Native Slayer Propel 13 Features and Setup

[@randdylopez1994]

Native all the way!!!!! You’ll love it

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Thanks for the vote! I'll keep track of the recommendations... this will be a tough decision!

[@randdylopez1994]

Kayak Hacks Fishing it is, but you are a wise fisherman and I’m pretty sure you’ll get the one that complete your necessities!!

[@redroofretriever]

In water obstructions are the weakest point in this kayak for me. Drive is deep in water, i hunt shallows, weeds, lilly pads, debris, and i see problems with any pedal drive system that doesnt retract partially and still function. A sit in applies better to my use than a sit on. I dont fish much.excited to see where you go with this choice and why. Thanks for posting.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I agree on the obstructions. I need to decide if pulling the drive would get to be a hassle when running shallow.

[@llesman2]

I would go Native, I have a Nucanoe Frontier 12 w/H2prodrive unproven as yet but it is 41" wide and I'm 68 and want to stand on saltwater.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

At 41" you should not have a problem on that! I liked the tunnel hull on my Native Ultimate - the Slayer has one as well and I think that really helps with the stability

[@sigoutdoors2013]

Let us know how you like it, I'm looking at buying the same set up as you with the H2Pro

[@llesman2]

Check it out on the nucanoe owners group on face book

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I will

[@moc4759]

Great video. Really informative. Just curious why you didn't consider other pedal standards like Old Town Predator PDL or Hobie Mirage 180? Keep these info packed videos about your selection process coming. Oooh Rah.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I am going to look at those as well. :-)

[@moc4759]

Outstanding. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[@DLoh2o1]

Tough call really. I give the drive on the Coosa the advantage, hull speed to Slayer, seat to Coosa, rear well to Slayer. Appear to be paying a tad more for Coosa drive technology. These two are on my short list as well as Wilderness Radar 135 and Hobie Outback. I am very curious which way you go on your purchase...I suspect you will be happy with either

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I am looking hard at the Radar as well.

[@DLoh2o1]

Kayak Hacks Fishing I just put all of the yaks of interest on a spread sheet with specs then added pro's and con's. It was a good exercise for me. Was surprised how quickly it eliminated down to two to demo.

[@buckeye8480]

We've seen you carry gear you better get the Native Titan lol. I'd go with the Native Slayer. They've been building drives for a long time. I like that the whole drive system can be pulled so easy (much more simple), and I like the rudder control better on the Native. Overall cleaner looking kayak. With the front hatch cover removed, and the size of the back tank well you can have access to a lot of gear on the deck. But I think its worth buying just because of the cup/rod holder ;) The advantage for the Jackson is skinny water running with the drive, and inside storage. A demo of both kayaks would be great. Both kayaks area awesome, and comes down to personal preference. Good luck, and I can't wait to see your new setup. If I fished a lot of grassy areas I'd look at Hobie.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That cup holder is a compelling feature!! This is a really tough decision given I will keep it for a long time. Gee... my truck is 18 years old and still going strong - I want this kayak to do the same!! I am going to consider the hobie.

[@davidcortez5614]

After trying to muscle my new kayak to the waters edge, I would like to say the Native, but the drive release by hitting bottom is better on the Jackson. From the video's I've seen where you fish, I'd go Jackson.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

With either one, I'm considering the boonedox wheels to get the boat to the water. I tried it on another kayak in the store and it looks pretty good.

[@davidcortez5614]

Kayak Hacks Fishing that's a good way to go. I was looking at them too. My only concern is they sometimes sit too far back on the kayak. Leaving one to bear the load while pulling too. I bought a small universal cart that works ok, allows me to place it more in the center of the kayak... Look forward to seeing your kayak, whichever it may be.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good point. I will have to intentionally keep the boonedox to the back to use it to help load the yak on my truck. I want to be able to put the front on while the back is still off the ground to prevent scraping. I don't want to have to deal with all the repair work on the new yak.

[@philod902]

At some point, I plan to upgrade to a pedal drive from the 10 ft Perception Manatee my wife surprised me with. Before I do, I'm going to do my level best to try my finalists on the water. Comfort is king, especially when you're of an age where you think rapping is something your small block chevy does when the oil is low. People gather at the launch when they think I'm coming in, just to watch me get out.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! You have not seen my amazing contortions trying to get out of my Native Ultimate!!

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

I have been on the fence about buying a Slayer 13 myself for a good year now. Its a good, strong quality boat, but it has several shortcomings. 1) Everything is extra! 2) You have to have a special maintenance kit to grease the gears, etc. (should have come with it from the factory!) 3) The turning radius is horrible, without an upgrade. 4) The rudder is in a very bad position and is just begging to be broken (should have been retractable instead) and will certainly need to be upgraded to a durable alum. one immediately. 5) The scuppers holes (even plugged) always seem to take on water. This is all based on about a half hour on the water test drive. But its also $500 cheaper than the FD. I have not had the luck to test an FD. Still for me and my extremely limited funds (or lack thereof!), the Slayer 13 seems to be the most economical choice. Because like that salesman said, It can always be upgraded and accessories can be added on later. So the real question is does the FD come with $500 worth of accessories, to make it worth my sweat earned money?!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Aggh! Your good analysis is making this a hard decision. I have too many options to really dive into beyond the slayer and coosa! Thank you so much for those points!

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

I did some pricing while looking. I was looking at the Pescador Pilot originally (I have a Pescador Angler 12) and thought I'd stay with the same brand. But when I priced a replacement drive (because stuff happens!) I was shocked that the replacement drive alone is $899 (I think it was, sort of forgot now.) "Holy mackerel!" I can't even imagine what the FD replacement drive would be! And worse, since its a special drive, you couldn't fabricate replacement parts. That's where the Slayer would beat the FD, because it looks fairly simple to replace anything that could go wrong. I'd say the best way to decide is to go out on a open water day and give them both a shot and see what fits you best. That's what I wish I would have done with the Pescador Angler 12. Its a good kayak, but I'm tall (6' 2 1/2") and primary stability is horrible for me. If I even turn around for a bottle of water, I'm going swimming! I did not know that when I bought it. So its become my purpose in life to test anything I'm looking at, before I pour my sweat earned money into it willy-nilly. Apparently, kayaks are not made with tall people in mind!

[@paulwyman2299]

After kayak fishing for a couple of hours I get minor lower back pain. Do you know of a comfortable seat that would help.

[@philod902]

I was having the same issue. I picked up a new-in-the- package wheelchair seat cushion at a yard sale. It has a slight wedge shape that changed the angle of my lower spine enough to stop the ache.

[@paulwyman2299]

philod902 ...Great....I'll give it a try ...Thanks.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

That sounds like a great solution. After sitting in a few kayaks, I would not recommend any kayak without a seat with a metal frame. The built in seats were all uncomfortable

[@LarryTalbot_1313]

The kayaks with the cheap seat "pads" are just as bad. My Pescador Angler 12 was murder, despite the fact that various people raved about that wretched "seat." It has about as much comfort as sitting on a slice of cheese! That was the first thing I upgraded after 2 hours on the lake. I think all the non-frame seats are going to be about he same.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

"sitting on cheese" lol. Never heard that one before!!

[@cmgoulart]

The NATIVE seems the right fit for you. I have questions about the rudder, I have no problems car topping larger kayaks and thought lifting the front of the boat to start mounting the boat is the rudder open to damage ? dragging the boat off a cart a short distance or low tide over oyster beds ? I also didnt notice any transducer well for mounting under the boat ? In all the NATIVE looks like the right choice but I have those minor concerns for my application cause I will be going HANDS FREE this year as well

[@KayakhacksFishing]

Good points on the rudder. It comes off easy with a pull pin. I am investigating ways to load either heavy boat onto my truck without killing myself.

[@cmgoulart]

was there a well or scupper for a transducer under the hull?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I did not check for that feature. I know the Jackson does not have one, but need to check the Native

[@tobibeuthe8332]

I feel like the Jackson will fit your fishing better, In most of your videos I see you in shallow waters. Although you can take the pedal drive off with a pin you still won't have room in your boat to paddle. With the Jackson, you can just keep pedaling even in shallow water. I also heard the native can be uncomfortable with the bike like pedal drive. This is just my opinion but I think you will be happy with both.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I pedaled both of these and they are about the same. The real difference in pedal stroke comes with the Hobie. I agree with you on the shallow water issue. Even with putting the flippers of the Hobie up next to the hull, they would still scrape, and potentially get damaged, when I hit the oysters. I am looking at the wilderness 135 as well. Stay tuned!

[@jayrough1413]

Did you buy the slayer?

[@KayakhacksFishing]

No, I got the Coosa FD because of the shallow water performance.

[@Buusfly]

I thinkning about buying a propel kayak, but it is confusing with all the coins and pros, I think the Jackson Coosa FD speak most to me, but.. i dont like you cant put the rudder in one position, and have to adjust all the time. I have to go longer distance, 10-15 kilometer on a trip so this part will be annoying. Anybody having a solution to this issue.

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I agree it would be annoying if you wanted to track straight. As I used mine this season, I discovered that wind and current as well as how the boat is balanced from being loaded with stuff on the left and right all impact a straight course. I concluded that, for where I fish, those factors prevail. Check out the video I am putting up tomorrow on making the steering controls on the FD easier to use.

[@Buusfly]

Thank you, i will look forward to se that. :-)

[@jayrough1413]

Is it stable enough for a bigger guy? I was looking at the Jackson big rig

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I guess it depends on how large you are. I am 5'9" and only 172... so am average size. The only way to know for sure is to do to a demo day or ask the store if they have a demo model for you to try out. You could also look around on KZbin to see if any big guys comment.

[@jayrough1413]

I'm 5'10" 220

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I would think that would work - you need to sit in it and see to be sure.

[@jayrough1413]

Thanks alot I subscribed to your channel I can't wait to see your videos

[@KayakhacksFishing]

I really appreciate that! I'll work even harder!

[@brianmowers307]

If you go with the Native, you don't have to replace all your Native fan gear!

[@KayakhacksFishing]

lol! I guess I would have to leave the native owners group on facebook!