Mid-wing Round Shaft Kit

This is my third Epic mid-wing since 2000. I had looked around a bit for something out of the country, but service from Greg Barton has been exceptional. When my wife ordered my first one, as a gift, he was most helpful. A couple of years later, when I wanted to shorten it, and when I had a problem with my adjustable slipping, a few words from Barton and I was back on the water.

Over the last couple of years I've gone from 218 to 216 and more recently, 212-213. I wanted a one piece for training and to save my adjustable for traveling/racing. I ordered a full carbon shaft with "blem" blades at less than half the cost of my adjustable. My kit arrived in only a few days and I saved even more with the blades/shaft being seperate. Shipping a one piece is around $45.

I had wondered if I would miss the ovaling on my adjustable, but the kit felt great in only a mile a or two and is super light with no extra shaft or joint.

Over the winter I had read of someone that wanted to cut a paddle down from 218-212 and ended up with a 202! I was very careful to measure twice. I used "Ace" marine epoxy which is black/white and mixes grey. This was no problem as the blade slides on beneath the shaft. The "Ace" epoxy allowed me plenty of time to adjust and check my desired feather angle of 75 degrees. I let it cure for the full twenty-four hours. In the past I've used Devcon two ton or five minute, which dry clear, with fine results. I used a tiny needle file to mark my spot and followed with a fine toothed hacksaw, then gently trued my cut end on a belt sander. My kit came with two signature decals and I elected to put one in the middle instead of next to the blades, in order to make it easier to identify (lots of mid-wings at races). I got it quick, everything fit together perfectly, it's light as a toothpick and paddles great! I think it would be a very fine choice for anyone that wanted to try a wing on a tight budjet.