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263craft

Carbonology · Surfski

Carbonology Flash X

6.35m x 42.5cm elite hull with a very fine 31.5cm catch, low-volume nose and lowered knee-hump. Long waterline tracks straight, holds runs and stays dry upwind; noticeably more stable and better-tracking than most elite skis at similar speed.

Length
6.35 m
Beam
42.5 cm
Deck
35 cm
Lightest
11.5 kg
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
Carbonology Flash X, studio side profile
studio side profile · carbonologysport.com

Specifications

Length
6.35 m
Beam
42.5 cm
Deck height
35 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Confident ocean paddlers
New price
A$3,300

Layup weights

Glass Vacuum14.5 kg
Hybrid13 kg
Carbon11.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
5
Traced hullMedium confidence
Speed
9

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 1 paddler report 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 9, and the score shown is moved a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: Ocean racing, upwind and downwind for competent-to-elite paddlers who want elite speed without extreme twitchiness; low-volume nose resists cross-wind push.

Paddler weight

Carbonology rates this hull for paddlers from 75 kg to 120 kg.

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

Generations

2012-2022

Original Flash; Carbonology's first full-length elite ski, essentially a lengthened Vault (extra 30cm nose, 13cm tail). Hybrid ~13kg

2022-

Flash X and Flash X LV current gen; Flash X Double is the elite 'Blast' double

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Elite speed with unusually manageable stability
  • Excellent straight-line tracking and wash-riding
  • Dry, low-volume nose unaffected by cross winds
  • Doesn't get less stable as you fatigue

Cons

  • Snug narrow bucket; harder remount than intermediate skis
  • Still an advanced ski, not for beginners
  • Low volume not ideal for heavy paddlers wanting nose buoyancy

What paddlers say

Brett McDonald (surfski.info, 90kg): after 35km felt he'd 'all but forgotten I was paddling an elite level ski'; ~0.3km/h faster than his Vault on flat, tracks better, holds chop without wallowing; recommends it for those stepping up from intermediate skis or finding other elite skis too twitchyReported experience

Where to buy

Carbonology Sport ↗

Dealers:

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

A$3,300 (glass) to ~A$6,000 (carbon) at APS 2024.

Sources

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