Epic Touring Kayaks' Design Features Revealed
At Epic kayaks we've taken the principles behind high-performance racing equipment, combined them with our knowledge of racing kayaks, and adapted them to make touring kayaks that are efficient and stable. No matter what type of paddling you do, you'll do it better, and with less effort, using an Epic kayak!
1. Full Waterline Length: Nearly the full length of an Epic kayak is in the water. Our experience and testing have shown that long overhanging bows offer no benefit. A full-length waterline provides maximum efficiency going forward, and creates more volume in the bow for better rough water performance.
2. Advanced Rocker Profile: The rocker in Epic kayaks have been optimized to provide superb handling in all water conditions.
Video demonstrating difference in rocker profiles and performance.
3. Swede Form Hull Shape: A swede form kayak hull design is wider behind the seat for better stability, and narrower in the bow for a smoother entry into the water and a close efficient catch with the forrwad stroke. Swede form hulls are considered faster than the traditional "fish form" hulls, which are wider in the forward seciton.
14X kayak with "Swede form" clearly visible from above.
4. Front Deck Cutaways: Epic's cutaway front deck design allows a close, efficient catch at the start of every stroke.
View of 18X Sport cockpit. Note the deck cutaways in front of cockpit for a closer catch with the forward stroke,
5. Integrated Padded Thigh Braces: Padded thigh braces are molded under the deck of the cockpit. Paddlers can comfortably lock their knees under the deck for rough water performance, or keep their knees centered in the middle of the cockpit to incorporate leg movement for more efficiency and power.
Interior view of Epic touring kayak with partial footboard and rudder pedals.
6. Adjustable backrest and seat position: Epic touring kayak backrests provide ergonomic lower back support without interering in optiium torso rotation. The seat can be moved into mulitple positioins to fine tune your cockpit position for maximum efficiency and personal comfort.
Seat and adjustable backrest in the 18X Sport kayak.
7. Lightweight, High Tech Materials: Epic kayaks are made with strong, durable, lightweight materials including carbon fiber, Kevlar, fiberglass and a specially formulated epoxy resin which is stronger and tougher than polyester or vinyl ester resin. Epic's sandwich core construction process with these materials ensures our kayaks are extremely stiff, strong, durable and light.
Interior of 18X Sport rear hatch, showing epoxy-infused foam core, carbon layer, and kevlar bulkhead.
8. Vacuum Infusion with Heat Cure: Epoxy resin is infused into our kayaks under full vacuum. This eliminates voids and produces Epic's signature high strength and lightweight standards. After infusion, our boats are post-cured at elevated temperatures to create the strongest and lightest touring kayaks on the market.
Check out the full lineup of Epic Touring Kayaks