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263craft

Carbonology · Surfski

Carbonology Cruze X

Long stable displacement hull with wide 55-56cm beam, high volume nose and a deep, comfortable roomy bucket. Flat rocker and lots of secondary stability; the most stable boat in the Carbonology range.

Length
5.5 m
Beam
56 cm
Deck
33 cm
Lightest
12.5 kg
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
Carbonology Cruze X, studio side profile
studio side profile · carbonologysport.com

Specifications

Length
5.5 m
Beam
56 cm
Deck height
33 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
New paddlers
New price
A$3,300

Layup weights

Glass Vacuum15 kg
Hybrid13.5 kg
Carbon12.5 kg
Rotomoulded RT23 kg

On-water profile

Stability
10
Traced hullMedium confidence
Speed
5

Modelled from this hull's traced beam and depth at its design weight. Medium confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band is based on a trace of this hull’s geometry. Qualitative context includes 2 paddler reports and 4 linked sources.

Speed is also checked against the traced hull. Measured from this boat's side and plan photos, the shape alone rates 5, and the score shown is moved a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: Flat water, estuaries, light chop, gentle downwind and touring; a confidence-building first ski, also a stable rough-water/touring platform.

Paddler weight

Carbonology rates this hull for paddlers from 50 kg to 120 kg.

The maker’s published range. How this is worked out.

Generations

2013-2022

Original Cruze; entry/rec stable ski, integrated bailer kicks in ~4km/h

2022-

Cruze X (current gen); also Cruze X Double (SS2) and Cruze X RT rotomoulded touring version; touring cutaway variant adds sealed hatches +A$500

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very stable, easy remount
  • Roomy bucket fits large paddlers (to ~120kg)
  • Fast-acting bailer, dry ride
  • Touring/RT variants add versatility

Cons

  • Slow top end vs narrower skis
  • Heavier in cheaper layups
  • Outgrown quickly by keen paddlers

What paddlers say

Paddled a Cruze two years, very pleased with build quality, characteristics and dealer service (surfski.info forum)Reported experience
Bailer engages early ~4km/h so footwell drains at low speed (surfski.info forum, contrasted vs Boost LV)Reported experience

Where to buy

Carbonology Sport ↗

Dealers:

Ocean Paddler · AU ↗Australian Paddle Sports · AU ↗Ocean Paddlesports · AU ↗PaddleZone · AU ↗

A$3,300 base glass at Australian Paddle Sports (2024); up to ~A$6,000 top carbon; Cruze X RT roto A$2,250.

Sources

BetaRatings are estimatesRatings are estimates. How we get the numbers. Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.