Epic V Series User manual
V-SERIES SURF SKI
USER GUIDE
USER GUIDE
PAGE 2
Congratulations
on your
purchase of an Epic surf ski!
Whether you're a beginning
recreational paddler or a highly
competitive racer, your new
Epic surf ski will improve your
paddling experience. Our
models are optimized for ease of
handling, efficiency in the water,
and
are extremely light weight.
We hope you enjoy our products
as much as we do. See you on
the water!
Greg Barton
2 X Olympic Gold Medalist
2 x Olympic Bronze Medalist
4 x World Championship Gold Medalist
Designed by Champions
USER GUIDE
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www.epickayaks.com
The Epic Kayaks website
ensures you have
convenient access to the latest paddling
news and articles, tips, user guides and
product
information ‐‐ all at your
fingertips!
Ease of navigation and content layout are
key elements of the Epic website. We hope
you enjoy the website,
and that it helps
answer any questions you have regarding
your new Epic and the exciting world of
surf ski paddling. Refer to our FAQ page
https://www.epickayaks.com/faq
for
answers to Frequently Asked Quest
ions.
USER GUIDE
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V‐SERIES SURF SKIS:
Layup Information:
Polyethylene
Rotomoulded Polyethylene
Molded in graphics
Performance
Infusion grade foam core
A composite hybrid of fiberglass, carbon fiber, and
Kevlar
Vacuum infused, heat-cured epoxy
Black bow & stern accents
Ultra
Nomex honeycomb core
A composite hybrid of Woven Kevlar fabric, carbon fiber
and fiberglass
Vacuum bagged, heat-cured epoxy
Red bow & stern accents
Elite
Nomex honeycomb core
3K carbon fiber laminate
Vacuum bagged, heat-cured epoxy
Black or Grey gel coat with white bow and stern accents.
light cosmetic imperfections should be expected in the
finish of the Elite layup boats.
V‐Series Specifications
See www.epickayaks.com for your model specifications or
reach out to info@epickayaks.com
USER GUIDE
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The V‐Series Footboard System
The V‐Series footboard system (photo 1) has been designed to enhance leg drive and
body rotation for an optimal forward stroke. The carbon fiber footboard fits across the
width of the single footwell, giving paddlers the luxury of comfortably centering both
feet and knees. A centered foot and knee position allows better leg movement and full
rotation for a more comfortable, powerful and efficient forward stroke.
The V‐Series footboard system is fully adjustable. We recommend you initially set the
footboard to your desired setting on land, or in calm shallow water, while protecting
the rudder. This will allow you to get in and out if necessary, and easily make
adjustments in a safe environment. Once set to the desired length, the footboard
remains locked in position.
Two pedals on top of the footboard operate the rudder at the back of the ski. This
provides a solid platform to brace your legs, while still allowing you to control the
rudder with your toes.
See our FAQ page for videos on how to set up your new Surfski
https://www.epickayaks.com/faq
Photo 1. V‐Series footboard system
Photo 2. V‐Series back side of footboard system, dyneema cord and pins to adjust
length
Footboard Operation
The footboard runs on two rails which are attached to either side of the footwell (photo
2). The rails have notched holes that catch pins coming from the back of the footboard.
Follow the procedure below to adjust the settings of your footboard:
1. Reach behind the footboard and grasp the dyneema cord running the length of
the backside.
2. Pull on the cord to release the pins that set the footboard in the rails.
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3. While pulling the cord (with the pins released) use the palm of your hand to
slide the footboard forward or back to the desired position.
4. Once the footboard is in position, let go of the cord. This will release the pins
back into the rails.
5. Apply pressure to ensure that the holes on the rails capture the pins and lock in
the footboard. The rudder lines running through the pedals on top of the
footboard are self‐adjusting. Simply set the footboard at the desired setting and
you’re ready to go.
It may take one or two tries to find the optimal position, but the luxury of this system is
that you can try as many as you like! And, use the handy number scale on the side of
the footwell to reset your footboard position if someone else uses your boat!
Correct Positioning of the Footboard
Setting up your surf ski is a personal task. We recommend you position the footboard
so it provides a solid platform for your feet, allows comfortable leg extension on your
forward stroke, and allows easy manipulation of the toe pedals for rudder control. A
slight bend to your knees will ensure you can rotate and work your legs while
paddling. Use the Velcro® strap adjustment to set footstrap tightness.
Footboard Maintenance
The V‐Series footboard is very user friendly and you should not encounter any
problems with its operation. Routinely rinsing the footboard, rails and footstrap after
use will keep salt, sand and other debris from collecting and hindering the action of the
footboard. A light application of silicone spray applied to the notched rails once or
twice a season will keep your footboard moving smoothly.
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The V‐Series Rudder
Rudder Operation
The V‐Series rudder is operated with the two toe pedals on top of the carbon footboard.
This “gas pedal” type system is extremely easy to operate. To turn the bow of the surf
ski to the right, simply push the right toe pedal forward. To bring it back to center,
push the left pedal forward until the two pedals are back in line vertically (and vice
versa to point the bow to the left.)
While underway the rudder does not lock in a fixed center position. To keep the rudder
centered and “neutral”, keep equal pressure on the toe pedals, keeping them both in
line. This is a natural and comfortable position, and allows for instant corrections while
paddling.
Do not over‐correct with your rudder! V‐Series surf skis are surprisingly
maneuverable, and the rudder is easy to use and very responsive. While underway,
start your corrections in small increments, with small adjustments to the rudder, and
then correct accordingly. Pushing the pedals back and forth aggressively will only
frustrate you and keep the ski from finding the line you want!
Rudder Options & Initial Rudder Installation
V‐Series surf skis are sold with either Epic’s surf, weedless, universal or roughwater
weedless rudder depending on where the ski is purchased. All rudder designs are
installed the same way. New surf skis are sent from Epic with the following materials
included: rudder, rudder pin, spreader bar (with rudder lines attached), and an allen
wrench. The smaller items are shipped inside the rudder access cover (photo 4) or
inside the Velcro pouch on your rudder flag. The rudder is wrapped separately for
protection, and then secured and shipped in the footwell.
Photo 3. V‐Series – installed Universal rudder and small weed guard
Photo 4. V‐Series – rudder access cover with materials as shipped: allen wrench,
spreader bar, rudder pins
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To install the rudder, begin by opening the rudder access cover (loosen in a counter‐
clockwise direction). Run the rudder post up through the rudder housing in the hull of
the ski (photo 5). Then put the rudder pin through the small hole in the top of the
rudder post and center the pin (photos 6 and 7). The pin ensures the rudder post is
firmly captured and cannot spin in the spreader bar assembly once the assembly is
tightened. Place the spreader bar over the top of the rudder post (photo 8) and tighten
the two spreader bar bolts so that the top of the rudder post and the pin ends are
pinched and held fast. Tighten the screws with the allen wrench (photos 9 and 10).
Photo 5. V‐Series – run rudder post up through rudder housing
in hull of boat
Photo 6. V‐Series – place rudder pin through hole in top of
rudder post
Photo 7. V‐Series – center rudder pin in rudder post
Photo 8. V‐Series – place spreader bar over top of rudder post
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Photo 9. V‐Series – once spreader bar is over the top of the rudder post, use allen
wrench to tighten the spreader bar bolts so that top of rudder post and pin ends are
pinched and held fast
Photo 10. V‐Series – rudder installed
Correct Positioning/Adjustments of the Rudder
The rudder is controlled with rudder lines that run from the white barrel adjuster
(turnbuckle), through the footboard pedals back to a spreader bar in the stern. The
spreader bar is accessed by removing the small, round rudder access cover at the stern
of the ski. The cover loosens in a counter‐clockwise direction.
The rudder lines, by being joined at the barrel adjuster and spreader bar effectively
form a complete loop. This allows the footboard to be moved forward or backwards
along the track, without needing adjustment. If at any time the rudder becomes out of
alignment (Pedals are parallel and the rudder is not straight), corrections can be made
as follows: Align the rudder in a straight position (best done with a 2nd person who can
hold the rudder in the straight position) take up the slack at the pedals, one will be
further forward than the other (as they are out of alignment). Move the forward pedal
back half the distance between the two pedals, this will create a small amount of slack
behind this pedal, pass/work the slack through that pedal, through the rail end, across
the front of the cockpit and back through the opposing pedal, by so doing you have
brought the forward paddle back by half the distance between them and moved the rear
pedal forward by the same amount. They should now be aligned. If not, a 2nd ‘fine tune’
adjustment using the same method may be required.
Adjustments to the pedal angles (typically they line up with the footboard) can be made
using the barrel adjuster, to unscrew the adjuster creates more length in the loop, and
will allow the pedals to be further forward, to tighten/shorten brings the pedals back
towards the paddler. Those that paddle with footwear may want their pedals further
forward to limit unwanted pedal input during the leg drive.
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Rudder Maintenance & Removal
Maintaining and working with V‐Series rudders is easy. They are designed to be low
profile, unobtrusive and hassle free. There is very little hardware and few moving parts
to worry about. Remove the cover and rinse the rudder in fresh water after you paddle.
To switch out rudders or completely remove the rudder for maintenance or repair,
begin by opening the rudder access cover (loosen in a counter‐clockwise direction). The
spreader bar assembly is opened by loosening the two spreader bar bolts ‐‐ use the allen
wrench provided with your boat (photo 11). Once the spreader bar bolts are unfastened,
the rudder will be loose. BEFORE pulling the rudder post free from the hull, be sure to
remove the small pin inserted in the top of the rudder post. This will allow you to pull
the rudder blade and post completely clear of the rudder housing. Keep track of your
pin (e.g. tape it to your rudder) (photo 12)! Reattach a rudder by tightening the spreader
bar assembly back around the rudder post and pin when the rudder is back in place (if
needed see Initial Rudder Installation section above).
Photo 11. V‐Series – loosen spreader bar assembly using allen wrench
Photo 12. V‐Series – be sure to remove and keep track of rudder pin removed from
top of rudder post, e.g., tape it to your rudder post
Smart Track Overstern Rudder
Some Surf Skis (V6) come standard with the Smart Track overstern rudder.
For installation instruction please see our FAQ page. https://www.epickayaks.com/faq
Bailer operation and Maintenance
Your Epic Surfski comes standard with the Epic bailer. Our Patented Epic Bailer drains
up to 6 times faster than previous metal bailers or venturie systems. It also allows
multiple positions that can be adjusted to suit conditions, or closed off completely for a
more dry cockpit and no drag paddling in calmer conditions.
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