Anybody has Native Propel kayaks? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

anchovie · 11-28-2015, 10:01 PM

I've heard that the prop collects kelp and eel grass but have not tried this kayak myself.

Dave Legacy · 11-28-2015, 11:08 PM

I'd be doing the same if I were in your shoes and that's why I'm going to suggest you just enjoy your new Outback! You used one, you liked it, you brought back from the dead every single outback posted for sale over the last year, and you bought one. I feel the same way about the Hobie as you do, but one of the benefits is that there's an abundance of resources/support locally to service or repair your Hobie. This is coming from a place of friendship; Known you quite a long time on another forum and hate to see you drive yourself mad!

I have kinda wondered if the Native Propel drive is easier on the knees?

taggermike · 11-29-2015, 07:37 AM

Like with any kayak you should test drive every one youre interested in.
One negative ive heard about the propel is since the pedals make a full circle there is a point when the pedal, and your foot, is higher than your hips. So your legs are actually angled up. I believe native has fixed this by raising the seat and shortening the length of the cranks.
Hobie has a great rep here on the west coast. But Native isn't a new company and has been big on the east n gulf for a long time. I've been on Hobies but not a propel but the smooth circular motion of the propel does look easier than the reciprocating action of the mirage drive.

I remember when Hobie's mirage drive was the new thing and the wide spread distrust, scepticism, and even hostility that "real" paddle yakkers showed. New things ate worth trying. Mike

Mahigeer · 11-29-2015, 08:53 AM

Thank you all for the input. In particular, Dave.

I am visiting Andy next week with my Outback for review and such.

If he has a Propel drive, I would like to test drive it.

OEX Sunset is listed as the only dealer in the entire west coast if I am not mistaken.

I read the same information about the shortening the legs on the propel to help the alignment issue.

acorad · 11-29-2015, 09:26 AM

I've heard you can pop the mirage drive out and turn it around so you can peddle in reverse. Probably steering is a little wonky with the rudder now on the "bow" of the kayak, not sure how it works with the Propel.

Andy

Iceman · 11-29-2015, 09:53 AM

OEX Mission Bay is a Native dealer as well, yes the pedal cranks have been shortened and seat raised.

Mahigeer · 11-29-2015, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iceman

OEX Mission Bay is a Native dealer as well, yes the pedal cranks have been shortened and seat raised.

Do you have any Slayer Propel kayaks in stock for demo??

I would like to try one next week.

makobob · 12-16-2015, 03:52 PM

I also own an outback. I cannot ride a bike more than a few minutes as the rotary motion is painful. I can pedal a Hobie a few miles at a slower pace most of the day, Hobie is push/pull MUCH easier on my knees. The Propel is ROTARY which did not work for me, I tried one. AND reverse is NOT what you expect as you are steering with the rudder in the WRONG position. Rudders work great when going forward as they are then in the back as designed, but in reverse they are on the wrong end of the boat to work well. Reverse will stop forward motion and get you started going backward but steering is then lost. Hashem, wear that drive out then rebuild it or buy a NEW drive, keep tools and spare parts on board. NO Yak is perfect, but your outback is close to ideal and as you age it will treat you well. It is a WELL TESTED package. I wonder why so many more Hobies are sold??????? AND FISHED hard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

I'd be doing the same if I were in your shoes and that's why I'm going to suggest you just enjoy your new Outback! You used one, you liked it, you brought back from the dead every single outback posted for sale over the last year, and you bought one. I feel the same way about the Hobie as you do, but one of the benefits is that there's an abundance of resources/support locally to service or repair your Hobie. This is coming from a place of friendship; Known you quite a long time on another forum and hate to see you drive yourself mad!

I have kinda wondered if the Native Propel drive is easier on the knees?

tstephens3232 · 11-30-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anchovie

I've heard that the prop collects kelp and eel grass but have not tried this kayak myself.

This is my biggest concern. Wish someone knew for sure?

Mahigeer · 11-30-2015, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tstephens3232

This is my biggest concern. Wish someone knew for sure?

One owner says to put a plastic washer with holes between the prop blade and the shaft.

It reduces the gap and collection of sea weeds.

Given the snagging of the tackle problem in the middle of the kelp forest, I rather fish on the outside of the kelp anyways.

Bob Benner · 12-02-2015, 12:44 AM

I originally bought a Slayer Propel 10 when I first got into Kayak fishing. Two weeks later I sold it and bought a Hobie Outback. The Slayer tracked really bad, the Propel drive started making a really bad creaking sound after about a week. The Propel drive is a eel grass magnet! Fishing Mission Bay I was clearing my prop every 5-10 minutes. The Propel drive picks up every single strand of loose grass you come across. Also, it feels like you are constantly riding a bicycle up hill with the Propel drive, legs would start burning after about 30-45 minutes. I have been absolutely pleased with my Outback. My decision to sell the Propel was the right choice for me. One more thing, the Outback also feels much more solidly made then the Slayers.

Mahigeer · 12-02-2015, 07:14 AM

One of the benefit of this site is the experience of the members.

Thank you all for the inputs.

For now I will stay with my Outback.

Toromike · 12-02-2015, 09:02 AM

Yes, I had the Native Mariner 12. They are very nice Kayaks, and yes the prop drive does collect eel grass and other floating objects. I felt it was hard to peddle the kayak. Another issue they have is the rudder is not retractable and could get damaged in transport. But other than that they are great. I eventually sold mine about a year ago and got a Hobie Pro Angler.

tstephens3232 · 12-02-2015, 10:45 AM

The deal was too good... I bought the Slayer Propel 13 on Cyber Monday for $1800 all tax and shipping included. At $800 discount I figured if it's that bad I should be able to get my money back or something close to it. I know they have corrected a lot of the issues especially in the comfort department but the eel grass and kelp will like be a issue (hopefully not a big one). For half the prcie of a PA I had to give it a try.

11-29-2015, 09:53 AM	#6
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	OEX Mission Bay is a Native dealer as well, yes the pedal cranks have been shortened and seat raised. __________________

11-28-2015, 10:01 PM	#1
anchovie Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 49	I've heard that the prop collects kelp and eel grass but have not tried this kayak myself.

11-28-2015, 11:08 PM	#2
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	I'd be doing the same if I were in your shoes and that's why I'm going to suggest you just enjoy your new Outback! You used one, you liked it, you brought back from the dead every single outback posted for sale over the last year, and you bought one. I feel the same way about the Hobie as you do, but one of the benefits is that there's an abundance of resources/support locally to service or repair your Hobie. This is coming from a place of friendship; Known you quite a long time on another forum and hate to see you drive yourself mad! I have kinda wondered if the Native Propel drive is easier on the knees?

11-29-2015, 07:37 AM	#3
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	Like with any kayak you should test drive every one youre interested in. One negative ive heard about the propel is since the pedals make a full circle there is a point when the pedal, and your foot, is higher than your hips. So your legs are actually angled up. I believe native has fixed this by raising the seat and shortening the length of the cranks. Hobie has a great rep here on the west coast. But Native isn't a new company and has been big on the east n gulf for a long time. I've been on Hobies but not a propel but the smooth circular motion of the propel does look easier than the reciprocating action of the mirage drive. I remember when Hobie's mirage drive was the new thing and the wide spread distrust, scepticism, and even hostility that "real" paddle yakkers showed. New things ate worth trying. Mike

11-29-2015, 08:53 AM	#4
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,863	Thank you all for the input. In particular, Dave. I am visiting Andy next week with my Outback for review and such. If he has a Propel drive, I would like to test drive it. OEX Sunset is listed as the only dealer in the entire west coast if I am not mistaken. I read the same information about the shortening the legs on the propel to help the alignment issue.

11-29-2015, 09:26 AM	#5
acorad Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Agoura Hills Posts: 166	I've heard you can pop the mirage drive out and turn it around so you can peddle in reverse. Probably steering is a little wonky with the rudder now on the "bow" of the kayak, not sure how it works with the Propel. Andy

12-02-2015, 12:44 AM	#11
Bob Benner Junior Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 1	I originally bought a Slayer Propel 10 when I first got into Kayak fishing. Two weeks later I sold it and bought a Hobie Outback. The Slayer tracked really bad, the Propel drive started making a really bad creaking sound after about a week. The Propel drive is a eel grass magnet! Fishing Mission Bay I was clearing my prop every 5-10 minutes. The Propel drive picks up every single strand of loose grass you come across. Also, it feels like you are constantly riding a bicycle up hill with the Propel drive, legs would start burning after about 30-45 minutes. I have been absolutely pleased with my Outback. My decision to sell the Propel was the right choice for me. One more thing, the Outback also feels much more solidly made then the Slayers.

12-02-2015, 07:14 AM	#12
Mahigeer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,863	One of the benefit of this site is the experience of the members. Thank you all for the inputs. For now I will stay with my Outback.

12-02-2015, 09:02 AM	#13
Toromike Junior Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Santee Posts: 27	Yes, I had the Native Mariner 12. They are very nice Kayaks, and yes the prop drive does collect eel grass and other floating objects. I felt it was hard to peddle the kayak. Another issue they have is the rudder is not retractable and could get damaged in transport. But other than that they are great. I eventually sold mine about a year ago and got a Hobie Pro Angler.

12-02-2015, 10:45 AM	#14
tstephens3232 Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Long Beach Posts: 30	The deal was too good... I bought the Slayer Propel 13 on Cyber Monday for $1800 all tax and shipping included. At $800 discount I figured if it's that bad I should be able to get my money back or something close to it. I know they have corrected a lot of the issues especially in the comfort department but the eel grass and kelp will like be a issue (hopefully not a big one). For half the prcie of a PA I had to give it a try.