Custom kayaks ? Where are they

Just wondering if Custom Kayaks is still about. I Cant find much new info around regarding their products.
If they are about still, what sort of construction methods do they do? ie type of glass, type or core, type of glass and stringers etc?
I have used a Synergy (probably mark1) and didnt find it too hard to remount in small chop.
If the Focus is basically a Synergy hull, can it really be much different? Even with a apparent lower seat (I cant imagine much lower than 10mm) cause how low could it really be moved. The Synergy bucket is very deep to start with.
Im 85kg
5`11` tall
31 inch inseam.

Rudi

Hmm... Last entry on their facebook page was June last year.

www.facebook.com/CustomKayaks?fref=ts

I just had an update from Mark Lewin of Custom Kayaks - they're alive and kicking but have moved to larger premises and are operating under a new name.

The company is now called Point Fibreglass Specialist, but that's not the branding that will be on the skis.

"will be" because the skis are about to be relaunched under a new brand name, yet to be revealed.

Anyway - it sounds as though they're more than just still in business.

Hi Robin
Thanks for that.
Nice to hear that, I would have been a real shame to have lost a brand like that.

Actually while I have your attention,
How did you find the Synergy compared to the Zeplin and the Focus (if you have tried the Focus).
Im 85kg
5`11``
31 inseam
skinny butt.

As I didnt find the Synergy (1 I think) too hard to get back on. Just weighing up changing to a Zeplin, Focus or SEI. Mind you there is basically nothing stuffed about the Synergy (18kg glass). So is it really worth a change just for the sack of it?

I can get a Infused Zeplin for the same price as a Sport SEI, dont know yet about the Focus construction price.
I had a Evo in glass, that was weak, so Im after a really tough boat. For the rough days. Not for racing. Got the super skinny boats for that. The Evo was Ok so Im not saying anything majorely wrong with it, I just need more strength and durability.
Cheers
Rudi

Hi i would like to have a bash at answering your questions:
The Zeplin is GREAT as a stable allround ski - it is stable in to the wind and loves down wind. The nose is a little big ( I think at 94kg) in that i battle to control it, if the wind is not directly straight on. It tends to go in the direction of the wind over 20kts regardless of what i tried. But if you do not experience strong wind - a really fun boat.

Standard glass custom kayak ski are strong when i look back at what we did with our Mark2 and later APEX - wow the photos are stunning!!

You asked if there is a difference between the SYNERGY and the FOCUS and i would have to say YES - VAST. here are some of the improvements.
1. The gunwales are lower - much easier to climb in in strong wind
2. The back of the ski is flatter making it a lot less exposed to side chop.
3. It feels like you sit slightly lower improving the stability on the flip side i tend to really straighten my back on flat days for the extra reach.

so overall wheras the synergy is a great downwind ski as long as you do not fall out the focus is a good all round ski able to go in to the wind, across the wind and down wind.
The focus is more stable but keeps the synergys speed, to the extent that numerous novices have paddled mine on flat days without any problems

hope that this helps

The Focus is MUCH more stable than the synergy if you weigh 78kg. I recently moved to one, and am happy in most conditions, but struggle with the Synergy in small chop.

It looks to me like you are not concerned about the weight of the boat. That is good, because for the last year and a while many Custom Kayaks boats have been coming out a kg or more (even 2kg) over the quoted weight. This is not important unless you are paying premium prices for a lighter racing ski.

The turnaround time might not be as fast as some of the other manufacturers. That said, they have lent me a boat while they work on making my carbon boat - so I would say that is a positive aspect to it.

Overall, I've really been enjoying riding the Focus.

So if the focus is more stable than the synergy. Is the focus similar to the stellar sei in stability, as I thought the sei was marginally more stable than the synergy.
So anymore comparisons between the synergy zeplin focus?
I still wonder how the focus can be much more stable than synergy, if the hull is basically the same, just with a fraction lower seat? as the seat in the synergy is pretty low. So I can only imagine it being at best like 10mm lower.
Rudie

Focus vs Synergy:
I can only imagine it is because I'm a slightly lighter paddler than Rookie. I've paddled his glass Focus, my hybrid Focus, my carbon Focus and his Synergy in various conditions over the last year.

Funnily enough I also find his extremely stable (for many ppl) Dorado as tippy as heck. I believe I am too light for some of these boats, so they sit on top of the water rather than in the water.

FWIW I'm an intermediate C-grade paddler with a single Cape Point behind my name. So no expert by any means.

But comfortable in a 30knot Millers in my Focus.

My mate has a Synergy and I have a Focus.
I find the Focus much more stable in choppy conditions. I think it goes upwind much better as well.
The rails of the Focus are considerably lower. Some rate this a positive. I find that this allows a lot of water over the sides when its rough. It's a long cockpit so it constantly holds a good few extra litres (kgs) when going upwind or crosswind in these conditions.
But for all-round speed and stability the Focus is better. I am 75kg and I think the Synergy has too much volume for me.