by Wesley Echols
The Surfski Comparison Chart below is best interpreted by comparing one ski to another and seeing the relationship one ski has to another. This is a guide based on my 15 years of paddling experience and GPS recorded time trials as explained below. I am 51 years old, 5ft 9in, and 175, who paddles 4-7 days a week all year around.
I have owned/paddled/raced all the skis listed on the chart for at least 3 months and as long as 3 years. I log all my training paddles and races and have extensive data over the same measured courses (GPS) in all my boats (kayaks/skis) over the last 9 years. I paddle primarily on the Sakonnet River, Narragansett Bay, and do most of the races in New England. My three main measured courses are my 6.4 mile course, 11.6 mile course (Sakonnet River Race), and 6 mile course. I feel confident in my assessments due to the overwhelming data I have accumulated since 2002. Furthermore, I have paddled with the same training partners over the years and can chart my race times compared to them in the various skis.
Show Me The Data: The numbers are from July 2002 to February 2011.
I have logged the below stats for my 3 main time trial courses:
- 6 mile course, 121 times accumulating 718.59 miles in 118.47.14 hours
- 6.4 mile course, 221 times accumulating 1350.18 miles in 226:58.39 hours
- 11.6 mile course, 70 times accumulating 731.17 miles in 124.06.50 hours
I chose to rate the skis 1-6 in the different categories vice 1-10 because using 1-10 scale would magnify the differences between the boats too greatly. Some skis are clearly more stable, faster, and comfortable than others. Some perform better in downwind conditions while others perform better in the flats. Skis generally fall into two main categories: Stable and High Performing Skis (HPS). I have also owned and raced two Mohicans, thunderbolt x, thunderbolt, a few K1’s, and too many sea kayaks to mentioned.
