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I have a Fenn 3 wing paddle which is a slightly smaller version of Fenn 4. It is the same size as Epic Sm-Mid Wing. I have both the Fenn & Epic for 3 yrs. This size wing paddle is great for long distance or for someone like me with a bad rotator cuff. The slightly smaller size is less tiring w/ a faster cadence. The Fenn 3 weighs about 32 oz. and the Epic is 23 oz. Both have adjustable lengths and feather. Epic has an oval shaft and Fenn is round.

I added a 1/8" thick 1" wide by 6" long rubber strips on both sides of the Fenn grip to simulate an oval shape. I used both paddles on an Epic V-10S surf ski, Seda glider and more recently on a Kirton Inuk. The Epic has a big plus on weight and the Fenn more durable wing since it's thicker and about $200 less. They feel almost the same while paddling. But some reason I prefer the Fenn slightly. I can't really pin point why. But must be the weight? Or maybe the minute difference in the wing design? I still need to try the other brands like Braca, QB, Lettmann etc... But like someone told me "better to concentrate on your paddling ability than on the equipment". Yes that's true but primates like us like to fiddle with different things.

So what's the bottom line? If you want super lite weight and can afford $400+ go for the Epic. If want something more durable for less money and the slightly heavier then Fenn is a possibility.

Kirton Inuk is rare in Calif. So I got mine in NJ thru the Classified Ads (PN). Having owned an Nordkap HMC, Epic V-10S and Seda Glider I thought the Inuk shouldn't be a problem on stability. On the water it tracks straight but unlike the Nordkapp & Glider, it turns more so. The difference is that the Inuk has a slight rocker. The stability reminds me of my Norkapp HMC (narrower than the new ones). The FG layout is thick on the hull and lite on the top side. This makes it durable where it's needed. Even though the cockpit opening is relatively small there is no problem sliding in. Seated inside, there is a lot space around my 33" waist. The original seat was removed and replaced with a shaped foam one. Figuring out the best the seat position for me took awhile.

The amazing thing with the Inuk is how much is glides in the water. Checking and comparing hydrostatic figures of different kayaks, the Inuk has the same efficiency at slow speeds of the better 16 ft. kayaks designs. It gets better past 6 mph. I've only paddled the Inuk in 4-6 ft. waves and I thought I was to capsize (I'm flat water paddler) a hundred times but did not! The very low deck behind the cockpit is a big plus for re-mount or roll.

Inuk is definitely for an intermediate or advanced kayaker. I rate it as 1 of the top 3 kayaks I've owned and tested. It's a great kayak design for me.

Think Fit looks like a K1 kayak -the ones used in the Olympics. According the manufacturer, the basic design was indeed based on 1960's K1 with modifications. I believe the width was increased amongst other features. So the stability is very good....like a 20" wide kayak. Secondary stability is slightly less.

First I noticed is the nice orange & gray color scheme. The weight is light at about 30# or so. There is no problem with portage. But the best feature of Think Fit is not the weight but the cockpit design. The comfort factor is one of the best, slightly better than my Epic V-10 Sports. The whole cockpit is like a bathtub. It is one piece and sealed from the hull. I believe it is the same one used on Think Evo surfski.

This is an exercise machine....fast and comfortable to paddle and lite weight. The only done side is after a capsize, the hull sits high on the water. But with proper re-mount technique, it's not an issue.

Seda Glider was love at first sight for me.
After paddling once a week for 4 years and owning 6 kayak previously, I know what I was looking for. The size of the cockpit is excellent for me. I can go in and out easily. Also easier to do self-rescue like - cowboy style and side straddle. It also makes my paddling style doable- legs together with knees pointing up.....like on a surfki or k1 kayak. I had to of course change the pedal to a kickboard with controls on top for the rudder.

It's straight tracking kayak and the down side is that it's more difficult to turn. I'm aware of the trade off. My Norkapp HMC was like that and I'm used to it.

The kevlar model I got is about 45#. And that's not too heavy and not lite either. I will never buy another 30# kayak from a bad experience I had. It flies on top of the water after a capsize with a super strong wind gust. A paddle leash attached to the kayak was my only salvation. Advanced paddlers might not have this problem.

When it comes to speed, I was able to paddle the Glider at 6 mph for 30 min. straight. That might not be that fast but I can't even do over 5mph on my Epic V-10 sports surfski (afraid to capsize?).

I feel confident when I paddle my Seda Glider just like my Nordkapp HMC. Is it perfect? No such think. BTW, I did not have any issues with quality... Excellent kayak!!!

I wanted to try a surfski in 2007 after kayaking for a year and a half with my Nordkapp. After extensive research, I chose the Epic V10-Sport with the blue stripe on the side. I knew that I had to capsize a lot in my learning curve but how long? Fortunately I read an article by David Mocke, one of the top surfski paddler in the world, that 5-8 hours of paddling time is all that it takes. So I paddled at the Berkeley Aquatic Park which has a waist deep water. I also recorded my paddling time each session. And on about the 7th hour of total paddling time, I was ready for the Oakland Estuaries.

Paddling the V10-S was addicting. The re-mount was doable unlike with my kayak which is very difficult and time consuming. I ended up just using the surfski every Saturday. Poor Nordkapp.

The only complaint I heard from others with the V10-Sport is the wide cockpit. I tried all kinds of side padding and nothing seem to work the way I like it. But then there is the NRS hip pads (available in most kayak stores) that were in my parts bin that I tried. That one worked!

As a whole, the V10-Sport design and function is excellent. The cockpit layout is better than most and very comfortable. I wish I had the horse power to take full advantage of the V10-Sport capabilities. Definitely an enjoyable experience for me.

I first paddled the Suka several months ago at a demo day in Half Moon Bay, California. The fit was perfect. My size is probably the max for this kayak: 5'9" tall and 155 lbs. I think any larger will be a tight fit. Current Designs designed the Suka for 150 lbs. or less. A month passed and I get to try the Suka again in a paddle clinic in Sacramento River. This time about 2-3 hours of paddling.

I rate the Suka way up there on my list....better than the Caribou, Solstice, Capella, Seayak, etc... Why? I like the perfect fit. It feels like I'm one with the kayak. The hard chine makes for a easy turn while leaning to one side. The cockpit is large enough to pull out my legs to dangle on the side. The size is just right for me. Easy to paddle and portage. For super long distance, I use my Nordkapp. And for straight line exercise & speed I'd use my V10-S surfski.

I ended buying a used Epic 16 -2006 model due to its’ light weight….39 lbs. My Nordkapp HMC is 58 lbs. and paddling once a week single handed was not fun for a guy who is not that strong. What I mean is the loading and unloading it from my van. I sold my NS Fuego due to the small cockpit opening (my idiosyncrasy) and kept my Nordkapp HMC. The Epic 16 I did not quite understand at the beginning. With the rudder up it is very nimble which is excellent but on the down side it does not track straight. I figured that this kayak was made to use a rudder.

Initially I had problems using the rudder pedal. No matter what I do, my toes invariably push the pedal. So the kayak goes zig zag. A guy at the CCK store (Oakland CA) by the name of Socrates advised me on how to adjust the height of the rudder pedal. And boom……problem solved.

I also did some minor modifications. The plastic fittings that hold the perimeter lines were giving me problems. The 3/16” cord slips out when I pull hard on it after a wet exit re-entry maneuver. I replaced the said fittings with the better ones from Necky? The people at CCK ordered it for me.

Now that I have been paddling Epic 16 for awhile, I must say that I’m beginning to really like this kayak. It is fast……6.7 mph w/ current assist (GPS) on a sprint using a wing paddle. Easy to load on my van due to its’ light weight. It is straight tracking with the rudder. And if I have to maneuver a lot like in a corkscrew slough, the rudder goes up. And did I say it looks like a red Ferrari?

The Epic Touring 16 has been replaced by Epic 16X in 2007.

I tried the Epic Rec GP carbonlite today at the Oakland Estuary, Calif. The wind was moderate as well as the waves. I find it very easy to paddle and it is fast for a relatively short kayak. It is so light I can lift it with one hand. The cockpit size is what I prefered- slightly roomier but not excessively so....I'm 5'8" 155 lbs. Definitely easy to turn specially with some leaning. No problem with tracking either. This kayak fights short waves (1-1/2 ft.) confidently. I was told by a kayak instructor that the bow digs into heavy waves partly due to his 250 lbs weight. I think I don't have the experience to try this small kayak in such waves. But then this is a recreational kayak.

I've been kayaking almost twice a week in the last two months and the Epic Rec GP impressed me as compared to some really good ones out there (about 10 seakayaks total).