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263craft

Fenn · Surfski · Out of production

Fenn Bluefin

Wide, flat, high-volume hull with a kayak-like mid-section behind the cockpit that tapers to a normal ski stern; shallow rocker and a generous 44cm cockpit for comfort and secondary stability rather than outright glide.

Length
5.78 m
Beam
53 cm
Deck
34 cm
Lightest
10.5 kg
 
 
Fenn Bluefin, studio side profile
studio side profile · fennkayaks.com

Specifications

Length
5.78 m
Beam
53 cm
Deck height
34 cm
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
New paddlers
New price
A$3,150

Layup weights

Glass14 kg
Vacuum11.5 kg
Carbon10.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
8–10
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
4

Modelled from published beam, length and deck height. Low 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 estimated from published dimensions. Qualitative context includes 2 paddler reports and 4 linked sources.

Suits: Flat water and small-to-moderate ocean swell; forgiving in chop but reviewers note the stock rudder is undersized for bigger runners.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 89–104 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 73–108 kg. This estimate is a guide, not a limit. Seat fit, conditions and paddling style matter. Lighter paddlers can still enjoy a larger hull, especially downwind. A test paddle is the best check.

Estimated from hull dimensions using a formula fitted to makers’ own paddler limits. It does not establish the designer’s intended paddler weight. How this is worked out.

Generations

2012-2016 (original hull)

First-gen entry-level Fenn, wide flat hull, marketed as sea-kayak-to-surfski transition craft. Superseded by Bluefin S / current 'Blue Fin' around 2016-17.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Exceptional primary and secondary stability
  • Light for a beginner ski (10.5-14kg depending on layup)
  • Handles small-moderate surf and swell well despite beginner tag
  • Roomy comfortable cockpit for long paddles

Cons

  • Slowest Fenn on flat water
  • Stock rudder too small for bigger following seas (upgrade recommended)
  • Outgrown quickly by paddlers progressing to racing

What paddlers say

"The Blue-Fin has stability in spades and not once did I feel the need to brace... super-stable alright, in spades" - Mick Rees, FatPaddler.com reviewReported experience
"The bluefin is a true beginners boat. Very very stable... It has a wide flat hull which is very different from the XT" - surfski.info forum thread on Fenn BluefinReported experience

Where to buy

The Bluefin is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.

Fenn Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Ocean Paddler · AU ↗Paddleshop (PADDLES) · AU ↗Ocean Paddlesports · AU ↗Paddle 2 Fitness · AU ↗Sydney Harbour Kayaks · AU ↗Race One Surf Craft · AU ↗

The original Bluefin is no longer sold new, replaced by the current Blue Fin at effectively the same spec. The AUD figure is an estimate anchored to sibling models (XT S A$3,350 new, Paddleshop AU 2026). Low confidence.

Sources

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