Trimming out a Spanish Fly

Jon Serfas · Post by **Jon Serfas** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:02 pm

I am carving the saddle on a Esquif Fly to fit my 225lbs. I know that I'm at the top of the weight range and from paddling other Flies, I know what to expect from this boat (Great Things!). I have gotten the saddle carved out just enough to wedge myself in and the boat is definitely heavier in the stern. The bow is about 2 inches higher off the water. I can lean way forward and trim the boat evenly. Boat spins dead center (oddly enough). I can carve the edges. But this has gotta be slowing the boat down. What do you folks think is the proper trim for this boat, even keel or bow light?

Post by **sbroam** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:15 pm

I don't have any precise info, but when I got mine (2nd hand) it was bow light. Chris Noble (Wetknobby on here) tried it out and said "you need to move the seat up two inches". I did and whoo hoo - a good boat turned into a better boat. I'd guess it is pretty much even keel. With such a short boat with continuous rocker, it's not hard to adjust trim by leaning. Or heck, just nodding your head...

Marc Evans · Post by **Marc Evans** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 8:49 pm

See Craig Smerda's discussion in the outfitting section http://kayakoutfitting.com/tips/wwcanoe/index.html (section 3 discusses saddle placement). Although this is a general discussion concerning open boat outfitting, he is, I think, specifically talking about the Spanish Fly. I followed his advice and am very happy with the results.

Marc

Jon Serfas · Post by **Jon Serfas** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 11:36 am

Thanks, Guys. I did a fair amount of foam shaving in the thigh hooks. Let me move forward about inch and a half. We'll see if that does the trick.

golder · Post by **golder** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 1:46 am

with the esquif fly's, have most folks needed to move their saddle from the stock position?