Native Watercraft Propel Reviews?

[Yakin]

I herd these are mainly best for like in the bays or in the flats on the east coast?
Has anyone ever tried these in our open oceans?
I have an opportunity to get one at an amazing price.

[JNAST13ST]

I seen it looks great, my bro in law said he read reviews saying the gear ratio is bad and gets u tired faster than the mirage drive. They should build it with a ten speed gear lol

[Yakin]

I seen it looks great, my bro in law said he read reviews saying the gear ratio is bad and gets u tired faster than the mirage drive. They should build it with a ten speed gear lol

They build that shit with a 10 speed gear you will be hydroplaning threw the water doing like 10-20 knots HAHAHAHA
I am pretty such it wouldn't be that hard to do a bike set up on it but then again I have never seen one in person!

[bus kid]

"Search" is your friend.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=4856

and so is Google

http://www.tackletour.net/TTForums/viewtopic.php?f=53&t=39239

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/topic/557314/gonew/1

http://www.nativeownersgroup.com/archive/index.php/t-13454.html

[vincentek9]

wasnt there a posting a week ago about how bad native watercraft was?

[Yakin]

wasnt there a posting a week ago about how bad native watercraft was?

I think it was on their customer service.

[HatterasCast]

I have an opportunity to get one at an amazing price.

How much?

[Yakin]

How much?

Amazing, from a friend of the family, the price of a used mini x

[PAL]

^The drive alone is worth that much. Overbuilt, completely solid. They work in reverse!

But, the drive is much heavier and rigid enough in testing in shallow water we grounded one hard enough to impale the skeg in the mud. And they draft more water than the competition.

Also, Native dialed back the gear ratio a year or more back. The original is more like a turbo version - the new one is easier to get going.

What do you have to lose at such a price?

[PE.rider]

I tried my cousin's Ultimate 12 propel in North Carolina waters. I liked the natural 'pedalling-on-a-bike' feeling that reminded me of cycling on dry land; but to be honest, I didn't like doing so on my back at such a low angle. Then again, that's the same reason why I don't like the Hobie pedals. I'm a paddle control freak that likes to sit upright and avoid juggling my gonads in that fashion. :D

I would advise you to take a pass on the Ultimate pedal models, as the yak is akin to a canoe, and therefore, like a sit-in. The Mariner models are more similar to the SOTs that we use out here on the West Coast.

If it's a inside connection. you should ask to borrow it for a weekend and take it out to your favorite waters. There's no substitution for personal use.

Good Luck!

[jorluivil]

^The drive alone is worth that much. Overbuilt, completely solid. They work in reverse!

But, the drive is much heavier and rigid enough in testing in shallow water we grounded one hard enough to impale the skeg in the mud. And they draft more water than the competition.

Also, Native dialed back the gear ratio a year or more back. The original is more like a turbo version - the new one is easier to get going.

What do you have to lose at such a price?

I think the overall design is a good idea but its going to take some HUGE innovation to keep kayakers from buying a Hobie. Here's what I usually look at before dropping some Benjamins on a new product


Customer Service
Parts availabilty
Local support
Product Reviews
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?p=126749#post126749

The above thread shows that the manafacturer failed on all four of the items that I mentioned.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=10956&highlight=revo&page=3

Guess what this one shows on a five year old Hobie?


Not trying to promote Hobie specifically, there are other kayak manufacturers that provide 'above and beyond' service and it appears that Native eventually did the right thing and helped a customer get back on the water. However, it was only done because of the bad publicity and nothing else.