[Dodge]

The Frog is mostly paddled by my wife and friends, and is fitted similar to our swing.

In cockpit area grablines have been removed.

Front hatch has cupboard handle attached for easy use, and adjustable footrests were made to suit likely crew.

Port gunwale has saddle to tether paddle, forwarded angle flush rodholder, and further aft is a paddle holder; starboard gunwale has Berkley adjustable rod holder inc mirror.; the Viking seat, and side carry handles completes the cockpit.

The rear well has 2 flushdeck angled rod holders with 40mm PVC risers when required.

To starboard is a cleat for anchoring via an anchor trolley, which is fitted using s/s saddles and bungee shock at rear; the anchor rope is fed through a hook and run to the back when at anchor. The hook was made from a bucket handle and is so good I am replacing the s/s clip on the swing to this method.

Anchorline is 3mm poly to a 2kg dumbell or reefie in saltwater, and a 1kg dumbell on dam where there is only a bit of breeze to contend with

EDIT Gilbo/ headman has taken ownership of this Espri from 3 Sept 2007

 

[Breambo]

Mate, In one word, magnificent.

 

[Breambo]

Why did you remove the grabline around the cockpit ? Is it to stop getting trebles caught?

 

[Dodge]

Why did you remove the grabline around the cockpit ? Is it to stop getting trebles caught?

Breambo

When I got the Swing I realized what a difference clean gunwales made when sitting side saddle and when fishing with no rope to snag anything, so converted the Espri the same

Rentry is easy because I have the side handles, and which are also used as a tether point for any tackle on board.

The grablines and elastic cord at the bow, and stern I use as tieoff points and don't interfere in any way with fishing so were left intact

 

[Heno]

Dodge, Nice setup and I like the idea of having clean gunwales.

regards
Heno.

 

[PeterJ]

you can also use spare loops as leash clip points for the rods.

Nice job Dodge, is that a wavey paddle, alloy shaft?

 

[hairymick]

Hi Richo, Nice clean, uncluttered set up. Simple, elegent and functional - I like that. Good job mate.

Geez, I like the look of those espris.

 

[Dodge]

Nice job Dodge, is that a wavey paddle, alloy shaft?

Peter, paddle is Perception Waikato with glass shaft which I use on either kayak

Mick, I agree the espri is quite under rated I think, and great value for money in my opinion with what it offers.
Those more expert than me wouldn't agree, but I think the espri offers more per dollar than the swing; but having said that the swing is superior of the two yaks

 

[PeterJ]

Better test my eyes eh?

 

[RedPhoenix]

Unfortunately, due to the change in ownership of this web site and the lack of response by the owners to my requests to remove my email address from all administrative-level notifications and functionality, I have decided to remove my posts on AKFF. Thank you for the great times, the fantastic learning experiences and the many many fish. If you are desperate for the old content of this particular post, it is available below base64 encoded and bzip2 compressed.

Red.

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[hoit]

Richo, your friends couldn't complain about the setup on the Espri. I would be more than happy to go fishing off it.

The Espri was on my shopping list but the second hand swings came along first.

Regards
Grant

 

[WayneD]

Nice set up Dodge. Hope to do similar with my Espri.

Did you put the grab handles on it when you took the grabline off as my Espri didn't come with them, but I noticed them on someone else's Espri that I was looking at.

 

[Dodge]

Nice set up Dodge. Hope to do similar with my Espri.

Did you put the grab handles on it when you took the grabline off as my Espri didn't come with them, but I noticed them on someone else's Espri that I was looking at.

Wayne

I put the side handles on before removing the line on side, the espri ones are a commercial set about $20, and attached by rivets.

I made my own for my Swing for about $5 and are better than the espri as they are not as bulky as the fancy commercial ones. All you need is webbing and 2 bits of alum plate where rivets attach

I use the handles a lot, always when launching alone, and on the water as a tie point for gear etc.

If you make any just be really fussy re the point of balance as that is critical for the handle centre

 

[WayneD]

Just me again Dodge

Why the forward angled flush rod holder on the side? I bought a straight one to put there for placing my rod in when I catch anything but I will have to cut it down a fair bit and seal the end to make it fit in the limited space.

 

[Dodge]

Why the forward angled flush rod holder on the side?

When I anchor from the stern I can use that holder for a second rod to fish over the bow as well as the Berkley on the other side.

As the reel is as close on vertical, or angled holder its still easy to access.

When you cut the holder weld a piece of plastic to the bottom with a soldering iron. Gunston had to shorten one on his scupper pro, and tried it, and it was easy to do...practice on the piece you cut off

 

[Dodge]

After many approaches from Gilbo/ headman to buy the Espri I have decided it would see more use than in recent months and he now is the owner and skipper of 'The Frog'....sure he'll enjoy it and may appear off Narrowneck one day fellers

Gilbo on the boat at Wivenhoe AKFF camp trip in pic

 

[DougOut]

a sad day for you Richo I'm sure, but glad to see she's gone to a good home as well
and congrats Gilbo....skipper of Frog...may she serve you well 8)

 

[bazzoo]

Gilbo , nice to see you get a boat with Mojo, and Richo , what comes next mate?

 

[wadefishes]

I'm not sure if this your kayak any more but what did u do with the holes around the cockpit were the grablines were

 

[Dodge]

I'm not sure if this your kayak any more but what did u do with the holes around the cockpit were the grablines were

Wade screw holes are easy to close.

Aim a heat gun at the screw hole and when plastic is soft just tap it with your finger to close it over again, or I use the handle end of a screw driver

OR

you can also use a soldering iron to melt the plastic and close it over, don't have the iron to hot as it will scorch light colours and the first two on this espri have scorch marks

You will always have a small mark remaining but it will be fully sealed and safe.

Practice by drilling a hole in you wheely bin or another plastic object and then reseal the hole.

Any time you cut anything on your yak save the plastic, as it is the exact colour id you need plastic for a later repair any time and is easily melted like solder into any big holes or repairs.