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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
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
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
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
A$3,300

Layup weights

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

On-water profile

Stability
7
Traced hullMedium confidence
Speed
7

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 7, and the score shown is moved 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

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

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

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.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • 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

Cons

  • 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:

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

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 Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.