Quote:
Originally Posted by 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?
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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/s...749#post126749
The above thread shows that the manafacturer failed on all four of the items that I mentioned.
http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ht=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.