Red7 · Surfski · Out of production
Red7 Surf70 Pro
Seamless one-piece vacuum-infused hull with diamond cross-section, high-volume bow that resists nose-diving and crosswind deflection. Flat-ish rocker gives strong directional stability but wide turning circle. Three patented 'bullet' scupper drains empty the cockpit very fast.
- Length
- 6.6 m
- Beam
- 42 cm
- Deck
- 33.5 cm
- Lightest
- 11.5 kg
Specifications
- Length
- 6.6 m
- Beam
- 42 cm
- Deck height
- 33.5 cm (est.)
- Category
- Surfski
- Usually paddled by
- Paddlers in chop
- New price
- Not listed new
Layup weights
On-water profile
Modelled from published beam, length and deck height. Low confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.
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
Suits: Excels downwind and in big rough chop (tested extensively on Millers Run, Cape Town). Wide turning circle and soft low-speed rudder bite make it poor for buoy-turn sprint racing.
Paddler weight
The estimated sweet spot is 77–90 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 63–94 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
Flagship single, replaced original Surf70. One-piece vacuum-infused hull. Production ceased ~2011-2012 after factory fire and brand going dormant; none made since.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Exceptional fast-draining bullet-scupper cockpit
- Very stable for a boat with real downwind speed, forgiving in rough water
- Easy remount even in extreme conditions
- High-volume diamond bow resists nosedive and crosswind push
- Stiff one-piece vacuum-infused build praised by reviewers
Cons
- Wide turning circle, weak low-speed rudder bite - poor for technical racing
- Brand defunct - zero support/spares/dealers
- Carbon ~11.5kg layup announced but real-world availability never independently confirmed
- Early units had rudder-post water-ingress (reportedly later fixed)
What paddlers say
Rob Mousley (surfski.info, 2008): 'fast boat with exceptionally good downwind characteristics', stability ~Fenn Mako6, only gripe sluggish low-speed steering.Reported experience
Jamii Hamlin after 46.5km False Bay crossing (surfski.info, 2008): praised economy at planing speed and handling of very rough conditions.Reported experience
Paddling.com forum (2020s): 'almost as fast as S1-X, V10 but much more stable, on par with S1-R, V10 Sport, Mako XT'; downside wider turning radius.Reported experience
Gallery
Where to buy
The Surf70 Pro is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.
Maker closed Red7 is no longer trading. Dormant since the factory fire around 2011-2012. Nothing has been built since and there is no manufacturer support.
Red7 is no longer made, so second-hand is the only option.
Brand effectively defunct since ~2011-2012 (factory fire; red7.co.za dead, no DNS today).