Surfski IndexAn index of surfskis
Feedback
263craft

Think · Surfski

Think Ace

Sleek swede-form hull combining beginner-friendly stability with performance-ski speed. Low gunwale beside the seat for easy remounts, integrated carry handle, roomy bucket/footwell and in-hull storage.

Length
5.5 m
Beam
56 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
12.5 kg
Source image flipped
Source image flipped
Think Ace, studio profile (Gen 3 Performance fiberglass)
studio profile (Gen 3 Performance fiberglass) · coastoutdoors.ca

Specifications

Length
5.5 m
Beam
56 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
New paddlers
New price
A$3,990

Layup weights

Performance15.5 kg
Elite12.5 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 5 linked sources.

Suits: Coastal cruising, open-ocean chop, moderate downwind and wave-linking near shore; capable but not a dedicated flat-water race weapon. A strong Gold Coast first-ski option.

Paddler weight

Think rates this hull for paddlers from 60 kg to 110 kg.

The maker’s published range. How this is worked out.

Generations

~2011-2019 (original)

Earlier 55cm-wide entry ski, 75-110kg range; Expedition Kayaks called it 'an entry-level ski that is also a proper surfing surf ski'.

Gen 3, current

Widened slightly to 56cm/22in, marketed as the most stable ski in the Think lineup with 'the speed of a performance ski'; Performance and Elite layups.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Most stable ski in the current Think range, confidence-building for newer paddlers
  • Still has 'the speed of a performance ski', room to grow into it
  • Easy remounts via low gunwale, practical storage and carry handle
  • Widely regarded (with the Epic V8) as one of the best beginner-friendly skis on the market

Cons

  • Not a race-focused hull; outpaced by narrower Think models (Six, Ion, Evo) as skill grows
  • Elite carbon/Kevlar layup nearly doubles Performance price for ~3kg saving
  • Patchy availability at some dealers

What paddlers say

The Paddle Channel: "stable without feeling sluggish, comfortable without needing tweaks", good downwind manners for the 'stable surfski that still behaves like a surfski' buyer.Reported experience
Surfski.info thread 'Epic V8 vs Think Ace' treats the two as direct beginner/intermediate competitors.Reported experience

Where to buy

Think Kayak ↗

Dealers:

Think Kayak Australia · AU ↗

AU (Expedition Kayaks): Performance A$3,990, Elite A$4,990. Canada (Coast Outdoors, Gen 3): Performance C$3,995 (rising to C$4,395), Elite C$5,695.

Sources

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