Esquif Mallard Review and Custom Microskiff Build

No video

Esquif Mallard Review and Custom Microskiff Build

Рет қаралды 20,015

4 жыл бұрын

Walkthrough of my custom Esquif Mallard Microskiff build into a motor or paddle fly fishing setup. #esquifcanoes #mallard #microskiff
esquif.com/en/canoe/mallard/

Пікірлер: 59

@seniorLu48 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing, I have been in turmoil about deciding between a kayak and a canoe.I'm an older guy and hate the feel of cold water especially fishing in the winter. You have certainly gave some good ideas to your canoe, especially your rod protectors. Great job thank you.

@jeremywilson9991 3 жыл бұрын

Nice expedition! Love that paddle

@jamesjahoda1613 3 жыл бұрын

This looks really great and clean. Im really impressed. If I could add a comment: You could warm up those front tubes and give them a curve.

@chriskahlson Жыл бұрын

Absolutely excellent !

@slmjake 2 жыл бұрын

Love this build

@bobabooey4537 3 жыл бұрын

Perfect! Very nice.

@michaelangelo7511 2 жыл бұрын

Great job.

@freshsaltyfries5078 3 жыл бұрын

Can you do another video fishing this beauty

@gumballbreath3705 3 жыл бұрын

I have the same motor on a Colorado pontoon with a plywood deck

@barryminner8749 2 жыл бұрын

Looks great Damon. How does the boat paddle if you just want to paddle it?

@damonalbers4107 2 жыл бұрын

Thx, I fish in shallow, saltwater flats, so it's something I'll end up doing.

@Dyshof 3 жыл бұрын

Not bad!

@theoutdoordad7395 4 жыл бұрын

Incredible build! What is the flooring material? Would you mind shooting another video walking through how you did the build?

@DamonBungard 4 жыл бұрын

it's foam marine decking I found on Amazon

@ThomasMichaelSeaboldt 2 жыл бұрын

Damon, any new updates for 2022 on the Mallard?

@mattcollins8820 4 жыл бұрын

Great looking skiff! Looking forward to some more videos featuring this. Where did you get the rod tubes and what push pole are you using with this?

@DamonBungard 4 жыл бұрын

the rod tubes came out of a Kilroy. Push pole is from the Power Pole Micro anchor.

@Kpgav95 4 жыл бұрын

Hi Damon, I've been looking at the mallard for a solo fishing canoe and to have the option of bringing someone if I want that option. How do you like the torqueedo? Have you ever trolled with it and fished off the side of the mallard or only stationary fishing? How does it paddle solo? Does the bow swing left and right a bunch when solo paddling or does it stay straight decently? Looks like a really great setup. Best, Kyle

@DamonBungard 4 жыл бұрын

that particular Torqeedo model is a bit of overkill on the Mallard. It really moves it, but it's a lot of weight on the stern when solo. It trims better if I sit backwards on the middle seat when really covering ground. I have not trolled at all. It paddles better solo without the motor on the back, but I just walk forward to get it to trim and track better.

@damonalbers1856 2 жыл бұрын

I just realized that your name is Damon as his mine. I have not ran into many people with that name.

@ThomasMichaelSeaboldt 4 жыл бұрын

Damon, What's your opinion in regards to the Hull Material, I've been thinking about getting one of their larger models for more of River fishing, with the idea that their T-Formex material will be much better suited to the unforgiving nature of structures in a typical river, i.e. boulders, rock beds, logs than say an Aluminum or Composite hull. (Have you thought about making some custom seat bases and adding a lightweight, mesh swivel seat?)

@nickolasthefrog 3 жыл бұрын

Really great reports are coming out regarding T-formex. Really, any of the multi-layer foam core thermal molded hulls (Royalex, Tripletough, etc) make durable rock smashing river hulls. Composites would work well except nobody is willing to build or buy them in a slightly heavier build, so the market limits them to lake and race duty.

@Droptineful 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome build! What length is it?

@DamonBungard 4 жыл бұрын

12 ft

@theoutdoordad7395 3 жыл бұрын

DO you still recommend this model or the XL? is there a particular torqeedo model you recommend? Thanks!!

@DamonBungard 3 жыл бұрын

I do still recommend it as a great platform for solo. I'd probably go XL if I wanted more company more often. This Torqeedo is overkill - I want to figure out how to run an Ultralight (i'm thinking just mount it to a Power-Pole clamp bracket for the Micro pole) or just use a small trolling motor - that's plenty for what I do most.

@andys4971 3 жыл бұрын

How is standing on that casting deck? I have a canoe and standing on the bottom is manageable but if I got on the seat I’d feel really tippy

@DamonBungard 3 жыл бұрын

it's easier when the motor is down in the water, or when staked out, or when there's more weight in the floor of the boat

@jeffwalsh54 3 жыл бұрын

Is there anything under the floor decking in the bow like wood?. Or is the decking sufficient? I really like this build. Thinking of getting rid of my predator MX for something like this. Just love the room of a canoe.

@DamonBungard 3 жыл бұрын

yes, the decking on the bow is on a cut and fitted piece of plywood that rests over the front thwart seat

@jeffwalsh54 3 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard thank you!!

@AnnaG-kr1vy 3 жыл бұрын

Has the front deck made much difference in with limiting wind resistance as I liked the idea of multiple uses for it as as spray skirt as well... Dave

@theoutdoordad7395 Жыл бұрын

Got another question for you- do you find that the torqueedo is too low for shallow water? Have you tried using a Jack plate to raise the motor height? Thanks so much!

@kgilliagorilla2761 19 күн бұрын

Thinking the same.

@Cooperd0g 3 жыл бұрын

Would you use this to drop and check lobster pots around New England?

@DamonBungard 3 жыл бұрын

I think I would step up to the larger models like the Huron or Rangeley for that kind of work.

@jbehzad 3 жыл бұрын

Nice small fishing boat ! May I ask what is the floor and deck material ( The brown stripped one) and where I can buy them ? Many thanks

@DamonBungard 3 жыл бұрын

It's peel and stick foam decking, found on Amazon

@jbehzad 3 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard Thank you !

@jbehzad 3 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard One more question if you don't mind . What type of wood did you used to make that small deck and how thick it is ? Appreciate it .

@DamonBungard 3 жыл бұрын

@@jbehzad I just used 1/2 plywood and sealed it and then sprayed it with plastic coating before sticking the foam to it

@theoutdoordad7395 Жыл бұрын

Got one more question for you- how deep does the canoe draft with you, the motor and your gear?

@DamonBungard Жыл бұрын

Don't know really, never tried to measure it, but pretty skinny. Very comparable to fishing kayak draft.

@theoutdoordad7395 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry for more questions- do you find it to be stable for fly casting? Is the floor fairly rigid under foot or does it flex a lot? thanks!

@DamonBungard 2 жыл бұрын

yes, its very stable for fly fishing. ill usually stand on the floor, but sometimes up on the raised from deck. it's more stable standing up there while keep the motor in the water as a rudder/stabilizer. the floor flexes a little, but not much.

@theoutdoordad7395 2 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard thank you!

@damonalbers1856 2 жыл бұрын

Cool build. I just bought a Mallard XL yesterday and mine does not have a middle seat it just has a yoke. I'm wondering if your Mallard is a different model than mine? I'm trying to decide if I want to put a Torqeedo 603 or a Torqeedo or 1103. Do you have any recommendations on a motor?

@DamonBungard 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, mine the original standard Mallard, and is a little smaller than the XL. Motor is really your call based on cargo weight, distances you want to travel, budget and fishing style. Both of those motors are excellent quality and more than enough power to move the Mallard easily.

@damonalbers4107 2 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard Thx, what Torqeedo are you running? I can't tell from the vid but I would guess the 1103?

@DamonBungard 2 жыл бұрын

@@damonalbers4107 yes, it's the 1103. It's got a lot of power and does best with a lot of weight forward in the bow when I'm alone.

@damonalbers1856 2 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard Thx

@michaelv3016 4 жыл бұрын

Nice boat. I'm looking at the Mallard or Heron. What made you decide on the Mallard?

@DamonBungard 4 жыл бұрын

I wanted something very light, and the Mallard comes in under 60 lbs

@damonalbers1856 2 жыл бұрын

Do you have a support for the front of your deck or Is it just wedged in?

@DamonBungard 2 жыл бұрын

the front is hung by a strap that secures the deck to the front handle using a YakAttack tie down and Mighty Bolt

@damonalbers1856 2 жыл бұрын

@@DamonBungard thx

@damonalbers1856 2 жыл бұрын

My short shaft Torqeedo 1103 has the propeller 3 1/2 inches in deeper in the water than it needs to be according to the guidelines by Torqeedo that recommends a 1.2 to 2-in clearance. I'm looking at how I can put a jack plate on the transom. The obstacle is I want a jack plate that can be removed fairly easy so that I can carry the canoe in the bed of my truck upside down if necessary. Have you ever thought about putting a jack plate on yours?

@DamonBungard 2 жыл бұрын

@@damonalbers1856 I haven't thought of nor tried that, no