Vajda · Surfski
Vajda Makai 43
Short 5.8m, 43cm race hull with a narrow catch, a progressive double-cut nose and a flat run aft for surfing, plus front deck cutaways and a De Brito bailer. Kajak Nord describes V sections at bow and stern with a gentler round bilge amidships to cut wetted area. Elite build is carbon over Herex foam core, hot-cured epoxy under vacuum.
- Length
- 5.8 m
- Beam
- 43 cm
- Deck
- 33.5 cm
- Lightest
- 10.5 kg
Specifications
- Length
- 5.8 m
- Beam
- 43 cm
- Deck height
- 33.5 cm (est.)
- Category
- Surfski
- Usually paddled by
- Confident ocean paddlers
- New price
- A$5,200
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. 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
Suits: Ocean racing and downwind runs for experienced paddlers; the short hull favours quick acceleration onto runs over long flat-water efficiency.
Paddler weight
The estimated sweet spot is 69–81 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 56–84 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
Introduced in 2020 as Vajda's top performance ski (APS), taking over from the Hawx 43. Short 5.8m hull on the same platform as the later Makai 48, 50 and 53. Built in Racing, Elite and Elite Pro layups.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Light for its class at about 10.5kg in the Elite build
- Short hull accelerates quickly onto runs
- Owner reports better build quality than a comparable Epic V11
Cons
- 43cm hull needs advanced balance
- Only the Elite layup is sold in Australia
- No published paddler weight range
What paddlers say
aaronmac, surfski.info forum (Makai 43 Elite vs Epic V11 Elite): 'I feel my average speed is a little higher compared to the v11. The lack of rocker contributes here' and 'The build quality on the Makai is a a fair bit better than the Epic.'Reported experience
Gallery
Where to buy
Dealers:
AUD 5,200 Elite (10.2-10.5kg), Australian Paddle Sports 2026; only Elite is offered in AU. Kajak Nord (DE): Racing EUR 2,995 (13-14kg), Elite EUR 3,995 (10-10.8kg), Elite Clear Carbon EUR 4,195 (10-10.5kg). Vajda eshop stock Racing boat EUR 2,800.71 inc VAT (14.4kg). No USD source found.
Similar craft
Closest in stability, speed and paddler weight.
Epic V11
A$5,250US$4,995new
Stability: traced hull, medium confidence
Think Ion
A$3,990new
Stability: traced hull, medium confidence
Mazu (Elio) Pro Elite
No list priceask a dealer
Stability: dimension estimate, low confidence
Sources
- https://www.vajdagroup.com/gen_page.php?menu=1&catalog_item_id=156
- https://australianpaddlesports.com.au/product/vajda-makai-43/
- https://australianpaddlesports.com.au/vajda-kayaks/
- https://www.kajaknord.de/surfski/surfski-vajda-makai-43/
- https://shop.vajdagroup.com/surf-ski/-makai-43-racing/p313
- https://surfski.info/forum/19-boats/19935-vajda-makai-43-elite-vs-epic-v11-elite.html