Epic X Series User manual

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
16X,18Xand18XSPORTMODELS
1JANUARY2016VERSION
TABLEOFCONTENTS
CongratulationsfromEpic!
TheEpicKayakswebsite:www.epickayaks.com
OutontheWater–DotheComparison!
X‐SERIESTOURINGKAYAKS–THE16X,18Xand18XSPORTMODELS
X‐SeriesSpecifications
16X,18X,18XSport
X‐SeriesCockpitDesign
X‐SeriesAdjustableSeat
Operation,CorrectPositioningandMaintenance
X‐SeriesFootboardSystem
Operation,CorrectPositioningandMaintenance
X‐SeriesBackband
OperationandMaintenance
BenefitsofaRudder
TrackMasterTMSteeringSystem
Operation,CorrectPositioningandMaintenance
X‐SeriesStorageHatches
OperationandMaintenance
X‐SeriesDeckRigging
Maintenance
OverallKayakCare
TakeSpecialCareofYourUltraLayup!
StoringYourKayak
TransportingYourKayak
RecommendedGearandAccessories
WarrantyTerms
Returns(Warranty/Repairs)
PHOTOS
Photo1.X‐Series‐‐toadjustseat,pulluponreleasebutton
Photo2.X‐Series‐‐frontofseat,releasebuttonandcockpitrail
Photo3.X‐Series‐‐knees/legscomfortablycenteredincockpit
Photo4.X‐Series‐‐knees/legslockedunderintegratedthighbracesincockpit
Photo5.X‐Series‐‐toadjustfootboard,graspandpulldownonfootboardcordtoreleasepins
Photo6.X‐Series–strapsandbucklesforadjustingbackband
Photo7.X‐Series–verticalheightpinandthreeadjustmentholesonbackband
Photo8.X‐Series‐‐TrackMasterTMrudder
Photo9.X‐Seriesspreaderbarandpedallines
Photo10.X‐Series‐‐rudderremoval–loosening13mmbolt
Photo11.X‐Series‐‐onemetalcamleverflippedupandVelcro®/straploosened
Photo12.X‐Series‐‐leversopen,Velcro®/strapsloosened,hatchcoverremoved

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
CongratulationsonyourpurchaseofanEpicKayak!Whetheryou'reabeginningrecreationalpaddlerora
highlycompetitiveracer,yournewEpickayakwillimproveyourpaddlingexperience.Afterenjoyingthebenefitsof
lightweight,well‐designedracingequipment,itwasashocktousthefirsttimewepaddledwithheavy,unrefined
touringkayaksandpaddles.Wethought,"Whycan'tmoderntechnologybeusedtobuildbettertouring
equipment?"We'vepaddledtheequivalentofsixtimesaroundtheworldwith70yearscombinedexperienceinall
waterconditions.Ourpassionforpaddlingandknowledgeofhigh‐performanceracingtechnologyiscontainedin
everyEpic‐designedkayakandpaddle.Ourmodelsareoptimizedforeaseofhandling,efficiencyinthewater,and
tobeextremelylightweight.Wehopeyouenjoyourproductsasmuchaswedo.Seeyouonthewater!
GregBarton
2XOlympicGoldMedalist
www.epickayaks.com
TheEpicKayakswebsiteensuresyouhaveconvenientaccesstothelatestpaddlingnewsandarticles,tips,a
convenientcalendarofevents,userguidesandproductinformation‐‐allatyourfingertips!And/orchooseto
subscribetoourmonthlyEpice‐newsletterandreceiveconcisebulletedupdatesonawidearrayofpaddlesports
happeningsaroundtheworld.
EaseofnavigationandcontentlayoutarekeyelementsoftheEpicwebsite.Wehopeyouenjoythewebsiteas
muchaswedo,andthatithelpsansweranyquestionsyouhaveregardingEpicandtheexcitingworldof
paddlesports.Feelfreetocontactuswithanycommentsorquestionsat[email protected].
OutontheWater–DotheComparison!
YouprobablyknowallaboutEpic’ssuperiordesignfeatures–afterall,youdecidedtobuyone!However,onthe
dock,atthebeach,orwhileyou’reoutonthewater,noteandcomparethesedesignfeaturesinyournewEpic
kayak!
1. FullWaterlineLength.NearlythefulllengthofanEpickayakisinthewater.Ourexperienceandtesting
haveshownthatlongoverhangingbowsoffernobenefit.Afull‐lengthwaterlineprovidesmaximum
efficiencygoingforward,andcreatesmorevolumeinthebowforbetterroughwaterperformance.
2. SwedeFormShape.ASwedeformkayakiswiderbehindtheseatforbetterstability,andnarrowerinthe
bowforasmoothentryintothewaterandacloseefficientstroke.
3. AdvancedRockerProfile.TherockerinEpickayakshasbeenoptimizedtoprovidesuperbhandlinginall
waterconditions.
4. FrontDeckCutaways.Epic'scutawayfrontdeckdesignallowsaclose,efficientcatchatthestartofevery
stroke.
5. IntegratedThighBraces.ThethighbracesonanEpickayakaremoldedunderthedeckofthecockpit.
Paddlerscanlocktheirkneesunderthethighbracesforroughwaterperformance,orkeeptheirknees
centeredinthemiddleofthecockpittoincorporatelegmovementformoreefficiencyandpower.
6. Lightweight,HighTechMaterials.Epickayaksaremadewithstrong,durable,lightweightmaterials
includingcarbonfiber,aramidfabric,fiberglassandaspeciallyformulatedepoxyresinwhichisstronger
andtougherthanpolyesterorvinylesterresin.Epic'ssandwichcoreconstructionprocesswiththese
materialsensuresourkayaksarenoticeablylighterthananyofthecompetition.
7. VacuumInfusionwithHeatCure.Epoxyresinisinfusedintoourkayaksunderfullvacuum.This
eliminatesvoidsandproducesEpic'ssignaturehighstrengthandlightweightstandards.Afterinfusion,our
boatsarepost‐curedatelevatedtemperaturestocreatethestrongestandlightestkayaksonthemarket.

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
X‐SERIESTOURINGKAYAKS–THE16X,18XAND18XSPORTMODELS
X‐SeriesSpecifications
16X
Length:16’0”(4.88m),Width:23”(58.4cm)
Weights:Performance–40lbs/18.2kg;Ultra–34lbs/15.5kg
18X
Length:18’0”(5.49m),Width:22”(55.9cm)
Weights:Performance–41lbs/18.6kg;Ultra–35lbs/16kg
18XSport
Length:18’0”(5.49m),Width:22”(55.9cm)
Weights:Performance–42lbs/19.1kg;Ultra–36lbs/16.4kg
Note:the18XSporthas¾”widerwaterlinethanthe18X
X‐SeriesCockpitDesign
Animportantpartofpaddlingakayakisfeelingaconnectiontotheboat.Aproperfitwillallowyoutouseyour
bodyforpropulsion,maneuvering,balanceandgeneralcontrol.
Tofacilitateabetterfit,manymanufacturersdesignthighbracesinthecockpitoftheirkayaks.Thesethighbraces
usuallyjutlikewingsfromtheinsideofthecockpitring,forwardofthethighs,allowingthekayakertolocktheir
legsintotheboat,providingastrongconnection.Thisstyleofthighbracesatisfiestheneedforaconnectiontothe
boat,buthasamajordrawback.Thepaddler’slegsremaininalockedposition,therebyeliminatingthefreedom
ofmovementandlegactionthatisessentialforgoodpaddlingtechnique.
EpicKayaksaddressesthisproblemwithadesignthatlengthensandwidenstheforwardportionofthecockpit‐‐
allowingeaseofentry,andallowingmorekneeroom.Theextraroomprovidesamplespaceforlegmovementand
flexingoftheknees.Youwillbeabletorotatethroughyourstrokeformuchmorecomfortableandefficient
paddling.
Theneedforafirmconnectiontoyourkayakhasnotbeenoverlooked!TheX‐Seriescockpitdesignincorporates
integratedthighbracesmoldedunderthedeck.Molded,ratherthan“wing‐style”,thighbracesleavespacefor
freedomofmovementandwillallowyoutoeasilyslideyourlegsunderthethighbracesforasolidconnection
whenyouwantone‐‐suchasinroughwaterconditions,rolling,bracingoranyothertimeyoudesire.Look
forwardtomanysafeandcomfortablehoursinyourkayakwithEpic’suniqueandthoughtfulcockpitdesign!
Integratedthighbracesallowpaddlerstokeeptheirkneescenteredinthecockpit,muchlikeanICFK1orSurfSki.
Racersandaggressivefitnesspaddlersrequirefreerangeofmovementandusuallypaddlewiththeirknees
centeredandfreeofobstruction.Thisallowsoptimumrotationandtransferofpower.Touringpaddlerscan
benefitforthesamereasons.TheextracomfortandefficientpaddlingtechniquepossibleintheX‐seriescockpit
willmakethemilesspentinthekayakmoreenjoyable,withoutanysacrificeincontrol.
YourcomfortableandefficientpaddlingpositionisfurtherenhancedbytheX‐Series’fullyadjustableseatand
footboardsystems–readonforinformationontrimmingoutyournewEpickayak!

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
X‐SeriesAdjustableSeat
TheX‐SeriesseatisfullyadjustableandspecificallydesignedtocomplementandenhancetheX‐Seriestouring
cockpit.Theseat,integratedthighbracesandfullyadjustablefootboardworkinconcerttoallowyouto“trimout”
yourboatjustthewayyouprefer.
Operation
X‐Seriesseatsslideforwardandbackonanintegratednotchedcockpitrail,centeredinthebottomofyourkayak
(photo2).Toadjusttheseat:
1. Reachintothecockpitandpulluponthereleasebuttonlocatedatthebase(front)ofyourseat,releasing
thelockingpin(photo1).
2. Slidetheseattothedesiredposition.
3. Releasethebuttonandthepinwillfallbackintotherail,lockingtheseatintoposition.Applysomelight
pressuretotheseattoensurethattheholesontherailhavecapturedthepin.
Photo1.X‐Series‐‐toadjustseat,pulluponreleasebutton
Photo2.X‐Series‐‐frontofseat,releasebuttonandcockpitrail
CorrectPositioning
Actuallythereisno“correct”settingfortheX‐Seriesseatandfootboard.Theyaredesignedtoallowyoutofind
yourrightfit.Settingsvarydramaticallywithdifferentbodytypesandpaddlingstyles.Hereishowwerecommend
gettingstartedwithyourseat:
FIRST:Withtheseatallthewayback,andthefootboardallthewayforward(towardsthebow),sitdowninyour
kayak.Lookatyourkneesinrelationtotheintegratedthighbracesattheforwardendofthecockpit.Canyou
slideyourlegs/kneesunderthedeckandintothethighbraces(photo4)?Ifnot,moveyourseatforwarduntilthis
ispossible.Forinitiallargeadjustments,werecommendgettingoutofyourkayaktoadjustyourseat.Fromthe
sameseatpositionyoushouldbeabletokeepyourlegscenteredinthecockpit,withaslightbendattheknees
(photo3),and/orslidethemunderthethighbraces(photo4).Adjustyourseatontherailuntilthisispossible.

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
Photo3.X‐Series‐‐knees/legscomfortablycenteredincockpit
Photo4.X‐Series‐‐knees/legslockedunderintegratedthighbracesincockpit
SECOND:Oncetheseatisatthedesiredsetting,adjustyourfootboard.(NOTE:Specificfootboardoperationis
outlinedinthenextsection).Pullthefootboardbacktoyourfeetuntilitfacilitatesbothcenteredandlocked(thigh
brace)leg‐positions–complementingyourseatposition.
Onenotchinseatadjustmentcanmakeasurprisingdifference!Findtherightpositionforyourbodytypeand
paddlingstyle.
Onceyouhaveyourdesiredsetting,itisunlikelythatyouwillneedtoadjustitforpersonaluse.Ofcourse,if
multiplepaddlersuseyourboat,theversatilityandeaseoftheX‐Seriessystemallowseachpaddlertoquicklyset
uptheboatandgetonthewater.
Maintenance
Afreshwaterrinseisrecommendedafterpaddlingtoensuretheseat,railandreleasepinremainingoodworking
orderandthatanycontaminantsareremoved.Ifyouhavedifficultyadjustingyourseat,makesuretheseat,
integratedrailandreleasepinarefreeofsalt,gritandothercontaminants.Donotregularlyremovetheseatfor
rinsing.Anoccasionallightapplicationofsiliconesprayonthenotchedrailwillkeepadjustmentssmooth.
TheX‐SeriesFootboardSystem
TheX‐Seriesfootboardsystemisfullyadjustableandconsistsofaone‐piececarbonplatformthatrunsfromone
sideofthehulltotheother.TwotoepedalsontopoftheplatformoperatetheintegratedTrack‐MasterTMrudder
system.Thisversatiledesignallowsflexiblefootplacementinsidetheboat.Acenteredfootandkneeposition
allowsbetterlegmovementandfullrotationforamorecomfortable,powerfulandefficientforwardstroke.When
paddlingthroughrougherseasorwhendesiringmoreconnectiontoyourkayakforbracingandrolling,simplyslide
yourfeettothesidesofthefootboardandlockyourlegsundertheintegratedthighbraces.
Beforeheadingoutonthewaterwerecommendyoucustomfityourkayakonland.Thisprocess,includingfirst
theseatadjustmentandthenthefootboardadjustment,isdescribedintheprevioussection.Onceyouhavethe
footboardsettoyourdesiredlength,itremainsinalockedpositionforpaddling.Twopedalsontopofthe
footboardoperatetheintegratedrudderonthebackofthekayak,andprovideasolidplatformtobraceyourlegs
whilestillallowingyoutocontroltherudderwithyourtoes.

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
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Operation
Thefootboardrunsontworailsmoldedontoeithersideofthehull.Therailshavenotchedholesthatcatchpins
comingfromthebackofthefootboard.Toadjustthesettingsofyourfootboardfollowthisprocedure:
1. Reachinthecockpitandplaceyourfingersbehindthefootboard,leavingyourthumbonthefrontofthe
footboard.Withyourfingersfeelforaplastic‐coatedcordrunningthelengthofthebacksideofthe
footboard.Graspthiscordwithyourfingers(photo5).
2. Pulldownonthecordbehindthefootboardwithyourfingers.Thecordcontrolsandreleasesthepins
thatanchorthefootboardintherails.
3. Whileholdingthecorddown,usethepalmofyourhandtoslidethefootboardontherails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.
Photo5.X‐Series‐‐toadjustfootboard,graspandpulldownonfootboardcordtoreleasepins
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!
CorrectPositioning
Toreiteratesomegeneralguidelines,werecommendpositioningtheadjustableseatfirst,toallowbothcentering
yourkneescomfortablyinthecockpitandslidingyourlegsunderthethighbracesquicklyandeasily.Oncethe
seatispositioned,adjustthefootboardtoserveasasolidplatformandallowcomfortableoperationofthetoe
pedals.
Maintenance
TheX‐Seriesfootboardisveryuserfriendlyandyoushouldnotencounteranyproblemswithitsoperation.
Routinelyrinsingthefootboardandrailsafterusewillkeepsalt,sandandothercontaminantsfromcollectingand
hinderingtheactionofthefootboard.Alightapplicationofsiliconespayappliedtothenotchedrailsonceortwice
aseasonwillkeepyourfootboardmovingsmoothly.
Toepedals
Platform

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
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X‐SeriesBackband
Thefinaladjustment,ifneeded,isthebackband.Oncetheseatandfootboardareadjusted,andusinggood
paddlingposture,determinewhetherthebackbandsitscomfortablyatyourlowerback.Thefitofthebackbandis
personalpreference.
Operation
Toloosenortightenthebackband,usethestraps,bucklesandslackadjusterslocatedateithersideoftheseat
(photo6).Inaddition,therearethreepinsettingsforthebackbandverticalheight.Theverticalheightpinand
holesarelocatedonthelowerbacksideofthebackband(photo7).Thisisalesscommonadjustment,butone
thatiseasytodoifyouhaveapreference.NOTE:Becarefulnottositdirectlyonthebackbandwhenenteringand
exitingyourkayak!
Maintenance
Toensurethebestperformanceandlongevityfromyourbackbandandassociatedhardware,abasicfreshwater
rinseafterpaddlingisrecommended,particularlywhenpaddlinginsaltwater.
Photo6.X‐Series–strapsandbucklesforadjustingbackband
Photo7.X‐Series–verticalheightpinandthreeadjustmentholesonbackband
BenefitsofaRudder
Manyseakayakersthinkitis"bad"tousearudder.Theconcernsusuallystatedare:
1. Arudderwillcreatemoredragandslowthekayakdown.
2. Therudderisacrutch,andagoodpaddlershouldbeabletopaddlewithoutone.
3. Thepedalsystemusedwitharudderpreventstheproperuseoflegswhilepaddling.
4. Theruddercanpotentiallybreak.
Belowtheseclaimsareexaminedonebyone,followedbyadiscussiononwhenarudderisimportant.
Itistruethataruddercreatesdraginthewater.Howeverthisdragisgreatlyoverestimatedbymany.Awell‐
designedrudderwilladdlessthan2%totaldragtoakayak.Incomparison,modifyingyourstroketocorrector
maintainyourcourseresultsina30%to70%forwardpowerloss!Veryminorcorrectionswillresultin5%to10%
lesspowerthanafullyefficientforwardstroke.Evengoodpaddlersincalmwatersubconsciouslymakeveryminor
correctionsonmanyoftheirstrokes.Itisactuallymuchmoreefficienttotakeaconsistent2%dragincreasethan

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
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toloseanaverageof5%ormoreforwardpoweronyourstroke.Alltopflatwaterpaddlersandopen‐oceanracers
userudders,astheyhaveproventimeandtimeagainincompetitiontobemoreefficientthanaskegorgoing
withoutarudder.Olympicsprintracesareheldonastraightcourseincalmwaterandruddersareoptional.
However,youwouldbehard‐pressedtofindanyonepaddlingwithoutarudderinhigh‐levelcompetitions.They
knowthatthefastestwaytopaddleistoputmaximumfocusonanefficientforwardstrokeandlettherudder
ensuretheyaretravelinginastraightline.Inthesameway,engineershavefounditmuchmoreefficienttousea
rudderonanairplane,ratherthanattempttoturntheenginesfordirectionalcontrol.Concernoverdragisno
reasonnottousearudder.
Rudderusedoesnotindicatewhethersomeoneisa“good”paddler.Wefeeleveryoneshouldbecomfortable
paddlingwithandwithoutarudder.Learntoedgeyourkayakanduseyourpaddletohelpsteer.Thesetechniques
incombinationwitharuddergiveyouevenmoreprecisecontrol.Fromapersonalpreferencestandpoint,ifsome
preferpaddlingwithoutarudder,that'sfine.However,mostpeoplewillfindthatarudderhelpsthempaddle
moreeasilyandefficientlyinallconditions.
Theoldstylepush‐pullsteeringsystemspreventedtheproperuseoflegswhilepaddling.Anefficientforward
strokeinvolvespushingwiththesame‐sidelegatthecatch.Theold‐stylepedalsystemscouldcauseapaddlerto
oversteeroneachstroke.Newsteeringsystemshavepedalsthatareindependentofthefootbrace.Paddlerscan
pushwiththemainpartofthefoot,andusethetoesforsteering.Modernefficientpedalsystemsallowproperuse
oflegdriveandcontrolofarudderatthesametime.
Finally,yes,aruddercanbreak.However,awell‐designedandmaintainedruddersystemwillrarelycause
problems.Checkyourrudder,lines,andpedalsfromtimetotimetoensuretheyareingoodworkingorderand
replaceanythingthatisworn.Thisisespeciallytruebeforealongtriporimportantrace.AtEpic,wecontinueto
worktoensurenewsteeringsystemswillbeevenmorereliableandtrouble‐freeinthefuture.
Whilearudderisaconvenienceforcalm‐waterpaddling,itwilldefinitelychangeyourexperienceforthebetterin
roughorwindyconditions.Agoodpaddlertravellingindownwindwavescancutbackandforthtofindthebest
wavepositions,maximizingsurfinggains—whilethosewithoutarudderorusingaskegoftenfindthemselves
fightingasidewaysbroach.Experiencedoceanpaddlers,suchasOscarChalupsky,aremastersatthisandwillleave
arudderlesspaddlerintheirwake!
AtEpicKayaksouraimistousetechnologytogiveyouamoreefficientandenjoyablepaddlingexperience.We
challengetheoutdatedtheoryheldbymanythatbecauseearlyAleutianandGreenlandkayaksdidnothave
rudders,thereisnoplaceforthemonmodernkayaks.Earlyautomobileshadhand‐crankstartersandwooden
wheels.Yourarelyseepeopledrivingthesetoday,astechnologyadvanceshavemadedrivingacarmucheasier,
safer,andmoreaccessibleforeverybody.Likewisethereisnothingwrongwithusinganefficientruddertohelp
youenjoyyourpaddlingexperience.Mostpeoplewillfindthatarudderwillhelpthempaddlemoreeasilyand
efficientlyinallconditions.Ultimately,thechoiceofwhetherandwhentousearudderisuptoyou.
TrackMasterTMSteeringSystem
TheEpicTrackMaster™SteeringSystemisaproprietaryruddersystemandwasintroducedinconjunctionwiththe
newX‐Seriescockpitandfootboarddesigns.Itworksinasimilarfashiontoanairplanesteeringsystem.Thestern
oftheboatpivotstoredirectwaterflowalongthesternofthekayak.Allruddercomponentsandlinesareneatly
containedwithinthehull,eliminatingthehasslesandhazardsofexposedruddersystems.Toaddextratraction,a
smallfinextendsfromthebottomoftherudder,addingpositiveandreliablecontrol.TheTrackMasterTMfinis
positionedmuchfartherforwardonthehullcomparedtoanoverhangingrudder,improvingperformanceinwater
conditionsthatmayleavethesternandanoverhangingrudderhighanddryoutofthewater.Thefinisdurable,
lowprofileanddoesnotcatchweeds,andissuitableforsandybeachlaunches.

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
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X‐Series‐‐TrackMasterTMrudder
Operation
Rememberthatruddersarenotmeanttoserveasthesolemeansofmaneuveringyourkayak.Therudderonyour
kayakisanenhancement,afeaturethathelpsyoupaddlewitheaseandefficiency.Insteadofthinkingofthe
rudderasawaytoturnrightandleft,thinkofitasmeansofstayingoncourse.Asyoupaddle,particularlyinopen
waterconditions,thereareforces(wind,waves,currents)actingonyouandyourkayak.Arudderallowsyouto
bettercountertheseforces,withoutsacrificingyourforwardstroke.Youcankeepyourfocusonpaddlingand
forwardprogress;manipulatingtherudderallowsyoutostayoncoursefromAtoB.
TheTrackMaster™isoperatedwithtwotoepedalslocatedontopoftheX‐Seriesfootboard.This“gaspedal”type
systemisextremelyeasytooperate.Toturnthebowofthekayak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turn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verynaturalandcomfortableposition,
andallowsforinstantcorrectionswhilepaddling.
Donotover‐correctwithyourrudder!TheTrackMaster™is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boatfromfindingthelineyouwant!
CorrectPositioning
Therudderiscontrolledwithrudderlinesthatrunfromthefootboardbacktoaspreaderbarinthestern.The
spreaderbarisaccessedbyremovingthesmall,roundrudderaccesscoverattheverysternoftheboat.Thecover
loosensinacounter‐clockwisedirection.
Inside,therudderlinesaretiedoffonthespreaderbar.Standatthesternofyourkayakandlooktowardthebow;
therightpedallineisonyourright,andleftpedallineisonyourleft(photo9).Ifyouevernoticeunevennessin
yourrudderpedals,oryouwanttoadjustthepedalanglesformorecomfort,adjustmentsaremadeatthe
spreaderbar.Example:therighttoepedalisangledtoofarforward,causingdiscomfortandkeepingtherudder
outofline.Solution:Havesomeoneholdbothpedalsinlineandevenwitheachotheratyourdesiredangle.
Whiletheyholdthepedalssteady,untietherightrudderlinefromthespreaderbar,andpulluptheslacksothat
thetensioniseven.Makesurethattherudderisperfectlystraight,andthenretietherudderlinetothespreader

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bar.It’sthateasy!Thismethodcanbeusedanytimeyouwanttomakepedaladjustmentsand/orfinetunethe
rudderalignment.Besuretoreplacetherudderaccesscoverandhandtighteninaclockwisedirection.
Photo9.X‐Series‐‐spreaderbarandpedallines
MaintenanceandRemoval
MaintainingandworkingwiththeTrackMaster™rudderiseasy.Therudderislowprofile,unobtrusiveandhassle
free.Thereislittlehardwareandfewmovingpartstoworryabout.Removethecoverandrinsetherudderin
freshwaterafteryoupaddle.Tocompletelyremovetherudderfromyourboatformaintenanceorrepair,beginby
openingtherudderaccesscover(looseninacounter‐clockwisedirection).Ontopofthespreaderbarisabolt
(13mm)holdingtherudderinplace.Unfastenthisbolt(counter‐clockwise)andtherudderwilldetach,allowing
youtoremovethewholepiececompletely(photo10).Reattachtherudderbyfasteningtheboltbackinplace.
Photo10.X‐Series‐‐rudderremoval–loosening13mmbolt

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X‐SeriesStorageHatches
EpicX‐Serieskayakscomeequippedwithtwobulk‐headedstoragehatches.Thebowandsternhatchesprovide
ampleprotectedspaceforyourpersonalbelongings,andprovidepositiveflotationforyourkayak(acriticalsafety
featureintheeventofcapsize.)
Kayakhatchesaredesignedtobedryandkeepwaterout,butrememberthatthisisaboat…neverunderestimate
water’sabilitytofinditswayin!
Beforeplacinggearinyourkayak,alwayspackandproperlysealyourvaluablesandotherstorageitemsin“dry
bags”orboxes/containersspecificallydesignedforthispurpose.Whensealedinyourhatch,thisprotectionwill
ensurethatevenminisculeamountsofwaterwillnotreachandpotentiallydamageyourbelongings.
Theoutsideedgesofthehatchcoversarelinedwitharubbersealthatfitsintothehatchdeckcontour,preventing
waterfromenteringthecompartment.Twohatchstrapsfastendowntocreateatightsealandkeepeachhatch
coverfirmlyinplace.
Operation
Torelease, open 4 hatchlevers,openthehatchcoverandaccessthecompartment:
1. Flip the4 plasticleversover the hatch.
2. Reversethestepstore‐fastenthehatchcoverinplace.
Maintenance
Checkthehatchesfrequentlytomakesureyourleversareingoodworkingorder.Rinsethemthoroughlywith
freshwaterafterpaddling,particularlywhenpaddlinginsaltwater.Lookinsidethehatchesperiodically,
particularlyafterrollingpracticeoraroughwatersession,orwhenstoringyourkayakoutdoorsintherain.
Spongeoutanywaterthatmayhaveseepedin.Makesurethehatchcoverrubbersealsremainsoundandintact
bykeepingthemcleanandfreeofsalt,sandandcontaminants.Alightlayerof303Protectant,orasimilar
product,appliedwithacleancloth,willhelptokeeptherubbersealsingoodcondition.

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X‐SeriesDeckRigging
X‐Serieskayaksareequippedwithafullsetofdeckrigging,includingdeckbungeesandperimetersafetylines.The
elasticdeckbungeesfastenedinfrontofandimmediatelybehindthecockpitarethereforsafetyandtoprovide
extrastoragespace.Storeitemsforimmediateconvenientaccess,orstorethosethingsthatsimplywon’tfitinto
thestoragehatches.Thismightincludeitemssuchasasparepaddle,safetygear,ormapsandcharts.Thebungee
locatedimmediatelybehindthecockpitmaybeusedaspartofapaddlefloat‐assistedself‐rescue.
Thenon‐elasticperimeterdeckcordsareanimportantsafetyfeature.Intheeventofawetexit,theperimeter
decklinesarethequickestandeasiestwaytograbyourkayakandholdontoit,whileyoucollectyourselfand
prepareforaselforassistedrescue.
Maintenance
Checkallbungeeandperimetersafetylinesperiodicallytomakesuretherearenoweaknesses,cutsorabrasions.
Ifyoufindafaultylineorbungeeonyourboat,replaceitimmediately.Givealldeckriggingandlinesaquickrinse
withfreshwaterafterpaddling,especiallywhenpaddlinginsaltwater,toremovesalt,sandandanyother
materials.

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OverallKayakCare
YourEpickayakisforthemostpart"washandwear."Ifdoneonaregularbasis,kayakmaintenanceshouldbe
minimal,consumelittletimeandcanactuallybeanenjoyablepartofpaddling.Routinemaintenancenotonly
takescareofyourboat,buthelpsyoufosterabondwithyourkayak.Afterall,yourkayakneedstotakecareofyou
aswell.It'sanimportantrelationship!
Perhapsthesimplest(yetimportant)taskiswashingyourkayak.Thisshouldberoutineandautomatic,especially
aftereverysaltwaterorbeachpaddlingsession.Agoodrinsewithfreshwaterisallittakes.Itisessentialtokeep
thecockpitanditscomponents(seat,footpedals,etc.)clearofsaltandgrittopreventcorrosionandjammingof
theparts.Foramoredetailedcleaning,dishwashingsoapormildboatcleanerscanbeusedtoremoveanydirt,
grimeorstains.WeuseaproductcalledRoll‐Off.Itisveryeffective,biodegradableandcomesinaconvenient
spraybottle.
Occasionallylookyourboatoverthoroughly,ontheexteriorandinterior.Ontheexteriorlookforanydamageor
cracks,makesuretherearenostructuralproblems.You'reboundtofindscratches.Sometimesaveryfinebuffing
compoundorpolishingcompoundcanhelpremovescratches,butusuallyitisbettertoleavethemalone.Check
theconditionofalldecklinesandbungeecordsaswellashandlesandhatchstraps.Besuretoreplaceanything
wornorfrayed,tightenanyhardwarethatisloose,andcontactyourlocaldealerforadviceonrepairworkthat
needstobedone.
ProtectingyourkayakfromharmfulUVrayswillkeepitsoundandlookingitsbestformanyyears.Therearea
numberofproductsavailablethatworkwell.303ProtectantandUVTecharetwoexamplesthatmaybesprayed
ontheboatthenwipeddownwitharag.Thissimpleprocessprotects,andrestoresshine.Youonlyneedtodothis
3‐4timesayear.
TakeSpecialCareofYourUltraLayup!
EpicKayaksiscommittedtomanufacturingthefinestkayaksavailableusingonlythehighestqualitymaterials.If
youhavepurchasedanUltralayupyouknowtheyareexceptionallylight,buttheyrequiremorecarewhen
handling.Avoiddirectimpactwithhardobjectssuchasrocks,whichcandentand/ordelaminatethelightweight
honeycombcore.DonottieyourUltrakayakdirectlyontohardmetalracks!Appropriatelyshapedsaddlesor
paddingarerequiredtoeliminatestressconcentrationswhentransportingandstoringyourUltralayupboat.
StoringYourKayak
Availablestorageoptionsobviouslydependonyouravailablespace.Ideally,storeyourkayakindoors,inagarage
orbarn.Yourkayakmaybeontheground,onwallracksorstands,orsuspendedfromtheceiling(tosavespace.)
Forfloorstorage,usepaddedsawhorsesorkayakcradles.Inthebow,spacethehorseorcradlesothatthe
kayak’sfrontbulkheadrestsontopofit(about1/3distancefromthebow).Inthestern,placethehorseorcradle
abouthalfwaybetweentheseatandthestern.Forsuspendedstorage,usepolypropylenestrapsthatwraparound
raftersorhooksintheceiling,andthenloopunderthekayakgenerallyinthesesamelocations.Donotusethe
kayakcarryhandlesforhangingstorage.
Foroutdoorstorageusethesamepaddedsawhorsesand/orcradlesthatyouwoulduseinside.However,take
someadditionalcriticalstepstoprotectyourkayakfromtheelements.Storeyourkayakoutofdirectsunlight.
Keeprain,snowandiceoffyourkayak;long‐termparkingintheshadeisnotenough.Fromthehardwarestoreget
aweatherprooftarp.Onceyouknowwhereyouwanttostoretheboat,putthestorageracksandkayakinplace.
Createaprotectivetentwiththetarp,usingsomeropeandwoodenstakes.Youcanevenuseexistingfencesand
treestotieoffifneeded.A“tent”isbetterthanwrappingthekayakwiththetarp.Wrappingcankeepmoisture
andothercontaminantstrappedclosetothehull.Also,makesurethekayakiswellsecuredandprotectedfrom
thewind,soitdoesnotblowoffyourstandsandgetdamaged.

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
Regardlessofwhetheryoustoreyourkayakinsideoroutside,hereareafewsimplestoragepoints:
•Inthebow,spacehorses,cradlesorstrapssothatthekayak’sfrontbulkheadrestsontopofthem(about
1/3distancefromthebow).Inthestern,placehorses,cradlesorstrapsabouthalfwaybetweentheseat
andthestern
•Loosenhatchstrapstoreducetension,particularlyforlongtermstorage(thishelpsensurethelonglifeof
yourhatchseals)
•Makesurethekayakiscleanandcompletelydry,insideandout(especiallyincoldclimates)
•Thedecisionofwhethertostoreyourboatinacoverisapersonalone,however,useoneforlongterm
storageonlyifyouaresureyourboatwillremaindry
•Useacockpitcoverwhenstoringoutdoors(keepsoutdebrisandcritters)
•ApplyaUVprotectantforlongtermstorage
Excellentstoragerackoptionsmaybefoundat:
•www.maloneautoracks.com
•www.talic.com
TransportingYourKayak
Evenifyouliveonthewater,eventuallyyou’llhavetoloadupanddriveyourkayaksomewhere.Luckily,thereare
agreatselectionofracksystemsandcar‐toppingaccessoriesthatmakekayaktransportationacinch.Manycars,
vansandSUV’salsonowcomestandardwithprettydecentfactoryroofracks.Transportingyourkayakrightside
uporupsidedownispersonalpreference,asistheuseofaboatcover.Themainobjectiveistomakesureyour
kayakissecurelyfastenedtowhateverracksystemyouhavechosen,andtoensuredrivervisibilityisnot
compromised.Thesystemscanvaryfrominexpensivefoamblockstomorepriceyaftermarketcrossbarsthat
incorporatealltypesofaccessoriesfortransporting.Werecommendthatyoutalkwithyourlocalpaddlesports
retaileraboutwhatroofrackoptionsareavailableforthevehicleyouuse.Mostretailerswillhaveavarietyof
options,willbeabletoinstallwhateveryouchoosetouseonyourvehicleandwillalsoshowyouhowtoproperly
secureyourkayak.
Belowareafewrecommendedcompaniestoconsiderforkayaktransportation:
•Thule–www.thuleracks.com
•Malone–www.maloneautoracks.com
•Yakima–www.yakima.com
RecommendedGearandAccessories
Thefollowinglistofaccessoriesandsafetyitemsrepresentsessentialgearthatshouldbeaccountedforeachtime
youheadoutonthewater.Havingtheitemsonthislistwillhelpensureyouhavethecapabilitytoperformself‐
rescues,signalforhelp,andwillmakeyouroverallpaddlingexperiencemorecomfortableandenjoyable.Check
withthemaritimeauthoritiesinyourarea(e.g.theCoastGuard)todetermineapplicableseakayakregulations.
•PFD(PersonalFlotationDevice)
•Whistleorothersound‐signalingdevice
•SpraySkirt
•SparePaddle
•Compassand/orhandheldGPS
•PaddleFloat
•HandPump(forbailing)

X‐SERIESUSERGUIDE
www.epickayaks.com
•Sponge(forbailing)
•TowLine
•DryBags(foryourstoreditems)
•CellPhone/VHFradio
•Firstaidkit
•Sunscreen
•Sunglasses
•Hat
•Water
WarrantyTerms
EpicKayakswarrantsallproductstobefreefromdefectsinmaterialsandworkmanshipforoneyearfromthedate
ofpurchase.Thiswarrantyappliestotheoriginalownerandisnon‐transferable.Ifdamageisduetoamaterialor
manufacturingdefect,Epicwillrepairorreplacethekayakfreeofcharge.Epicreservestherighttodetermineifa
productwillbecoveredunderwarranty.Normalwear,cosmeticblemishes,anddamageduetoimproperuse,
modification,negligenceortransportarenotcoveredunderwarranty.Demoequipmentisnotcoveredunder
warranty.Youroriginalinvoiceisyourproofofpurchase.
Returns(Warranty/Repairs)
Topursueacustomerwarrantyclaim,contactyourlocaldealer.Wewillworkwithyouthroughyourlocaldealer.If
thisprocessdoesnotmeetyourexpectations,youarewelcometocontactEpicKayaksdirectly.Followthe
proceduresbelow:
•ContactEpic–weneedthekayakserialnumber,model,colorandlocationwherepurchased.Youwillbe
assignedaReturnAuthorizationnumber(RA#)fortrackingyourclaim.Failuretofollowthisprocedurewill
resultina10%restockingfee
•Epicwillprovideacorrectreturnaddress(wehaveseverallocations)
•YourshipmentshouldincludeyourRA#,name,addressandclearcontactinformation,alongwiththe
reasonforreturningtheitem
•YouareresponsiblefortheshippingcosttoEpic,however,Epicwillpayreturnshippingcosts
•Pleasecallcustomerservicewithanyquestions,NEVERsendproducttoEpicwithoutanRA#