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Nelo · Double

Nelo 600 (Double / SS2)

Wide, high-volume double-cockpit ocean hull built for maximum stability in rough conditions while staying fast on the flat - Nelo's marketing explicitly targets tough-water use, not just flatwater touring like the solo Vipers. 40cm hip width, adjustable seat-to-footrest distance 0.9-1m.

Length
6 m
Beam
60 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
14 kg
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
Nelo 600 (Double / SS2), studio side profile
studio side profile · nelo.eu

Specifications

Length
6 m
Beam
60 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Double
Usually paddled by
New paddlers
New price
A$6,900

Layup weights

SCS14 kg
WWR16 kg

On-water profile

Stability
9–10
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
6

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 3 linked sources.

Suits: Open ocean and downwind-capable - the only boat in this set actually marketed for tough water conditions. Suits a Gold Coast buyer wanting a stable double for coaching, downwind runs with a less experienced partner, or family/social paddling.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 69–80 kg per seat, with a broader estimated guide of 56–83 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

Launched Jan 2013 as the 'Viper SS2' - surfski.info reported it as a direct challenger to the Fenn XT double, 1m shorter and 5cm wider than the Fenn. Now sold simply as the '600' or '600 SS2', Nelo's only double surfski. One-size-fits-all, unlike the solo Vipers.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • By far the most stable boat in the Nelo range covered here - genuinely capable in rough/downwind conditions unlike the flatwater Vipers
  • Versatile for coaching, tandem training, or taking a nervous/novice paddler into bigger water
  • Two construction options (SCS 14kg, WWR 16kg) balancing price against weight

Cons

  • Nelo's only double - no choice of width/volume within the line if it doesn't suit a given crew
  • At 14-16kg it's notably heavier than a solo ski, harder to car-top/store alone
  • Two-person logistics (matching schedules, fitness) are the main practical constraint
  • New pricing (~AUD $6,900) is a step above a comparable used solo ski, and the used market for doubles is thin

What paddlers say

"Hot on the heels of their SS2 race ski, Nelo have released the Viper SS2 and it looks like a challenger to the Fenn XT double. It is 1 metre shorter and 5cm wider" - AR_convert, surfski.info forum, Jan 2013Reported experience
"I will be in my Nelo 600 double with a very fit teammate that has no surfski experience" - Facebook Surfski Kayak group post, paraphrased, real-world use pairing experienced with noviceReported experience

Where to buy

Nelo ↗ Find a dealer ↗

Dealers:

Paddler HQ · AU ↗

AUD $6,900 new via Pro Kayaks (Narrabeen, NSW; current listed price).

Sources

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