I'm thinking about getting a Native propel. But I have a few questions for those of you that own one.

1. Is it really worth it than just getting a longer paddle yak?
2. Do you get any grass wrapped around the small prop?
3. Has the peddle drive system held up?
4. If you ever hit a stump, what happened?
5. Is it easy or difficult to stand up in?
6. Can you launch in shallow water and then put in the drive system?

I know the Hobie is worth it but I don't have that much cash or a good way to transport the big thing.

Thanks for your replies.

I don't own one but have paddled/peddled them quite a bit, yes grass wraps around the prop, you don't get nearly as much power as you would with a Hobie, I'm not sure how well they hold up, easy to stand up in it's a canoe. The way they are set up is yyou can lift the prop up and down really easy, all you would have to do is drop in shallow water and when you get to deeper water remove the foam insert and slide the prop down. Personally I don't like any peddle drive kayak/canoe. Your best bet is to go try one yourself.

Did you check the Hobie pedal kayaks instead of that big new one (whatever it is called)?


My wife's Hobie (sport) is 8.5 ft, mine is only 12.5 (outback).

1)Go test one out yourself and see - personally I lean with Scout there, I am a paddle guy. Sure helps fighting a headwind to have that peddle ability though. It'd be great for a lake environment, once your leg muscles get used to the extra load. It's great cardio.

2)Definitely. The last time I took one through some shallow grass I just had to give up and pushpole the 'yak through to deeper water. The only good thing is you can generally spin the grass off if you peddle in reverse for a bit, and then go back forward.

3)There have been a couple issues with the bracing holding the peddle drive itself down and in place losing a screw, but I would venture to guess that will be different for each boat. Just something to keep an eye on.

4)If you hit something, like an oyster reef, (obviously my experience is in the salt, haha), you will know it Immediately. Nothing critical has happened the couple impacts I have gone through tho, just a wakeup call. Try not to do it too often, haha.

5)Native Ultimate boats are super easy to stand in as a general rule. I have stood up in everything from Tarpon 160s to Search 15s and on down to Redfish 11s, and I would have to say that the Ultimates are without a doubt some of the most stable boats out there, beating out even such stable boats as the Wilderness Ride 135.

6)Without a doubt - as scout mentioned, it's simply a matter of getting to the water that's deep enough to accommodate the drive (around 18") and then dropping in the assembly. A word of caution - the rotation that your legs take with the peddle assembly can be prohibitive to having fun in these boats. What I mean is the act of rotating the peddle with your foot can force your knee up towards your chest to a degree that some people find discomforting, especially with a PFD and such on.


In a Hobie, you can't go in reverse. In an Ultimate, you have to take the drive out the water when you get shallow. It's all about the tradeoffs. If you are really interested in standing you might take a hard look at the Natives.

I was wondering it having the ability to go backwards really adds to the ++ of the propel over the Hobie's... I also noticed on the video's it looks like your almost sitting on the top of your tailbone to peddle one of the propels. It looks like your feet are WAY up in the air putting a lot of pressure on your lower back.. Is this correct?? With the Hobie's it looks like your pushing down more rather then out/up with your feet on the Propels??

Thanks Scout, FWBret, and Wader.
Yes, I would prefer to stand since I fish freshwater.
I think it will be easier casting under docks and structure. And much better during spawning.

I also will check out the Hobie outback since it's 12.5 and I know it's easier to peddle. My yak is 9.5 and I want to trade up so i can cover more water not be so exhausted from paddling.
I'm still keeping the 9.5 just in case I want to fish some creeks and rivers.

the hobie outback is greatness. you can fish while peddling instead of having to put down the paddle everytime to cast. make sure u get the kayak cart wheels for transport. they fit right in the scupper holes. as for as reverse i just turn my rudder and make a quick youie turn. but i fish lakes. i use amini x for rivers. .you can get a lightly used hobie outback if you watch the classifieds on tkf for 1000 or so. they are 2000 new

It's always about personal choice. What fits you the best? you can only know if you hop in both of the boats in question and take them for (preferably) an extended spin.

Trust me, down in the salt we like to stand up as well, sure helps to see those redfish before they see you in the super skinny flats and backwaters

I tried one before I bought a Hobie.

To me the native was like pedaling a bike in the wrong gear a bit. The hobie pedals like going downhill in a bike compared to it.

Backwoods if Ft Worth sells Native and Hobie. They also have demo days on the weekends every now and then on the Trinity River close to downtown. I went the other day and tried both the Native pedal drive and the Hobie. Its kinda cool that the Native can go in reverse easily by simple pedaling in the other direction but as far as speed its not even a comparison. The Hobie is on another planet. I tried the Outback (12')and the Revolution (14'). I pretty sure you could ski behind eather one. Both can turn on a dime and are very stable. I stood up in the 12' Outback which is a little wider than the 14' Revolution. It seemed stable enough to make a cast for sure.

If you want to reverse in the Hobie's you can lift the pedals out of the slot and turn them around. Its no convinent but it can be done.

I found it easier to grab the paddle for a quick back paddle or breaking action.

Only downside to the Hobie to me is the cost.

San Antonio Craigslist had a beige/tan Hobie Sport with Mirage drive for $800 last week, I don't know your weight/height.

Mirage drives go in reverse if you inset them in the drivewell backwards, and can go shallower water and faster than Propels do.

I'm assuming you are asking about the Native Propel Ultimate canoe/kayak, instead of the Native Propel Mariner Sit-On-Top kayak?

For the record, I've used my wife's Hobie Sport at 6' 225.


It is gobs faster them my Outback.

If you haven't bought yet go see Mariner at the boat show this week. They have some killer prices on during the show.

They do a demo of both boats on Whiterock lake on Thursday nights.

No matter which one you chose, it is a real investment in your fishing time. I have an Outback and a revolution and prefer the outback for most instances. If I am fishing a tournament I use a pro angler.

I happen to know Mariner has some Propels and volts at the show for a fraction of retail. They can't qoute over the phone, but I assure you the deals are great and not just another sale.

Good luck and enjoy. Phill