Nelo · Surfski
Nelo 61
Racing hull at 46cm beam, built for a balance of performance and steadiness: Nelo says the adjusted seating height, optimised bow angle and shorter length let it handle rougher water more predictably than the 62, so the paddler can focus on power rather than balance late in a race. M and L cockpits, 37cm and 39cm hip width.
- Length
- 6.1 m
- Beam
- 46 cm
- Deck
- 33.5 cm
- Lightest
- 11 kg
Specifications
- Length
- 6.1 m
- Beam
- 46 cm
- Deck height
- 33.5 cm (est.)
- Category
- Surfski
- Skill level
- advanced
- 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: Ocean racing and downwind in rough water for strong paddlers who want a race hull without the 62’s balance tax
Paddler weight
This hull is built around a paddler of about 89 kg. It stays workable from 79 kg to 95 kg, and sits at its best between 83 kg and 91 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
Racing ski introduced alongside the 62 in the renumbered range, replacing the old 550 slot. Nelo positions it as slightly more stable than the 62 through an adjusted seat height, optimised bow angle and shorter hull. Constructions AIR (11kg) and WWR (12kg).
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- Race speed with a usable stability margin
- Handles rough, high-fatigue conditions better than the 62
- Light AIR layup at 11kg
- Two cockpit sizes covering roughly 60-100kg
Trade-offs
- Not yet stocked by the Australian dealer
- Nelo publishes no price
- Nelo's own spec sheet prints the boat size as 6.2m x 0.46m, which contradicts both the model name and their description of it as shorter than the 62
- Too new for independent reviews or a used market
What paddlers say
Nelo product copy: 'The 61 was developed with a focus on key aspects to create a versatile, reliable, and efficient racing ski... Designed to be slightly more stable than the 62 model, the 61's adjusted seating height, optimized bow angle, and shorter length allow it to better handle rougher conditions' (nelo.eu).Reported experience
Where to buy
Dealers in the markets we have mapped:
Nelo does not publish list prices for its ocean range, and the Australian dealer (Pro Kayaks) still catalogues only the superseded 520/550/560/600 boats, so there is no AU price for this hull yet. For scale, Pro Kayaks sells the outgoing 560 at A$5,700 (carbon/kevlar WWR) to A$6,900 (carbon SCS). Price on application through a Nelo dealer.
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