Fenn · Surfski · Out of production
Fenn Elite SL
Narrowed derivative of the original Elite hull: 42.5cm beam, reduced nose volume with added tail volume, and the rudder 10cm further forward for quicker steering response on runs. The trade is a twitchier, nervier ride than either the Elite or the calmer Elite Glide that shares its beam.
- Length
- 6.4 m
- Beam
- 42.5 cm
- Deck
- 31 cm
- Lightest
- 10 kg
Specifications
- Length
- 6.4 m
- Beam
- 42.5 cm
- Deck height
- 31 cm (est.)
- Category
- Surfski
- Skill level
- elite
- New price
- Not listed new
Layup weights
On-water profile
Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.
Suits: Downwind and ocean racing for confident elite paddlers of that era who wanted faster steering response than the standard Elite; least forgiving of the legacy family in confused chop.
Paddler weight
This hull is built around a paddler of about 80 kg. It stays workable from 70 kg to 85 kg, and sits at its best between 74 kg and 82 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
The 'slimline' offshoot of the original Elite: 5mm narrower beam, slightly less volume in the nose and slightly more in the tail, rudder moved 10cm further forward, and a narrower bucket. Superseded (along with the Elite and Elite Glide) by the Elite S. Discontinued.
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- Quicker steering response than the original Elite (rudder 10cm further forward)
- Tail volume helps the stern release on runs
- Same-era Fenn build quality; cheap elite-class entry second-hand
Trade-offs
- Least stable of the legacy Elite family - narrower and nervier than the Elite or Glide
- Discontinued 10+ years; condition risk on used hulls
- Very scarce on the AU second-hand market
- Narrow bucket won't suit bigger paddlers
What paddlers say
"The Elite SL is slightly narrower than the Elite... slightly less volume in the nose and slightly more volume in the tail, with the rudder positioned 10cm further forward" - Oceanpaddler (Fenn AU distributor) model history pageReported experience
Reviewers comparing the same-beam Elite Glide describe it as noticeably calmer than the SL, with 'no twitchy roll' - placing the SL as the nerviest hull of the legacy Elite family (surfskiracing.org / surfski.info forum consensus)Reported experience
Where to buy
The Elite SL is out of production. It turns up on the second-hand market; there is no new-boat channel for it.
Dealers in the markets we have mapped:
Discontinued for roughly a decade; never listed new by the current AU distributor.
Similar craft
Closest in stability, speed and paddler weight across the whole index.
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