Racing Kayaks
S1-X Racer
Futura
www.surfskis.com
Length: 21'
Width: 17"
Weight: 25 lbs
Price: $3,000
Maybe it was the blue gelcoat on this boat. It matched the blue used by Composite Engineering, a dominant manufacturer of Olympic sprint boats, a decade ago. Or maybe it was the bold graphics. Whatever it was, this boat screamed, “I am King of Fast.” On water the S1-X was as fast as it looked. With solid secondary stability, it would firm up in rough seas. Its entry point was as plumb as that of an ICF-spec K-1, which allowed for razor-sharp displacement of the water it was flying through but made for a wet ride on chop and inhibited its surfing ability in bigger conditions.
The S1-X screamed,“I am king of fast.” On water it was as fast as it looked.
Two dry hatches kept the goods dry on longer paddles, and Valhalla’s drain system in the foot wells drained water with an authoritative sucking sound when the hull was up to speed. Our boat, in carbon/glass, was extremely stiff and exceedingly light. The S1-X is very well suited to a wide variety of committed paddlers seeking a boat for more sheltered water, while race-bred paddlers would find its speed intoxicating in sporty conditions.
At 5-10, 190 pounds, with a 34-inch waist, I found this boat’s standard butt well to be a bit constrictive. If my dimensions sound like yours, Futura’s wide-butt well layup will put a smile between your cheeks.
V10
Epic
www.epickayaks.com
Length: 21' 4"
Width: 17"
Weight: 33 lbs
Price: $2,495 as tested
Few could approach the racing credentials of Olympic gold medalist Greg Barton and Oscar Chalupsky, the owners of Epic. In fact, Chalupsky won his 11th Moloka’i World Championship in a V10, but then we suspect that he would have dished out a can of serious whup-ass if he had been on a 4-by-8 sheet of 3/4-inch plywood.
One look at the V10’s voluminous front deck and you can just tell it means business in big water.
One look at the V10 and you can just tell it means business in big water. Its front deck is extremely voluminous, like a wildwater boat’s. The designers wisely pinched in the deck slightly where the paddler would plant his paddle, allowing for a forward stroke that is as close to the boat—and as efficient—as possible. What really struck us was how this boat disappeared beneath us to become an aquatic version of a magic carpet. It was fast in flat conditions, but just screamed and inspired confidence on an epic 30-knot day.
Our standard-layup boat proved to be still and durable, as proved by a windstorm that tossed the V10 off our boat rack and down an embankment. Thoughtful touches like the factory-installed foot straps and a rock-solid, quickly adjustable foot brace emphasized that this boat is made by folks who are as serious about their paddling as they are about producing boats.
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