I was wondering if anyone had any comments about the native ultimate 12 angler. I am planning on getting one to replace my 12 foot heritage kayak. Also wondering if there was any that y’all thought were better. My budget is 800… Thanks!!!
Consider the malibu stealth 12 or 14FT kayaks
This sit on top new design for 2011 has a to offer
See - malibukayaks.com
Capt Dave
Fishing Kayaks SC
fishingkayakssc@homesc.com
The Native kayaks are awesome. Stable and confortable. Easily riggerd and light enough to carry and load. just make sure you have a bildge pump if it’s gonna rain… no scupper holes so it will hold water. It is a little harder to get back in for deep water re-entry but not impossible. Just practice when the weather is warm. Seat rocks and I love 'em…
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Very nice kayaks, the most comfortable seat I have come across in any kayak. No scuppers, so like nikonjedi says need someway to get water out. I don’t think I would ever do a surf launch with an ultimate. They sell new for over $1000 and it’s hard to come across used ones that haven’t been neglected. For the the price you are looking for the Wilderness Systems Ride is a great all around yak, I have never been in a Tarpon, but they would be in your $ range. I have had a few different models of Ocean Kayaks that I have loved including the Trident 13 and a Big Game Prowler that I would recommend looking at. I have never used a Malibu Kayaks, but that Stealth does look sharp and it has some cool features
Native is offering a “Basic” model of the Ultimate now. It does not have the side tracks for skirts, the top tracks for mounting, and some of the padding. The seat is similar, minus some of the internal padding, but still comfortable as can be. This one sells for $799, so definitely in your price range.
We will have a demo standard Ultimate 12 angler for sale around $750 come Labor Day at Time Out.
DD
Annoy a Liberal, Work Hard and Be Happy!
I am the owner of a Native Mariner Propel 12.5 and love it. It’s the SOT that Native makes. It’s going to be over your budget new and there are not a whole lot of them used out there. But overall, I am very impressed with my Native. The first class seat is VERY comfortable. It keeps me sitting up high and dry. I can stand and fish and even throw my cast net without any effort at all out of this thing. It weighs a little more than some of the smaller yaks (68 lbs without the drive and seat). But I can load and unload it by myself still.
The Ultimates are going to be sort or a hybrid, but without any scuppers etc… I personally want a SOT so that it will drain. The Ultimates are meant to be used on lakes and calm waters with the occasional chop. They will not handle rough water at all. One good wave can and will swamp you. Read many of those stories from people that thought their Ultimate was a rough water boat. IT’S NOT. But used for what they are meant to be used for, they are GREAT boats.
Time Out Sports in Mt. Pleasant is a Native dealer if you want to go check them out. That’s where I bought mine. Great guys in there.
I have been impressed with my Native so far. I have had it out fishing and it is easy to rig and fish out of. Super stable, comfortable, etc… And most of all, I can take my daughter out with me on it.
i fished the Ultimate 14 several times and the thing I loved most about it was the seat. The thing I did not like was that it held water due to no scupper. Other than that it’s a great boat.
If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
When I was deciding whether to buy my ultimate 14.5 the one thing I heard was the drainage issue. Having owned mine for a year I have never had any water in my boat that has worried me. I have been stuck in rain storms, taken waves over the bow and never been worried in the least. I carry my bilge pump with me and always will! I doubt I will ever think about taking it past the breakers because I do not want to push my luck. If your mainly going to be in the creeks then the ultimate is a awesome boat! Comfortable, plenty of room for gear, and standing is no issue. If you wanna paddle one PM me and I’m sure we can work something out.
I have had my U12 for about 9 months now and I absolutly love it. There is so much you can do from this yak. I have had a blast in it. You won’t regret it. There are a few problems but the pros by far outweight the cons.
KayakMick
Native Ultimate 12
I am fairly new to kayak fishing and don’t know what is expected so pretty happy just being on the water. I just purchased a Mantaray 14 but don’t see too many people talking about that kayak. How does it add up to others that are talked about more often? Thanks for comments.
If you search back through the older posts in this forum, there are some reviews of the Manta Ray. It was one of the boats I was considering before I got my Ride 135.
–elgeebee–
WS Ride 135
I have the smaller Manta and love it. Had it for about 3 years now and almost always choose it over my OK Trident. I swear, all it’s been through I’m pretty sure it’s bullet proof. I don’t break any speed records, but that 14 you’ve got is a bit faster…