Native Slayer Propel Rigging

Just got a call from GHFS, and my new Slayer Propel 13 is in!  Over the past month or so I've been collecting accessories, and now I can finally get to rigging.  I'll be posting my exploits here...stay tuned!

Congratulations! I'm intrigued and can't wait to hear more about these boats (wife thinks I need a 5th boat  )...love the thought of having hands free fishing *and* reverse when fishing around docks for bass!
Just looking at the specs it looks to be pretty heavy at 120 lbs...Makes my 88 lb Outbacks seem light and would pretty much rule out carrying one atop my Jeep
Is that a hull or a fully rigged weight? 

85 lbs unrigged.

a good chunk of that weight is the prop system.  it's removable, and I have no problems loading it on/off the truck solo.  it's comparable to my Malibu stealth for loading/moving around - perhaps a little easier.

Round 1:  Picked up the new Slayer today.  Didn't get a lot of time to tinker, but did get to install the FF battery mount.  I went with the Native Battery bag accessory, which is designed for the Slayer 14.5 (no pedal drive).  Since things are a bit different with the pedal drive, mounting options were either through the top directly behind the access plate, or through the rear wall of the bow hatch.  I opted for the top, as the reach to the bow hatch was a bit too much.  it's a tight squeeze to get the battery in, but it worked out pretty well. 

Tomorrow  is transducer mount time. And maybe I'll even take a picture of the whole kayak.

Were you perchance fishing the shilsole breakwall yesterday? if so, i was the fellow on the orange tarpon 140.

Jon - another great native acsesory is the seat organizer.   Gives two pockets for small Plano boxes and a few slots for pliers, fish grips, thump sticks, and the like.  Would highly recommend it due to the lack of built in storage in front of you seat.

I looked at that same battery pack holder but couldn't convince myself to get it.  How heavy is your battery and how well does the bag hold the weight - does it look like you'll need to add a bar across the bag seem to distribute the weight off the eyelets for the screws?  (If that makes sense).

Nope...not me on the breakwater yesterday.  Next week...but I have a super secret spot that I have better luck at.

Crabby...I'm using http://www.westmarine.com/fishfinder-accessories/humminbird--gel-cell-battery-kit--8659252, and it's sized perfectly for that battery bag.  I don't think the bag will fit anything much bigger.  I used oversized washers to hold the bag in place, but I can see replacing that with a bar to hold the top open being of benefit.  With what I've got, the bag doesn't really fold up, and the attached strap wrapped around the scupper keeps the battery from swinging around.

My girlfriend was more impressed with the seat and organizers than she was with the kayak lol.  I agree...must haves.

BTW Crabby, there is a new rail kit that you can get free of charge from Native for an issue some are having with the seat slipping off of the mold.  Basically another gear track installed under the seat for rigidity and width.  Mine came with it pre-installed...

From Native: "We now have a rail kit that stiffens and adds more of a ledge for the seat rails to land on in that area. Its super easy to install and is free of charge. Please contact us at info@legacypaddlesports and we will get a kit out to ya asap."

Ah. Well the gentleman I was yak fishing near yesterday had the exact same yak in the same coloration. I'd be lying if I didn't say it didn't inspire me to go home and start googling prices on that craft asap.

Drop me a line if you want to get out sometime. As a relative newcomer to Seattle and the PacNW (but not yak fishing), I'm always down for meeting new yak fishermen.

And yea, you've got me intrigued on this super-secret seattle spot....

LOL here's a hint...

I'll be rigged and ready by mid next week.  Spending quality time with the girlfriend's parents this weekend...

Maiden voyage today with the new yak.  Coming from an OT vapor 10XT, I'm in love.  Met up with DWB123 at my super secret spot, and was able to christen the new vessel with a number of brown rockfish.  I get kind of annoyed with the "REVERSE IS A GAME CHANGER" stuff I see in Native ads, but it kind of is.  I'm able to pull in tight to the breakwaters and cast parallel, then drift the distance easily with the tide/current.  Fish pulling me close?  Backpedal away.  This thing moves too!  FF/GPS marked me at 5 MPH at a comfortable pace.  Going to look into some different pedal options, as I found myself wishing for my bike shoes and pedal clips.

Have been able to rig up the anchor trolley and FF...need to add a couple flush mount rod brackets and padeyes.  Not sure if it was the jellyfish in the water or a bad goop job, but still figuring out the ff transducer situation.  Downscan Imaging was clear and precise, but sonar showed a lot of junk...vertical lines that could have been kelp...etc.

Will post pics of my rigging when I get a chance to take pics pre-darkness.  Very happy camper

OK, been meaning to post up some pics of the finished rig, so here goes.  Comments and suggestions welcome.

Added 2 Scotty No. 344 Round Flush Deck Mounts to the rear for fly rods, and 4 pad eyes for clipping various accessories...i.e. rods and paddle and cooler.  Also added a 1.5" ram GoPro mount ball that you can see here...still waiting on the extension rod.


Also went with the Native Fishing Buddy instead of standard milk crate...securely attached to padeyes and bungee.  Paddle installed along RHS via cam locks.


Anchor trolley along RHS.


FF along RHS on RAM track mount.  Cables installed through hull via West Marine thru bulkhead pass through.  I can run the wiring through the groove track so it remains out of the way...and I just clipped and capped the NMEA wiring cable so as to avoid drilling 2 holes in my yak.


Fish/storage bow bag from Native as well.


And a GoPro vanity RAM ball mount on the Propel drive itself.


While drillin' & cuttin' I got a little carried away and broke the PVC rack I built(you can see the remnants in the pic directly above)...so I went ahead and built a nice solid wood one, and am very happy with the way it turned out. 


Also have various Scotty Groove track adapters for my Laketroller DR, cutting board, and rod holders.  Positions subject to change, so I did not post them here. 

Hope you guys enjoy.  Sorry, a bit pic heavy.

lookin good!

i've been brainstorming on DR mounting myself, and am pessimistic that a single square nut and washer (or scotty groove track adaptor) is sufficient to hold the deployed DR weight over time without bending the track itself.

How're you going to mount it? W/ my Tarpon 140's nearly-identical track system, I could learn a thing or two.

Was going to use that mounting plate... but we shall see come salmon season.