Best Smoothstar Surfskate I've Tried: Whitetail Whaleshark w/ The Remora Wheelbase extender

If you've seen my review of the Whitetail Whaleshark surfskate deck you know that I love everything about it. The only negative I could find was that the 16.75" wheelbase was somewhat limiting for taller riders and prevented the use of certain truck systems, like the Smoothstar Thruster. I think the Thruster is one of the best surfskate trucks on the market, but I never liked Smoothstar decks, having tried the Manta Ray, Toledo#77, and Holy Toledo. They look weird. Many have a square tail that is prone to getting damaged or which interferes with tricks that require scooping the tail. The nose is just there, you cannot really use it for anything. The new line of Smoothstar decks do not look much more promising, in my humble opinion.
BUT... Whitetail Skateboards have come up with an adapter piece that will allow a customizable extension of the wheelbase. This will let it work better with Smoothstar and Yow Meraki trucks since they both reduce the axle to axle lengths compared to other surfskate trucks. This video walks you through the Remora wheelbase extender, how to install it (even if you are a terrible handyman like me), and some footage of me shredding on my new Whaleshark x Smoothstar setup on a pump track, bowl, vert wall, and street section of the skatepark.
For more details on The Remora, please have a look at the presentation from the inventor herself on her KZbin channel: • REMORA - Surfskate Whe...
Also, if you buy a deck from Whitetail, you can get an extra $10 off using this code: MARK10
Buy it from here: jackalop.com
#smoothstar #surfskate #Whaleshark

[@whitetailskateboards]

This edit is just AWESOME Mark, and your use of the Remora makes it even more legit! The riding shots are incredible, your skill level keeps up skyrocketing! You just made me want to put some Smoothstar on my Whaleshark. Thank you for this wonderful video

[@goofyfootgreg]

Way to go with the Remora, Sophie 👍👍

[@imppao]

Amazing!

[@MrPsiman]

have you tried the new Smoothstar Thruster D truck yet ? It looks a lot lighter and thinner

[@Didgeman80]

Super rad! Yet another reason to get a Whale shark deck! Love it! :)

[@michalmularski7833]

Nice one Mark. Great video and awesome product from Sophie.

[@rainham1]

smoothstar just released all new lineup with redesigned trucks ( thruster D) and decks.. wondering what your thoughts will be against their original. thanks again for all the work you put into this channel!

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

I love that they addressed the issue with the axle offset on the thruster D. Would love to try one but not super interested in buying another complete just to get the new trucks. Maybe someone in Ottawa will buy one that I can take a test run with.

[@whitetailskateboards]

Oh that’s good to know, have you tried it yet @rainham1 ? I’d be very curious to try it too, but as Mark said, having to get a complete setup just to try trucks is a little bit against my ecological ethics 🌿

[@rainham1]

@@whitetailskateboards no just released. I've been on the manta ray for a couple of years and love it. things are sometimes a little slower getting here in Vallarta. but don't think I would at this point probably branch out just to mix it up.

[@whitetailskateboards]

@@rainham1 oh okay I see ! Thanks for your reply

[@jackofallboardsNEW]

Nice setup Mark. I bet with the Remora installed you were able to lock your barefoot into the front pocket better without the board taking a nosedive? 🤯👍

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Yeah, even with only a few strips of non abrasive grip tape the shape helped keep my feet exactly where I needed them.

[@omextracts]

Thank you for this video got my smoothstar Toledo and trucks, board is thrashed and done and was having a difficult time finding a deck I could use my smoothstar trucks on. Yeew 🤙🏼 thank you

[@whitetailskateboards]

By the way, if I’d knew you consider yourself not the most handy guy, I could have drilled it for you, I’m sorry 😅 Next time I’ll know. You did perfect though, I’m very proud of you 🙌🏽

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

No no, it is important to know if a layman can do it as a test subject! It was nerve-wracking to drill into the beautiful new board but actually was quite easy.

[@whitetailskateboards]

@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer I’m glad you’re seeing it this way then! And you gained some handyman stars in your book ⭐️ I’m serious when I say I’m proud of you 😊

[@magnetmountain33]

That’s awesome news, thank you, Sophie

[@nicholasgeorge7825]

Rad. To plug truck holes you can use 4 mm bamboo skewers, glue, and a small hobby saw. Often they're not drilled super accurately, so then you can redrill a little longer wheelbase in any deck. But not much, because of the bend of the nose/tail kick. It helps to drill holes in steps, starting with a punch, the usual woodworking methods. I go up from 3/32" to 3/16" and adjust with a 5/32" chainsaw file to fit the trucks I'm going to use. (I believe skate hardware is 3/16" fine thread in the US, so factory holes are about 7/32" but probably metric, 4.5mm IDK). Mark and check your holes with the trucks as they are the real template, not riser pads. I mark a few center points along the bottom of the deck and connect them, marking everything on masking tape. Ideally, tops of the holes need to be countersunk a bit to keep bolts from protruding above the griptape. A sharp chisel or utility knife will do the job in a pinch. Carve with the grain or the maple ply will fight you. The Remora is a great product, but the idea can be adapted to any deck: a shaped block of wood glued to the bottom. You need to remove the finish with a scraper or glue will not stick very well. All this is pretty basic woodworking stuff. KZbin, like this here channel, is your how to friend! Thanks to the Landlocked surfer for surf-sake inspiration. Blessings for '23.

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Thanks for this super detailed description. Sounds a lot more calibrated than my process! Great for other viewers to learn the precision methodology. Thanks for sharing!

[@nicholasgeorge7825]

@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer Aw shucks. I'm a nerd. But we skate too. Love to you and yours this new year.

[@omextracts]

This is my next set up 🌊

[@hman7236]

Nice gotta get

[@surfskatedad]

Does the remora adaptater still needed with the new thruster D truck?

[@MarktheLandlockedSurfer]

Unfortunately they won't sell me just the trucks so I've never tried the Thruster D system. But theoretically it should work if you like a snappier wheelbase, I just don't know how different it feels from the thruster 2.

[@surfskatedad]

@@MarktheLandlockedSurfer I ask the question since theoretically the thruster D would allow to gain 1/2 inch move on the front, so maybe the raimora would not needed anymore. Just a thought

[@marcusgrigato4624]

That's interesting!!