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263craft

Vajda · Surfski · Out of production

Vajda Orca

Long (6.5m) elite ocean hull, 42cm beam with more volume than the Hawx - carries heavier paddlers well. Full, buoyant bow for rough water rather than outright flat-water speed; raised K1-style bucket sitting higher than the footwell for an upright, torso-rotating stroke.

Length
6.5 m
Beam
42 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
11.5 kg
Side view unavailable
Top view unavailable
Vajda Orca, Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height
Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height · Surfski Index

Specifications

Length
6.5 m
Beam
42 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Confident ocean paddlers
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

Elite11.5 kg
Club14.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
4–6
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
8

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 3 linked sources.

Suits: Experienced paddlers in rough open ocean - reviewers were comfortable in 2m+ swell and 25kt wind; strong downwind/big-sea boat, and suits heavier paddlers.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 76–88 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 62–92 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

2009-2013

Vajda's original flagship elite ocean ski, predecessor to the Hawx 43. Higher-volume elite hull aimed at heavier paddlers. Composite layups (Elite carbon and heavier club/glass builds). Discontinued when the Hawx replaced it.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Excellent rough-water seaworthiness
  • Handles heavier paddlers thanks to extra volume
  • 'Most comfortable bucket on the market' - raised, flattened K1-style seat
  • Beautiful build quality and lines

Cons

  • Not the fastest elite ski
  • Long 6.5m makes storage/transport harder
  • Elite stability - not for beginners
  • Discontinued, used market only

What paddlers say

'Not the fastest craft but performs well in rough seas... comfortable in 2m+ swells and 25 knot winds' - surfski.info Orca reviewReported experience
'Aimed at heavier paddlers, a bit more volume than the Hawx; the most comfortable bucket on the market' - surfski.infoReported experience

Where to buy

The Orca is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.

Vajda Group ↗

Dealers:

Australian Paddle Sports · AU ↗

Long discontinued; composite/carbon only. No reliable original RRP found.

Sources

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