Touring Surf Skis – Not All About Racing and Surfing

Surf skis have a reputation for being all about racing and downwinding but there are stable touring surf skis with storage hatches which are ideal for day trips, overnights and performance paddling. 

I turned to surf skis as an alternative to sea kayaking. 

After a near drowning stuck upside down in a closed deck skirted surf kayak 18yrs ago, I began to look for smarter sit-down and open cockpit kayak options.  

And I was tired of hauling around 60lb kayaks and having a special hydraulic lift to get my kayak on the car.

There are a few stable surf skis like the Carbonology Cruze, Epic V6 and Stellar Sit on Tops (also surf ski’s) with storage hatches for day trips and overnights. But are still 2x faster than sea kayaks and are also great for touring, casual paddling, downwinding and surfing.

The stable 22" wide Carbonology
Sport Cruze has 2 hatches.

Advantage of a Surf Ski over a Sea Kayak for Trips?

• Skis have super light weight options making it easier to carry by yourself thus also go faster with less weight to glide.
• Open deck means you don’t have to have specialized skills for wet exits and re-entries.
• Like a SUP, you can throw your legs over the side, sit in the cockpit sideways and pop out anytime.
• 2x as fast as sea kayaks!  Better for up-winding.

Tip: Super light skis are not tough like a heavy sea kayak. Strengthen with a keel strip under the hull.

Check out my video showing the details for the Carbonology Cruze.

The stable 22" wide Carbonology
Sport Cruze has 2 hatches.

What to Look for for Touring Surf Skis?

•    Not all surf skis are tippy. Look for 21-23" wide, same width as many sea kayaks. Stable means you’ll you'll have more fun on flat water or while surfing and downwinding without the feeling of being tippy.
• 1-2 storage water tight hatches that can carry overnight gear. 
• 
  

  

  Older Fenn Mako 19' touring on the
  Strait of Juan de Fuca in WA State.

  
  
• There are plastic cheaper skis but they’re heavier often as much as 50-60 pounds. Can you carry this solo and car-top it?
• You can use a kayak paddle with a ski. You’re not required to use a wing paddle. Even a canoe paddle works!

• Try before you buy if you can. 

  

  Cruze cockpit
  
  

  
  

Surf Skis for Bigger Folks..

Tall folks like me (6'-5") have less skis to choose from if you want to do the leg drive common in surf ski paddling. 

The Carbonology. Cruze does fit my 32" inseam and could do 33".  

Stellar Kayak's ‘Sit on Tops’ which are stable surf ski’s with hatches that do fit tall folks.  Check them out..

I found the Epic V6 too short for me and tight on the hips.  

Are Surf Skis Wet?

Surf skis have scuppers in the cockpit that drains water while moving. Surf ski scuppers have 'ventruli's that stick out the hull and create an eddy and suction when moving.  

Yes the ride is wetter but you're not stuck in a cockpit requiring a wet exit and/or roll.  You can easily get out and it's fairly easy to get back in.   

Like a sup, you can sit sideways with your legs over the side. Fun for wildlife viewing 

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Get Carbonology surf skis from Sitontoppros.com in Bellingham, WA.  Mention I referred you for 5% off. 

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Check out my year round surf ski, kayak and SUP classes in the Pacific Northwest – www.salmonbaypaddle.com