I am curious what others' experience has been with the V12 G1. I have been searching for a replacement ski for my original 2009 black nose v12, but I cannot find a boat I like more.
When I started surfski in 2009, I had been previously using a masters level K1 in waves. I used a sprayskirt and I bolted in a strap over the knees so that I could roll it. I would miss my roll on occasion, and when I missed a roll about a half mile from shore one day and was faces with a long swim with a kayak full of water I knew I needed a surfski. The reason I had resisted getting a ski for so long was that I had sat in the first generation v10 and hated the low seat and high hump. When I finally had the chance to sit in a v12, and it felt perfect and I bought one the next day.
It has really been an ideal boat for me. I cannot find a more comfortable ski. It is as fast as any elite ski on the flat. And in waves it has a bottomless reserve of secondary stability. In my search for a replacement ski I have owned the Fenn elite S and the v12 G2. Both of those skis were more playful downwind, which I liked. But neither was as comfortable or as stable as the old v12, and on the flat they are all about the same speed. I have tried the 560, and found that extremely comfortable and playful, but really lacking in stability in confused stuff.
But my ski will not last for ever. It has been repaired many times and weighs about 37 pounds now and takes on water. I will need a replacement. This would be an easier problem to solve if I was willing to get one ski for the flat and a second one for waves, but I would really prefer to have one ski to do it all. I am considering a nelo 550, despite some of the hardware issues it has (rudder, footplate, lines).
Any other suggestions?
Current Skis: Nelo Vanquish AIR, Epic V10g4, NK 670 double, NK exrcize, Carbonology Feather, Think Jet, Knysna Sonic X
Former Skis: Epic v10g3, Kai Waa Vega, Epic V12 g2, Epic V12 g1, Epic v10 double, Nelo 550 g2, Fenn Elite S, Custom Kayaks Synergy