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
Specifications
- Length
- 6 m
- Beam
- 60 cm
- Deck height
- 33.5 cm (est.)
- Category
- Double
- Skill level
- beginner
- New price
- A$6,900
Layup weights
On-water profile
Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.
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
This hull is built around a paddler of about 78 kg per seat. It stays workable from 69 kg to 83 kg, and sits at its best between 73 kg and 80 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
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.
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- 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
Trade-offs
- 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
Dealers in the markets we have mapped:
AUD $6,900 new via Pro Kayaks (Narrabeen, NSW; current listed price).
Similar craft
Closest in stability, speed and paddler weight across the whole index.
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