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Knysna Racing · Surfski

Knysna Racing Mac Rhythm

The McGregor Classic hull widened by roughly 4.4cm from just ahead of the cockpit to the tail, with a wider and flatter seat. Still a narrow, low-volume 5.90m race hull, but the added rear width gives noticeably more primary stability than the Classic while staying twitchy by ski standards.

Length
5.9 m
Beam
45.5 cm
Deck
35 cm
Lightest
10.5 kg
 
 
Knysna Racing Mac Rhythm, Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height
Outline drawn to scale from published length and deck height · Surfski Index

Specifications

Length
5.9 m
Beam
45.5 cm
Deck height
35 cm (est.)
Category
Surfski
Usually paddled by
Confident ocean paddlers
New price
Not listed new

Layup weights

Carbon Epoxy Vacuum10.5 kg
Glass Epoxy Vacuum11.5 kg
Polyvac13 kg

On-water profile

Stability
5–7
Dimension estimateLow confidence
Speed
8

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 1 paddler report and 3 linked sources.

Suits: Flat-water, marathon and mild-ocean racing; a slightly more forgiving version of the Classic for advanced paddlers wanting a fast narrow ski with a wider, more comfortable seat

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 86–100 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 70–100 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.

The upper limit is the maker’s; the lighter end follows the proportions of makers’ own ranges. How this is worked out.

Generations

2017-present (McGregor Rhythm S1)

Lee McGregor-designed; the same hull as the Classic but about 4.4cm (1 3/4in) wider from ahead of the cockpit back to the tail, with a wider, flatter seat

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Faster than a V12 in back-to-back time trials (reviewer)
  • Wider, flatter seat and more stability than the Classic
  • Light carbon layup ~10.5kg

Cons

  • Still twitchy versus mainstream intermediate skis
  • Import-only in Australia, thin resale
  • Short waterline caps downwind top-end

What paddlers say

A surfski.info reviewer bought the McGregor Rhythm and liked it: compared with a V12 g1 it is 'much smaller and lighter (22lb vs 34)' but 'noticeably twitchier', and it 'clocked a little faster' in back-to-back time trials (surfski.info story 1673).Reported experience

Where to buy

Knysna Racing Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Australian Paddle Sports · AU ↗Charger Surf Craft · AU ↗

No published Australian retail price; imported from South Africa. Deep Research import estimate ~AUD 3,500 for a carbon layup. Same construction line as the Classic: Carbon Epoxy Vacuum ~10.5kg / Glass Epoxy Vacuum / Polyvac; surfski.info confirms carbon weight ~10.5kg (22lb).

Sources

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