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Re: epic 18x - rudder not so hot
By:Greg Jones
Date: 8/8/2009, 11:51 pm
In Response To: epic 18x (Craig Robinson)

I've paddled an 18X for two years. Nice boat overall - except the rudder. Lots of drag. Will not hold a straight line on the face of even the smallest waves. Read the SK Mag review of the 18X Sport and they confirm the rudder/tracking shortcoming. Epic is planning a retrofit some time next Spring. At the moment I have a wood/glass under-hull rudder taped to the little rudder "nub" to improve tracking. Thinking about trying to retrofit a Van Dusen over the stern rudder. Much to like about the 18X - not the rudder IMHO...

: Nice looking boat, the epic 18x. It features a bit in "the Kayak forward
: stroke 2nd edition" vid. It looks like it handles itself well in the
: surf as well.
: http://www.epickayaks.com/shop/store/accessories/the-kayak-forward-stroke-video
: . the vid makes a nice edition to one's kayaking library.

: I'm particularly interested in the 18X rudder. Our fastest sea kayak in Oz is
: the Mirage and it also features an integrated rudder. i like the idea so
: much that I've cut out the a$$ end of my OneOcean Cirrus to add my own
: integrated rudder. I won't be racing the Cirrus, i just did it because I
: don't like the look of over stern rudders .

: Keep us posted on what you design.
: cheers, Craig

Messages In This Thread

Other: Design Limits in Sea Kayak Races *LINK*
Ruedi -- 7/29/2009, 9:43 pm
Re: Other: Design Limits in Sea Kayak Races
Craig Robinson -- 7/29/2009, 11:57 pm
Look at Hans Friedel's "Raven" design
Robert N Pruden -- 7/30/2009, 9:00 am
and this one
Craig Robinson -- 7/30/2009, 6:51 pm
Re: and this one
Bill Hamm -- 8/1/2009, 12:47 am
Re: and this one
Ruedi Klein -- 7/30/2009, 9:20 pm
Re: and this one
Bill Hamm -- 8/1/2009, 12:49 am
epic 18x
Craig Robinson -- 8/1/2009, 2:17 am
Re: epic 18x - rudder not so hot
Greg Jones -- 8/8/2009, 11:51 pm
Re: epic 18x - rudder not so hot
Craig Robinson -- 8/9/2009, 3:46 am
Re: epic 18x - Shapes------WebKitFormBoundary94jHg
Greg Jones------WebKitFormBoundary94jHgqM3Lln+lv+z -- 8/9/2009, 12:37 pm
Re: epic 18x
Bill Hamm -- 8/2/2009, 1:42 am
Re: epic 18x
Ruedi -- 8/3/2009, 11:03 pm
Re: epic 18x
Bill Hamm -- 8/4/2009, 2:17 am
Re: and this one
Craig Robinson -- 7/31/2009, 1:13 am