Re: The Fenn Elite vs other Fenns

So before the 6 and V10, did most of the racers use the Mill? What were the other comparable options
if any?

So before the 6 and V10, did most of the racers use the Mill? What were the other comparable options
if any?

The most popular ski on the market (in SA and Australia at any rate) used to be the Fenn Mako; Then came the Fenn Millennium. It's probably accurate to say that most of the top paddlers used the Millennium although one or two (like Pete Cole who just came second in the Cape Point Challenge) preferred the old Mako.

At the time of the first South African World Cup in 2004, most of the top paddlers were using Millenniums. The Custom Kayaks Icon had just come onto the scene but the established market leader was Fenn.

My experience is in the US and only since about 1998. The millenium was pretty dominant for a 2-3 yr period before the M6 and V10 due to its nice combination of predictable feel/stability from the deep seat and good speed. It was a handful in rough water for many, so lots of paddlers switched to the more stable Huki S1X when it came out. A few Mark 1's and Icons were around, but didn't get as popular. Before these skis (1998-2002?) I think the US market was pretty much using a little bit of everything. Top racers were still buying light weight spec skis. There were a few on the Current Designs Speedster. Findeisen had two nice skis, the X and UX. Futura had the Blade, Carrera, the C4, Valhalla's Victory was popular too. Twogood had some old Mako's around. I think during this time and earlier, most coastal paddlers were on spec skis because that is what they saw and they worked well in the ocean. Those on protected waters were on one of the other designs - many of which had kick-up rudders and weren't really optimal for rough ocean racing.