EPO 2s -- Kevlar or Carbon?

OK, so what is the word on the street about the new EPO 2s? One is carbon; the other is carbon/kevlar. Same price. So why did the company go to the all the hassle of making two blades that are almost identical?

Because of the word "almost". So what is the difference? What is the preference of all the hot racers?

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Peter Nelson

I have the carbon kevlar and really like them.Our buddy Slim(div.) 7 has the carbon ones and seems to make them work pretty well.Though I am pretty sure on his new boat he wants to go to the carbon kevlar.I think they just look cooler.It is the Gucci look,and as every one knows it is not how fast you are it is how you look.That way when you have a bad race you still look good.

I have a set of Kevlar EPO's. Just a matter of preference, I don't think there is any performace or weight difference between the two.

I don't know man, ever been in a pool hall when a bad player brings his own cue? Its pretty ruthless!

It seems odd that a company would go to all the hassle & cost of making two ALMOST identical blades at the same price unless there was a performance difference. Sailors aren't that fashion conscious!

So if you put them on your boat, does it mean you have to sail upwind with the weather rudder up just so you can show off your Gucci blades? What's next? -- Louis Vuitton trap harnesses?

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Peter Nelson

You've got to be kidding me! Everybody knows you have to look good to go fast!

Really, there's no real differences between the two EPO's other than the first layer of cloth laid into the mold.

BTW, you'll notice in the latest Hobie Catalog the note next to the Carbon/Kevlar version "Only available to stock on hand." Apparently, they have discontinued production of the Carbon/Kevlar blades.

Matching Coach harness/PFD/splashsuit sets. Shhhhh, don't let Laura find out!

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Tim
Unofficial Fleet 72 Communications Officer and Div 4 Webmaster
http://www.hobiefleet72.org
http://www.div4.hobieclass.com/

Thanks, Matt.

Does that mean that now that the Kevlar/Carbon are out of production that they'll be worth more in a few years, just like the old EPOs?

Still baffles me that they would even offer up something like that.

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Peter Nelson

Downwind.

Upwind:

The rudders on our (new to us) Hobie 16 have black rudders. What kind do I have? How do you tell?

Fine

There are five different type of "black" rudders:

Original EPOs - made from 1984-89 - have a very smooth, hard, solid charcoal colored finish, are very light and stiff. If they've been left out in the sun, the glass fibers start showing through and they get grayer. If in very good condition, they may still have the foil label on the trailing edge near the head that says "EPO 864" on it.

Black Plastic - Very common, heavy, often have a light textured finish. Can see whorls in the head from the injection process. Flexible. An inexpensive alternative to high-end racing blades. However, helm feel and heavy air control is much improved with a racing blade.

Black Racer - not that common, are in-between EPO and plastic in weight. Have a softer, gel coat finish. Stiff but easily chipped.

European Carbon - clear finish shows carbon weave, grey "Hobie Cat" lettering on each side. (The photo of the Heineken boat above has Euro Carbon rudders)

EPO2 (Carbon and Carbon/Kevlar) - clear finish shows fabric weave, EPO logo. (You can see the EPO logo on both of the other photos above if you look carefully.)

These are just the ones that Hobie Cat has made. Back in the '70's and early '80's, there was a thriving aftermarket for fiberglass rudder blades in all sorts of colors, including black.

Also one cool thing to note. Most of the euro carbon blades have stainless tube glued into the rudder bolt holes, so the holes won't get wallowed out--ever. They must be done on a jig as they are square! Pretty freakin cool. They are also around .5# lighter each.

I just got a used set of the rare black racer rudders, they're nice looking!
Should I sell em Matt?

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What about the ABS? Are you considering those the black racers? I have a set for my 17 and yes, they are stiff, but very heavy. I have been told that they are prone to shattering.