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Nelo · Surfski · Out of production

Nelo Ocean M/XL

Long 6.4m narrow-beam (42cm) elite ocean hull built for hull speed and long-distance downwind. Needle bow, low volume, minimal primary stability with usable secondary once on edge. A full-length race ski from before the short-hull ocean-ski trend.

Length
6.4 m
Beam
42 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
11.5 kg
Side view unavailable
Top view unavailable
Nelo Ocean M/XL, Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height
Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height · Surfski Index

Specifications

Length
6.4 m
Beam
42 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Racers
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

WWR13.5 kg
SCS11.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
4–6
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
9

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 2 linked sources.

Suits: Elite ocean downwind and long-distance flat-water racing for experienced paddlers only

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 75–87 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 61–90 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

~2010-2016 (discontinued)

(discontinued) Nelo's long-hull elite ocean ski of the pre-short-ski era; ~640cm waterline, 42-44cm beam. Superseded by the modern 510-560 short-ski range co-designed with Oscar Chalupsky.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Long waterline gives high flat-water/downwind hull speed
  • Classic elite ocean-ski feel for experienced paddlers
  • Full-length hull tracks well on long runs

Cons

  • Very tippy (42cm beam) - elite only
  • Discontinued; parts and resale market thin
  • Superseded by shorter, more manoeuvrable 5-series skis

What paddlers say

surfski.info width/length chart records the ski as 'Nelo M/XL (2010), 42cm x 640cm', placing it among the narrowest long-hull elite ocean skis of its era (surfski.info).Reported experience

Where to buy

The Ocean M/XL is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.

Nelo ↗ Find a dealer ↗

Dealers:

Paddler HQ · AU ↗

(discontinued) Legacy Nelo long ocean ski (~2010), secondary market only; replaced by the 510-560 short-ski line. No current retail price.

Sources

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 Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.