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Custom Kayaks · Surfski · Out of production

Custom Kayaks Synergy / Synergy Lite

Flat-ish, high-volume hull with a 'Y-Tech' reinforced deck ridge for stiffness and water-shedding. Deep secondary-stability bucket seatwell; large rudder with self-adjusting cable-and-pedal system.

Length
6.42 m
Beam
46 cm
Deck
33.5 cm
Lightest
12 kg
Side view unavailable
Top view unavailable
Custom Kayaks Synergy / Synergy Lite, side profile studio shot
side profile studio shot · surfski.info

Specifications

Length
6.42 m
Beam
46 cm
Deck height
33.5 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Paddlers in chop
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

Standard glass18.5 kg
Hybrid14.5 kg
Lite carbon12 kg

On-water profile

Stability
6–8
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
6

Modelled from published beam, length and deck height. 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 estimated from published dimensions. Qualitative context includes 3 paddler reports and 2 linked sources.

Suits: Purpose-built downwind/rough water; praised in big-storm and confused chop; can broach when the rudder lifts clear in steep quartering wind-chop.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 83–96 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 67–100 kg. This estimate is a guide, not a limit. Seat fit, conditions and paddling style matter. Lighter paddlers can still enjoy a larger hull, especially downwind. A test paddle is the best check.

Estimated from hull dimensions using a formula fitted to makers’ own paddler limits. It does not establish the designer’s intended paddler weight. How this is worked out.

Generations

~2007-2012

South African-made (Durban, builder Mark Lewin). Later footwell revision borrowed from the Horizon (~2010). Standard glass, Hybrid, and Lite (carbon) layups. NOTE: defunct South African brand, NOT the customkayaks.com.au domain.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Very stable for its speed class
  • Excellent downwind run-catching
  • Dry ride, sheds water well
  • Comfortable deep seatwell
  • Fast tool-free footplate adjustment

Cons

  • Deep bucket makes remounts harder
  • Broaches in steep quartering chop when rudder clears
  • Less efficient than top HPS on flat water
  • Large rudder catches weed

What paddlers say

Rob Mousley (surfski.info, 2008): more stable than the maker's Icon, strong downwind manners in a Cape storm, broaches in reverse-Millers conditions.Reported experience
Wesley Echols (SurfskiRacing.com): 'speed of an HPS with the reassuring attributes of more stable craft'; remounting harder than his S1-R due to deep bucket.Reported experience
surfski.info forum user (2021): still using a secondhand Synergy years on; beginner-friendly but not especially fast for flatwater training.Reported experience

Where to buy

The Synergy / Synergy Lite 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; the brand ceased trading.

Sources

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