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Any thoughts on the Apex?

I am considering upgrading my bullit s and the apex caught my eye. I cant see any reviews or discussions yet. Any thoughts how it compares? As I love my IC Bullit so dont paddle the s anymore... need to find a new HP, something as easy to paddle and roll but that gives me that smile back and thinking something that ticks the same boxes but is better.

14 comments

14 Comments

Keith Wikle

Nov 22, 2021

Also consider that your seating position needs to be higher than what you may be used to. I am sitting on 3" of foam now and I have better contact with the cockpit. I also made some foam inserts that are about 4" long and 3" thick that go ahead of my knees to really lock me in. My foot position took some time to get dialed in. I had to progressively add little 1" wedges until it was tight.

Trevor McMurray

Aug 26, 2021

How did you lot set up the foot blocks in your Apex? I can’t get fit or comfort in mine, I don’t expect both, so I’m not enjoying my boat so far. I have no control over it, I move but the boat doesn’t, or the boat moves and I can’t stop it. I even pop out when trying to roll! Please help cos I want to stay connected to my Apex but right now I feel like selling it (sorry Chris)

ATB

John Ross

Aug 26, 2021

Replying to

@Trevor McMurray

Hi Trevor,

Sorry to hear you're not getting connected in your apex, hopefully what i suggest might help...

I'm 6ft2 size 11 feet, but i actually moved my seat forward about 2", so when my footblocks were in my knees were pushed right into the highest point at the front of the cockpit,

i got Chris to cut me another back rest 2" thicker so that my back was supported and it helped lock me in the more forward seating position. My foot blocks are put in at a 45° angle from the front, (if you imagine a clock, my feet sit at a 10 to 2 position) that means my whole foot from heel to toe is connected to the block, that way when i roll i can just push down a little on my toes (to sort of tiptoe) and it locks me in even tighter, then there's no movement in my lower half so i don't move out of position when rolling, i also put a little more foam where my hips are, slightly more at the top than the bottom, that locks my hips in place, once that had all been done i felt really connected to the kayak, it didn't just help with rolling it also helped with surfing too...

I hope that helps you

Trevor McMurray

Aug 26, 2021

Replying to

@John Ross thanks John, I took out the seat spacer but I might put it back in. I’m only 6’ so might need more foam on the foot blocks, I’ll try that

thanks again

Christopher Hobson

Oct 13, 2020

Hi Joanne, you’re welcome to collect our demo and trial it for a few days. Drop us a line if you want to arrange. Chris

Toby Kester Luke Musson

Feb 11, 2021

Replying to

Chris,

Would you say the Apex is the boat most suited to beginners? I would class myself as a competant/intermediate WW kayaker, who used to surf on a board 11-15 years of age (I'm now nearly 45!). I grew up in Porthcawl, and my parents still live there. I bought an ex-display Mega Neutron X, about 2 years ago, and have tried it a few times, at Rest Bay, but, apart from having great difficulty getting off the sand, find staying upright very challenging, so paddling out to the line-up was exhasting and taking 40 minutes or more. Which would you recommend for confidence building, more, the Apex or Fusion (FYI I'm about 90kg)

Toby

Christopher Hobson

Feb 25, 2021

Replying to

Hey Chris, yes the apex would be best for you beginners. Will work in a wide range of conditions, is super forgiving, but still offers your performance when you want it! If you’re still local to Porthcawl, we are just up in Swansea. Come up and try one out!

Joanne Sidwell

Oct 13, 2020

It seems no one has found a negative with this boat yet... thanks all. I am gonna demo one and then look at colours...sounds like I will love it

jreadickins

Oct 13, 2020

Had my Apex for about two months now and love it! I use it mostly for river waves, and can say it’s like a higher performance Eclipse (never paddled the Bullet S). Taken it out surfing a couple of times too and was surprised at how well it handled seeing as I normally use a waveski. It is also dead easy to roll thanks to the ow volume stern, I’ve been out handpaddling and had no problems with my hand roll in whitewater. I say get one, you’ll be stoked. *Just so you know, I’m on the team, but these are my genuine thoughts :)

Cheers

Joe

Chris Bray

Oct 13, 2020

Hi Joanne, I was very fortunate to win an Apex in the NHS draw earlier this year. I received it last month so have only used it twice so far and not in big surf. It always takes me a while to get used to a new kayak and grow into it. I have had a Bullit S and in my opinion it is personally better. Initial reactions to your requirements for the basics are that it is very stable, comfortable and easy to paddle out and roll. It has sharper rails so feels somewhere between an HP and IC kayak. In 3 to 4ft surf I had some nice "off the lips" and "floaters" and it was it was very forgiving. It did a few things I was not expecting due to speed and agility but that's what I wanted, if it was the same as other surf kayaks what's the point of something new! I enjoyed it and had fun (which is the most important thing for me!) and I feel it has great potential. I have been surf kayaking for 35 years and at times to a high level and now have a few excellent boats and this one fits and will stay in my armoury. The build quality and service from Chris is excellent. We are all different in our surfing styles and these days top quality surf kayaks are very expensive, my main advice to you would be to just try one first.