Native Slayer 13 Propel

I meant to get this post up before leaving on a trip to Spokane last week - a little delayed, but here it is.  I recently picked up a Native Slayer 13 propel, and in response so some inquiries I've seen on the boards here's some of the dimensions, and small review.  still waiting on the ocean to lay down a bit to give a go at some rockfish on it, and I'll try to update this post once I get a chance.

from the forward pedal position to the seat back is adjustable from 3-4 feet (+/- an inch) depending on were you lock in the seat on the adjustable slide system.

deck space is - 20 inches wide, 4.5 feet log.  the seat covers from 1' 9" to 2' 6" of that 4.5 feet length of deck space depending on were you adjust the seat to.  you also get 5 inches of clearance under the seat which will come in really handy.

I picked up the seat organizer which clamps on under the seat and gives two slots for smaller plano stowaway boxes, and about 6 pockets for things like pliers, fish grips and the like.  behind the seat there is another storage spot with two bungies to hold a larger plano stowaway box.

I thought it was lacking in fishing rod storage.  only one built in rod holder that is conveniently located by your right hand when pedaling...down side is it is right in the way if you have to paddle..  but tons of gear racks to organize ram mounts exactly were you want rod holders to be - so not really a big deal.

the seat was OK.  I wouldn't call it incredible - but it wasn't at all uncomfortable.  mobility in the seat is awesome, and the kayak is really easy to stand up on.  Even with the higher seat position that what I'm used to, I really felt one would have to put some serious effort into tipping it over.

if you got any more questions, fire em my way and i'll see what I can dig up.  cant wait to get it out in the salt.  I've been day dreaming for the last week about using it close to the surf zone and rocks for perch, rockfish and greenling.  keep it facing were your casting, and use the reverse to keep from being pushed too close to the break point on the surf.

Thanks for the review!  Definitely report back on your experience with it.  Get pics!

Looking forward to a performance review.  Want to see how speed, steering, etc works out

I'm interested in where you got it and what you paid?  I've been thinking about getting the mariner 12.5 propel but haven't found any one in Oregon that sells them. 

I'm interested in where you got it and what you paid?  I've been thinking about getting the mariner 12.5 propel but haven't found any one in Oregon that sells them.

the only two dealers near by that I found were in Bend or Gig Harbor WA.  I went up to The Fly Shop in Gig Harbor, they have quite a few Natives to pick from, and got a demo slayer propel that is a 5 minute walk to the water.  with it being the new model, MSRP at $2400 was the best I could do.

I wonder why there aren't any dealers in the Portland area??  It also looks like the dealer in Bend switched over to selling Hobies, they no longer list Natives on their website.

just looking at Natives dealer locater they really don't have much on the westcoast at all.  certainly more an east coast thing.

Honestly,  it's about shipping costs, or at least it was for me when I was buying for Next

Honestly,  it's about shipping costs, or at least it was for me when I was buying for Next

That's part of it.  It's chicken and egg.  Shipping costs can be addressed by having a distribution center out West.  But before opening a distribution center, one would want to be reasonable sure they are able to sell through.

Personally, I think the Slayer Propel could be a big hit out here.  I test pedalled one last summer, and my impressions at the time is that it was every bit as good, if not better than an Outback ... BUT IT HAS REVERSE, and it is more paddle friendly (it was a padde craft before it was a pedal craft after all)!  Take that statement with a grain of salt, as I have very little time on an Outback.  Until shipping/distribution/retail is addressed, finding or getting one out here will be a limiting factor.

-Allen

I really liked it at OR, very efficient drive, stops impressively fast. Thought it might be a touch under ruddered but I've heard that got fixed in the production model.  Sweet boat overall, I hope Native can get a better program going for the west

I really liked it at OR, very efficient drive, stops impressively fast. Thought it might be a touch under ruddered but I've heard that got fixed in the production model.  Sweet boat overall, I hope Native can get a better program going for the west

I believe the drive on the Propel is more efficient than previous incarnations even though I believe the drive itself is the same.  Why?  I noticed some "gurgling" in previous Native propel kayaks.  By gurgling I mean that the drive cavitated with air pockets.  You could "over-pedal" it and lose efficiency when the gurgling occurred.  I spoke to Woody about this at OR and he said they paid attention to the drive well design to minimize air pockets, hence less gurgling.  This means it is more efficient that previous incarnations.  They also made some changes in the height of the pedals with respect to the pedallers body.  I think (don't recall exactly) that it is lower w.r.t to your body meaning you are NOT reaching up with you legs.  The thinking behind this is that it is a more natural position and more comfortable for the majority of people.  Perhaps this also probably has the byproduct of having the propeller lower in the water, which again would result in less gurgling.  Not entirely sure of the last statement ... maybe you are sitting higher.  It would be interesting to take some measurements on this.  Yes, they put a lot of thought into this.  Nicely done Native!

-Allen

Kind of a moot point for me at the moment as $2k+ is not happening for a kayak, but by the time that's a real possibility I do hope they get good distribution out on this coast.  If the barge-ness and poor rudder issues compared to the one I demo'd are solved I'd be highly interested in a Native Propel vs a Hobie just for the reverse capability.  Particularly if they make an Adventure competitor.

Kind of a moot point for me at the moment as $2k+ is not happening for a kayak, but by the time that's a real possibility I do hope they get good distribution out on this coast.  If the barge-ness and poor rudder issues compared to the one I demo'd are solved I'd be highly interested in a Native Propel vs a Hobie just for the reverse capability.  Particularly if they make an Adventure competitor.

Which one did you demo?  I'm recalling the Mariner.  That's a completely different watercraft than the Slayer.

-Allen

Don't remember the model.  I liked the drive system, though it was hard to tell in that environment whether the Propel or Mirage was "better" for most uses.  The instant reverse option of the Propel drive was pretty nice.  Especially as crowded as it was out there that day.  Made stopping very quick.  Had the rudder not been so hideously bad I might have liked the rest of the experience with that boat.

Havent seen any discussion about the prop hanging down...seems as though there might be damage issues in skinny water. If you find yourself in trouble with the mirage drive you can feather the fins up against the hull. Course stopping faster eliminates some of that worry...