What were your goals in designing Epic's newest surfski? Has the V12 met your expectations?
Greg and I wanted to make a surfski that was faster on flat water than the V10 and would excel in small runs and chop. As we put the first boats through initial tests we were thrilled that the V12 met our expectations on flat water and in smaller chop. We were equally thrilled, even a little surprised, about how well the boat does in bigger sea conditions. It goes quite well in big wind and waves; it really exceeded our expectations in that area.
You have been spotted in the V12 Elite quite a bit lately, is this now your ski of choice?
Yes, I’m just like everyone else. I always like the latest and greatest model of everything, including our skis! I’m really enjoying paddling the boat; it’s fast, lively and comfortable. I love the bailer, which really gets the water out of the cockpit fast.
Are there situations and/or conditions where you will paddle the V10 over the V12? Could you essentially bring both boats to a race and then pick one based on conditions?
It would have to be a judgment call for any given day, but I can envision having both boats on my car at the start of a race, and picking the one best suited for the course conditions. In my case, that may mean selecting the V10 if the wind or swell is really cranking. Both boats have their strong points, some of which boils down to personal preference of individual paddlers.
Greg has noted that he was pleased with how well the V12 handles big sea conditions. Have you found this to be true in your paddling?
Yes I definitely agree with Greg, we have been pleasantly surprised with how well the V12 handles the bigger stuff. Personally, I like this boat in all conditions, and it has handled most of the big waves I have thrown at it quite well. I continue to use it in as many situations as I can to really get a feel where it excels for me.
How comfortably does a guy of your size fit in the V12? What body types would fit better in the V10 or V10L?
It fits me perfectly. I am totally comfortable in the seat and in terms of leg length. I know that I am not at the maximum position in terms of leg length; there is a little more room for my footboard. I know that Michelle Eray (5’4”) has said she’s more comfortable in the V10L, and Mathew Bouman (6’8”) fits better in the V10. They are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of height. Most paddlers in between should fit well.
If you had to pick one feature of the V12 that really makes it shine, what would it be?
My favorite things about the V12 are: it’s speed on flat water and the ease with which it picks up runs. Greg and I had backed off a little on the “aggressiveness” of the V10 so that it would still be stable and user-friendly. With the V12 we wanted to add that edge back into the design as a “step-up” for paddlers looking for it. It’s been exciting to see it come to fruition; the fact that it performs well in bigger conditions and retained good stability has been the icing on the cake.
Watch Chalupsky on his Epic V12 Elite off Australia's coast:
