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Custom Kayaks · Surfski · Out of production

Custom Kayaks Mark 1

No verified hull-design detail beyond marketing; owner reports a 'soft, floating' feel on downwind runs, compared favorably to the Epic V12 Ultra's bow behavior.

Side view unavailable
Top view unavailable

Specifications

Length
Not listed
Beam
Not listed
Deck height
Not listed
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
Not listed new

On-water profile

Stability
5–8
Editorial estimateLow confidence
Speed
6

Our estimate from published descriptions and reviews. Low confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band is a cautious editorial estimate; it is not backed by a hull trace. Qualitative context includes 2 paddler reports and 1 linked source.

Suits: General-purpose ocean/downwind ski, used socially and competitively.

Generations

mid-2000s

Positioned as elite-competitive while retaining stability/user-friendliness for lesser paddlers. Successor path unclear from sources. South African brand.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Positioned accessible across skill levels yet race-capable
  • Good downwind bow behavior per comparative review

Cons

  • No verified length/width/weight found
  • Limited independent review coverage vs Synergy/Apex

What paddlers say

Wayne Borchardt (in a 2006 surfski.info Fenn Mako 6 review): paddled a Custom Kayaks Mark 1 socially in Cape Town.Reported experience
2008 surfski.info thread 'Red7 Surf70 v Custom Kayaks Mark 1' shows it was cross-shopped against the Red7 Surf70.Reported experience

Where to buy

The Mark 1 is out of production. You can only buy it second-hand.

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

Custom Kayaks is no longer made, so second-hand is the only option.

No pricing data found.

Sources

    BetaRatings are estimatesRatings are estimates. How we get the numbers. Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.