What are Epic Surfskis main design features?

 

Epic Surfskis are designed and assembled to precise specifications. The DNA of each Epic craft comes from a design and manufacturing philosophy that they must perform at optimal efficiency. What does that mean? It means every component on the surfski must perform perfectly and be built to strict standards. It means we go to great lengths to ensure that each Epic is safe, strong, stiff and durable.

 

Epic surfskis are designed in the USA by Epic founder and world renowned Sprint Kayaker, Greg Barton. He won 2 Olympic Gold medals in sprint kayaking, and numerous awards in other disciplines – marathon, outrigger, and surfski. Greg received a BSE degree (Summa Cum Laude) in mechanical engineering in 1983 from the University of Michigan and combines his understanding of competing and winning at the highest level of paddlesports to design the best surfskis on the water. His design philosophy is that every Epic customer should benefit from excellent, performance driven designs that allow them to paddle to the best of their ability, and have fun on the water.

 

Epic Surfski design features:

 

1. CAD design. Epic Surfskis are designed using CAD software and multiple drag simulation methods are combined with years of real world testing and experience before prototypes are finalized and tested. Our plugs are then CNC cut to ensure perfect transfer of tested design to manufactured boat.

 

2. Handling. Epic optimizes each ski design for its intended use – taking into account the skill of the paddler and conditions they are likely to encounter. We balance low drag hulls with desired stability, rocker profile and handling characteristics. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to have fun, an intermediate paddler racing on smaller bodies of water or an expert wanting great surfability for full ocean downwind conditions, Epic has the perfect ski for you!

 

3. Front Deck Cutaways. Epic's signature cutaway front deck designs allow a close, efficient catch at the start of every stroke.

 

4. Stringer. Epic surfskis use honeycomb or closed cell foam stringers to increase the boat’s strength and rigidity. These materials do not soak up water, unlike skis built with EPS foam which will gradually increase in weight as the stringer absorbs water.

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5. Rudder Box. Epic goes to great lengths to add 7 extra layers of material to the rudder area of our surfskis. This allows an Epic to withstand heavier knocks than the competition in this area, without damage to the surfski. Without extra strength in this key area, the rudder is prone to punching through the boat when hitting an object in the water or dropping your surfski by mistake.

 

6. Lightweight, High Quality Materials. Composite passenger jets use the highest grade of material they can get. Composite Epic surfskis are also made with high grade, 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.

 

Fiberglass has many different grades. Our fiberglass is a fine woven mat, which has much stronger properties than cheaper, chop strand fiberglass.

 

Every Epic surfski layup contains carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is the stiffest & most expensive material in surfski construction. A stiff surfski performs much better than a flexible surfski due to less energy loss.

• The Elite construction uses carbon in the entire boat.

• The Ultra layup uses carbon & kevlar to make a light, yet very strong layup.

• The Performance grade layup uses carbon and fiberglass and is our strongest layup.

Epic's sandwich core construction process with these materials ensures our craft are extremely stiff, strong, durable and light.

 

7. Heat Cure. All Epic surfskis are cured (baked in an oven) at elevated temperatures under vacuum to create the strongest, lightest and stiffest surfskis on the market. This adds cost to the manufacturing process, but ensures the finest quality and stiffness.

 

8. Epic patented bailer. Our Patented Epic Bailer drains up to 6 times faster than previous metal bailers or venturie systems. It also allows multiple positions that can be adjusted to suit conditions, or closed off completely for a more dry cockpit and no drag paddling in calmer conditions.

 

9. Comfort. We are well known in the industry for our comfortable cockpits and surfski seating positions. A surfski cockpit design is a science and every Epic surfski is carefully designed for optimal comfort. Greg has logged well over 10,000 hours sitting in kayak seats and cockpits of various configurations. What started as modifications to his Olympic sprint kayak seats and foot braces to make them more comfortable and responsive has continued in optimizing today’s Epic cockpits for maximum comfort and performance.

 

10. Ergonomic Handles. Many of the wider Epic surfski designs include ergonomic carry handles on the bow, stern and on each side. This makes our surfskis easier to handle out of the water and when remounting in deep water.

 

11. Adjustable footboard. Our footboards are fully adjustable to fit a wide range of paddlers. The adjustment process takes a few seconds and no tools are needed. Our rudder lines automatically adjust during any footboard adjustment.

 

12. Epic craftsmen & craftswomen. The Epic manufacturing facility is headed up by master surfski builder, Tyrell Impson who leads a team of highly skilled staff. Many of our manufacturing staff started off their careers as carpenters. Our factory have their own surfski race team, consisting of 14 paddlers who travel and race the surfskis they build. Having our staff understand legendary performance paddling is a key component of our brand.

 

When you choose a surfski, ask the questions! Who designed the surfski & its components, what is their experience? What materials are used under the skin? How are the surfskis manufactured? Do your research well, have confidence in your choice and see you on the water.