By Wesley Echols:
This chart is best interpreted by comparing one ski to another, noting the pluses and minuses one ski has with another versus looking at one ski alone.

Legal, Moral, and Ethical Disclaimer: This is a guide based on my paddling experience including races, training sessions, and time trials and of course, my opinion. I have purchased all my boats for the reviews. Prior to May 2010, I had no formal industry ties. In May, I became the New England Sales Representative with Stellar.

The Grading Scale: I chose to rate the skis via a 1-6 rubric for the different categories versus 1-10. To wide a numerical span would magnify the differences between the boats too greatly. As the chart points out, there are differences in the skis, however, some are quite minor while others are far less so. If you have raced long enough, most of the time it is how fit the paddler is and not the boat that constitutes how fast you are. Fit and comfort are very individualized. Once you find a great fitting ski that you like, your stability and speed will improve. It is amazing how much a little padding in the cockpit or footwell can greatly improve your stability and speed.

Some skis are clearly more stable, faster, more comfortable than others, or any combinations thereof. Some perform better in downwind conditions, while others perform better on the flats. Some boats fit some people better than others depending on their particular size and shape.

As you become more proficient, more fit, and gain experience in varied conditions, your perspective changes with an eye to how certain boats perform. I have somewhat of a unique perspective having owned all these boats, paddling them all on a regular basis while I gained more experience and skill through the years.

My Bio: I am a very fit mid pack racer. I am 49 years old, 5ft 9in, 170 lbs., who paddles 4-7 days a week all year around. I race in the local races here in New England, and log all my training paddles and races. As a result, I've compiled some substantial data over the same measured courses (GPS) in all my boats over the last 8 years or so.

The History: Why so many boats? Good question. Do I like buying and selling skis? Absolutely. I have owned at least two skis at any given time, and as many as five at one time since 2006, paddling them in a veritable buffet of conditions here in New England. I have also owned and raced two Van Dusen Mohicans on flatwater and in the ocean, one Thunderbolt X, one Thunderbolt, a few K1's, and too many sea kayaks to name. All the skis listed here were owned/paddled for at least 3 months and as long as 3 years.

Here is my story:
My first ski was a Fenn Mako XT that felt really stable after a month in the bucket; I could paddle it on all conditions. My second ski shortly after that was a Huki S1-X, fixed length. I quickly found out that paddling a high performance ski in true ocean conditions required many more hours in the bucket. So because my anxiety level would often become quite high paddling my S1X early on, I was always curious like most of us are, how the other skis compared in stability and speed.

As we know, it is one thing to demo a ski for five minutes giving initial impressions and yet another to own that ski, giving it the proper evaluation in all conditions. It is also a risk to base your opinion solely on another paddler's opinion if they have not owned more than a couple of skis for comparison. Buying a ski based on how it should theoretically perform on paper according to its hull design and advertising as opposed to 'real world' performance in a variety of conditions is often risky as well. I find this argument often from the paddlers who research a particular ski and base their opinions from the seat of their computer chair instead of searching out competent paddlers and manufacturers that will give you a fair assessment of the boat based on your needs. These should comprise: skill level, type of water conditions you predominantly paddle in, and your personal purpose for buying a ski.

Being competitive, I also wanted a ski that I could get the most out of at my current skill level at that given time. What I found out along the way was that all the skis fit differently, handle differently, and perform slightly differently or have features that I like or dislike. Some differences are minor while others are not.

Summing It Up: That said, we all tend to acclimate to whatever boat we have. Many people I know have been paddling the same ski for years, for better or worse. What I also discovered was that, for the most part, I personally need a more stable ski when the conditions are big here in New England; one that I can remount in all conditions. Remembering the water temperatures hover always in the 38-60 degree range, has a real bearing on choice of boat and comfort level in given conditions.

Some of my paddling buddies are much better rough water paddlers in their high performance skis than I will ever be. Their tolerance level for rough water is much greater than mine. I found over the years that I am faster on a slightly more stable ski and have more confidence in the big stuff. Hence, I will often paddle certain skis in different conditions. I wish I was good enough to be able to paddle one ski, remount one ski in all conditions, but I know at 49 this is not going to happen even though I paddle almost everyday.

The Icing on the Cake: So, in my quest to find the perfect ski for me, I ended up literally trying them all. The results are in the chart and in the brief reviews on each ski. 'Hope this helps in you in your quest to find the “perfect” ski(s) for you.