any big stuff. I'm mainly at protected spots on Mornington or Bellarine peninsulas and I currently have a 9'6" 170 l board that can surf anything but I want to get something more responsive but still be able to catch a lot of waves. I have had a 8'6" 135 L board before but my skill level was not good enough to advance my surfing much but my current board has helped a lot as it get waves in all sorts of conditions. My question is should I get the 8'6" or 8'8" Spitfire as I am intending to keep it longterm and I dont think my surfing will get to advanced level as I just dont get enough practice. You opinions and advice will be appreciated.

60YOGROM
VIC, 8 posts
16 Apr 2021 6:51PM
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Hey Lizardman,

I have both the 8'6" and the 8'8" Smik Spitfire. I am 88kgs and 62yo. Have been surfing since I was a 7yo. I love both boards but find the 6'6" is best suited to clean glassy conditions as it is narrower and has a much smaller sweet spot than the 8'8". Although you are lighter than me, from what you describe, I suggest the 8'8" would be the better choice. I live in Pt Lonsdale so if you want to catch the ferry over and have a paddle on both, let me know.

Lizardman
VIC, 106 posts
19 Apr 2021 8:50PM
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60YOGROM said..
Hey Lizardman,

I have both the 8'6" and the 8'8" Smik Spitfire. I am 88kgs and 62yo. Have been surfing since I was a 7yo. I love both boards but find the 6'6" is best suited to clean glassy conditions as it is narrower and has a much smaller sweet spot than the 8'8". Although you are lighter than me, from what you describe, I suggest the 8'8" would be the better choice. I live in Pt Lonsdale so if you want to catch the ferry over and have a paddle on both, let me know.


Cheers mate that would be much appreciated. I try to get over to that side as often as time and commitments allow and have not surfed at Pt Lonsdale yet so it would be great to go out there with a local. I am in agreement with you on the board size as I think the 8'6" might be a bit above my skill level. Cheers and I hope we can meet up soon.

Nugdam
QLD, 600 posts
19 Apr 2021 9:21PM
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I've heard rumours of a new spitfire model coming out this year

justaddwater
NSW, 675 posts
20 Apr 2021 7:02AM
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And it's a pintail



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"Smik Spitfire V3 review" started by BrettV