This weekend I was talking with some paddling friends about the trend that a majority of composite boats are now being made in China.  In our conversation, we discussed the problems that Epic has had regarding Chinese manufacturing of their product.  This piqued my interest so I dug in a little on the internet and found some interesting articles about Chinese boat production.  I thought I would share them for grins and giggles.

The Epic lawsuit (note this article was published in 2008)
http://www.charlestonbusiness.com/news/25869-charleston-based-kayak-company-sues...

Epic's legal concerns in China (a 2008 article) http://www.kayakracer.blogspot.com/2008/12/epic-production-problems-with.html

Epic rebuilds molds (2010 article) http://scmr-pwf.texterity.com/scmr-pwf/20100708/?pg=42#pg42

Epic begins production in China at the Hangzhou Epic Boat Co., Ltd  http://www.epickayaks.com/racing/blog/gregbarton/new-epic-production-in-china

Flying Eagle's response to the lawsuit.  Note that Flying Eagle, the company that formerly made Epic's boats, owns Stellar Surfskis.  *I am not sure when Stellar was formed.   http://www.stellarkayaks.com.au/flyingeagle.html

Barton's letter. (see the second post in this thread.  I remember reading it a while back, but I could not remember the direct link). http://www.surfski.info/forum/1-general/5635-flying-eagle-boat-company-2-sides-t...

The end of the lawsuit. http://www.epickayaks.com/racing/blog/gregbarton/new-year-in-china

Hut,
Wally
Los Humungos Paddleos

*Please note that I hate to mix the law with my paddling, but this is an interesting story, and a great conversation topic.  When I have time, next up is the Chinese manufacture of Hawaiian outrigger canoes (no lawsuits involved on that one, but interesting nonetheless).