Native Watercraft Propel (and FX) - opinions?

Anyone have experience with this? Joey at Timeout has pretty much convinced me a Hobie Pro Angler is too heavy for my car top (Prius is not allowed to tow).

The Hobie option would be the Outback. Hobie site does not show the revolution used for stand up casting.

The Native Watercraft Propel series is a bit lighter than the Hobie.
Native website shows standup fishing on the Propel models.
The Propel have bicycle-style pedaling and thus can go in reverse.
This would probably be helpful when trying to work an area or fight the current. Bicycle style motion might be good for me as I cycle a lot more than I do leg presses, which is the Hobie motion. The Ultimate FX Propel is lighter than the Slayer Propel and has some neat extra features. Ultimate has only 400lb capacity vs 500 for the regular Propel. I suspect me + stuff I bring + fish I catch is less than 400# unless a crazed tuna or some such wanders inshore.
I guess I could tow that!

The downside of the Native vs Hobie is that on Native you need to retract the drive system if you want to go into very shallow water.

Any experience or opinions on the Hobie Outback vs Native Propel?

THANKS!!

BTW, Timeout rents these so I can try both before buying. The same Thule roof rack works for both.

I have stood up in both the Propel and Outback - I prefer the stability of the Outback, but your experience may vary…I’m a big guy. I would try them both out to see what you like best!

-Lewis
http://www.lowcountrykayakanglers.com
http://www.facebook.com/groups/lowcountrykayakanglers/

I too am large cargo. Owned a Propel and the mechanism was just too much in the way and of course the shallow water issues. Went to a full blown fishing rigged Native Ultimate 14.5 Tandem/convertible for the space and cargo capacity. Both boats were fine on our Thule racks. Couldn’t paddle for a while so added a lo-pro electric trolling motor and foot controls. Doesn’t last all day, but adequate for staying put flounder fishing when the tide was running through the inlet from ocean to intercoastal. I’m 6’1" & 265, so standing isn’t great in any kayak or canoe unless the water is very predictable. I’m closer to the ocean now so more intercoastal to come. Certainly rent first and use it where you intend to do most of your fishing but unless you succumb to the mo’ boats is bett’a addiction give a lot of thought to where and how else you might later decide to use it long term. Five years ago I was strictly freshwater tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, of late more in the Bay, and most recently intercoastal and tidal tributaries, so things change.

“To sit alone with my conscience will be judgment enough for me.”
- Charles William Stubbs

THANKS! I will go with Hobie unless Wilderness comes out with one soon.
For me, stability trumps reverse gear.

ericpret