Fairly new to the surf skis, bu have a number of friends with the Ultras, and have owned standard fg vs. carbon models in other skis.  If you're an elite racer for whom every ounce matters, then the Ultras are IMO the way to go, or if you really enjoy equipment and take care of it fastidiously, then it's Ultra.  They are exceedingly fragile, and dent very easily.  Everyone I know who owns them has dinged, punctured, damaged his in some way, so beware.  Probably best as a race boat with a lighter weight fg layup as an everyday.  My Huki, in carbon/'s' glass/kevlar is a really nice balance of light weight (27 lbs. w. hatch and adj. footwells) and durability.  I take care of it, but I don't worry about it in the same way I would with an Ultra.  I don't think I've ever paddled a boat that's more fun, also.   

Good info here. Here's why I prefer and would only own an Ultra. Pick up each ski on a really windy day. The Ultra is noticeably more affected by the wind, and gets blown all over the place. As we generally hold the boat right at what would be the center of mass of a floating fully laden ski, this same effect carries over to the boats performance characteristics in the ocean. The stiffness and light weight of the Ultra makes it more responsive to instantaneous directional changes whether you use the rudder, a swell or whitecap, a gust of wind, or any combination of the above to move the bow to where you want to go.

An interesting topic and great reading everyones thoughts.

I have always had a simple theory on purchases such as this, whether to purchase the more expensive top of the line model or the cheaper...

If you can afford it, buy the top off the line. If you do reason yourself into the cheaper for whatever reason, you will always be in the situation, when you get beaten in a race, thinking.... If only I had spent the money.

I own a glass Mako 6 and am very much a novice and love my ski and even when being beaten, love paddling. I also bought a forerunner 201 and think it is one of the best training aids I could have invested in.

It is up to you. But will you be on the beach oneday thinking if only....

Happy paddling whateveer your choice.

Teresa
after much research and a few test paddles i went for the V10L Ultra & I am stoked with it!

it was a tough decision about spending the extra cash but i can tell you if nothing else every time i lift it onto the roof of the car I smile & confirm the extra bucks were VERY well spent!

On the water the ski is great to paddle and super comfy, it fits my build perferctly, feels like a bucket seat in a nice car, hugs the body making you feel at one with it which in turn gives great stability, or freedom of movement on the water.

I have been paddling regularly with my mate (who also got the ultra) on flat water & he's been in his awesome Max kayak carbon Viper K1 (8kg) and the V10L ultra keeps up! he's a better paddler and fitter & i would say the only time the V10 looses out is if there is a strong head current or we are super sprinting where the K1's top speed, & probably his fitness, wears me down.

I did my first long ocean paddle at the Coffs OC campionships 25k downwind leg and had a ball!

I will say though i have had an altercation where we both ended up paddling in on the same wave after an ocean traing session and both lost our skis which both had to be repaired after they came together and got scratched and digned.

These skis are not designed to play crash'n derby! that does make me a little nervous sometimes but remember they are for ocean paddling and catching runs (& waves out wide @ wategoes!) not shore breaks.
Awesome ski & very happy with it!
Worth every cent and makes me want to paddle more & more!
James