Native Watercraft Mariner 10 Propel

[kreaypower]

Could you gives us an idea of what sort of 'teething troubles' you had Noviceyakka?
I'm seriously considering upgrading my Feelfree Moken and have loved the Mariner 12.5 from the first time I saw it.
Cheers.

[4weightfanatic]

Which hand is doing the steering the left or the right ? Just wondering if you can steer,pedal and cast at the same time e.g if you were sitting in a current trying to keep position on a snag or something. For a right handed caster left hand steer would obviously be the go. PAT.

[Dodge]

Which hand is doing the steering the left or the right ? Just wondering if you can steer,pedal and cast at the same time e.g if you were sitting in a current trying to keep position on a snag or something. For a right handed caster left hand steer would obviously be the go. PAT.

Pat have a look at this video and looks like left hand steer to me...... I watched a bloke working a snag at Broadbeach canals for bream with a 12.5 Propel and he was holding station easily in quite a solid run with only a few slow spins of the pedals while casting right handed.

When I spoke to him later on shore he had used it for about 18 months and was very happy with the yak, and only problem in that time was he flicked the drive up while still clipped down and broke the catch which he fixed with Supaglue, and although he received a new part he was still using the repaired one.... and said it was his mistake not the fault of the boat.

http://www.nativewatercraft.com/video.cfm?id=30

[RedPhoenix]

Had a bit of a play on one of these beasties out at Wivenhoe; As a hobie owner, I really like the solid drive; no idea how it'll go from a longevity perspective, but it FEELS solid. The pivot seat is also a great idea.

Richo is correct - steering was on the left hand side.

The beast I played on seemed to have a maximum pedal-rotation speed. Over a certain amount of rotational pressure/speed, and the drive changed from 'smooth cycle' to lunge-push-lunge; anyone else notice this, or was it just the one I was on at the time?

Red.

[topgunpete]

The beast I played on seemed to have a maximum pedal-rotation speed. Over a certain amount of rotational pressure/speed, and the drive changed from 'smooth cycle' to lunge-push-lunge; anyone else notice this, or was it just the one I was on at the time?

How did the rotary action of pedal system on the NWC compare to the push push action of a Hobie pedal system? Was it a comfortable action while seated?

[Dodge]

How did the rotary action of pedal system on the NWC compare to the push push action of a Hobie pedal system? Was it a comfortable action while seated?

Pete a few of us were having a beer watching the mob testing the propel drive along with Red, and over about an hours test and trial time, and every one seemed comfortable in using the drive, and the seating position is not as low as those horizontal cycles sometimes seen on the road. Quite a mix of mirage pedallers as well as paddlers gave the Native a run that day.

The lunge-lunge Red refers to, was I think because the kayak hull had reached its maximum design speed, as he had it fairly moving along when his pedal stroking went a bit suss.

[Noviceyakka]

Could you gives us an idea of what sort of 'teething troubles' you had Noviceyakka?
I'm seriously considering upgrading my Feelfree Moken and have loved the Mariner 12.5 from the first time I saw it.
Cheers.

Hi - the main teething troubles have been caused by the plastic clips that hold the straps for the seat breaking and the shear pin for the propellor bending and eventually breaking. Both have been relatively easily rectified and although a bit frustrating at the time, now that they are fixed the kayak is great. If you do decide to go for the Mariner, let me know and I can pass on the benefit of my experience.

Noviceyakka

[magicmarlin]

Cash aside, What do people prefer? would you rather these over a Hobie? Does reverse put them just infront of the outfitter/outback?

[craig51063]

ive just purchased the 12.5 mariner and ive gotta say the first time i took it out i did about 400 mtrs and i was stuffed . when i got home i rang the importer [ capacity sports ] and they asked if the drive was noisy ,which it wasnt so they said your pushing to hard just sit back relax and go gentle .the next time i took it out i would have covered 3-4 klms easerly .
the drive is effortless ,the seating is like being on a jason recliner [ i kid u not ] because u sit back and ur legs are supported or held up by the peddles .besides from having reverse u also can do a dead stop by simply doing 1 or 2 quick reverse peddles .
it can carry 2 rods horazontaly backwards [ in the aftermarket rod holders]
stable enough to stand and site cast with no dramas .they were designed with flats fishing in mind.though they are NOT as stable as a P.A but easy enough to stand with conferdence.
plenty of storage space ie tackle box either side of the seat .... 2 under the seat [ tackle boxes ether side of the seat make good arm rests ]
pockets either side and a 3 compartment tray directly in front of the seat .a tackle box bag fits behind the seat .
they cruise at around 4 miles hr or 5ish knots
they have a large flat platform on the rear so if u go in the drink u simply slide back on , stand up and walk to the seat .
they have a side table like a P.A . they are a bit small for me so ive built a longer one .
i reakon they are practical like an outback but as fast as a revo [ but more stable] and i would put it between the revo and a P.A .
the stearing is on the left hand side and the lever rubs the seat which is a pain in the ass but can be moderfied easerly with a file in a few minutes, so an easy fix .
u can steer , drive and cast at the one time .they have a tight turning circle enough to do a 3 point turn in oyster leases [ ive done this in forster ]
they are a bit heavy with a 35 kg hull but i put that down to extra plastic in the hull making them very strong . they come with a lifetime warranty on the hull and the factory has stated to me that they have never had a hull failure .the drive is desigened and built by shimano and comes with a 5 year warranty .
u have a choice of 2 props , standard and the easy drive system [ bigger prop with less pitch] which is suposedly a hell of alot easyer to peddle . but i honestly dont need or see the need for one as to me they are effortless to peddle anyway . the prop is also flexable and is protected by a strong aluminium shaft [ looks like a lecy system ] .
they draw about 230mm under the hull and it is simple to tilt the drive up and down .i wondered how the prop would go in weed so when i was in forster i went through some weed in shallow water and it just chopped it way through easerly [ think of a blender ]
the rudder is in a stupid position though and is very vunrable on dry land as it dosnt retract .this means that u have to load the yak on the vehicle ass end first .ive suggested to the factory that they should look at the P.A rudder design as it much better .
They can handle water from small creeks to the outside .
they come with an anchor trolly already fitted but for me it is to short because it dosnt go all the way to the front and back of the yak .
they also have an after market acssessory system called plug and play were different acssesories from the factory can be added .

Price comes in at $2900.

no affilation

still cant spell

craig