The Sykes Range
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
We build boats. Start to finish. Beginners to champions.
Sykes has been building rowing boats in Geelong, Victoria since 1966. Our Australian-made range is built to the highest quality standards and fitted out with Sykes OEM fittings — all engineered, stocked and assembled in our Geelong facility. Whether the hull is locally made or imported, every boat leaves with the same top-tier components, customised to your spec.
We offer the widest range of boats in the sport — six generations of mould shapes across every class, including old favourites like the 229, 213, 409 and 410. The Australian-made range comes in five hull configurations, from learn-to-row through to world-class.
The Hull Range
INITIATOR
LEARN-TO-ROW · SCHOOLS · CLUBS
The ideal first boat. Built tough to handle the bumps and scrapes of learn-to-row programs, school fleets and busy club sheds. Forgiving on the water, easy to maintain, and holds its value well.
ACCELERATOR
CLUB · DEVELOPMENT · MASTERS
For rowers ready to go faster. Lighter and more responsive than the Initiator, it rewards improving technique without punishing the occasional rough stroke. A popular choice for competitive club rowers and masters.
CLASSIC
STATE · NATIONAL COMPETITORS
A proper race boat. Stiff, fast and precise — you'll feel the difference from the first stroke. Built to the same standard as boats that have competed at national and international level.
ELITE
NATIONAL TEAMS · OLYMPIC HOPEFULS
The fastest boat in our Australian-made range. Built from the same aerospace-grade materials used in Formula 1 — as light and stiff as a rowing shell gets. For athletes where every tenth of a second counts.
CARBON
WORLD-CLASS SCULLERS
Everything the Elite offers, with one further step: a carbon bow-mounted rigger that shifts weight forward and cleans up drag at the stern. Chosen by some of the world's best scullers when they want every possible edge.
Construction & Materials
Spec comparison across the four core hull types. Carbon is built to Elite spec with the addition of a carbon bow-mounted rigger.
| Specification | Initiator | Accelerator | Classic | Elite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Surface | Polyester Gelcoat | Polyester Gelcoat | 2-pack automotive paint | 2-pack automotive paint |
| Outer Laminate | Glass Fibre | Glass Fibre & Woven Carbon | Glass Fibre & Bi-Axial Carbon | Glass Fibre & TexTreme® |
| Core | Spheretex | Nomex Honeycomb | Nomex Honeycomb | Nomex Honeycomb |
| Inner Laminate | Glass Fibre | Kevlar | Kevlar | Glass Fibre & TexTreme® |
| Resin | Vinyl Ester (low temp.) | Epoxy (low temp.) | Epoxy (medium temp.) | Epoxy (high temp.) |
| Reinforcements | Glass Fibre | Carbon | High Modulus Carbon | High Modulus Carbon |
| Manufacturing Process | Infusion | Wet Layup | Wet Layup | Hybrid Wet Layup (outer) + Pre-Preg (inner) |
Mould Naming
Every Sykes hull number tells you about the boat. The three digits each mean something specific — for example, Mould 242:
2 — 2-person boat
4 — 4th generation hull shape
2 — Mould #2 in the series
Not sure which hull is right for your crew?
Our team has been matching rowers to boats for 50+ years. Get in touch and we'll talk you through the options based on your crew, weights, programs and goals.
67 Tucker Street, Breakwater Victoria 3219 | T 03 5221 3655
Australian designed and made · Built tough for Australian conditions · Used by beginners right through to Olympic gold medallists