Can anyone give me some information on this kayak? I am thinking about purchasing mid range kayak. I have read the specs on it but I am looking for actual paddlers who have had experiences with this kayak and can offer good advice.
I have one
What would you like to know? And what about you? Height & weight? Intended use & paddling environment? Experience level? The usual stuff.
Epic GPX kayak
Ok 5’2", 120 intermediate paddle experience I paddle rivers, some open water and want to continue with this style of paddling.
Epic GPX
OK, the little Epic will not fit you like a glove, but that’s not really intended. Your definition of “mid range” and mine are probably different. The GPX is a comfortable little rec boat. It’s not a sea kayak, but it’s head and shoulders above the Tupperware rec boats. I use mine to putz around on small lakes and bays. Slow flat water rivers would be fine. You say “open water.” I don’t take mine on the ocean. I have sea kayaks for that. However, in benign conditions I suppose you could if you’re conservative and have skills, but it’s not a bona fide offshore boat by any stretch. You’re 60 pounds lighter than I, so the boat will float you fine even with a bit of gear in the rear hatch. Since it’s pretty much a plumb bow & stern design, it’s faster than you’d think for it’s length. Turns on a dime but not hard to keep it tracking straight. You probably know it very light, which someone your size will appreciate. I don’t intend to ever sell mine, if that says anything. Using it within it’s design purpose I think it’s a fine boat.
The Epic GPX
is a fine, short sea kayak. After 23 years of shlepping long, heavy kayaks, last year I bought a GPX. It’ a very well designed, highly efficient boat that will cruise easily with the long, narrow boats. It’s fully decked so all you need is a well fitting spray skirt and you’ve got a “sea kayak”. I paddle mine on the same waters where I’ve paddled long boats for years and the boat handles it all very well and is an exceptional wind wave surfer.There is one caveat though. The GPX weathercocks a lot and that can make you crazy in a quartering wind and chop. Fortunately, the solution is easy, just make and install a small, fixed skeg. It’s not difficult; I made mine from a $2 PVC cutting board, cut it out with a coping saw and affixed it with some sticky stuff from Home Despot called “Goop”. It doesn’t need to be very large; mine works fine and it’s about 8 square inches. Place it about half way between the back of the cockpit and the stern. It’s a good idea to first snap a chalk line from bow to stern just to be sure that you set the skeg in a perfectly straight line. I’ve done this with a couple of other boats using the always reliable WAG (wild-assed guess) method for size and placement. Anyway, first draw a template on cardboard and use your high school geometry class skills to work out a slightly elliptical section about 8 or 9 inches square. Or it can be a long right triangle which is even easier but not as pretty. Then you’ll have yourself a super, little boat. You could even call it a " sea kayak" if that makes you happy.
Epic Kayak