7½ easy improvements of the Epic 18X Performance kayak

How to fix a few issues on the Epic 18X Performance kayak.
Please comment, and feel free to add other improvements.

[@kevinguthrie5495]

Thanks for your tips, they are all excellent. I just got an 18X today (June 2019). The seat back is now adjusted with a cord (no straps) and is set up similar to the rudder cord with a "keeper" that you jam the cord into to hold the back adjustment. It also has a more robust hinge than what I see in the user manual photo. The cockpit edges seem smooth on my boat. On the other hand there is no hole in the seat, the deck shock cords have not been changed that I can see, and the seat back's elastic band is still held by small screws.

[@aircanuck]

I pulled my seat out of my 18x and went to a custom foam seat, night and day difference.

[@brandynmckibben6174]

Hi Martin, I picked up an older 18x last summer. It has really ungainly nylon straps for the dry holds. Looking for ideas to replace those closures. I like the additional deck webbing you've done and adding the balls to make it easier to use. I'm having cramping trouble in my left thigh and trying to figure out adjustments to make to alleviate that. Good video!

[@martinagge]

Hi Brandyn Advice on cramping of thighs: It often apears when kayakers are not "cycling" with their legs, but stay in the same position all the time. You could try moving both feet to the middle of the footrest, and always push with the leg at the side of the kayak where your paddleblade is pulling, interchangingly, like we do in racing kayaks. This also improves your balance. Another problem may be that the seat-to-footrest distance is too long, so your legs are too straight, or you push on the footrest using only your forefoot (straining the soleus muscle). Good luck!

[@dylanmccanlies6789]

Great!

[@siempreafavor730]

Bonnet great video

[@BlazinBlades]

Thank you!

[@markb2396]

thanks Martin, very good information. I am considering getting an epic 18x. I test paddled one but not in big seas , just small rebound off cliffs but it did give me a little concern about how the boat would handle downwind on ocean waves because the rudder is so small and doesn't seem very responsive even on small waves. Any feedback you can give me on your experience of this aspect please?

[@martinagge]

mark b I have been paddling in waves up to 1,2 meters. No worries, good rudder-grip. Although the rudder doesn't look as large as on many seakayaks (wich have most of the rudder over the surface anyway) it is large enough, and deep in the water.

[@markb2396]

thanks Martin

[@romakayak]

I had considered one 0f these kayaks to replace my XP18 but I heard so many bad things about them I have decided to wait until something else comes along.

[@martinagge]

They are not bad at all, they just need a little "finishing". Most kayaks are like that.

[@tv1canada]

you spent few thousand dollars on kayak and still need to improve it ? mmmm....

[@martinagge]

tv1canada Yes, that is exactly right! Do you know of any athlete that doesn't improve his/hers equipment?

[@tv1canada]

Martin Nørgaard yes formula 1 drivers running around their cars with screwdrivers , and duct tape improving their cars .

[@martinagge]

Yes, formula 1 drivers even have a whole team constantly modifying their cars. Even elite runners change their shoelaces, and wear lucky amulets😁 That said, I was actually a little disappointed of how "Chinese" and unfinished this kayak was at delivery. My racing kayak (Struer Stranger) was just so much higher quality when it came to the quality control and finish.