Mitch, some more thoughts on the Epic: if they asked me, I'd tell Epic to replace the three-quarter-inch webbing that secures the two hatch covers with full one-inch webbing and also maybe re-think the buckle system that secures the hatch covers--like going with 3 straps for the big rear hatch cover. There is also some leakage into the compartments when big water or rain is heavy. No boat is perfect. But the more I paddle my 16X, the happier I am with it.