Q+A with Epic Boats founder Chris Anthony
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Chris Anthony started Epic Wake Boats two years ago in his driveway with an incredibly large block of foam, a knowledge of fluid mechanics and a sanding block. With a new plant in southern California opening soon to meet production demands, more efficient 8.1-liter Mercruiser engines, and a few new additions to an already strong team, Epic Boats is setting itself up for what could be an epic '08 season. Managing Editor Craig Kotilinek talked to Anthony about the latest and greatest in the new company's '08 lineup.
CK: What's new with the boat for '08?
CA: We signed a deal with Kicker and Sony for our transom audio and interior audio stuff. The 12-inch subwoofer and the six component speakers inside the boat produce some kickin' audio. The transom setup is four component 6.5-inch speakers and two 8-inch subs. The sound is a bit ridiculous. It's much clearer, much louder, it fills the space a lot better. And we like the versatility the Sony deck gives us. The iPod plug-in is more user friendly. We also added a new power train option on the Epic which is the Mercruiser 8.1-liter motor and their speed control option. The closed cooling system is much improved on that motor, and it means you're going to be running cooler and using less fuel.
CK: 8.1 liter? Uses a bunch of gas, huh?
CA: One thing we found out after our extensive testing is people think 'oh my god you've got an 8.1-liter motor in there, it must suck fuel like no other,' but actually the 8.1-liter motor is more efficient than a 5.7- or 6-liter motors when you're running a fully loaded boat because it's not working as hard. You're running it in the very efficient RPM range in the motor's power band, while a 6 liter with 2 or 3 or 4,000 pounds of ballast is working very hard and you're not in the efficiency range. We actually see 20 and 30 percent gains over the 5.7- and 6-liter.
CK: How's the team?
CA: We added Shawna and Racquel Hoffman. Shawna's the younger sister – the up-and-comer. She's landing her 5s and toeside backside 180s, and Racquel is nailing 720 after 720. She's very close to landing that 9, so we have high hopes for them. We really like to get hands-on and foster our team members. We don't just write them a check and let them go on their way. We try to help them in any way we can. Jessica Oswald is a standout new addition to our team as well. She doesn't need much mentoring or help because she's at the top of her game right now. She's a three-time world champion wakesurfer. Wakesurfing is something we've put more emphasis on over the past year because time and time again people have come to us and said wakesurfing on the Epic is just sick. Jessica's proven to be a great asset to the team.
CK: So how's business after two years?
CA: Insane. Tremendously back ordered. We're just trying to keep our current dealers happy and we're trying to get an epic boat in the hands of the people who've wanted one for so long. And we're trying to gain a little more exposure across the country. Last year we were able to tow six or seven prominent events just because we were finally able to get boats to those areas and people were all really impressed and they all wrote really nice things. I started this company because I love the sport and I want to see it grow and flourish, and it's great to see my boat out there finally helping to do that.
CK: What's new with the boat for '08?
CA: We signed a deal with Kicker and Sony for our transom audio and interior audio stuff. The 12-inch subwoofer and the six component speakers inside the boat produce some kickin' audio. The transom setup is four component 6.5-inch speakers and two 8-inch subs. The sound is a bit ridiculous. It's much clearer, much louder, it fills the space a lot better. And we like the versatility the Sony deck gives us. The iPod plug-in is more user friendly. We also added a new power train option on the Epic which is the Mercruiser 8.1-liter motor and their speed control option. The closed cooling system is much improved on that motor, and it means you're going to be running cooler and using less fuel.
CK: 8.1 liter? Uses a bunch of gas, huh?
CA: One thing we found out after our extensive testing is people think 'oh my god you've got an 8.1-liter motor in there, it must suck fuel like no other,' but actually the 8.1-liter motor is more efficient than a 5.7- or 6-liter motors when you're running a fully loaded boat because it's not working as hard. You're running it in the very efficient RPM range in the motor's power band, while a 6 liter with 2 or 3 or 4,000 pounds of ballast is working very hard and you're not in the efficiency range. We actually see 20 and 30 percent gains over the 5.7- and 6-liter.
CK: How's the team?
CA: We added Shawna and Racquel Hoffman. Shawna's the younger sister – the up-and-comer. She's landing her 5s and toeside backside 180s, and Racquel is nailing 720 after 720. She's very close to landing that 9, so we have high hopes for them. We really like to get hands-on and foster our team members. We don't just write them a check and let them go on their way. We try to help them in any way we can. Jessica Oswald is a standout new addition to our team as well. She doesn't need much mentoring or help because she's at the top of her game right now. She's a three-time world champion wakesurfer. Wakesurfing is something we've put more emphasis on over the past year because time and time again people have come to us and said wakesurfing on the Epic is just sick. Jessica's proven to be a great asset to the team.
CK: So how's business after two years?
CA: Insane. Tremendously back ordered. We're just trying to keep our current dealers happy and we're trying to get an epic boat in the hands of the people who've wanted one for so long. And we're trying to gain a little more exposure across the country. Last year we were able to tow six or seven prominent events just because we were finally able to get boats to those areas and people were all really impressed and they all wrote really nice things. I started this company because I love the sport and I want to see it grow and flourish, and it's great to see my boat out there finally helping to do that.
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