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Custom Kayaks · Surfski · Out of production

Custom Kayaks Icon / Icon Lite

Narrow elite racing hull (21ft/6.42m) built for top-end speed; described by paddlers as noticeably tippy versus the maker's later, more forgiving designs.

Length
6.42 m
Custom Kayaks Icon / Icon Lite — Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height
Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height · Surfski Index

Specifications

Length
6.42 m
Beam
Not listed
Deck height
Not listed
Category
Surfski
Skill level
advanced
New price
Not listed new

On-water profile

Stability
3.0
Speed
8.0

Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.

Fast but very tippy per owner accounts; a 2008 owner called the Synergy 'much more stable' by direct comparison. Anchored against Epic V8 (9/5) and Fenn Elite S (3/9.5).

Suits: Elite flatwater/racing; less forgiving in rough water than the brand's later models.

Generations

2004-~2009

Original flagship elite racing ski; team incl. Barry Lewin won the inaugural 2004 Surf Ski World Cup on it. Superseded by the Synergy by ~2008-2010. South African brand.

What works, and what it costs you

What works

  • Genuine elite race pedigree (2004 World Cup)
  • Fast for its era
  • Well known in mid-2000s SA elite scene

Trade-offs

  • Very tippy by owner accounts
  • Discontinued; parts hard to source
  • No verified dimensions beyond length

What paddlers say

surfski.info owner (2008): 'the last Custom Kayaks ski I spent time in, the ICON, [was] very tippy.'Reported experience
surfski.info forum (2016): owner seeking a replacement rudder reports the brand's site already down, unclear if still trading.Reported experience

Where to buy

The Icon / Icon Lite is out of production. It turns up on the second-hand market; there is no new-boat channel for it.

Maker closed Custom Kayaks is no longer trading. The Durban builder ceased trading and its site is offline. Boats survive second-hand only.

Nobody sells Custom Kayaks new. The second-hand market is the only channel.

No pricing data; production ended over a decade ago.

Sources