Epic GPX

I bought the Epic GPX kayak performance model in 2018. I have 64 years of paddling experience(!!!), and at 72, still paddle both my outrigger canoe and my GPX. I found the GPX kayak to be maneuverable, light, and responsive. It has very good speed for a short boat, as one would expect from Epic...I could keep up with kayaks longer than mine and paddlers younger than me just fine. I did find a couple of problems, both of which I solved by DIY actions. First, the boat will veer off to the left or right after paddline is stopped, making wildlife observation or photography difficult. Second, the seat back was pathetic, uncomfortable and useless. I replaced the seat back with a custom, aluminum-backed foam unit just to fit my back...problem solved. I also added a very small, permanent skeg at the stern keel line, made from a sliver of an old kayak rudder I had lying around. Again, problem solved. Now it is a near perfect kayak... still light, still speedy, still maneuverable enough to turn easily, but tracks well enough after stopping paddling to take wildlife photos.

I own a 2011 Epic GPX (37 lbs.). I find the boat to be nicely made, reasonably stable, and quite fast; it's also a really nice looking boat. However, I agree with a previous comment that the GPX does have tracking issues. Maybe this is not a problem to some? Those who paddle on rivers might appreciate the boat's nimbleness and easy turning. On lakes, though, it's annoying that the boat goes into an immediate turn whenever you stop paddling. A skeg option on the GPX would have been nice (I plan to add an aftermarket one). One other thing - I'm also not a fan of the GPX seat. The back band is not adequate support, in my opinion, and I've also had problems with chipping away of the black plastic finish of the seat bottom.

I am a very experienced paddler. (5.9/184lb) I purchased a new GPX ( 29lb) in December in Charleston. I was very happy with the weight and finish. I tested the GPX in choppy water on a windy day and thus did not appreciate that the kayak would not track well. It needed constant correction. I thought I had made a mistake buying the GPX. So I started experimenting with a small skegs stuck to the hull with duck tape. To my delight a small skeg corrected this weakness. After deciding on the right shape and size I made a plaster mold and engaged Johansen Boat Works in Vero Beach Fla to make a mold and a skeg. Mission accomplished.

The GPX with a black skeg matching the color of the bow and stern not only looks great it now performs extremely wall requiring minimal correction even in windy conditions. It is very comfortable and stable. I believe Epic should consider offering skeg at least as an option as it dramatically improves tracking performance and thus raising my rating to 10 with a skeg.

Agree with the good previous reviews 100% I bought a GPX Performance last winter and was so happy with it I've ordered a GPX ultra. Wondered about the stability but it is much more stable than I expected along with unbelievable ease of paddling for long trips. I like everything about it.

Howdy fellow kayakers and those of you looking for a great smaller, fast and stable kayak. This is my small review of the Epic GPX 12' 11" fiberglass model 36 lbs, yellow and white. I'm 5'11" 225 lb. size 11 boot, as of this writing 52 years old. Been paddling kayaks off and on since I was in my mid 20s mostly on MN lakes and rivers.

My main kayak is an old 1975 Hyper-Craft 13' 11" X 24" wide crossover kayak, kevlar hull and fiberglass deck @ 34 lbs. The Hyper-Craft has a rather smallish cockpit and a seat that is a little tight but this old boat is fun to paddle on days when the wind is on the calm side. The boat is fast to a point then it will start to loose control, when this happens I'm usually paddling as fast as I can paddle anyway. The boat is fun, fast, and stable, it will flip if careless or in a heavy tail wind.

The GPX has not flipped over in a heavy tail wind or huge 2+ foot whitecaps I always feel safe, scared at first but safe it also works good for fishing it is nice and stable.

Epic GPX:
To fully enjoy any sport you need the proper Quality equipment and kayaking is no different. Start with the Epic GPX beautiful lines, that is what first grabbed my attention a real beauty in every way. The tall bow with the low stern and very little to no rocker to slow you down. The cockpit is big this aids in entry and exit, foot pegs are easy to adjust the seat and back-band are comfortable. The forward deck has a special shape allowing extra clearance for optimal paddle stroke, no banging of knuckles. GPX has a very nice storage area behind the seat and ample deck lines and rigging for extra gear and safety.

Epic Kayaks are designed by 2X Olympic Gold and 11X World Champs, Greg Barton and Oscar Chalupsky. The kayaking experience of these two Premier Kayakers shows in the design, handling and speed of the GPX. Who designed your kayak?

This is a very fast kayak, call it a little rocket if you will, very easily controlled without need for a rudder or skeg. Been out on 30 + mph windy days 2 foot whitecaps the boat handled well going into, with and across the wind and waves. At first the huge waves scared me but after a few miles I sat back and enjoyed the beauty of the moment, waves, spray and all. Paddling into the 30 mph wind never really slowed me down that much I made great headway with every paddle stroke. Never felt like I might loose control, tip or anything, the boat will weather cock into the wind but easy to correct with technique. This boat does not ride up over big waves like my Hyper-Craft, a spray skirt for rough water is a good idea you will get wet. I have no experience ocean paddling only cold MN lakes, the Hyper-Craft will nose dive coming over the top of huge waves.

I can't say enough good things about this little kayak, beautiful, fast, stable, low profile, nice tracking, edging, control. Spending extra for a quality kayak is in my opinion money well spent, you will get much more enjoyment. Spending money on a plastic toy tub to save a few hundred is a very disappointing experience you will never reach nirvana.

Go paddle an Epic GPX then be prepared to find out how really pathetic and disappointing your current kayak is in comparison.

For the curious:
Download the wonderful kayak design program Bear Boat SP then go to the Analysis and do the KAPER comparison. Pick the (Epic Rec. 13) and compare it to any kayak listed you will see how fast this little kayak really is. From my personal experience I say it is even faster than what the KAPER comparison shows, a wonderful kayak in every way.

I just love my kayak couldn't be more happy.