Episea
Published June 22, 2006 | 
-springsteen
Yep, Gryphon has is own sea kayak! Even in his favorite color and everything. We had been talking about it for a couple months. “If”, I told Gryphon “the man with the children’s kayaks is there, we’ll get you your own kayak”. And he was there. . Surprisingly we were the first to buy one from him at the symposium since he first came last season.
Actually I’m a little surprised that we don’t see a bunch of little Episea kayaks from Englehart Products, around Wisconsin. In Michigan on the other hand I ran into quite a few of these little boats. The Episea is just over 14 feet and about 20 inches wide and weighs about 36lbs. Flotation is provided by a bow air bag and stern bulkhead with 6 inch hatch. This year they put parameter deck lines on the front and I worked out that I can put them on the back using the same method. You can also purchase a skirt although I’m not sure that’s all that important or safe until you’re kids are at least a bit older than Gryphon (5) and ready to wet exit. Another thing I like about the EPIsea is the smaller (to scale) cockpit that makes it easier for children to get their paddle IN the water. We purchased a nice little Harmony wooden paddle (not the one shown in the picture which is way too long).
EPI also makes a high rocker “Epitike 1000” which is somewhat of an old style river runner. But the high rocker will certainly give a child better turning control, even if they never go straight. But then, children love to sit and spin as the old song goes. .
It seems to me these are just perfect little plastic kayaks for children. Gryphon should be able to use this one for a good number of years until he is ready to move up to something standard (or he develops a teenage aversion to kayaking). As often as I’ve talked to parents about finding a sea kayak style boat for their kids I’d think some shop would carry them.
For more info contact:
In Wisconsin:
Talk to John at Superior Surf Systems
www.SuperiorSurfSystems.com
or:
Englehart Products, Inc.
4014 East 116th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44105
216-641-5337
216-641-5338 FAX
englehart@wris.com
or visit their website at www.emc-epi.com/epi.html
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8 Responses to Episea
I’m ready to place an order, but my wife thinks we should wait a little while yet. =8-}
lol, I actually considered buying an episea at one point for myself. I’ll have to borrow Gryphon’s boat from him one of these days and test it out!
Yeah, I can fit in it so I want to see what it rolls like. Should be a hand-roll machine!! Straight jacket an epi??
Definitely give us your impressions on how it rolls next time you have a chance to get in it. I assume it should hand roll fairly well as long as the rear deck is low enough but I doubt it straitjacket rolls since it has more volume than my SOF!
I will do that. It is sort of high volume for sure. But we can foam it out. Maybe an EPI-LV just trim that deck down a few inches and next thing you know 8 year olds will be hand rolling ‘em.
Jackson makes some little playboats as well don’t they?
Yeah the Jackson Fun 1 and 1.5 are the smallest kayaks out there. A Fun 1 is like a shoe. That’s a boat that an 8 year old can learn to roll in! Plus Jackson sells the little playboats for cheap to encourage kids to get into kayaking. Since kids are always growing up fairly quickly, there is a nice used market for those smaller Jackson boats. I think it’s time you and Gryphon learn whitewater!
Hey, Gryphon is a great kid and I would hate to see two spoiled little boys in the family:)
Richard,
You can buy one now and use it as a bassinette! Just build a nice little rocker for it and fill the cockpit with fluffy blankets. . Hey you’ve got to start her out right after all.