All Good Points
Hi Scott,
All the previous posters made great points via personal experience. Like many, I started with standard sea kayaks (Eclipse, Explorer…), moving up into fast sea kayaks (FSKs) when my bent turned toward the fitness/racing area of the sport (QCC700, Epic Endurance 18, Westside EFT…), with a few others thrown into the mix.
My first go 'round with a ski was frustrating; I bought one used and figured I could grow into it. I did to a degree, but this was well before the current crop of crossover and true ‘intermediate’ skis. Now, I still own several SINKs, and they all collect dust in the garage. This is not to say they’re bad boats-to the contrary-my interests have just changed, skills have progressed, and the idea of being ‘out there in the open’ is preferred, rather than anxiety producing. I also came to the realization that participating in open ocean races, it was far easier and safer to climb back on a ski, than to see if my roll was still bombproof, or if my reaction time was fast enough to get my knees jammed under the coaming before I fell out of the wide cockpit. 
Most converts from an FSK SINK to a ski bemoan three things: lack of contact points for edging, etc., the related need for a strong core as a result of these reduced points of contact and lack of back band, and the vulnerability of the understern rudder (although there are ways around this with kick up rudder kits).
If you do any touring at all, the importance of a place to stow your gear may be of concern. Some entry level skis (V7, S18S, etc.) offer small hatch stowage to larger storage compartments. If you have the need to carry more gear, a good dry bag fastened under the rear deck bungees, or forward of the pedals, if there’s room, should suffice. Part of the beauty of a ski is its simplicity-no need for paddle floats, bilge pumps, etc. The V6 is a really fun little boat with full hatch storage, essentially an open kayak (My wife owned one.), but if you’re measuring it against something like the 18X Sport, you’d be better served going to something like the V7, on up.
The true entry level skis (V7, V8, Blue-Fin, Eze/Big Eze, S18S, SR, etc.) will likely be boats you can just jump in and go, some more so than others. Most larger races also have a special class for boats of these dimensions-kind of an IROC Race of Champions, if you recall that, where the playing field is much more leveled, and you’re not running an 17-18 footer against a 21 foot missile. If you’d like to retain versatility, balancing stability with speed, I’d recommend the V8, Blue-Fin, SR, etc. above the others in this class, for better glide and flat water prowess. Keep in mind you can always swap out rudder lengths as well, which does change the personality of the ski and increase speed.
If you’re feeling froggier, the move up to a true intermediate ski (V10Sport, XT or Swordfish, SEI, Evo II, Huki S1-R), will give you the added speed. The transition on flat water will likely not be a big deal at all, but conditions, even minimal ones, will take some bucket time. It’s usually an easier jump from sea kayak to entry level ski, than it is from entry level ski to intermediate ski. It’s also tough to buy a boat sight unseen, for reasons of fit, feel, and the like. Hard to go wrong with the current field of entry level skis, they do everything pretty well, and there’s a strong resale market for the more popular ones. I can’t tell from your profile where you’re located, but if you were anywhere in the northeast, I’d invite you to come have a go on different levels and models.
As Oscar says: “Stability before ability.” You’re only as fast as you are stable. A paddler on a solid platform with proper form will beat someone wobbling around on a rocket they just unwrapped from the bubble wrap, each time. As Marshall noted, too, the more tired you get, the more challenging a boat becomes. In a nutshell:
Ski advantages: great ergonomics (assuming proper fit and strengthened core) for performance paddling, light weight, simplicity, precision while surfing, surfing in general, ease of remounting, speed and efficiency in a variety of conditions
Ski disadvantages: lack of storage, degree of fragility/vulnerability with lighter layups and understern rudder, exposure to elements.
Coffee’s wearing off-hope this helps.
Spot On Trilo…
And sometimes a video will say it all too:
http://vimeo.com/117039290
Check Rob go on a Carbonology Zest surfski. This is S. Africa…I’m stoked. This is what surfskis are all about.
hah
That makes me feel better.
I demoed one at a symposium and had the same problem. Couldn’t imagine taking it on a trip somewhere.
i felt like a lumberjack logrolling
Wonderful!
Keep em coming.
Why Sit When You Can Stand?
I’ve noticed more and more former surfski paddlers on these narrow SUPs:
http://vimeo.com/93131931
They’re following the kids who demand more challenging craft and stability is not an issue.
the latest from the rice brothers
a big day by any standards
http://thinkkayak.com/2015/01/chasing-giants/
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone who responded! You guys really gave me some good things to think about and I appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Now, I just need to make a decision! Wish me luck! Scott