Those are actually really good points, even from someone who considers himself a rookie. That is how I'd identify myself since I have only kayaked for a few months in my 10. Before that, I used a fishing canoe.

Your report jibes with most other's regarding the turning and other features of a 10 versus a 13. Now, we can start quantifying this new Ultimate Propel and how it compares.

I was thinking the exact same thing, that really the new Ultimate FX leans a bit more toward a canoe than a kayak. So many kayaks now are hybrids, some between a kayak and a Stand-up paddle board, others between a kayak and a canoe.

But, hybrid vigor is almost always a good thing.

I actually experience the exact same tracking issue in my Propel 10 and what I have found is that after a few times out, I learned to use the hand control a bit better meaning I have learned to be more subtle and not over-steer where I then have to jam the lever the other way and I get caught in one of those "back and forth" endless adjustments.

Several of you may have read my way of handling the long distance pulls across water when you desire a straight path:

What I do is look at my target and generally bring the kayak onto that preferred course, then I start pedaling and I purposely set the bow so that it pulls slightly off to port(it could be off a few degrees to either side), then I use one of those small hand paddles on the opposite side (in my right hand) and I drop the paddle into the water on the starboard side just briefly, pulsing it as necessary to pull the bow back onto my intended target. So, what it looks like is a vessel moving to its far-away target, then pulling a degree or two to port, me dropping the "hand rudder" into the water and dragging it for a few seconds, then back on my target course, and I repeat this across the lake.

It sounds like a lot of work; it isn't.

I just find hand ruddering with one of the small hand paddles a whole lot easier to make a one or two degree adjustment to a tiny port bow pull . . . than making constant back and forth rudder lever adjustments of, what, 5 degrees or so.

On short moves, my 10 tracks fine and I don't use the paddle as a rudder.

Anyone who canoes knows what I am talking about since most of them, especially broad and flat bottomed fishing shaped ones with no rudders or keels, track poorly . . . so they often drop the long paddle blade in the water as a rudder to make course adjustments more often or as often as they paddle to one side to line up the canoe back up.

My hand paddle is right behind my seat all the time and I often use it for really tiny adjustments.

Just a guess that this is one of those "putting things on the scales" where, yes, they could have made these kayaks track a bit better at the expense of making them less stable for standing and general stability issues for a broader and better fishing experience.

Anyway, good report!

Brad

Since I was a part of the design team Woody brought the prototype unit up last night for me to try it out.
I was very impressed with the look of the unit (I had only seen photos and conceptual drawings until last night).
The Ultimate is a hybrid cross between a sit on top and a sit in kayak. It has the tunnel hull construction which is way different from any canoe I have ever seen. The first class seat of course is one of my favorite parts of our Native yaks. The boat was quick, tracked really well in my opinion (I actually took off across the lake and just let it glide to determine how well it would track and it went very straight), turned a lot quicker than even my SP 10, and the weight being so much less than most yaks is a huge plus with me.
The thwart box with the built in rod holders, the battery box, the front hatch cover, and the dual anchor trolleys coming stock on it are a nice touch.
We turned the boat over so I could see the new transducer pod on the bottom which is a really nice touch (they heard you Derek). It will have molded in mounting hardware on the production models.

I did not paddle the yak as I didn't realize I had a paddle until I got back to shore and got down and started looking closely at the interior and discovered one in the built in paddle holders under the gunnels.

Overall I was very impressed with the first prototype of the yak.
It does need a few tweaks and once they are done I see it as a very versatile kayak that can be used on a multitude of waters.

Jerry... I'm jealous... just sayin...

Sorry, had to re-size my pics before uploading them.

still jealous...

.

Thanks for the report and Picts.