5.6

surf ski

Introduction by John Jacoby We tended to stick to racing type craft in this group and there were many models that we did not test as they are all variations within a set number of guidelines established by Surf Lifesaving Australia. These skis are commonly referred to as “spec skis” i.e. they meet SLSA specifications for racing at traditional surf carnivals.

The key purpose of these craft is fast travel in the open ocean with an ability to handle surf entry and exits.

Over the last 20 years the diversity of these craft has grown considerably thanks to open regulations in events like open ocean ski racing and adventure racing. The racing skis evolved from Hawaii and South Africa where the latter country’s sporting isolation as a result of its apartheid policies spawned open minded design ideas. Both the V10 and the Fenn skis come from South Africa where conditions encountered are very similar to Australia. These craft have brought with them terrific innovations like self bailing venturi drains in the foot wells to keep the craft dry and light as possible, fully adjustable foot rests for versatility and single foot wells, which in my opinion are much more comfortable and practical.

The results showed the Mako 6 being faster than the V10. In my opinion these two craft are very similar and I think the difference might boil down to boat weight and paddler preference.

The spec skis, although slower in straight line speed continue to be the best performers in true surf conditions.

The growth of this market has been astonishing and there is now an excellent range of craft from relative beginner level paddlers who still want something fast eg, FennXT or Dorado to the full on racing machine for around $5,000 and 9kg of ski!

Surf skis tested include: - Fenn Mako 6 - Epic V10 - Fenn XT - Unfair Advantage - Spirit Racing Ski - Dorado - Finn Endorfinn - Cobra Surf Ski

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5.60 fenn mako 6 SPEED

Name Fenn Mako 6 Name Type Surf Fenn Ski Mako 6 Length (metres)Type 6.41Surf Ski Length (metres) Beam (cm) 44.56.41

Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for

Beam (cm) 44.5 the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Weight as tested 8.5kg Summary of Weight as tested 8.5kg Question Subjective Summary of Comments Manufacturer/distributor The Mako 6 is the newest boat to Question Subjective notes including purpose comeThe outMako of the6 Fenn is to Are there any design Manufacturer/distributor is the stable. newestItboat DeepComments padded seat, single footwell, comfortable feet for which boat was the most ofstable. all theIt is elements or features position, at catch, light, comfortable clean lines feet notes including purpose comestable out ofboat the out Fenn Are there any design and seat Deep paddednarrow seat, single footwell, designed top end surf skis along with for which boat was the most stable boat outbeing of all the you particularly elements orliked? features and seat position, narrow at catch, light, clean lines you particularly liked?Bulge under calves too big for 5’6’ paddler, easier the fastest and most have any designed top end surf skis manouvarable. along with being Do you foot adjustment, position a bit like easier The leg fully adjustable the length fastest is and most manouvarable.suggestions Do youfor have any Bulge underseat calves too big forlow 5’6’(feels paddler, improving anything? paddling position is uphill), more adjustment for like and The easyleg to use so anyone can suggestions for foot adjustment, seat position a bit low (feels length is fully adjustable people, venturi drain in seatmore well adjustment for improving anything? short paddling position is uphill), paddle andit.easy to use so anyone can people, venturi drain in seat well What did you most like Light short and fast, felt smooth, stability, glide through paddle it. Bagged Construction method/ Carbon Vacuum aboutWhat this boat? water,Light responsive, performance boat, tracking did you most like and fast,high felt smooth, stability, glide through material Construction method/ Carbon Vacuum Bagged about this boat? water, responsive, high performance boat, What did you least like Leg length wouldn’t adjust short enough, cost, tracking material aboutWhat this boat? seating position, a little hard to get into, cost, did you least likeuphillLeg length wouldn’t adjust short enough, underuphill kneeseating 3-4 cm position, too high,ahump under State/Country of South Africa about this boat? little hard toknees get into, prevents legknee drive,3-4 wet a bit unstable under cmbum too and high,feet, hump under knees manufacture State/Country of South Africa whenprevents turning with rudder, close leg drive, wetfeet bum andtogether feet, a bit unstable manufacture when turning withtorudder, together Anything that a Requires high skill level paddle,feet fast,close sensitive at RRP N/A beginner should be a corners, very light fragile, not for beginners Anything that Requires highbut skillalso level to paddle, fast, sensitive at awarebeginner of in considering RRP N/A should be corners, very light but also fragile, not for beginners this boat? aware of in considering Contact Dean Gardiner Whatthis typeboat? of paddler Intermediate to advanced ocean racing ski, AR/ Contact Dean Gardiner do you think thisofcraft ocean racing, any person to go What type paddler Multisport/ Intermediate to advanced oceanaspiring racing ski, AR/ Email [email protected] woulddobeyou most suitable waveocean boat racing, any person aspiring to go think this craftfast, perfect Multisport/ for? would be most suitable Email [email protected] fast, perfect wave boat If youfor? had a choice of 6 11 Yes, 1 Maybe, 1 No Website www.oceanpaddler.com boatsIfyou’d like atochoice own of 6 you had 11 Yes, 1 Maybe, 1 No Website Ideal Weight N/A www.oceanpaddler.com wouldboats this boat in to own you’dbe like your top 6? this boat be in would

Weight N/Adrains, fibreglass (O) Features & Ideal Options Venturi (options Features denoted & byOptions O) Venturi drains, fibreglass (O) (options denoted by O)

your top 6? Rate the looks 8.7 (ignoring on Rate colour) the looks 8.7 a scale of 1 to 10, (ignoring colour) on 10 being drop dead a scale of 1 to 10, gorgeous and 1 fugly. 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Fenn Mako

Hydrostatic Measurements

Fenn Mako 6 Surf Ski Length (LOA) 6406mm Length(WL) 6204mm Beam (max) 445mm Beam (WL) 431mm Length/beam ratio 15.83 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.61 Water plane area (m2) 1.60m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 143mm Weight (Kg) 8.5kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Carbon Cockpit size (seat to footwell) 220-SH 220FW

Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.

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5.61 epic v10 Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Epic V10

1:03:51

11.87

Name Epic V10 Surf Ski Name Epic V10 SPEED

Type

Length (metres)Type 6.52 Surf Ski

Length (metres) 6.50 Beam (cm) (cm) 42.0 43.5 Beam

Weight as tested

Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7.

15.7 kg

Weight as tested 15.7kg Question

Summary of Subjective Comments

Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked?

Angled heel rest (can rest heels on foot bar), adjustable pedals, comfortable seat, single footwell, light

Do you have any suggestions for improving anything?

Feet seem high compared to seat, smaller front at catch, make more adjustable for shorter people, venturi drain for seat, more positive locking of cord adjustment for pedals, remove the red card holding pedals could be dangerous

[email protected]

What did you most like about this boat?

Very fast, run of the boat, stability, foot pedals, fits well, responsive, easy to turn

Website www.epickayaks.com

What did you least like about this boat?

High feet position, not responsive to small inputs, bulge under calves a little restrictive, narrow space for feet, high volume deck catches wind, wet feet & bum

Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat?

Very long, fast and fragile boat, not designed for beginner, hard to re-enter craft after capsize

What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for?

Intermediate to elite, ocean racer, expert paddler wanting a very fast racing ski, great cruising boat

If you had a choice of 6 boats you’d like to own would this boat be in your top 6?

5 Yes, 2 Maybe, 5 No

Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

8.0

Manufacturer/distributor Designed by Oscar Chalupsky to be Designed by Oscar notes Manufacture/distributor including purpose for world’s fastest ocean kayak Chalupsky to be notes purpose world’s fastest ocean kayak which boatincluding was designed

for which boat was State/Country of manufacture China designed

Website www.epickayaks.com RRP Approx $3300 Contact

E-mail

Sam Hadyen - 0409 613 241 Paul Garrard - 0409 720 837

Features & options Adjustable seats and foot plates (options denoted by O)

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Epic V10

Hydrostatic Measurements

Epic V10 Surf Ski Length (LOA) 6520mm Length(WL) 6296mm Beam (max) 420mm Beam (WL) 382mm Length/beam ratio 16.48 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.68 Water plane area (m2) 1.67m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 106mm Weight (Kg) 15.7kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Carbon Cockpit size (seat to footwell) 227-SH 237-FW

Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.

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5.62 fenn xt Name Fenn XT SPEED

Type Surf Fenn Ski XT Name Length (metres) 5.80 Type Surf Ski Beam (cm) 48.0 Length (metres) 5.80 Beam (cm) 48.0 Weight as tested 18.9kg

Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Fenn XT

1:05:29

11.57

Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1Summary kayak tested. of For further details on speed, refer to section 7.

Weight as tested 18.9kg Manufacturer/distributor The perfect boat to start your notes including purpose ocean paddling career off with. Manufacturer/distributor for which boat was The The boatperfect comes boat with to anstart easyyour to notes including purpose ocean paddlingsystem career so off with. use fully adjustable designed for which boat was The can boatuse comes anyone it. with an easy to designed use fully adjustable system so anyone can use it. Construction method/ Fibreglass or Carbon Vacuum material Bagged Construction method/ Fibreglass or Carbon Vacuum material Bagged State/Country of Queensland, Australia manufacture State/Country of Queensland, Australia manufacture RRP $2400

Question

Subjective Comments Summary of EasilySubjective adjustable pedals, deep seat, drain holes Comments

Question Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked? Are there any design Easily adjustable pedals, deep seat, drain holes elements or features Make seat more comfortable, foam on back section, Do you have any you particularly liked? venturi drain hole in the seat well, cover wire suggestions for improving anything? cables to prevent cutscomfortable, foam on back section, Do you have any Make seat more forlike holefoot in the seat well,length cover wire Whatsuggestions did you most Light,venturi even atdrain shortest and pedal cables prevent cutsto push for smaller aboutimproving this boat?anything? there’s roomtounder calves people, glide, well down wind, runs What did you most like Light, even at finished, shortest speed foot and pedal length well, there’s stable, responsive, quick in thefor turns, very about this boat? room undervery calves to push smaller maneuverable people, glide, well finished, speed down wind, runs stable, responsive, in thethan turns, very What did you least like Foot well, length adjustment, seat very (feetquick are higher about this boat? your maneuverable bum), hard to get into, wet feet and bum, if it too adjustment, quickly it leans turnthan What did you least likeyou rudder Foot length seathard (feetinto arethe higher aboutthat thisaboat? bum), hard to get boat, into, hard wet feet andinto bum, if Anything Greatyour competitive beginner to get you rudder too quickly it leans hard into the turn beginner should be in ocean, not for itabsolute beginner but good aware of in considering for intermediate paddlerbeginner new to paddling in to theget into Anything that a Great competitive boat, hard this boat? especially when turning but good beginner should be ocean, in unstable ocean, not for absolute beginner in considering for intermediate paddler to paddling in the Whataware type ofofpaddler Beginner to intermediate, AR/new Multisport/ ocean, thisthink boat? unstable especially when turning do you this craft goodocean, first ocean racing ski

RRP $2400 Contact Dean Gardiner Contact Dean Gardiner Email [email protected]

would be most What type suitable of paddler Beginner to intermediate, AR/ Multisport/ ocean, for? do you think this craft good first ocean racing ski mostofsuitable If youwould had a be choice 6 7 Yes, 1 Maybe, 4 No boatsfor? you’d like to own

Email [email protected] Website www.oceanpaddler.com Ideal Weight Website www.oceanpaddler.com Features & Options Adjustable foot-wells Ideal Weight (options denoted by O) Features & Options Adjustable foot-wells (options denoted by O)

would this boat in of 6 If you had abe choice 7 Yes, 1 Maybe, 4 No your boats top 6?you’d like to own would this boat be in yourlooks top 6? Rate the 7.8 (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1the to looks 10, Rate 10 being drop dead (ignoring colour) on gorgeous and a scale of 1 1 fugly. to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

7.8

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Fenn XT

Hydrostatic Measurements

Fenn XT Surf Ski Length (LOA) 5800mm Length(WL) 5622mm Beam (max) 480mm Beam (WL) 431mm Length/beam ratio 13.04 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.64 Water plane area (m2) 1.60m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 117mm Weight (Kg) 18.9kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Glass Cockpit size (seat to footwell) 220-SH 220FW

Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.

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5.63 unfair advantage Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Unfair Advantage

1:05:39

11.55

Name Unfair NameAdvantage Unfair Advantage SurfType Ski

Surf Ski SPEED

Type

Weight as tested 18.2kg

Length (metres) 5.79 Beam (cm) Weight as tested

48.0 Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7.

18.2kg

Construction method/ Kevlar material

RRP

Contact E-mail

Summary of Subjective Comments

Question

State/Country of manufacture Melbourne, Australia

Are there any design elements or features you particularly liked?

Wave deflector, narrow and cut-away at paddle entry

Cameron McGill

Do you have any suggestions for improving anything?

Wider seat for larger paddler, cut away at paddle entry, better carrying method

[email protected]. au

What did you most like about this boat?

Hull shape, speed, responsive, cut aways for paddle stroke, good for surf conditions

What did you least like about this boat?

Seat too narrow, not adjustable (one size only), hard seat, rudder a little sensitive

Anything that a beginner should be aware of in considering this boat?

Very specific for surf racing, too unstable for beginners, turning angle sharp

What type of paddler do you think this craft would be most suitable for?

Intermediate to advanced, competitive surf paddler, very specific for surf

If you had a choice of 6 boats you’d like to own would this boat be in your top 6?

5 Yes, 0 Maybe, 5 No

Rate the looks (ignoring colour) on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

7.7

Approx $2475 (incl. GST) for Kevlar hull Adjustable footwells + $220.00

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

Unfair Advantage

Photography: Andrew Connolly

surf ski

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5.64 spirit racing ski Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Spirit Racing Ski

1:06:26

11.41

Name Spirit Racing Ski SPEED

Type Surf Ski Length (metres) 5.14 Beam (cm) 51.0

Summary of

Weight as tested 23.7kg Manufacturer/distributor notes including purpose for which boat was designed

Summary of Subjective Subjective Comments Comments

Question Question

The only SLS-approved plastic surf ski that is equally at home on flat water, designed to be biomechanically comparable to a racing ski (ie narrow beam forward of seat) but more stable with the beam widening behind the seat

Are any design design Comfortable seat, foot pedals, adjustable Are there there any Adjustable pedals (fitssolid short person), single elements features you footwell, foot straps, paddle plenty of carry elements or or features foot narrow bar and at strap, goodentry, rudder system particularly liked? handles you particularly liked? Do any Do you you have have any suggestions for suggestions for improving anything? improving anything? What did you most like about this boat?

Construction method/ Roto-moulded super linear material polyethylene

What did you most like about this boat?

State/Country of WA, Australia manufacture

What did you least like about this boat?

What did you least like about this boat?

RRP $1200 Contact James Payne

Move 5”6” paddlers Seat andseating footwellposition venturi back, drains,for add another carry there isfoot nopedals room for calves tofoot move, steering/ handle, wider apart, pedals hard to adjust comfortable seat pedalquickly, systemmore adjustment too difficult and timeconsuming, higher sides (water comes when you Stability/speed compromise is excellent, feetinreally leantoboat), unsuitable for stable holding in surf easy adjust,handles self-draining foot well, entry (toggles offbar boat ends would be better) level ski, foot comfortable, comfort in seating position, speed, I didn’t get ease of use, easy Comfort, surprisingly fast,wet!, responsive, versatility, toitsturn ability to go in a number of different kayaking environments , durability, turning circle,and seat Water in seat, wet feet, seat has high back comfort, able to pedal apply placement, good leg drive sides, weight, foot difficult to carry, I felt I was about to capsize when turning, Can’t straighten legs - bulge is in the way, bit slow seat a little wide for narrow bums, no foot well to get going, seat pan too broad, pedals time drains, feet had to be quite close together consuming to adjust (could easy lose small bits),

Anything that a beginner should be Anything that a aware of in considering beginner this boat?should be

Good for an intermediate low stability all round person to progress onto, adjustability not easy, turns quickly

do you think this craft

paddler, surf or flatwater, any skill level

Very good boat for beginner ski paddler although there are more stable plastic alternatives, don’t aware of in considering adjust foot straps up tightly or you’ll be in trouble if What type of paddler Intermediate, long distance/surf, ocean day this boat? you wipeout

Email [email protected] Website www.spiritpaddle.com.au Ideal Weight N/A Features & Options Can be set up for heavier paddler (options denoted by O) (O) Back rest (O) Shock cord at back (O) White water nose reinforcement (O) Surf rudder or trailing rudder Adj. pedal system to have been much improved - was due end 2006

What of paddler wouldtype be most suitable for?you think this craft do would be most suitable If you had a choice of 6 for? boats you’d like to own this aboat be inof 6 Ifwould you had choice your top 6? like to own boats you’d would this boat be in your 6? Rate top the looks (ignoring colour) on Rate the looks a scale of 1 to 10, on (ignoring colour) 10 being drop dead a scale of 1 to 10, gorgeous and 1 fugly. 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

Beginner to intermediate, fitness/training, fun catching waves, all rounder, beach/ moving water/ novice 6 holidayer, Yes, 0 Maybe, 8 Noadventure racer 2 Yes, 1 Maybe, 11 No

7.0

5.4

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Spirit Racing Ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Hydrostatic Measurements

Spirit Surf Ski Surf Ski Length (LOA) 5140mm Length(WL) 5040mm Beam (max) 510mm Beam (WL) 481mm Length/beam ratio 10.4 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.68 Water plane area (m2) 1.68m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 103mm Weight (Kg) 23.7kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Plastic Cockpit size (seat to footwell) 220-SH 228-FW

Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.

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5.65 dorado Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Dorado

1:06:52

11.33

Name Dorado SPEED

Name Type Surf Dorado Ski Length (metres)Type 5.78Surf Ski Length (metres) Beam (cm) 47.15.78 Beam (cm) 47.1 Weight as tested 19.9kg

Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7.

Summary of Subjective Summary of Comments Subjective Adjustable pedals (fits short person), single Comments footwell, foot bar and strap, good rudder system Adjustable pedals (fits short person), single footwell, foot bar and strap, good rudder system Do you any youhave particularly liked? Seat and footwell venturi drains, add another carry suggestions for handle, foot pedals wider apart, foot pedals hard to Do you have any Seat and footwell venturi drains, add another carry improving anything? adjust quickly, more comfortable seat suggestions for handle, foot pedals wider apart, foot pedals hard to Whatimproving did you most like Stability/speed compromise is excellent, feet really anything? adjust quickly, more comfortable seat about this boat? easy to adjust, self-draining foot well, stable entry What did you most like Stability/speed compromise is excellent, feet really level ski, foot bar comfortable, comfort in seating about this boat? easy to adjust, self-draining foot well, stable entry position, speed, I didn’t get wet!, ease of use, easy level ski, foot bar comfortable, comfort in seating to turn position, speed, I didn’t get wet!, ease of use, easy What did you least like Watertointurn seat, wet feet, seat has high back and about this boat? sides, weight, foot pedal placement, difficult to What did you least like Water in seat, wet feet, seat has high back and carry, I felt I was about to capsize when turning, about this boat? sides, weight, foot pedal placement, difficult to seat a little wide for narrow bums, no foot well carry, I felt I was about to capsize when turning, drains, feet had to be quite close together seat a little wide for narrow bums, no foot well Anything that a Gooddrains, for anfeet intermediate to progress onto, had to beperson quite close together beginner should be adjustability not easy, turns quickly Anything that a Good for an intermediate person to progress onto, aware of in considering beginner should be adjustability not easy, turns quickly this boat? aware of in considering Whatthis type of paddler Intermediate, long distance/surf, ocean day boat? do you think this craft paddler, surf or flatwater, any skill level What type of paddler Intermediate, long distance/surf, ocean day would be most suitable do you think this craft paddler, surf or flatwater, any skill level for? would be most suitable If youfor? had a choice of 6 6 Yes, 0 Maybe, 8 No boats you’d like to own If you had a choice of 6 6 Yes, 0 Maybe, 8 No would this boat be in boats you’d like to own your top 6? would this boat be in your top 6? Rate the looks 7.0 (ignoring colour) on Rate the looks 7.0 a scale of 1 to 10, (ignoring colour) on 10 being drop dead a scale of 1 to 10, gorgeous and 1 fugly. 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

Question Weight as tested 19.9kg Question Manufacturer/distributor Entry level racing ski, ideal for Are there any design notes including purpose training ski, quite stable. Adjustable Manufacturer/distributor Entry level racing ski, ideal for elements or features Are there any design for which boat purpose was foot training pedals unlike most ‘glassAdjustable skis. notes including ski, quite stable. you particularly liked? elements or features designed Good on flat water or open ocean. for which boat was foot pedals unlike most ‘glass skis.

designed Good on flat water or open ocean. Construction method/ Fibreglass material Construction method/ Fibreglass material State/Country of South Africa manufacture State/Country of South Africa manufacture RRP $2400 RRP $2400 Contact Roger Aspinall Contact Roger Aspinall Email [email protected] Email [email protected] Website www.blue-earth.biz N/Awww.blue-earth.biz Website Ideal Weight N/A pedals Weight Features &Ideal Options Adjustable (options Features denoted & byOptions O) Adjustable pedals (options denoted by O)

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Dorado Hydrostatic Measurements

Dorado Surf Ski Length (LOA) 5780mm Length(WL) 5670mm Beam (max) 471mm Beam (WL) 426mm Length/beam ratio 12.04 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.66 Water plane area (m2) 1.66m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 123mm Weight (Kg) 19.9kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Glass Cockpit size (seat to footwell) 212-SH 240-FW

Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.

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5.66 finn endorfinn Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Name Endorfinn SPEED

Type Surf Ski Length (metres) 5.20 Name Endorfinn Beam (cm) 54.0 Type Surf Ski

Question

Length (metres) 5.20 Weight as tested 25.6kg Beam (cm) 54.0

Endorfinn

1:08:27 11.07 Summary of Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for Subjective the fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7. Comments

Are there any design

Back rest, hatch storage, thigh straps, water bottle Summary of

elementsQuestion or features holder,Subjective comfortable seat, nice steering system Manufacturer/distributor A versatile, user friendly and fast Comments Weight as tested 25.6kg you particularly liked? notes including purpose surf ski. Designed with the full Are there rest, hatch water bottle Do you have any any design Lighter,Back improve abilitystorage, to turn thigh at fullstraps, lock, pedals for which boat was spectrum of paddling ability in elements comfortable seat, nice steering suggestions for or featurestoo softholder, & flexible, foot velcro straps, cut out system some Manufacturer/distributor designed mind. A versatile, user friendly and fast improving youanything? particularly liked? how in line of boat to allow clean paddle entry, notes including purpose surf ski. Designed with the full foot pedals causes rudder needs Constructionfor method/ Rotomoulded Super Linear ability in Do you have any drive on Lighter, improve ability to turntoatmove, full lock, pedals which boat was spectrum of paddling restraint tosoft hold suggestions for too & rudder flexible,up foot velcro straps, cut out some materialdesigned Polyethylene mind. improving anything? how in line of boat to allow clean paddle entry, What did you most like about this boat?

Comfort, super stable, speed/stability compromise, drive on foot pedals causes rudder to move, needs versatile, the back strap is supportive and restraint to hold rudder up comfortable, indestructible, handles for carrying, What did you most seat, like thigh Comfort, stable,perceived speed/stability compromise, strapssuper enhance stability, about this boat? value for versatile, back strap is supportive money,the well fitted out, excellent and State/Country of WA, Australia comfortable, indestructible, handles for carrying, maneuverability RRP $1200 manufacture seat, thigh straps enhance perceived stability, What did you least like Turningvalue ability full lock, foot pedals, steering, no foratmoney, well fitted out, excellent about this boat? drains on footwells, wing nuts on foot adjustment maneuverability RRPSorensen $1200 Contact Andy safety hazard in surf, heavy for one person to carry, What did you least like hatchesTurning hard toability openat full lock, foot pedals, steering, no about this boat? drains on footwells, wing nuts on foot adjustment Anything that a Good beginner boat,inuse strap thigh to carry, Andy Sorensen safety hazard surf,back heavy for and one person Email Contact [email protected] beginner should be straps etc to your advantage, hatches hard to open rudder is vulnerable aware of in considering to damage in transport, very heavy to carry/ put on Anything that a Good beginner boat, use back strap and thigh Email [email protected] Website www.finnkayaks.com this boat? car racks beginner should be straps etc to your advantage, rudder is vulnerable aware of in considering in transport, verywho heavy to carry/ put on What type of paddler Noviceto todamage intermediate, someone needs Ideal Weight N/A Website www.finnkayaks.com this boat? car racks do you think this craft versatility, good all-round boat, touring, fun, fitness Features & Options Built in wave deflector would be mosttype suitable training, greatto inintermediate, the surf What of paddler Novice someone who needs Ideal Weight N/A (options denoted by O) Adjustable padded back strap(O) for? do you think this craft versatility, good all-round boat, touring, fun, fitness Features & Options Built in wave deflector Adjustable thigh brace would be most If you had a choice of 6suitable 4 Yes, 2training, Maybe, great 7 No in the surf (options denotedSwivel by O) paddle Adjustable back strap(O)boats you’d for? like to own leashpadded (O) Adjustable thigh brace would this boat beain Kick up or under keel rudder If you had choice of 6 4 Yes, 2 Maybe, 7 No Swivel paddle leash (O) your topboats 6? you’d like to own Adjustable footrests would this boat be in Kick up or under keel rudder your top 6? Adjustable footrests Rate the looks 6.5 (ignoring colour) on 6.5 a scale ofRate 1 tothe 10,looks colour) on 10 being(ignoring drop dead a scale 1 to 10, gorgeous and 1offugly. 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

Construction method/ Rotomoulded Super Linear State/Country of material WA, Australia Polyethylene manufacture

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Endorfinn 107

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5.67 cobra surf ski Name Cobra Surf Ski Type Surf Ski SPEED

Length (metres) 5.29Cobra Surf Ski Name Beam (cm)Type 48.5Surf Ski Length (metres) 5.29 Weight as tested 21.7kg Beam (cm) 48.5

Question

Time hh:mm:ss

Distance paddled in 1 hour (km)

K1 Nelo (benchmark)

1:00:00

12.63

Fenn Mako 6 (fastest in class)

1:02:34

12.11

Cobra Surf Ski

1:09:23

10.92

Time is straight-line speed extrapolated to the benchmark of one hour for the Summary of fastest K1 kayak tested. For further details on speed, refer to section 7.

Subjective Comments

Manufacturer/distributor Design concept of the Cobra Surf Weight as tested 21.7kg Summary of durable, foot straps, good Are there any design Foot rest and pedals notes including purpose Ski was to try to maintain as much Question Subjective elements or features steering system for which boat was as possible the hull speed & weight Comments you particularly liked? Manufacturer/distributor Design concept the Cobra designed of a composite racingofski with the Surf Arehave there any design CarryFoot rest and pedals foot straps, good any handles, remove seatdurable, holes, reduce size of notes including purpose was to try&todurability maintainofas much Do you priceSki advantage elements suggestions foror features front steering plates tosystem avoid hitting the paddle, needs more for which boat was as possible the hull speed & weight plastic. you particularly improving anything? liked?direct rudder response and rudder hold up strap designed of a composite racing ski with the for transport, screwsremove for securing the footplate are of Construction method/ Cotene linear polyethylene Do you have any Carry handles, seat holes, reduce size very fiddly price advantage & durability of suggestions for front plates to avoid hitting the paddle, needs more material plastic. anything? direct hold of up strap Whatimproving did you most like Strong foot rudder pedals,response kayak lifeand duerudder to strength transport, screws for the footplate are boat, for steering, reasonably fastsecuring for a plastic very fiddly What did you least like Hole in seat - very wet, flex in footplate, pedals/ did you most like Strong foot pedals, lifeover-steer, due to strength of aboutWhat this boat? footplate position width, kayak easy to about this boat? boat,the steering, reasonably fast for a plastic adjusting footplate about this boat?

Construction method/ Cotene linear polyethylene State/Country of NZ material manufacture State/Country of NZ RRP $1450 manufacture

Whatthat did ayou least likeOnly Hole in seat - very wet, flex initfootplate, Anything for warm weather paddling, would bepedals/ a about this boat? width, easy tosurf over-steer, beginner should be goodfootplate all-roundposition boat, good beginner craft, theseems footplate aware of in considering stableadjusting and tough, to build good speed, initial this boat? stability is low Anything that a Only for warm weather paddling, it would be a

Contact Grant hughes RRP $1450

should be Beginner goodtoall-round boat, adventure good beginner craft, Whatbeginner type of paddler intermediate, racer,surf exercise, aware in considering stable and tough, seems to build good speed, initial do you thinkofthis craft surf paddler this stability is low would beboat? most suitable for? What type of paddler Beginner to intermediate, adventure racer, exercise,

Email [email protected] Contact Grant hughes Website www.cobrakayaks.com.au Email [email protected] Ideal Weight N/A Features & Options Springback rudder Website www.cobrakayaks.com.au (options denoted by O) Under stern rudder (O) Ideal Weight N/A 2 hatches (O) Features & Options Springback handles rudder front & 2 Portage/grab (options denoted by O) backUnder stern rudder (O) 2 hatches (O) 2 Portage/grab handles front & back

you think this paddler If youdo had a choice of 6craft1 Yes,surf 0 Maybe, 11 No suitable boatswould you’d be likemost to own for? would this boat be in your top 6?had a choice of 6 If you 1 Yes, 0 Maybe, 11 No boats you’d like to own would this boat be in 6.1 Rate the looks your colour) top 6? on (ignoring a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being dead Ratedrop the looks 6.1 gorgeous and 1colour) fugly. on (ignoring a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being drop dead gorgeous and 1 fugly.

Surf Skis Tested (in order of fastest to slowest) Fenn Mako 6

Epic V10

Fenn XT

Unfair Advantage

Spirit Racing Ski

Dorado

Endorfinn

Cobra Surf Ski

Summary of scores on a 5 point scale 1. Primary stability

2

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

2. Secondary stability

4 3

3 3

4 3

3 4

3 3

3 5

4 5

3 5

4 4 2

3 4 4

4 4 3

3 3 2

3 2 3

4 4 3

4 4 4

3 3 3

5 5 4

5 5 4

4 5 4

4 5 4

4 4 3

4 5 4

4 3 4

4 4 3

10. How much did you have to adjust your natural paddling technique in this boat?

4

4

3

4

3

5

4

4

11. How wet did you get?

2

4

2

2

3

3

3

1

3. How easy is the boat to enter (and exit)? 4. How comfortable is the seat? 5. How supportive is the seat position? 6. How did the boat affect your body position? 7. Is the footbar and steering/pedal system effective? 8. Is the steering effective? 9. How responsive did the kayak feel to your input?

* Refer to Section 10 for the detailed questionnaire and scoring notes provided to testers. Scores shown above are the mode not the mean.

surf ski

Photography: Andrew Connolly

Cobra Surf Ski

Hydrostatic Measurements

Cobra Surf Ski Surf Ski Length (LOA) 5290mm Length(WL) 5010mm Beam (max) 485mm Beam (WL) 462mm Length/beam ratio 10.80 Water plane coefficient (Cw) 0.64 Water plane area (m2) 1.55m2 Draft 84kg (mean) 108mm Weight (Kg) 21.7kg Material (kevlar/plastic) Plastic Cockpit size (seat to footwell) 148-SH 170-FW

Refer to section 8 for definition of these measurements and a general explanation of how Hydrostatic Measurements were taken and what it means.

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