New Fenn Single Ski Launched *** Updated *** Print E-mail
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Written by Rob Mousley   
Monday, 13 February 2006

*** Updated 16 Feb 2006 ***

 

The new Fenn single ski was tested on the sea for the first time on the weekend of 11 Feb 2006. Keith Fenn said that he was pleased with the handling of the ski, that it performed well upwind and seemed to catch the small runs nicely. "But," he said, "I'm obviously biased! We're going to get some of the top guys to try it over the next few weeks."

 

The new ski, whose name has not yet been decided, is aimed at the top end of the market. It has the following characteristics:

 

  • Single footwell
  • Single plate adjustable rudder pedals.
  • Narrower than the Fenn Mako Millennium in front of the seat (i.e. in the area of the catch).
  • Retains the wider seat (than the older Fenn Mako).
  • Wider at and behind the seat.

 

The ski is being tested by a selection of paddlers at Gonubie (near East London).

 

Photos will be added to this story as soon as they're available. 

 

Dimensions: 

 

The new ski has the following dimensions:

 

  • Length: 6.44m (i.e. 21' 1.4")
  • Width: 44cm (17.3")
  • Weight: same as the Fenn Millennium (i.e. 28-32 lbs - carbon graphite; 35-38 lbs - fibreglass)

Price: It'll be priced approx. the same as the Fenn XT

 

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written by Guest, February 14, 2006
Hurry up and release it.
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written by Guest, February 14, 2006
I hope Fenn keeps the price in line with the rest of the Fenn line-up. (Please) I have my cash in hand. Who would spend $4000 on a mountain bike anyway?
;-)
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written by Guest, February 14, 2006
Great a new Fenn ! got some questions though?
Are there any dimensions for thi new ski , is there volume change in the back and front?
Has it got a weight/height limit for efectivness? Place to put yor hydration pack?
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Data on the new ski
written by Guest, February 15, 2006
See update to the story...
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written by Guest, February 15, 2006
I thought the Mako mill was 17" even..how is the new boat narrower at 17.3"? a narrower catch hopefully?
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Narrower ski?
written by Guest, February 15, 2006
>> how is the new boat narrower at 17.3"

Good point - perhaps I misunderstood. I'll find out & update the story.
RM
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heh heh heh .........
written by Guest, February 16, 2006
give it to us baaabeee
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written by Guest, February 16, 2006
Hmm, -narrow entry -wider at and behind the seat. kinda sounds familiar, seems I've heard of a ski like that some where?
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Re:Hmm
written by Guest, February 17, 2006
Narrow entry-wider at and behind the seat. Kinda sounds like a K-1 How perfect if that is the case. OK where are the photos? We are all chomping at the bit!
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written by Guest, February 17, 2006
Like a K1 or V10!!!!!
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Jamii
written by Guest, February 17, 2006
I will be keen to give the new fenn a test paddle and provide unbias feedback.
I have paddled all the various skis avaiable & whilst I am not an elite paddler, have a healthy opion on the most of the new boats like V10, RobbergExpress, Red7 70/60 etc.. I guess the new fenn improvements will be what the competive paddler is wanting.....
One improvement & modification that I have had Keith include in my cuurent ski is a second steering box for extreme downwind paddling..no more rudders popping out.
I look forward to the "new Millenium".
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Photos and reviews - please have patienc
written by Guest, February 17, 2006
I've just deleted a rude comment insinuating that the "delay" in pictures means that the new ski isn't meeting expectations.

There is no "delay" on pictures or reviews! It's only because I've been hounding poor Keith for information that we have anything anyway.

When and if I can get some photos, I'll put them up.

This whole process of surfski.info posting info & newsbreaks, etc is new to all of us. Previously Keith (and any other manufacturer) would have had time to develop product quietly until it was ready - then it would be released without razmatazz onto the market.

Now they've got surfski.info on their backs applying pressure. Please have patience with them - and with us.

If you have any issues with this, please contact me directly on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thanks
Rob
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Wow
written by Guest, February 17, 2006
I hope this one will raise the bar again. It sounds like it will be a great all around ski!
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Hector
written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Narrow at the entry wider at the back,looks like a v10.If that is the case it will kill you in the flats :?
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Good things definitely are worth waiting for and in this case I can only imagine if Keith is behind it then given his track record it will be a big hit. The only question is are we giving up speed for stability and is that the way we are trending with the new skis? It seems that the V-10 did sacrifice some speed for stability or so it would seem. Just a thought!
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
What a cool trend these skis are taking. Keith will crank out a sweet boat for sure, no doubt at all in my mind. As for the V-10 in the flat... (Hector) try Barton in the Flat on a V10 or Herman. That ski has the best seat to date on the books, end of story. Back to the boat at hand. Maybe we should just call it "whose name has not yet been decided" translated in Zulu. I for one can not wait for the photos, and would love to take it for a paddle. I know it will move. Keep the comments clean.
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
thanks Rob for clearing up the discrepancy regarding dimensions. keep up the good work on the site!
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Question? What ski has Hank Mac been winning on in Durban? Not that it really matters as Im sure he would do well on anything that floats...
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Hank has been winning on a Carbon V10
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Thanks for the info. I had heard he might of switched but did not know for sure.
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Please explain what is a steering box ..
written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Think this is going to be one of those regional names for something but still cannot get it. Mahalos.

Hard to imagine the guy who has brought us the most succesful ski to date taking a step backwards on any facet ..... bring it on Keith. Hoping the single has a similar seat to the new double. Looks great.
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Hector
written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Greg Barton can outpaddle any one in any ski the point here is.Put Barton in a mako mill. and the in a v10 to paddle the same distance and then compare times.I can asure you the mako will have better time in the flats of course.
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
agreed.
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Funny. I have never seen so much promotion of Epic on a open topic about the release of the new Fenn.
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
Discussion on the topic on a new Fenn and how it will compare to the current V-10 is completely pertenent.
If it sounds like "promotion" then maybe you are biased from the get go. Us paddlers just want the facts and to do that we have to look at all the data.
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written by Guest, February 18, 2006
PICTURES? COMMENTS? FEEDBACK ON THE NEW FENN?
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written by Guest, February 20, 2006
Seen it this past weekend at the Surfers Marathon and it looks wicked. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Oh..and it took first place.
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Surfing boat???
written by Guest, February 22, 2006
Rumor has it that the new Fenn will be modeled after the Epic and have a fuller stern for better surfing... at the expense of flatwater performance. Anyone able to confirm or deny?
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written by Guest, February 23, 2006
My opinion is that you are in the right track
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written by Guest, February 23, 2006
If thats the case then I'm glad at the direction the ski's are going in as it will save alot of our backs and make the sport more user friedly and bring back some interest in skis again. It seems that the popularity of the 1-man is due to the short learning curve. With the V-10 sport about to hit the market and the current Fenn XT we should have more people getting into our great sport!
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To seen it this past weekend guy ......
written by Guest, February 23, 2006
Besides looking wicked did you catch the rocker or bottom shape ? Thanks

Gotta put me money out that is buring my pocket.
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To seen it this past weekend guy ......
written by Guest, February 23, 2006
Besides looking wicked did you catch the rocker or bottom shape ? Thanks

Gotta put me money out that is buring my pocket.
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written by Guest, February 23, 2006
Rome is such a glorious city and yet it was not built in day - sound familiar. Well the two new skis looks awesome, so believe me when i say it is worth the wait. i will be using this free time to go see my bank manager to arrange funds. And as far as the nasty comments,jealously makes you nasty. Ha-Ha :-)
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written by Guest, February 23, 2006
The espectations are so high somone are going to be dissapointed.
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First Looks - Alan Booth, East London
written by Guest, February 23, 2006
I paddled the new Fenn Mako two days ago for an hour, and was particularly impressed with how it handles. It takes to runs and surfs better than my current Fenn XT. I am not a great paddler, I struggle with my balance in rough conditions, but after a wobbly start, I relaxed and enjoyed the boat in what can best be described as a "washing machine" sea. It is beautiful to look at, long, sleek and simple. It is very strong and rigid, due to it's cylindrical shape. With a single adjustable footwell, it will suit a variety of paddlers, and will be easy to sell one day when you're too old to paddle.
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written by Guest, February 24, 2006
In your opinion is it similar to the V-10 or a completly different looking ski?
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Fenn
written by Guest, February 24, 2006
I have moved from a Fenn to an Epic and have been racing it since Xmas, I think that Keith is going to have to look at the V10 as a bench mark as it is a real step up. I have been recording my highest average speeds in races on the V10 (Forerunner), it is awesome
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written by Guest, February 24, 2006
You must have moved from an XT or you could be doing a downwind time trial. I have had the exact opposite experience. I moved from a Mako to a V-10 glass to a V-10 carbon (thinking that was the problem) Then back to my old Mako with the old seat. My over all times once past the 8 mile mark are much quicker in the mako(Forerunner as well). The v-10 seat is stable and has a better seat and is wonderful downswell when it is big with a long trough it works perfect, yet I am a bit faster in the Mako in all around everyday water ( 1-5 foot wind/ flat) All in all, I like the V10 in the big stuff SA/HA. but I choose my Mako. I found the V10 would release once past 7.5 -7.8MPH or greater. Any thoughts on that?
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written by Guest, February 24, 2006
I paddle a Fenn mako in Hawaii.Am seeing speeds in the high teens on a daily basis while doing downhills ,and have hit 20.4 mph in the ocean(forerunner 101)..Has anyone hit these speeds on a V-10 .also the new v-10 sports says its 4% slower than the base model,any feedback on that.Aloha
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written by Guest, February 24, 2006
Red 7 Maurice Greene Of surf ski's. Dawid Mocke Cape Point 2005. Total Sports Challenge, clean and flat. Result Dawid finishes 2min 30 sec ahead of his boet and barry lewin. Fenn bench mark. Epic flashy. Red 7 give it a go.
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written by Guest, February 24, 2006
It was nice to see a comment from a non elite paddler who tried the new FENN. Any other comments from testers would be appreciated. Also the last update was February 16, and I am sure a lot has happened in the last week, so maybe Rob can give us a little more!
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written by Guest, February 24, 2006
I have swapped my Fenn Mill for a V-10. I find the V-10 to be more stable in rough and mixed conditions. I feel the Fenn is more agile (easier to put her were I wanted her), picks up bumps better in light conditions that prevail often here in Southern California(8-15 mph winds), and has better flat water glide. I can't compare the speeds, but the V-10 just "paddles" heavier. I will stay in the V-10 because the added stability makes it a faster boat for me.
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written by Guest, February 25, 2006
Has anyone out there snapped a few photos of the new Fenn? I am dying to see it and bet it will be a winner!!

As far as the V-10 vs the Fenn isn't it still the paddler with the most horsepower that wins?
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written by Guest, February 25, 2006
Has the V-10 been sucessful in South Africa?
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new fenn
written by Guest, February 25, 2006
Bla, Bla, Bla !!!
Just wait and paddle it to know if it will be a good ski.
Just want to say that is not the brand of the ski the most important but the training, the technique, the love of surfski of the paddler!
So just wait, the patience is a tree whose his roots are bitter but the fruits delicious.
Don't waist your time, life too short, go paddle and surf.
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Didn\'t your mum tell you , if you\'ve n
written by Guest, February 25, 2006
Some folks who DO paddle alot are waiting to buy a new ski and are excited to hear about something that they are interested in .... redundant, refried comments with an implied ("Bla, bla, bla" ) negative spin which are not on topic are not really cute.
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Sorry
written by Guest, February 26, 2006
Sorry if i bless someone.
I'm interesting too about this new fenn who look finaly not very extraodinary. It looks like the Icon for the behind hull.
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written by Guest, February 26, 2006
It would be nice to see pics on the hull as that in my opinion is the meat and potatoes if you will.
Does it have a flat area throughout like the V-10 or just a touch of it?
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