Meet the new Epsilon Family

January 2009

Kayak review

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

The suggestion was to kayak the tidal channel Dodd Narrows at peak current to test out the new Epsilon by BoréalDésign.

So sure enough, there we were on an unusually sunny October weekend morning thrashing through eddylines, rips and whirlpools – all in the name of giving this new puppy a workout.

Scratch that. We had more than one puppy to test. With the Epsilon, BoréalDésign has given birth to a litter. All told there are six Epsilons to pick from: three models of various sizes in two different construction types. So that gives you a choice of the diminutive C100 or P100, the mid-size C200 or P200, or the oversize C300 or P300. The "C" stands for composite (fiberglass), and the "P" for polyethelyne. (As if that wasn't enough, you can also order a kevlar or full carbon layout.)

BoréalDésign had a simple philosophy in creating the series: make a kayak that fits everyone, in both weight and wallet.

Because all three kayaks are based on the same platform, the kayaks should perform the same with the correct kayaker in the appropriate kayak (90-160 lbs. for the 100, 140-225 lbs. for the 200 and 200-280 lbs. for the 300). But after some playing around it was obvious that the three models offer more than just the option of a size difference. They offer the same kayaker a fundamentally different paddling experience depending on the picked kayak. So while comfort in the cockpit may be one reason to choose a particular model, the type of ride you're looking for is another.

The P100. Above: the C300.

(As an example, Stephan, at 6'0" and 225 pounds, liked the fit of the P100 slightly better than the C300. "The fit for me in the P100 was just about perfect, other than I found the thigh braces tended to slope up towards the middle of the cockpit making it hard to stay in the boat when rolling.")

The basics: All six Epsilons share the same design: that is, a low, relatively flat stern and a ridged higher deck in front of the cockpit that gives it a kinship to a Greenland-style kayak, except for the rudder. This makes it a versatile boat that has good potential as a sports boat while still offering some capacity for touring.

From there the Epsilons diverge, depending on the model. Myself, being 5'11" and 175 pounds, I was able to fit relatively comfortably in all three, but with a huge variation in the way I had to sit. In the P100 my legs were almost straight, while in the C300 I had to straddle into a position where I was bracing with knees rather than thighs. Some might find that stance comfortable (Stephan felt fine in it), but for me it was simply too wide a boat. I suspect this will be true of most paddlers under 6'2". For Walter, a Nanaimo paddler who measures in at 6'7" the fit seemed good, so the C300 would certainly be appropriate for taller paddlers (Boréal distinguishes the size by weight, not height).

(There may be other considerations. One paddler, otherwise correctly weighted, found the shape and size of the foredeck on the C300 interfered with his Greenland paddle strokes.)

Squeezing into the P100 might not seem worthwhile for a moderate-sized paddler when the P200 is available, but don't dismiss the smaller boat too quickly. You may be missing out on a great deal of fun. The P100 came to life during our test in Dodd Narrows. Where the C300 cruised through some conditions with nary a bobble, the P100 jumped, careened and generally played along with the currents in a lively and enthralling way (noting the Dodd Narrows current, which nearly swallowed the P100 as shown at lower left, is not typical paddling conditions).

The rating:

Touring: All three Epsilons have capacity for short trips but are not expedition-level volume. The low height on the stern reduces the volume of the rear hatch. A day hatch located behind the cockpit holds good volume but can be tricky to replace the cover securely, especially with cold fingers. The C300 tracks and behaves best for long-distance touring, while the smaller P100 almost certainly needs the use of the rudder for tracking in beam weather. The C300 seemed slowest for general touring. Both the P100 and C300 tended to get wash over the bow in moderate to low wind-wave conditions, likely due to the low height. The seat is easily modified and potentially very comfortable, with lots of support. The cockpit in the C300 has a high volume in front of the feet that could prove useful.

Playing (surf, etc.): The P100 is the star here. It is an exceptionally sporty and versatile little boat that will challenge a kayaker in just about any condition. It is an ideal level-entry kayak for someone who will want to develop skills such as rolling or surfing while still having a rudder on a good, stable boat. The C300, on the other hand, is a tug in comparison (again, compared to the same paddler in different boats). The C300 skirted over currents that would catch the P100 – which is not a bad thing, depending on what style of kayaking you're looking for.

Stability: All three models seem to have good to very good stability. BoréalDésign chose a soft chine, but with a flat extent that provides a fairly predictable edge. Again, this changes with the paddler. In the P100 our lightest paddler felt the secondary stability quite good; two heavier paddlers rated it lower. "When edging the boat hard I found the transition from the primary to the secondary to be gradual but there was no warning when going from the maximum secondary stability to having no stability," Stephan noted. But at 225 pounds he shouldn't be in the P100. Meanwhile, Walter found the secondary stability in the C300 excellent.

Rolling: All three are well-designed for rolling due to the reduced rear depth (just over 9" for the C300). The seat pivots to accommodate a role, but sits high at its default setting. Stephan found this interfered with his roll.

The positives: The Epsilon is a good looking boat in the water. Its beefy styling of the front deck gives it an aggressive look, while on the composite the one-piece cockpit combing is a refreshing change from the usual black rims on many other boats. The finish is excellent. The poly coloring is bright and cheery, and looks great for its class. A nice touch is grooves on the foredeck in front of the cockpit for putting down your paddle so it won't slide off.

Points worth noting: After some aggressive rolls and rapids, small amounts of water leaked into some hatches, a common hazard with rubber hatch covers. The day hatch cover was difficult to seal and could be a chore with cold fingers. BoréalDésign has created a fairly unique mechanism for deploying the rudder, with one attachment directly to the right of the cockpit combing, a perfect place to inadvertently catch fingers. The rudder cables are rope rather than the typical stainless steel cables. This may make repair and replacement much easier, but possibly at the expense of durability and lifespan. Several testers called the pedals spongy, costing control. On the plus side they slid well and were easy to adjust.

Overall:

These were fun boats to review and anyone interested in a sporty boat who prefers a rudder over a skeg will likely find a model that fits perfectly from among the myriad of models BoréalDésign has made available. It may be most ideal for a novice interested in skill development seeking something in the mid range between the British and North American kayak styles, but all levels of ability will find something to appreciate.

More info: visit www.BoréalDésign.com.