Native introduces new Slayer Propel 12.5 Max

[CHOC]

This week Native introduced its latest pedal-drive kayak that has loads of features. The Slayer Propel 12.5 Max builds on the popular Slayer Propel 13 model and brings many innovations. See https://nativewatercraft.com/max/ for photos, videos, and descriptions.

In addition Native announced that all of its 2020 pedal drive kayaks will have the latest version of the Propel drive (model 701) that offers a 5-year warranty on the drive, new pedals and cranks, and a built in weed guard. Like the other Propel drives, switching from forward to reverse is hands-free and instantaneous (just pedal backwards).

If you are in the market for a new pedal-drive kayak and want to experience the latest in comfort and features, check out the Slayer Propel 12.5 Max.

John, why'd you have to go and show me this? Now it's time to dump the Wildy and buy one of these!

[gliebig]

I have yet to try a pedal yak. Which system does anyone with experience prefer...hobie/fins or Native/prop? I was set on a Propel but watching some Hobie vids, the leg motion seems like it might be preferable?
Also, going to be snakeheading, so I'll be in a lot of shallows/grassy/pads areas. Hobie fins better for that?

[Mark]

An advantage to the Hobie fins over propeller driven pedal boats is that you can "feather" them by pushing the pedals all the way forward so that they align near the hull of the boat and do not fully extend into the water. Even in that position they will move the boat, just not as fast. In skinny water with propeller drives you may have to pull the drive mechanism from the water to avoid hitting bottom.

However, in thick vegetation the Hobie fins will foul even if aligned near the hull. That is why I do not use my Hobie in ponds or tidal areas thick with plant growth.

I do use my Hobie in shallow tidal water with the feathering technique I described above. In fact, one reason I do not have the longer Hobie Turbo fins is because I fish so much in shallow water. The extra length of the Turbo fins would be problematic to me in the areas I like to fish. The other reason is that I have a Revo 13 which is a sleek fast boat that moves just fine with the regular fins in my opinion.

As to the in-and-out pedaling motion of the Hobie, versus the bicycle pedaling motion of propeller driven kayaks, you'll have to test for yourself. I do not mind the in-and-out motion of the pedals. With the cadence of an easy stroll down a sidewalk I can maintain 3 mph in the Hobie for a long time without rest. I can sprint up to 6 mph -- but not for long.

With the bicycle motion, going in reverse is easier. You simply pedal backwards. I have the Mirage 180 and I have to shift into reverse by pulling a lever. That's no big deal for me now. I do it without thinking about it.

I have no experience with the new Mirage 360 drives.

And that's another thing to keep in mind. Sometimes you can overthink a purchase. You will acclimate to which ever drive system you purchase unless physical ailments in your knees or back prevents you from using one system over the other.

But overall, I have been very pleased with the ease of using the Hobie system, its performance and its reliability.

Good luck in your purchase.

[J.A. Veil]

I have yet to try a pedal yak. Which system does anyone with experience prefer...hobie/fins or Native/prop? I was set on a Propel but watching some Hobie vids, the leg motion seems like it might be preferable?
Also, going to be snakeheading, so I'll be in a lot of shallows/grassy/pads areas. Hobie fins better for that?

I understand why you are asking this question, but given the makeup of Snaggedline members, far more fish from Hobies than from the brands with a propeller drive (it may be as much as 10:1 in favor of Hobie). I suspect that you may get a skewed opinion. I have used both and see the advantage of the Hobie for shallow water usage, but really like the instant reverse on the Natives. The Native Propel drives can be pivoted up from the hull in less than 10 seconds without any heavy lifting when you get into shallow water.

I encourage you to take advantage of demo days offered by dealers in the spring and try out both systems. In addition to the pedal drive system, evaluate the other parts of the kayak that are important to you (e.g., seat comfort, storage, gear tracks).

[gliebig]

I understand why you are asking this question, but given the makeup of Snaggedline members, far more fish from Hobies than from the brands with a propeller drive (it may be as much as 10:1 in favor of Hobie). I suspect that you may get a skewed opinion. I have used both and see the advantage of the Hobie for shallow water usage, but really like the instant reverse on the Natives. The Native Propel drives can be pivoted up from the hull in less than 10 seconds without any heavy lifting when you get into shallow water.

I encourage you to take advantage of demo days offered by dealers in the spring and try out both systems. In addition to the pedal drive system, evaluate the other parts of the kayak that are important to you (e.g., seat comfort, storage, gear tracks).

I will try and get on a demo. Wish there were dealers a bit closer.
I like everything about the Titan 10.5...size...price...Stability for standing..
I plan on fishing the susky flats/blackwater a good bit this year. Both areas have some thick vegetation. Does the propel drive do okay with that? I know any prop system will gather weeds, I just don't want something that is overly frustrating by having to clear it to frequently.

[Mark]

I will try and get on a demo. Wish there were dealers a bit closer.

Delaware Paddlesports has 3 demo days planned in April, May and June. It's worth the drive.

https://www.delawarepaddlesports.com/2019-demo-days/

Or folks on this forum may offer you an opportunity to pedal their boats. You're welcome to try my Revo at a mutually agreeable time and place this spring.

For what it's worth, I took my former Revo to Mattawoman one time. Not only did the drive choke with weeds so did the rudder. I was not pedaling in visible surface vegetation either. The good news is that I could lock the fins to the hull and raise the rudder and continue fishing with paddle power. However, that experience is one reason I have two paddle kayaks. So I can fish areas like this:

P1040596 (3).jpg

[gliebig]

Delaware Paddlesports has 3 demo days planned in April, May and June. It's worth the drive.

https://www.delawarepaddlesports.com/2019-demo-days/

Or folks on this forum may offer you an opportunity to pedal their boats. You're welcome to try my Revo at a mutually agreeable time and place this spring.

For what it's worth, I took my former Revo to Mattawoman one time. Not only did the drive choke with weeds so did the rudder. I was not pedaling in visible surface vegetation either. The good news is that I could lock the fins to the hull and raise the rudder and continue fishing with paddle power. However, that experience is one reason I have two paddle kayaks. So I can fish areas like this:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]25963[/ATTACH]

I have that boat. snek1.jpg

[Mark]

I have that boat.

It's definitely my best option for fishing in heavy vegetation.

My demo offer stands.

[gliebig]

It's definitely my best option for fishing in heavy vegetation.

My demo offer stands.

I'll keep it in mind. Appreciate the offer.

[J.A. Veil]

I will try and get on a demo. Wish there were dealers a bit closer.
I like everything about the Titan 10.5...size...price...Stability for standing..
I plan on fishing the susky flats/blackwater a good bit this year. Both areas have some thick vegetation. Does the propel drive do okay with that? I know any prop system will gather weeds, I just don't want something that is overly frustrating by having to clear it to frequently.

As you note, any pedal drive system will become clogged when moving through thick vegetation. Native does offer a Weed Guard that may help somewhat -- I have never used a Propel with a Weed Guard and cannot comment of how much improvement it brings. Also I rarely fish in areas with heavy vegetation when using my pedal-drive boat. I prefer my paddle-powered boat for those conditions.

[Huntrava]

I have yet to try a pedal yak. Which system does anyone with experience prefer...hobie/fins or Native/prop? I was set on a Propel but watching some Hobie vids, the leg motion seems like it might be preferable?
Also, going to be snakeheading, so I'll be in a lot of shallows/grassy/pads areas. Hobie fins better for that?

I own a Hobie, but I've seen lots of people over the past few years fishing out of the Native yaks. At one point Hobie was the premiere pedal fishing kayak due to fit and finish as much as the pedal-drive, but these days several companies are making high end pedal yaks, and the advantages/disadvantages are becoming much more subtle. Lots of good options.

My next yak might be a Native since they have the instant reverse which would be immensely helpful when holding over a particular spot. In my case, the 2014 GT drive (not a MD-180/360) means I'm constantly circling or have to put down an anchor. But the upside is that the fins rarely foul up, unless I'm bushwhacking across heavy vegetation--and even then it's easy to lift the drive out, clean off the salad, and drop it back in.