Fenn · Surfski · Out of production
Fenn Swordfish
Higher-volume, higher-hump predecessor to the Swordfish S with a fuller bow deck and more upright seating position. Fenn marketed it as splitting the difference between the stable XT and the fast Elite: a medium-high-volume, low-moderate rocker hull built to be forgiving in chop while still surfing runs well.
- Length
- 6.2 m
- Beam
- 45 cm
- Deck
- 33 cm
- Lightest
- 10.5 kg
Specifications
- Length
- 6.2 m
- Beam
- 45 cm
- Deck height
- 33 cm
- Category
- Surfski
- Skill level
- intermediate
- 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: Choppy ocean and downwind swell; forgiving enough for building-confidence paddlers moving up from a beginner ski, capable enough to race socially.
Paddler weight
This hull is built around a paddler of about 88 kg. It stays workable from 77 kg to 93 kg, and sits at its best between 82 kg and 90 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
Original Fenn Swordfish, South Africa's most popular intermediate ski of its era. Discontinued and superseded by the Swordfish S from 2016. No longer sold new by Fenn or its AU distributor - second-hand market only.
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- Very stable for an ocean ski, confidence-inspiring in chop
- Excellent downwind surfing and wave-catching
- Fenn build quality/durability reputation
- Cheaper second-hand entry into a well-regarded SA brand
Trade-offs
- Discontinued - no warranty/current-model support, parts sourced as spares
- Higher hump and older seat design vs the S update, less comfortable leg drive
- Slower than an Elite on flat/upwind sections
- Harder to find second-hand in AU than the newer Swordfish S
What paddlers say
"The advertisement claimed a stability close to the XT and speed close to an Elite... I could pack a cut lunch and eat it on the deck... Downwind, the Swordfish is by far the best ski I've ever paddled" - chriswalkeralive, surfski.info forum reviewReported experience
"Stable! no more bracing! I now go out in conditions that would have made me apprehensive on a more extreme ski... Fast - obviously not as fast as a top Elite but I can really pull in the Swordfish" - mario, surfski.info forum replyReported experience
Gallery
Where to buy
The Swordfish 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 by Fenn ~2016; no current new pricing.
Similar craft
Closest in stability, speed and paddler weight across the whole index.
