is there a new fenn swordfish coming out ?

How suitable will the new Swordfish be for a 95kg paddler? With reduced volume and all...

How much/little do you who have tested it wheigh?

I own a "old" SF for close on 3 months now and have done about 10+ downwinds on it in small to huge conditions. I weigh 98kg. Yes it does submarine a little. But you learn to swift your weight around to avoid it doing so. Lean back bury the tail. Lean forward on the crest of a run and this boat just guns it down the face.

Fantastic boat.

BUT I can see that this will become a problem in the new SF if they reduced the already low nose volume.

I don't know but I expect the volume to be reduced from its fat ass, hoping so anyway, would make sense seeing as the seat and rudder have been moved forward slightly.

in the market for a light intermediate ski
current such ski is v10 sport performance layup (16kg)
also paddle v10 2G ultra (12kg) if flatter conditions.

have owned old SF & sold it as I couldn't get comfortable in the seat
so was very interested to paddle new SF

agree with Love2ski & Michael Smedley - impressive update
have to date regularly lamented my inability to modify any fenn seat to prevent dead leg

this new seat is the first fenn seat that doesn't do that for me - well done fenn
the new Sword' felt like a 'bulked up' spark with its deck changes & was a pleasure to paddle.

found speed / stability to be between v10 sport & new v10 (closer to sport)

as I consider a light intermediate ski for downwinds (>10knots +), I will certainly be considering the SF due to the price savings in Australia - $1800 cheaper to buy carbon SF (10.5kg) versus elite v10 sport (10.8kg).
have loved my v10 sport in bigger conditions but can't see myself paying $6,000 for carbon layup, especially since I have misgivings about the lack of gelcoat (black)

would also consider a new carbonology zest but no demos available locally & would need carbonology to improve the handles they are using currently.

like Michael I don't buy only one brand - currently have a epic v7 on order for children & beginner friends/family who want to paddle

Carbonology is also in the process of designing an updated Vault ski - along the same lines as the new Zest but for lighter paddlers.

Scary Lary! I just ordered a new 2015 carbon SF because of this tread, never seen one in the flesh! Sure hope it's nice! I loved the old model and hopefully I'll love this even more...

Hi, new to the forum. I have seen info that suggests Fenn make a wide seat version of the swordfish. Can anyone verify this, and if so, is the new version coming out wide as well??
thanks

Just spoke to Travis at Fenn - the answer is:

They used to make a wide-seat version, but there's only one version now which is the new shape... ...and the new shape's seat is wider than the old shape's narrow seat, but he couldn't say whether it's as wide as the old wide-seat!!!!

I'm trying to get them to give us the specs on the new shape, but I guess they're too busy churning the boats out...! I'll see if I can find one that I can measure myself.

O dear. A wider seat means I'll have to bite the bullet and get an elite for my next ski.

I hate sliding around in a wide seat, it really throws out my stability and kills confidence.

Thanks for that Robin.
I would be really interested to see the stats on the new seat. I tried the old one and was jammed in, as a result I paddle a Fenn LS.
A new shipment is being imported into NZ in the next few months, so would be great to order one

A WIDER seat?! What have i done... The old one is allready to wide! Please Rob I'll ship a snickers bar to the end of the world if someone can post some mesurements!

That's great news. I might be able to pick up a cheap carbon swordy when everyone else "upgrades" to the new version for fat arses. I love the fit of my vac glass swordy but wouldn't mind a bit less weight and a little more stiffness. The last thing I want is a loose fit. There are already heaps of boats out there with that feature.

Maybe I'll just eat the snickers-bar myself and adapt my behind to the new fatass version...

Oh no don't need a wider seat here either, already have pads on the sides of my Swordfish

Hahahaha...! Don't panic guys, it may not be that bad!

Part of the reason (so I understand) for the new seat, lower hump, etc is to cure the Fenn Dead Leg syndrome that some people suffer from - and it seems that it's worked.

Anyway - I've arranged to take the demo boat from Orka Paddles for the weekend so I'll be able to give some feedback and measurements after that!

But earlier in this thread there's some good info... I'm not sure that anyone's actually measured the seat, etc. though.

Excellent! Please do!

A guy in my club just bought a new swordfish.

I wonder if it is the new shape.

He also bought an Elite S. The standout feature on that one being a leash attachment point. Can't for the live of me remember if his new swordfish has the leash point as well. Will check this afternoon. If it has, it's probably the new shape, as it's probably the new bucket mold.

Anyway, I seem to have the same backside shape as whoever moulded the original fenn buckets. Fits like a glove, and no dead leg. Would be pity if it changed for the worse.

Can't for the live of me remember if his new swordfish has the leash point as well.

I can confirm that indeed it does!

According to Wetiz.eu
The bucket is aprox 2cm wider, but the hull is the same as before so the ski in itself is not wider. They got the info from Keith. Looking forward to a confirmation with a tape measure!
All is still hearsay

If that's the case I think I'll pass but perhaps look closer at the Elite S.