Out of the following pedal drive kayaks, which would you buy? And why?

1. Native Slayer Propel 13
2. Wilderness Radar 135
3. Hobie Pro Angler with the new Mirage Drive 180

The Native Propel 13 is "field tested" by hundreds of consumers and lots of information on its pros and cons can be found on the Internet or at the lake.

I'd say it is ALWAYS safer to buy a model that has been out for several years (to iron the bugs out), this over a first year model or innovation.

The two new Wilderness Radars, a 115 and 135? If that pedal drive is as good as the Native unit, it'll be a real contender.

The Hobie PA with the 180 drive? It is a whole different weight class, great for some fishing applications but I like more nimble vessels.

Finally, the best fishing pedal kayak out there might be the Native Ultimate FX Propel 13. It is really closer to a canoe than a kayak but I think it has some features that would make it the best.

Brad

Radar!! The open deck and stability are going to be a huge asset for me in the Radar. I will probably get the 115 because I loved my Ride 115X and I'm stoked about getting back in a smaller kayak. I'm also excited about the Helix PD, the foot operated lever for raising the unit quickly in shallow water is going to be huge. I also like how the rudder control is able to be switched from one side to the other. Its a great time to be a kayak angler either way you go.

I really looking forward to try the Radar. I already have a Hobie but use my paddle kayaks more because drives don't work good where I fish a lot of the time. The Radar was designed to be a great paddler along with being able to use peddles and a motor. The rudder folds above the kayak so no breaking it because it fixed below like the Native. It has a skid pad so it can be dragged and is the lightest of the ones you listed. I also like how easy it can go zero draft. Lots of cool stuff coming out. Can't wait to do some demos!

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If I had enough money to be able to choose between the three I'd go with the Hobie.

I really want to try that Radar, but it's so hard to be patient while I don't have a kayak currently. I just want to get out and fish!

Was a very good point on the weight. I will be putting it on top of my truck cap. I'm still fairly young and in shape, but the lighter the better for how I'm transporting it.

C-Frog, why do you prefer the 115 to 135?

Thanks for all your replies!

go demo them, since we are all different body sizes what might feel comfortable and stable to me might not be the same for you

I have demo'd the Native Propel, Hobie, and a Wilderness Ride. I was fine in all of them. I really need to rent them I think and actually go fishing out of them. Do the kayak rental places let you rent these higher end kayaks?

You need to check out Mariner Sails in Dallas. They will let you do a good demo.

just fyi there is a 2016 propel for sale in the kayak classifieds

Futeki, I had a Ride 115 for a long time and loved it. It had the perfect blend of weight and stability that was very easy to load/unload and easily store. I'm in the ATAK 140 now and while I love the room and stability, its not light or easy to load/unload. If it weren't for the Radar coming out I would be all over the ATAK 120.

I agree on the Radar 115; if its version of the pedal drive is as good as the Native, it will be a big seller.

I think the 115 will outsell the larger one. Why? An 11 to 12' kayak length is optimal for most fishing. One can't really lean forward or backward to the bow and stern areas much farther than that anyway. With a crate in the tankwell and plenty of room for Plano boxes, all but the guys who really like to load down their kayaks with tons and tons of gear.

I have a Native Propel 10 and I think it would be at an optimal length if instead of its truncated flat stern, if it continued back to more of a point. My guess that would make the vessel about 11 or 11.5 feet. The added length would increase its stability and also its carrying capacity.

I see these 14 footer and they just seem too long and too heavy for fishing kayaks.

I can't wait to see a Radar 115 and I agree: the idea of getting a good paddler for some bodies of water, a good pedal drive system for lakes where you cover more water, then even the option of powering up? That is a powerful combination.

I should add that the Native Propel 10 is a surprisingly good paddler but it'd be better they way I described a slightly longer vessel.

Brad

Get a used kayak now and start fishing and learning to paddle. Should be able to sell it for close to what you pay for it. Will give you time to see what fishing out of kayak is like and make the decision easier when you get the pedal kayak you want. The Native Manta Ray is coming out with a new pedal version as well. Good Luck.