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Viking Espri

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Yak Yak Yak
Forum Description: The forum for Kayak enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=36690
Printed Date: 16 Jun 2026 at 1:43am


Topic: Viking Espri
Posted By: kiwicrusaders
Subject: Viking Espri
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2009 at 7:23pm
Hello All, new to the forum and like many have done before am looking at some advice about buying a kayak. I am seriusly looking at the Viking Espri because it feels comfortable and can be had for a resonable price but have some concerns.
 
From the postings I have read, I am concerned that being entry level I am going to be hamstrung and not be able to go where others do. Most of my fishing will be off Raglan coast, I am not sure what the main spots are and whether or not the Espri would be suitable for accessing these spots. I will be moslty softbaiting and at this stage am not looking at putting fishfinder on or anything. I am also not into fishing for marlin and will be mostly after snapper, kahawai and maybe a kingfish although this might be a bit ambitious !
 
Any feedback from current Espri owners, or adivce would be much appreciated !


Replies:
Posted By: fisho111
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2009 at 8:30pm
I bought a espri for my first kayak for fishing and have found it to be a good boat for starting out and also for general fitness . I hope this helps

Posted By: Chip'n
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2009 at 9:15pm
Kiwicrusader, I have owned an Espri for about 15 months now & yes it is my 1st kayak & only the 2nd type I have paddled so am certainly no expert.It suits my needs just fine in being able to handle it comfortably by myself re carrying/loading /launching etc. I take mine away on our motorhome so had to consider wieght length etc to get it on the roof. I mainly fish off papamoa & walk it down the road to the beach on a home made supercheap trolley so don't know the Raglan area at all. I caught my 1st Kingi last week all be it a throwback ( 550 lg) & that was a lot of fun. I have posted pics on the rigged kayak section about page 15 I think if you want to check it out. I am 5'7 & 85 kg & have no problem handling it, I think it is rated to 180 kg. Hope that is of some help in making your decision. chip'n

Posted By: GingaMatt
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2009 at 9:45pm

Kiwicrusader, I've aso had a couple of Espris for around 3 or so years. Did some mean fishing off them and realy good transport for rockhopping. The only thing I would do if I was still fishing off one as set up a running rig similar to the profish rig. It just makes it heaps easier to set your different anchors. Fishing off a profish now but heck of a price diff. Viking al the way mate cant go wrong.

Posted By: Naki man
Date Posted: 14 Jan 2009 at 10:43pm
Kiwicrusaders

I don't no much about the Espris, but as far as the Raglan coast goes, you will need to pick your days carefully. From what I heard (from a search and rescue guy) Raglan has a tendency to produce freak waves 


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The solution to any problem - work, money, love, whatever - is to go fishing - the worse the problem the longer the fishing trip should be.

"I have a lot of very large problems"

Posted By: grimace
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2009 at 9:14am
As a lad who was raised in Raglan (and with tongue firmly in cheek), if you go fishing when there is a surfing comp on, or I am taking people to see the surfers, I'd almost guarantee it will be flat. And by flat I mean swell less than a metre.

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Cobra Fish and Dive - Sjørøver II
ZMU7181

Posted By: kiwicrusaders
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2009 at 6:28pm

What would you expect to pay for a 2nd hand Espri that is in good condition and about 4 years old?

Posted By: Pedro9
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2009 at 6:36pm

Have fished on an espri for a year or so - good little surk yak. If you want to go distance there are definately better boats that will cost you more, but I still fish it it here in Papamoa with good success. Set it up right and you will be fine. 

Posted By: fisho111
Date Posted: 15 Jan 2009 at 9:33pm
you would expect to pay 5-7 hundred dollars if it is in good condition thats what i paid for mine last year.


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