Upgraded/Improved Propel 10 - Fresh out of the shop

I picked up my Native Propel 10 this morning so I took some pics, will discuss the items.

I had them add the Native version of Boonedox's Landing Gear. It is mounted to the tank well tracks. It feels very solid, no wiggle at all.



My original intention was to install two flush mounted rod holders; but, the Landing Gear has a really good track and it was so close to the bulkhead behind the seat, I elected to mount 2 Tube rod holders on 1.5" track balls. These can swivel in any direction. Cool!



I now have a bit of track in a convenient place (away from my left handed casting area) to mount my flag/light pole.



I have had this Anchor Wizard for awhile now, decided to install it on the 10. It sits on the track about around where my left knee is.



It utilizes my previous no-drill, track-mounted anchor trolley comprising a Harken Pulley system and a Z Cleat. So far, so good.



I also installed the new indexer that helps one line up the prop blades so that they lift smoothly and quickly. On my lake, this is a big deal.



I carry my Werner Paddle on a cool little device I bought quite some time ago from TheKayakFIshingStore called The Perfect Paddle Park. It releases super fast, holds great.



No pic, but I also replaced the plastic clip on the seat straps with metal ones from TheKayakFishingStore.

All that is left to do is I need to order replacement pads for the cockpit area. One is worn a bit.

I also have the underseat storage and I can carry 2 3600 Plano boxes and it also has 4 pockets where I can carry fish grips, my brush clip, pliers, etc.

I have one more track mounted RailBlaza rod holder by my right knee, and I have a water holder than mounts to the top of my drive unit.

Whew! Almost all updated!

I absolutely love this rubberized wire. I think I found this years ago at Bass Pro Shop. You can use it to secure things very fast just by twisting it around things. Great!



And, for the best bang for the buck, I have used Tackle Webs rear seat back velcro sealed storage for several years. A great place to carry sunscreen, maps, etc.



Brad

Very nice!

Oh! And, I added the new rudder system, too, using the stock rudder but new mechanicals and a different cabling system.

Brad

Looks really nice and well thought out!

Looking Sweet. All the add'ons can add up quickly. Looks like you've done a great job.

They really do! And, this from me, the supposed "finesse" guy.

But, I am normally thinking about the number of rods, the amount of tackle we take along. In this, I am really pretty stark carrying out 1 to 3 rods, a few Plano boxes.

Most of my recent adds related to updating an older model with some of the newer features. Too, I was getting ahead a bit on the new rudder control knowing that lots of people had issues with the cables breaking.

Figuring out convenient storage always helps and so does getting the rods mounted and within reach.

Can't wait to try it out, see how much time I might save, aggravation too, using the Landing Gear.

Brad

Brad do you have any better pictures of your anchor system?

Shaun, I'll go out a bit later and take some better photos and post them here.

I highly recommend the set-up for anyone with tracks. It mean no holes to drill and that it can be totally removed, or moved to the other side, etc.

Brad

Thanks. Do you have it running through your anchor trolley?

Very nice Brad, clean set up. I still haven't convinced myself to go for the Boonedox landing gear, mainly because I'm not 100% sure I'm sticking with the SP10 but that's another story.

The rocket launchers will be MUCH better than the flush mounts. Also very useful up front as a trolling rod holder.

I use a Werner paddle on my paddle kayak, but all I use on the Propel is a little cheapo canoe paddle. Much smaller and I just stick it under the seat.

I'm hoping to get my SP10 out tomorrow, get it cleaned up and rigged up. Momma says she wants to go out in the kayaks this weekend. And she's anxious to try the Propel.

Hmm? I thought I posted some pics before I left??? Oh well.

Warhawk, agreed on the rocket launchers - I can also use one for a net. And, they allow me to position the rods at any angle I choose from vertical to almost horizontal like if I know I am going under branches or a low bridge.

Photos and comments on the anchor trolley:



This is looking bow and back where you can see the Anchor Wizard, then the Harken Track-mounted Pulley, then a Z-Cleat and the line running back to the rear of the tankwell track where the second pulley is located. The Anchor Wizard line would be run through the big O Ring (seen best in one of the other pics below) and down to the actual anchor. The O Ring would be pushed or pulled forward or backward to a desired location, then the anchor trolley line would be locked in place with the Z Cleat. And, the Anchor Wizard, itself, locks the anchor line from letting any more line out. This is the way you position where on the side from bow to stern your anchor will pull.

Typically, most kayakers would want the anchor line to run off the stern of the vessel to keep from casting over it if it were up off the bow. I don't run my anchor trolley forward because I always want to "swing" bow away from the anchor. Oh! And, I don't have any track up there either. But, if you look at lots of anchor trolley installations, often they are from mid vessel to the rear.



This is the rear view and you can see the second pulley better. Now, the amount of slack in the trolley line is totally adjustable just by loosening one or both pulleys and bringing them closer together or farther apart. Or, you can slide the whole thing off the tracks to make room for something else.



Here in a side view, you can see that I don't have the trolley line locked down in the Z cleat so it hangs down a bit. Normally, when it is not in use, I'd run it through the Z cleat to secure it and take the slack out. But, if I am anchoring out, I like a bit of slack in it. I can adjust this easily as mentioned before.

Hope this helps!

Brad

I really like that wind up anchor. Where did you find it?

This is called the Anchor Wizard. I think almost all of the better shops carry them or via online sources. I bought mine when I bought the Cuda Lt down in Houston.

Watch a few YouTube vids to see if it will work for you!

My intention was to mount this on my Cuda Lt paddle only kayak. Why? Because my Propel 10 is so easy to manage and holds water position so well, I rarely need to drop an anchor. But, I wanted to give it a good workout so I'll keep it on the 10 for now.

I am like everyone else: I don't want a large hank of anchor rope lying by my feet all knotted up. This is one way to solve that issue. And, it is really fast to deploy and to pick it back up. It makes anchoring a pleasure.

For a paddle kayak where one might have a few more issues, a few more circumstances where anchoring would hold you on water better, I think this would be essential.

My Cuda Lt, sadly, doesn't really have a place to mount it within reach but outside of my normal paddle stroke, so I am going to have Kevin dismuke mock me up something to mount it on just back and to the side of my seat.

*** One other good alternative for a wind-up sort of anchor retrieve would be a diving reel. See below for link.

Brad
Diving reel example

I do like the "diving reel" option and the price is right too. But I'm afraid if the reel wasn't mounted it would just be thrown down by my feet and just be lost in the clutter.

I did find a video of using the anchor wizard with the anchor trolly though.
I believe this would be a cool set up.
Trolly/Anchor wizard

Yes, that is essentially how mine works. An anchor trolley just adjusts the positions to anchor from. You can drop an anchor directly off the side, then "clothesline" it back to the rear, let out a bit more anchor line and you are set to go.

Brad

Brad, are you talking about the Berleypro Rudder system?

***************************************

No, not the rudder system where there is a much-improved rudder now available, but what they call the Native Watercraft Steering Upgrade. It essentially replaces the old system of wire cables with a high strength line Spectra line and they remove the stops so the rudder can be operated over a larger number of degrees.

See below.

I like it and, yes, it does really help tighten up turns significantly. I was okay with the way the 10 turned anyway but knew I was overdue replacing the stock cables that are known to break so I went this route knowing I needed to be proactive here a bit.

Since I am still using a stock rudder, my new configuration doesn't help tracking issues related to shorter kayaks. For that, I rely on my hand paddle, still my preferred way to direct the vessel.

Brad
Steering Upgrade

Oh! And a first for me.

I went out yesterday, fished for about 4 hours, then got an expected call where I had to pick up my wife at a time and location, so I got off the water, loaded the kayak at the boat launch area using the much-quicker process I have now with the Boonedox Landing Gear and then . . .

I got a second call from my wife that she was going to stay at our daughter's home another day.

Dang it! If it had been 5 minutes earlier, I would have just stayed on the water; but, I went home, showered and ate, took a nap. When I got up, it was just past 4 PM and I was bored, my kayak was still on the truck, so I re-tied a few knots, drove back to the launch (.8 miles) and was back on the water in no time.

My point? Two turn-around trips in one day. Had I not been able to keep the kayak fully loaded and ready to roll down into the water, I'd have never done this.

I got back about 8 PM, so no time to clean it and unload it yet.

It sits there . . . tempting me!

Ha! Brad

haha.. Brad, you are making me miss my Slayer 10 so much!!!

They are a "hoot" out on the water, that is for sure.

Benny, a FaceBook acquaintance, and his son-in-law, Cory, were out on Athens yesterday, too. Benny has the new Wilderness Systems Radar. Whew! This is a very lovely vessel and I think he said it was only the first or second time he has had it out. Benny was an avid paddler, then told me the story of him going out with another kayaker with a pedal version, said he was tired of being blown around as I recall, saw the value of pedals for recreational fishing.

He handled it well . . . looked like he'd been in this Radar for a long time. This kayak looks long a sleek like it'd paddle well, too.

Lots of options but I really admire the broad functionality/ ease of transport of a Propel 10.

Brad

Nice looking yak. Have u been in an outback and how does it compare speedwise and leg power to go a good sustainable speed

I have never been in an Outback but from what I have read and heard, the Propel 10 wouldn't be as fast in a sprint but about the same in functional speed for fishing.

Again, I don't know about leg power to sustain speed but I don't feel it, at all, in my 10. That is, I just feel like it is the weight of my foot and leg that makes the cycle push. If I feel anything at all, it is picking up my leg and foot from the bottom of the cycle pattern where I'd feel it a tad in my abdomen. But, at the end of a long day, my "cycling" muscles are never sore, I'm just worn out by the sun a bit.

I think what has happened is the Outback likely has surprised Hobie as it has become a very popular fishing platform and a lot of folks have moved to it over the much heavier PA 12s and 14s. The competitive kayak guys will likely stay with the PAs, for good reason, but there sure are a lot of recreational guys and gals buying Outbacks.

The Outback has been greatly improved over the last two or so product upgrades.

It is one-third again heavier than a 10 and I have seen one rigged up with a Landing Gear which would be a requirement for me, going forward, on any kayak I buy.

Come on down to Lake Athens . . . we'll race! (Then fish!) Ha!

Brad