» Be a part of the Native Slayer Propel Max 12.5 Giveaway Contest
As a former kayak teacher who has been paddling (and these days, pedaling) since 2010, I’ve sat in lots of a kayak seat. None had been extra snug than the seat of the Native Slayer Propel Max 12.5. However, in any kayak, my consolation stage just isn’t solely depending on a sturdy seat with decrease again assist. Being snug within the seat of a kayak is much less concerning the seat, and extra about confidence within the boat’s maneuverability, stability, and velocity, steering, and monitoring capabilities.
Through the years, I’ve kayaked throughout the States, from the whitewater rapids of Washington’s Salmon River to Alaska’s Prince William Sound. A whitewater kayak is reasonably wobbly and nearly too straightforward to maneuver (or flip), and a sea kayak takes some lengthy, highly effective sweeps of the paddle to help the rudder in making a easy flip. If there’s one factor I’ve discovered from these experiences, it’s that I take pleasure in one thing in between the 2. I like a secure, easy-to-maneuver kayak that tracks nicely in sloppy circumstances, and the Native Slayer Propel Max 12.5 checks these bins. The most effective a part of all: the Slayer Propel Max 12.5 permits me to fish hands-free so I can give attention to the motion and cadence of my lure because it swims again to the kayak for an additional solid.
Stability and Stability
I’ve had many kayaks, every yet another angler-friendly than the following, however the buck stops with the Slayer Propel Max 12.5. As a giant man who steadily targets striped bass in open water, I would like a ship that’s balanced and durable, as a result of most of the time, striped bass feed most aggressively in unfavorable climate and sea circumstances. At 12.5 toes lengthy and 34 inches huge, it’s a really versatile fishing platform that permits the angler to seamlessly transition from fishing glass-calm backwaters to the ocean. The boat’s rounded edges and flat backside make it a protected platform to face and solid for sight fishing functions or improved casting accuracy, even in barely uneven seas.
Velocity, Steering and Monitoring
Equally as vital as stability is the power to make fast, protected changes in velocity and route. On the Slayer Propel Max 12.5, the brand new and improved Springblade rudder system retains the rudder sitting flush to the strict when the kayak just isn’t in use, and the rudder could be simply deployed proper from the raised seat of the cockpit as soon as within the water. Plus, a handy steering deal with is located subsequent to the seat, which is conducive to creating fast and straightforward turns to dodge a cresting wave or a submerged obstruction. And whereas robust, dependable steering is vital to me, so is velocity. The Propel Pedal Drive 701 Sequence is a easy and sturdy drive system that permits me to cruise between spots with ease, which is crucial to chasing down blitzing fish in the course of the spring and fall migrations of striped bass.
On such a large kayak, monitoring by means of giant, short-period swells needs to be a priority, however the bow is pointed with a sloped nostril which improves its capability to chop and glide by means of heavy chop so I could be extra involved with fishing and never flipping.
Storage and Bonus Options
And naturally, the distinction between any previous kayak and a real fishing kayak just like the Slayer Propel Max 12.5 are the bonus options designed to make your angling expertise as organized and protected as could be.
For starters, the Slayer Propel Max 12.5 has twin horizontal rod storage in addition to three molded in rod holders, so I all the time preserve a minimal of two pre-rigged rods with completely different choices within the rear molded holders. The third rod holder is molded straight subsequent to the seat which makes it straightforward to land and unhook sizable fish like stripers, bluefish, and even the occasional XL false albacore. Plus, when you don’t have a pliers holster in your particular person, the beneath seat deal with storage drawer gives ample house for a deal with tray or two, in addition to any important handheld instruments that want to stay in attain.
To the entrance of the kayak is a rotomolded bow hatch cowl with battery storage and transducer entry, which is conveniently positioned inside arms attain of the port and starboard groove tracks for mounting of equipment like a GPS or Fishfinder.
Behind the seat, within the stern of the kayak, there are two bungee-chord latches on both aspect of the boat for cut up paddle storage. Even on a pedal kayak, carrying a paddle is important. Not solely does it assist with launching and touchdown, when the pedal drive must be lifted from the water, however within the occasion of an emergency or harm to the drive system, a paddle generally is a true life saver. Between the cut up paddle storage is a spacious rear deck that’s fitted with fastened bungees for securing a big deal with crate or a cooler to hold hydration, meals, and/or bled-out fish.
To win a fishing kayak so decked out with options is bound to alter your strategy to fishing, whether or not you splash it within the native pond or straight into the ocean surf. And if, for some motive, the Slayer Propel Max 12.5 isn’t a great match for you, or doesn’t have sufficient fishing-friendly options, meet the all new TitanX. The Slayer is a good selection for the dynamic fisherman, however the TitanX Propel is Native Watercraft’s most feature-rich kayak up to now, for the uber-technical fisherman who requires cutting-edge digital integration, additional storage and limitless rigging capabilities.
The TitanX Propel boasts lots of the identical options because the Slayer Max, together with Sidekick Wheel System compatibility, an under-seat deal with administration drawer, no-slip deck padding, three flush mount rod holders and the identical Springblade rudder system and Propel Pedal Drive 701 Sequence.
Nonetheless, the TitanX additionally accommodates its personal distinctive options like PivotPro Swivel Seating, which gives a larger vary of movement, in addition to a Energy-Pole Micro Anchor Mount, a stern motor mount, extra bow hatch storage, and through-hull transducer wiring within the bow hatch for rigging of electronics on the groove tracks.
Associated Content material
The TitanX 12.5 is jam-packed with 2 occasions the options of the Slayer in the identical dimension package deal. And though the TitanX could be the identical width and size because the Slayer Propel Max, it pushes the boundaries of what we will do from the seat of a kayak, and permits anglers to step additional out of their consolation zones in pursuit of larger and higher fish.
