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Carbonology · Surfski

Carbonology Zest X

6.2m intermediate ocean hull with a 48.5cm beam, tuned for a balance of manoeuvrability, stability and speed rather than outright pace. Catches runs easily with responsive steering, and a wide seat with an angled cutaway rear deck lets the paddler lie back on big runs; noticeably more stable than the brand's advanced/racing skis.

Length
6.2 m
Beam
48.5 cm
Deck
34 cm
Lightest
11.5 kg
Carbonology Zest X — dealer side profile
dealer side profile · australianpaddlesports.com.au

Specifications

Length
6.2 m
Beam
48.5 cm
Deck height
34 cm
Category
Surfski
Skill level
intermediate
New price
A$3,300

Layup weights

Club14.5 kg
Hybrid12.5 kg
Full Carbon11.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
7.0
Speed
7.0

Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.

Carbonology calls the Zest X 'our intermediate surf ski offering a fine balance of manoeuvrability, stability and speed' with 'added stability in comparison to racing/advanced surf skis' — the maker itself does not sell it as a race hull and keeps the Pulse and Flash X above it. Its computed metacentric height at 78 kg (0.072 m) sits marginally above the Epic V10 Sport's (0.068 m), which is rated 7 here, so the two are ranked together; the earlier 6.5 put it below a hull it is measurably no less steady than. Speed is set below the 45 cm skis it gets compared to: at 6.2 m it is exactly as long as a Fenn Swordfish S and 3.5 cm wider, and on a same-length pair beam is what decides the drag.

Speed here also has a traced hull behind it: measured off this boat's own side and plan photographs, the shape alone rates it 7.0, and the published score moves a third of the way toward that. What that means.

Suits: Ocean paddling and downwind runs for intermediate paddlers building open-water confidence, plus all-round flatwater; LV variant suits lighter paddlers.

Paddler weight

This hull is built around a paddler of about 98 kg. It stays workable from 86 kg to 104 kg, and sits at its best between 91 kg and 100 kg.

Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.

Generations

2013-2018

Original Zest, 6.15 m x 48 cm.

2018-

Zest X, 6.2 m x 48.5 cm. Carbonology rates it 75-120 kg; the low-volume version is a separate hull, listed here as the Zest X LV.

What works, and what it costs you

What works

  • Stable, forgiving intermediate that still catches runs well
  • Wide comfortable seat with angled cutaway back for lying back on runs
  • LV low-volume version fits lighter paddlers without losing the platform

Trade-offs

  • Slower than dedicated advanced/elite race skis
  • 48.5cm beam gives up speed to narrower intermediates
  • Small brand with a thin AU used-market presence

What paddlers say

Carbonology Sport product copy: the Zest X 'catches runs with ease and having great steering responsiveness, can be nimble and agile in varying conditions,' with 'added stability in comparison to racing/advanced surf skis' (carbonologysport.com).Reported experience
Surfski.info forum paddlers noted the seat is wider than comparable models with a more angled cutaway at the back, making it easy and comfortable to lie back on big runs, and praised the excellent fit and finish (surfski.info).Reported experience

Where to buy

Carbonology Sport ↗

Dealers in the markets we have mapped:

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

Australian Paddle Sports 2026 pricing: Club/Glass Epoxy Vacuum A$3,300, Hybrid Carbon/Glass A$3,900, Full Carbon (Carbon Foam Epoxy Vacuum) A$4,500, with lighter Carbon Full Honeycomb A$5,700 and Clear Carbon Full Honeycomb A$6,000. Zest X and Zest X LV share pricing.

Sources

BetaStability and speed are our ratings, not measurementsRatings, not measurements — how we derive them. Prices checked August 2026.