Slater Sci-Fi 6'3 review: a fast, floaty quirky-tailed fish

Updated 2026-09-19

The Slater Sci-Fi is a 6'3 five-slot performance fish, a genuinely fast board with a domed deck that made it harder than expected to stand on comfortably.

What it is and why I bought it

I bought the Sci-Fi stock in May 2016, a board with a curved rocker and soft-to-hard rails, running single-to-quad-concave channels through the bottom, finished with a bat tail and five fin slots, the same family as the Cymatic also in the register. At 20 1/2 inches wide and 39.3 litres over 6'3, it carries a notably domed deck and a quirky tail shape.

It came in a white colourway.

How it surfed

Its best wave came at Ninjas, where it delivered on speed, described directly as fast in the register, but the domed deck made it hard to stand on with confidence, and the quirky tail combined with generous volume gave it a floaty feel some riders would need to adjust to. A Lost-branded quad setup was the fin choice used. The logged wave range is 2 to 6 ft, ideal at 4 ft.

Who it suits and who it does not

A fast, floaty fish with a domed deck like this suits an experienced rider who can adapt to an unconventional deck shape in exchange for genuine speed. It is a weaker fit for anyone who prioritises a stable, predictable stance over outright pace, since the domed deck is a real adjustment.

What happened to it

It sold on 13 June 2017 for $500, against a $900 purchase cost.

Questions people ask

What made the Slater Sci-Fi's deck unusual?

It is domed rather than flat, which the register notes made it hard to stand on comfortably, despite the board's genuine speed.

What fins worked on the Sci-Fi?

A Lost-branded quad fin setup is logged against this board.

What conditions suited it?

The logged range is 2 to 6 ft with 4 ft as the ideal.

For the full spec sheet, see the sold boards list. For the other Slater board in the log, see the Slater Cymatic. For more on fish-style boards, see fish or mid-length.