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
Specifications
- Length
- 6.42 m
- Beam
- 46 cm
- Deck height
- 33.5 cm (est.)
- Category
- Surfski
- Skill level
- intermediate
- New price
- Not listed new
Layup weights
On-water profile
Both scores are rated at the hull's own design weight. How these are derived.
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
This hull is built around a paddler of about 94 kg. It stays workable from 83 kg to 99 kg, and sits at its best between 87 kg and 96 kg.
Derived from published hull dimensions and calibrated against manufacturer paddler limits, not taken from a marketing range. The method, in full.
Generations
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.
What works, and what it costs you
What works
- Very stable for its speed class
- Excellent downwind run-catching
- Dry ride, sheds water well
- Comfortable deep seatwell
- Fast tool-free footplate adjustment
Trade-offs
- 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
Gallery
Where to buy
The Synergy / Synergy 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; the brand ceased trading.
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