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