Fenn Swordfish?

I have been paddling the swordfish for four months now. What a ski! It's great to paddle for an hour or 2 with no brace strokes and find a good, easy rhythm. The catch is close and sharp, something i never really had time to concentrate on coming from a more elite ski. My stroke is altogether improving (i think) and i feel im getting alot more power from hips and back movement through having a more solid base. Im finding it alot easier to stay with the group for longer periods.
As for downwinds, its a blast! The couple strokes to get you onto the run is easier for me (due to stability) and the ski ( being so light) wants to get onto anything, and when its on it cuts really well. I sometimes think i would be going faster on the v10 (downwind) but im realising how much fun im having being able to look around more and enjoy the paddles, searching for holes obviously...

The step up in speed from say an xt is definately substantial, and with the stability not too much to handle for say a beginner/intermediate it is surely going to be the step up boat for many a paddler! in my case the ideal step down ski.. and far more fun!

A worry for us ( three swordfish(es)) in our regular group, is the durability of the ski.. it is a light ski in the vacuum glass set-up. but we worry the lightness may come from a thinner perhaps weaker boat??? one partner hit a shark net boy (half submerged) on a bumpy day, going at some pace. it has happened before on other skis, periodically, but i have never seen it to be a problem for anyone. but the swordfish has a chip of the outer coats that has come off. about 3cm by 3cm. if i suck on the hole i get air so it is leaking.. no photos as the guy has it fixed already.. could have been a once off incident, but im careful not to hit anything!!

i am, and so are others i have spoken to, really happy with the swordfish. it is the perfect ski for me and cant see myself having to look for anything for a rather long time. awesome having a light ski to carry off the beach, but its even more awesome not wanting to get off the water, in any conditions, in the first place!!!

STEWART wrote: it is surely going to be the step up boat for many a paddler! in my case the ideal step down ski.. and far more fun!

A worry for us ( three swordfish(es)) in our regular group, is the durability of the ski.. it is a light ski in the vacuum glass set-up. .... but we worry the lightness may come from a thinner perhaps weaker boat???

First of all the lightness of the boat surprises me, even the Carbonology guys who sold me my Vault held Keith Fenn up as someone who builds tought ski's when talking about the inspiration behind thier product as opposed to what some other manufacturers are turning out. Hope that they arent getting onboard with that weight at the expense of robustness practise.

Glad to hear the Swordfish is what you'd hoped for, I have said it before and I will say it again, there will be plenty of guys (like you and I) who have taken a step down to actually improve our boat handling and speed. I am setting PB's in my Vault and easily staying with guys in elite boats now and still think I can go faster.

Moll wrote: Can ayone give an honest and educated opinion of stability of the Swordfish vs the Synergy 2?

As previously mentioned, I have both skis. The Synergy 2 is a Hybrid Layup and the Swordfish is a glass vacuum. I have raced both in downwind and flat conditions, so my opinion may be helpful:

Stability wise, there is a big gap. The Synergy would be closer to your Fenn Mako 6 and other boats just under the elite mark. The Swordfish is far more of an intermediate boat, and is increadibly stable and easy to get into. There is no compromise in speed with the Swordfish either. The stability and weight of this boat makes it very competetive, even amongst the elite boats. I now choose to race in my Swordfish because my results seem to be better. And I am improving all the time.

The Synergy is a big boat, and very much a downwind specialist. The volume at the front works well when the nose dips down runs, and the high sides keep the water out. But it is a bugger to get into if you fall out... especially in windy conditions!

But, as some have warned, the swordfish is fragile. I have plenty of surface stress fractures already, and it is only a matter of time before something goes wrong. Make sure you have someone to look after you (for repairs) if you go for this boat, because Fenn still need to address their aftersales problems. This is something that Custom Kayaks pride themselves on, and it makes a difference.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need to know anything else regarding the comparison between the two boats.

Quote "A worry for us ( three swordfish(es)) in our regular group, is the durability of the ski.. it is a light ski in the vacuum glass set-up."

THis ski has become very popular in Durban and for good reason _ stable, light and fast ! I am a huge fan and bought one a couple of weeks ago. Love it ! Actually prefer it my Elite ! However I am a bit concerned that there are may be some quality and build issues with the Vacuum Infused boats in particular - most other owners i have spoken too in Durban have been a bit disappointed with the finish (rough seams, blemishes and the odd soft spot) not something previously associated with the quality and build strength of fenn. I have owned at least 6 Fenns and still own 4 (Fenns) with no complaints. As previously stated I am huge fan of FENN !!!

My concern is - Has Keith compromised on build quality to meet the deserved demand or is the new vacuum infused not as robust as the glass or carbon ski? Most new owners I have spoken to in Durban love the boat but have simialr concerns.


Subsequent email sent to Rob Mousley:

Hi Rob

Agreed Rob – was planning to send Keith an email (copying Quinton Rutherford – agent in Durban and a good mate of mine) – I should address this directly with him first. Happy for you to remove the post for now.

However if you look at some of the other comments on the forum I am not alone in my concerns with the quality of the Swordfishes (esp. Vacuum Infused ones). And believe me I am a big big punter of the Swordfish and Fenn in general ! I have convinced a number of my mates to buy the Swordfish and love paddling mine !

If you have a look at my new boat the workmanship is not as good as the previous 6 Fenn boats I have owned. (still have 4 of them, an elite carbon and an elite glass, an elite double, and an old mako double ). The seams are rough and unfinished in places, there is a blemish at the tail which has been touched up and the boat has a indentation from my storage racks ( I use padding on all my racks and store the boat on the top deck not the hull). Just concerned that production standards are being compromised to meet the well deserved demand and /or us South Africans are being supplied the “seconds” while the best boats are being exported. These boats are not cheap at R10500 a pop !

Apparently were some issues with the material being used for the vacuum infused boats which has subsequently been rectified.

Thanks

Regards

Greg