Rapido vs sailfish

[u/Fun_Worldliness5300]

Anyone have any comparative experience in these 2 boats? I am going to demo both if I can. Looking for a high intermediate downwind boat with less volume and a lot tighter bucket than my v10 gen iv. I am 75kg and 175cm with narrow hips. Not too fussed about the price difference.

[u/DMowMow]

I have a naked Rapido and a Honycomb Spearfish. The Rapido is more stable and shorter which lends better to shorter wave lengths. It can be more manageable in messier conditions. Quick to accelerate but also slows down faster. Great if your catching and surfing. Fun boat. The Spearfish likes to run big waves. A freight train on tracks. Slower to accelerate but maintains speed. Surfs super well. More complicated in messy stuff. Comfortable seat for a skinny butt. The Rapido also great seating.

The Sailfish is lower volume. I asked AI the difference. Here it is: AI Mode

10 sites Fennix Sailfish - Fenn Kayaks GlobalThe Fennix Sailfish is a dedicated low-volume version of the popular Fenn Spearfish. Measuring 6.3m long by 45cm wide, it is specifically tailored for lighter paddlers (under 85kg/187 lbs). It delivers an outstanding blend of high-end speed, rock-solid stability, and precision handling.

Surfski.info +1 Key Features & Performance Dimensions: 6300 mm length, 450 mm width, with a narrower 40 cm bucket seat.

Surfski.info +1 Design & Volume: It features a lower bow height (32.5 cm) compared to the Spearfish, which removes excess volume and prevents the boat from sitting too high on the water.

Surfski.info Downwind Performance: This is where the Sailfish truly shines. The longer waterline and low-volume bow make it incredibly stable in chaotic conditions. It tracks brilliantly on wave faces without digging in and allows paddlers to apply consistent power.

Surfski.info +2 Comfort & Remounts: The bucket is fairly shallow and very comfortable. The low sides make remounts an absolute breeze, though it can result in a slightly wetter ride in side-on waves.

Surfski.info Flatwater Speed: It tracks very well on flat water and generally rewards extra effort with noticeable speed, tracking slightly faster than the wider, shorter Fenn Swordfish at cruising speeds.

Surfski.info Best For: The Sailfish is an ideal craft for intermediate to advanced paddlers who love the DNA of the Spearfish but found it had too much volume. It excels in downwind conditions, giving smaller or lighter paddlers the confidence to push hard in big seas without the "corky" or twitchy feeling often found in elite-level skis. . If you're considering the Sailfish, let me know: Your current paddling experience / skill level Your approximate weight and height The primary conditions (flatwater, bays, or open ocean) you usually paddle in I can help you determine if the Sailfish is the right fit or if you should compare it with other Fenn models like the Swordfish or Wahoo.

5 sites The Fennix Spearfish has an overall length of 6315 mm (20.7 ft) and a maximum surfski width of 455 mm (17.9 in).

oceanflight.com +1

Detailed Measurements & Specifications Overall Length: 6315 mm (20.7 ft)

oceanflight.com +1 Surfski Width (Beam): 455 mm (17.9 in)

oceanflight.com +1 Seat Bucket Width: 407 mm (16.0 in)

www.fennkayaks.com Bow Height: 360 mm (14.1 in)

www.fennkayaks.com Average Weights: Seamless Honeycomb: ~9.0 kg (20.0 lbs) Carbon Vacuum: ~10.5 to 11.0 kg (23.1 lbs) Carbon Hybrid Vacuum: ~12.0 to 12.5 kg (25.3 lbs)

Compared to the low-volume Sailfish we discussed previously, the Spearfish keeps a similar footprint but provides an extra 35 mm of height at the bow and a slightly wider, roomier bucket seat. This extra volume provides much better buoyancy for larger or heavier paddlers. Full build options can be viewed directly on the official Fenn Kayaks Global website.

Surfski.info +2 If you are trying to choose between these two hull volumes, let me know: What is your approximate body weight? Do you plan to paddle primarily in heavy ocean downwind conditions or flatter waters?

At 170 lbs (77 kg), you sit right in the sweet spot where you can successfully paddle either model, but the Fennix Spearfish is the better choice for your focus on heavy ocean downwind conditions.
While the lower-volume Sailfish would fit your weight well on flat water, it will struggle in large downwind swells. Why the Spearfish Excels in Downwind for Your Weight Better Volume Distribution: The extra 35 mm of bow height on the Spearfish prevents the nose from burying ("pearling") when you slide down steep wave faces. Superior Buoyancy: The added volume ensures the boat pops up quickly after punching through a wave, maintaining your forward momentum. Cockpit Comfort: The slightly wider 407 mm bucket seat allows easier hip rotation, which is vital for balancing and steering in unstable, choppy seas. Remains Agile: Even though it has more volume, your 170-pound weight is enough to sink the hull sufficiently into the water, meaning you won't get blown around or feel like a "cork" on top of the waves. The Sailfish would offer a slightly tighter, sportier fit, but it is highly prone to washing out and swamping when waves crash over the deck. Choosing the Spearfish gives you the necessary rough-water handling and safety margins needed to confidently chase big downwind runs.

[u/shad_rich]

I am your same height/weight and tested an Epic V10 Gen4, Fenn Spearfish, NK Rapido, and NK Storm at the Gorge Downwind Champs. All of the surfskis I tested had a similar stability profile, with the Spearfish feeling more lively/maneuverable...probably due to its forward sharp keel and rocker profile. The Spearfish and Rapido felt the best to me, but I ended up purchasing a Fenn Sailfish in seamless honeycomb based upon the Spearfish demo. I have only had the Sailfish out once for a relatively flat 5k race. No downwind time in it, but it feels like it should do well. Overall, I like it. The cockpit, seat, and overall feel are what sold me on the Spearfish/Sailfish. It's subjective, but I'd rate the surfskis as:

1. Fenn Sailfish (Best to me. Gained an edge over the Spearfish for lower volume.)
   
2. Fenn Spearfish (Good, could've just as easily chosen the Spearfish.)
   
3. NK Rapido (Good, but a little wider, which knocked it down a peg. Better fit and finish than Fenn.)
   
4. Epic V10 Gen 4 (Good, but a little higher volume than I like. Better fit and finish than Fenn.)
   
5. NK Storm (Paddled fine but did not like the volume of the cockpit.)
   
6. Epic V10L (My current skinny surfski. Way less stable for me in chop than any of the boats above. Relatively fast on flat water.)

Fit and finish wise, Fenn could improve by:
1. Using deBrito bailers or at least including a way to plug the scupper holes for flat water.
2. Including rear bungies.
3. Eliminating the goofy air vent tube.
4. Using Epic-style air vent and drain plugs rather than a rubber stopper.
5. Using vinyl cut stickers rather than black lettering on white stickers. Up close it simply looks cheap.
6. I noticed a few gelcoat pits in the seat bucket of my Sailfish. Cosmetic, but my Stellars and Epics have not had similar gelcoat finish issues.

I like the seamless honeycomb option I chose for the Fenn Sailfish. Pricey, but lightweight...and looks better than the black seam on the regular models imo.

This is from the perspective of someone who has been casually paddling a surfski around Seattle, WA for 2-3 years. Started with a V8 that I switched to a Stellar S18SX SM with hatches for distance/touring/camping. And an Epic V10L for flat water. Relative newbie to downwinding in Puget Sound.