Ocean Ski for Big Fella

G'Day,
I'm in the market for a ski that will accommodate my 6'3" 120kg frame. Being a rugby prop puts me at odds with alot of the lighter paddlers.
I have had spec skis for over 25 years and can paddle them fine. I still train on them about 3 times a week in the open ocean. I just want to get an ocean ski as I have set myself a 3 year goal of doing the Molokai crossing.
Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.
Cheers

Shanan

Stellar SES. My mate big Al fits into one and he would be a similar size to you. Fast, stable and well made. He has tried everything and this is about the only ski other than the old wide epic v10sport that he can get his big arse in (his words, not mine).
Get the surf rudder and make sure the rudder lines aren't slipping if you trial one.

Really? I paddle a Stellar SES and I'm only 5'8" and 78kg and if my hips were any wider I would not fit an SES. These are made for smaller paddlers and while the new SES has a slightly wider bucket at the hips, I seriously doubt that anyone 6'3" and 120kg would fit, so best try before you buy.

Yeah, the Stellar SES info I have seen states it was designed for a smaller paddler!!!!!
Any other suggestions?

One ski that I know will definitely fit your frame and weight is the Synergy 2.

You really need to give an idea of your hip width.
What boats have you sat in that the will or won't fit?

Whoops. I meant the se. I'd like to see big Al in the ses. We'd need a crowbar to get him out.

The first ski that came to my mind, like Dicko, was the Stellar SE. I've never paddled one but my understanding is that the are designed for bigger paddlers, pretty high volume, fast and stable as well.
A V10 Sport with the old deck/bucket would probably fit you, though it's more of an intermediate ski than a full out racer. Still a great all around ski though and probably a nice ski (if you're a mid-packer like me) to paddle in Molokai.
RAB is right, what is your hip width and what have you tried that does/doesn't work? That may make other skis in or out depending on if you'd fit them width-wise or not.

I have a Stellar SE,love it.Big volume heaps of leg length and hip width.Tracks beautifully down the face of a wave without burying the nose.Worth a go.Have also paddled an Epic sport quite extensively,it too is a great little boat.More stable then the SE I don't think its as fast on the flat or when paddling over the chop in front.But in really sloppy conditions id pick the Sport.Build quality ?Id pick the Stellar brand.Everything is just so neat.The foot plate is rock solid.Food for thought.Both nice skis I chose the Stellar but when the sea gets really wild the Epic would be my choice.

Thanks for all the replies so far.
I just measured my hip width and it is 39cm.
Just looking at the second hand market. Quite a few skis up for sale, any thoughts on how the DD3 stacks up and I also saw the account of the custom kayaks Zeplin. ????????

cheers

Shanan

Hi

I am 6ft with hip width of about 400mm. Oh yes and just over 125kg. I spent some time looking at all options and settled on the Custom Kayaks Horizon. Fits ok as long I am not wearing neoprene leggings. Cold in the UK. So have to wear shorts.

Stable. As to speed I do not have anything to match it against as I am a lone surf skier in Falmouth.

I think the chances of ever having a fast ocean ski for big rowers is slim.

Greg

don't use the words ski and rowers in the same breath please

Sorry seem to have hit a nerve. Have also been an offshore rower for many years and nearly 50 suppose I am going senile.

the SE is a fast boat. It would be as fast or faster than a v10.

Quite a few of the bigger guys here in Cape Town are paddling the Zeplin.

I'm the aforementioned "Big Al" and Dicko is correct in saying that I'm very happy with Stellar SE. I've tried most of the boats that fit big blokes (except the Evo & the Zepplin) and have found the SE the ideal compromise of width, stability and speed.

Depending on your paddling ability the V10 Sport is also an excellent boat but I have found the Stellar to be faster.

For all those wondering about Dicko mentioning the SES - I would need two - one for each bum cheek.

Thanks Drapes.
I think that I will try the SE and probaly the Zepplin if I can find one in Australia.
Who sells the in NSW?

Cheers

Shanan

Hi Shanan,

I wouldn't discount the Synergy 2 as suggested by Rubberduck. We have a few of them at our club, and one guy paddling it is 120kg and over 2 metres tall. Its a pretty quick ski with reasonable stability and good on the runs. I've tried it and I rattle around in the bucket, so it should suit you perfectly!

Nigel

SAWHITE wrote: Thanks for all the replies so far.
I just measured my hip width and it is 39cm.
Just looking at the second hand market. Quite a few skis up for sale, any thoughts on how the DD3 stacks up and I also saw the account of the custom kayaks Zeplin. ????????

cheers

Shanan

I am 6'4" at 85kg or so and my hip width is roughly the same as yours (hard to measure precisely, but it seems to come to 38-39cm). The difference would be that in my case that is the hip bones sticking out, while you may have some more "padding" and probably have much wider upper legs. For me the V10 Sport (current/new version with the narrower seat) feels fairly good and I would not mind if its seat was with slightly narrower upper area - for you it might be perfect.

I also tried the Stellar SE and felt I swam in it - the seat was not necessarily too wide but shaped in a way that did not fit me well and the cockpit in the leg area is huge (needs padding for good contact; even the V10 Sport could use a bit narrower forward portion IMO, but the SE is wider all over).

To my bottom, the V10 (non-sport, the regular) seat feels better - it is a little tighter fit than the V10 Sport so I felt more connected with the hull through the seat and through the more narrow sides where my legs are. Might be a bit tight for you ...

Sorry, have not paddled other skis that would fit you...