bop34 wrote:Welcome matey... perfect chance to say hi i have been looking at a native mariner how do you rate the native propel?
hey bop34
how do i rate the native propel I think its great
i have had almost no problems with either of my propel kayaks.
pros: reverse, easy to cruise at a reasonable pace (pedalling flat out makes only a slight increase in speed), very comfortable seats, stable (can stand and fish in the slayer the ultimate was a bit harder) drive maintenance is pretty simple and is only needed once or twice a year(in my experience)
cons: a bit harder to retract the drive system than a hobie (you need to align the prop to lift through the hull) thick weed can be annoying as it wraps around the prop (can be cleared pretty easy but gets old fast if there is a lot around)
i suggest you look at the native owners forum
http://nativeownersgroup.com/ under the mariner propel section there is tons of info there from people who own them: pros, cons, problems, solutions i think this will give you a clearer idea if the mariner is the yak for you!
on a final note if you are buying second hand be sure to give the drive a spin it should be reasonably smooth and check the bearings on the crank shaft for rust (a small amount of surface rust is not a deal breaker but it shouldn't be much)
hope this helps and apologies for the long winded response.
) kgw (39)