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Huki · Surfski

Huki S1-XL

21ft x 18in (45.7cm) high-secondary-stability hull: one inch wider than the S1-X and ~16.6in at the waterline at a 200lb paddler. Built for downwind and chop; feels 'planted from tip to stern' with strong secondary stability on any wave angle.

Length
6.4 m
Beam
45.7 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
10.3 kg
Side view unavailable
Top view unavailable
Huki S1-XL, yellow ski, full profile
yellow ski, full profile · huki.com

Specifications

Length
6.4 m
Beam
45.7 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

Vac Carbon Kevlar10.3 kg
Vac Carbon10.8 kg
PremVac Fiberglass11.4 kg
StdVac Fiberglass13.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
5–7
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
8

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 1 paddler report and 3 linked sources.

Suits: Downwind runs and rough/ocean water; intermediate paddlers wanting stability with only a small speed penalty.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 83–97 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 68–101 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

~2013-present

A wider, more forgiving 18in stablemate of the S1-X built for downwind and rough water. Reviewed by Wesley Echols in 2014. Custom hand-built to order; still catalogued.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Excellent secondary stability in slop and chop
  • Excels in downwind conditions on any wave angle
  • Still race-capable flatwater speed

Cons

  • Extra beam gives up some flat speed to the S1-X
  • Not an elite flatwater sprinting hull
  • US custom-order, import to Australia

What paddlers say

surfskiracing.org (Wesley Echols): the S1-XL 'excels in downwind conditions and is stable on any angle of a wave, with excellent secondary stability in the slop and chop,' and 'always feels planted in the water from tip to stern' (surfskiracing.org).Reported experience

Where to buy

Huki ↗

We don't have a dealer listed for Huki yet. All makers and dealers.

Custom order in USD, priced by layup; carbon builds comparable to the S1-X (~$4,800 carbon/kevlar range).

Sources

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 Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.