Thanks for all the help EpicMariners

[Chris A]

Hello,

I wanted thank everyone for all their input, encouragement and positive comments over the past year or so as I wrapped up the first Epic 23v.? The first boat is finished and has been testing VERY well.? The wake, comfort and functionality has exceeded even my expectations? ? We actually just finished a photo shot down on San Diego Bay by the aircraft carrier with a couple of the world's best wakeskaters and the boat performed flawlessly.? Helicopters, chase boats, monstrous tug boat wakes that almost killed a camera man.? It was a lot of fun and great to see pro riders stoked on the wake and the boat.? Anyways, I just wanted to thank everyone and give EpicMarine.com and exclusive first look at the website and the boat.? I know it is only a half an hour before the press release goes out but Epic Mariners still get bragging rights? ? Take a look at http://www.epicboats.com for all the info and tell me what you think.? And Thanks again, your suggestion were invaluable and were taken into great consideration when deciding the direction this build would take.? Special thanks to gr8dna and cyclone, who are always willing to lend a helpful word or two, or a page or several?

[cyclone]

Looks like a killer boat, Chris. All the stuff you really need standard and heavy duty. Easy to maintain. Led lighting, built in ballast, PP.

The drivers seat swivel looks great, as does the dash. The wake looks great, too.

You should build a red or solid blue or even a white one. It would soften the motorcycle boot look a bit. It is a pretty striking boat in black. My 15 yr old loves it, BTW. It may be a love it/hate it look for some people, but I think it can stand on it's own if it performs like it appears to. It's definitely NOT a wannabe copy of any boat out there.

Get us a good photo of the thing hanging from the bow and stern (not slings or forklift) in a boatyard with a clean background so we can commence photoshopping it up with different color combos, towers, Speakers etc;) It would be cool to have that on your site, I'd help you with that if you get some pics, others here would prolly help too.

The passenger seats look a bit spartan, you might want to look at the Toyotas for the angle of the backrest. It is reclined more than an MC or Supra and taller than a CC. More comfortable by far than all of them. They don't need fancy stitching or cheesy bling, they just need to be comfortable and modular, easy to remove and sturdy. I figure that this boat is the proto, and you will make a couple more soon, right? I know you are just getting off the ground and probably hand fab this stuff right now, just a suggestion.
As usual, my .02, not that you asked for it but you probably are used to that by now!!:)) Good luck with the boat, I think you have a winner.

[Chris A]

Thanks,? ? I want to have to boat modeled in 3D so I can do just that with the colors and such.? We just have more pressing issues to deal with right now, getting these things manufactured and all.? And we should get some better pics out of the shoot we did on Wednesday.? My friend?s digi cam is great but it would be nice to have a real photographer do some pics as well.? And the interior turned out just how we wanted as far as lines and such but we did want the vinyl to have a more wrapped appearance and feel.? The seats are actually pretty comfy because we used three density foams but the more stitching there is the more failure points there are.? We were shooting for a Malibu style interior but got somewhat of a compromise between a hot boat style interior and what we had planned on.? Needless to say we will not be using that company for the interiors in the future.? Anyways, the LEDs are just great and the pop-up rear nav light get a reaction out of everyone ? No more playing with that stupid stick until you get a proper connection for it to work?? So when are you and your 15yr old coming out from Hot-Lana for a ride? ? The weather is mighty fine here in Diego...

[blindside]

Chris, that boat looks KILLER!!  I can't wait to see one in person though that may not happen anytime soon in Texas. 

FYI -  If you need a model to help promote the boat line, my wife is a model/actress and is really into boats.  Send me or her an email if you are interested.

my email brent.lbaker@gmail.com
hers: one_bisou@yahoo.com

A few pictures of her

http://www.theticket.com/ticketchicks/port-01-05/chick-1-2005.html

[cyclone]

uhhhh, blindside? you can post a pic if you want to. We will all maintain composure, even Bitzy. Right, Bitzy?

[cyclone]

Chris,
Might be soon, I'm gonna do a big west coast project, Vancouver Island for a month. In the summer. I might take all y'all up on the hospitality thing, SD and OC for you and Derek, Norcal for Shawn and Seattle for Cal and them. Maybe SLC for Bitzy on the way! I'm buyin'

Pete

[Bitzco]

Dude, the boat looks good. Can't wait to see one in person. And, Blindside, there's no ballast in that one.

[Bitzco]

Oh, and to both of you I say, "lucky."

[Chris A]

WOW BlindSide - she would make a great boat model.? Small and very cute.? Unfortunately, our ad budget is only slightly higher than a crack whore?s savings account right now.? We are actively looking for investors and working on some manufacturing agreements, so hopefully we can start putting together ads soon.? But your welcome to come out to Diego and maybe we could trade modeling services for a few pulls and some rum ? Bitzco is right, though.? Your wife might have to bring along 14 friends to make for any kind of real ballast.? And Cyclone, the water is always nice in SoCal.? You are welcome anytime

[blindside]

Lol, thanks, Ya I am a "LUCKY" man.  Though I would let  you know I shared your new boat with our club out here in DFW and it's getting a real good response.  We have over 1000 members and a LOT of them are in the market for new boats every year. 

http://www.dallaswakeboarding.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4724#40825

If I am ever able to open my own boat dealership I will definently be interested in becoming a seller.  Are you going to be traveling around demoing the boat anytime soon.  I would love to check it out in person.  If I am in SD, I will definently look you up and come check it out.

[2000epic]

Wow, killer looks, and a spec sheet to make any b-52/x-star owner cry.  What exactly is "4 Speaker Transom Audio"?  If it's what I think it is it's a killer idea.  What kind of msrp is a buyer looking at?

[toyotafreak]

Chris, thanks for the kind words, and before I go any farther, if you need a glowing pregnant boat chick, just send me an email. She'll probably work for carne asada, or Golden Spoon, you know?

The boat looks huge inside, and I like how you wrapped the passenger seat ALL the way around. Must be some great cubbies under them seats. Would be very cool if you could (when you run out of other stuff to do ha-ha) find someone to fab your own distinctive tower. It looks a little vanilla compared to the edgy styling of the hull. Interesting that you left the center portion of the windshield out of this model.

Dude, I'm still so jealous of your effort here. You've got a lot of balls, brains and skill  to get this far. I so hope Epic really takes off so you can afford to hire your favorite MBA (what other guy's gonna sweep and wax molds and stuff after spending the day in PowerPoint?). 

You're so the man, but I do wish you will sometime soon come check out the S22.