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263craft

Epic · Touring hybrid

Epic V5 Tourer

Short, wide, high-volume beginner hull shared with the V5 Surfski Gen 2 - the widest and shortest in Epic's range, with a rounded, forgiving cross-section and deep secondary stability. Adds a stern hatch and bulkhead plus dual (kick-up / under-stern) rudder options for touring versatility.

Length
4.56 m
Beam
59 cm
Deck
35 cm
Lightest
13.5 kg
 
 
Epic V5 Tourer, studio side profile
studio side profile · epickayaks.com

Specifications

Length
4.56 m
Beam
59 cm
Deck height
35 cm
Category
Touring hybrid
Usually paddled by
New paddlers
New price
A$4,250 · US$3,795

Layup weights

Performance15.3 kg
Ultra13.5 kg

On-water profile

Stability
8–10
Editorial estimateLow confidence
Speed
3

Our estimate from published descriptions and reviews. Low confidence. Speed is our rating. Both are given at the hull's own design weight.

These ratings are Surfski Index estimates, worked out from published dimensions, traced hull shapes where we have them, and reviews. They are not supplied by the maker or timed on the water. How a ski feels depends on your weight, skill, set-up and the conditions, so use them to shortlist skis and paddle one before you buy. How we rate.

Stability here means how steady the ski feels sitting still on flat water. Where two craft have overlapping ranges, we can't say which is more stable. Downwind handling is a separate thing, covered in the evidence note below.

Evidence note

This band is a cautious editorial estimate; it is not backed by a hull trace. Qualitative context includes 2 paddler reports and 6 linked sources.

Suits: Flatwater touring, rivers, lakes and sheltered coast with gear in the stern hatch; can take an ocean downwind run when the under-stern surfski rudder is fitted.

Paddler weight

The estimated sweet spot is 77–89 kg, with a broader estimated guide of 63–93 kg. This estimate is a guide, not a limit. Seat fit, conditions and paddling style matter. Lighter paddlers can still enjoy a larger hull, especially downwind. A test paddle is the best check.

Estimated from hull dimensions using a formula fitted to makers’ own paddler limits. It does not establish the designer’s intended paddler weight. How this is worked out.

Generations

2022-present

Touring version of the V5 Surfski Gen 2, built on the same hull dimensions. Adds a 55L stern cargo hatch and ships standard with both an over-stern kick-up rudder and an under-stern surfski rudder on a full Epic footboard.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Widest/shortest Epic hull - very high stability, easy for beginners
  • 55L stern hatch + bulkhead for gear; ships with both kick-up and surfski rudders
  • Light composite for a loaded tourer (Ultra 13.5kg)

Cons

  • Slow - short, wide touring hull, not a race boat
  • Composite-only, pricier than a plastic rec boat
  • Big 59cm beam caps top-end for fitness paddlers

What paddlers say

Epic product copy: 'ideal for paddlers wanting a stable, lightweight, high-performance sit-on-top... Load the rear hatch with gear and head down a shallow river using the over-stern kick up rudder, or install the under-stern surfski rudder and go for an ocean downwind run' (epickayaks.com).Reported experience
Epic copy: 'an extremely versatile craft with excellent stability and speed that gives beginners and more experienced paddlers alike the confidence to explore their favorite environments' (epickayaks.com).Reported experience

Where to buy

Epic Kayaks ↗

Dealers:

Epic Kayaks Australia · AU ↗

AUD is the Performance layup (15kg) at A$4,250 (Epic Kayaks Australia, Pro Kayaks and Expedition Kayaks, 2026); Ultra (13kg) A$5,150. USD is the Performance layup at US$3,795 (epickayaks.com, sold out in Oct 2026); Ultra US$4,795. Both rudder options come as standard.

Sources

BetaRatings are estimatesRatings are estimates. How we get the numbers. Prices checked October 2026, may be out of date.