Christenson Nautilus 6'4 review: a quad fish that wanted more push
Updated 2026-09-19
| Length | 6'4" |
|---|---|
| Width | 20 1/4 in |
| Thickness | 2 5/8 in |
| Volume | 36.5 L |
| Fin config | Quad |
| Top speed | 27.6 km/h |
| Wave range | 3 to 4 ft |
The Christenson Nautilus 6'4 was the first of two Nautilus boards owned, a quad fish with real pedigree that ran a little under volume for its rider before a larger 7'0 version replaced it.
What it is and why I bought it
I bought this Nautilus in February 2016, a PU board with a medium rocker, hard rails and a bottom rolled into a double vee concave, finished with a swallow tail, running a full quad fin setup. At 20 1/4 inches wide and 36.5 litres over 6'4, the register calls it a semi step-up that preferred 3 ft and up, loving 4 ft in particular.
It came in a white colourway.
How it surfed
Its best wave came at Freshy, at a top speed of 27.6 km/h (about 17.1 mph) over a 135 metre ride, using a glassed-on plywood fin setup. The vee-double-concave bottom worked well in good waves, but at 36.5 litres it ran under volume, which eventually led to trying a larger 7'0 version of the same model. The logged wave range is 3 to 4 ft, a narrow, specific window.
Who it suits and who it does not
A quad fish like this suits a lighter rider, or someone deliberately choosing to surf under volume for a looser feel, in good, pushy waves specifically. It is a weaker match for a heavier rider or anyone wanting a wider wave range, which is exactly why a larger version of the same shape eventually replaced it.
What happened to it
It sold on 8 March 2021 for $690, against a $1,600 purchase cost. A replacement cost of $1,600 is also logged against it, for comparison against what it originally cost.
Questions people ask
Why did this Nautilus get replaced with a larger one?
At 36.5 litres it ran under volume for the rider, which led to trying a 7'0 version of the same model with more volume and a wider wave range.
What fins worked on this Nautilus?
A glassed-on plywood fin setup is logged against this board.
What conditions suited it?
A narrow 3 to 4 ft range, ideal at 4 ft, is what the register logs, with a clear preference for some push in the wave.
For the full spec sheet, see the sold boards list. For the larger version of this board, see the Christenson Nautilus 7'0. For more on matching volume to your own size, see surfboard volume explained.