FENN SKIS
Stability
First a few words
about stability as this is one of the most asked questions.
An XT falls into
the same category as an intermediate multisport boat. About half of absolute
beginners can stay in an XT (although very wobbly) and the other half will go
for swims. Nearly everyone will be comfortable after about 5 hours of paddling.
The
Mako 6 and Elite are aimed more at the upper end. The Mako 6 is more stable,
especially in choppy conditions where it seems to just cut straight through the
chop. The Elite is the least stable but still more stable than the old Millenium. For a good paddler the Elite is superb for
surfing big conditions, it behaves really well with no surprises.
Two
things just need to be remembered as well, a heavy boat will always feel more
stable than a light boat, especially in windy or choppy conditions. And if the
leg length is too short (only an issue with a Millenium or if you are too lazy
to adjust the leg length) the boat will feel more unstable.
Mako
Elite
The Elite has a single footwell
with adjustable footrest, and while it looks very much like a Mako 6 it is
narrower in front with less rocker. I now paddle and
race an Elite and am very impressed with it. It is a
huge improvement over the Millenium, just as fast but much more forgiving. It
picks up little bumps really well and the bigger it gets the better the boat
performs.
The Elite will accommodate paddlers from
about 5’4 to 6’5.
Length: 6.4 metres
Width: 430 mm
Weight: Between 17kg and 19kg for glass,
between 11kg and 12kg for carbon.
Mako
6
The Mako 6 has a single footwell with adjustable footrests, and is slightly more
stable than the Mako Elite.
It handles choppy conditions really well,
and is the ideal ski for those who have outgrown an XT but still find the Elite
too much to handle.
Length: 6.4 metres
Width: 440 mm
Weight: Between 17kg and 19kg for glass,
between 11kg and 12kg for carbon.
Read more here.
XT
This is the ideal beginners/intermediate ski,
still a challenge for total novices but easily mastered with a bit of
perseverance. It is perfect for Auckland East Coast conditions. It has an
adjustable footrest and a small hatch for keys or lunch when paddling across to
Rangitoto
Length: 6.0 metres
Width: 475 mm
Weight: Somewhere between 17kg and 19kg for glass, between 11kg and 12kg for carbon.