Best Pedal Kayak (see below)

[Jeffrey Walker]

Anyone do any research on Pedal Kayaks lately?

 

looking for the lightest, most stable, shortest pedal kayak. 

 

i will post my findings here as I research. 

[Choporoz]

Got my wife a Native Slayer Propel 10 a few weeks ago.  I will be surprised if it isn't the lightest, most stable, shortest pedal kayak.  I have nothing but good things to say about it 

[Bluebasser86]

13 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Got my wife a Native Slayer Propel 10 a few weeks ago.  I will be surprised if it isn't the lightest, most stable, shortest pedal kayak.  I have nothing but good things to say about it 

81lbs completely assembled with a 400lb capacity, that's impressive. 

[Jeffrey Walker]

i see there is a slayer Max as well, almost identical in size, a little heavier.  Did you consider that one as well? 

[Darth-Baiter]

i see this guy at Clearlake with a Slayer Max 10.  he brings it to the lake in the back (inside) of a Toyota Prius.  he just just sticks a tiny bit out the back and bungee downs the hatch.  i'm stopping at gas stations and he just guffaws at me (i joke).    it is an enviable setup he has.  i love his can-do attitude. 

[Jeffrey Walker]

I dont understand the difference between the slayer max and the regular? 

 

https://nativewatercraft.com/pages/slayer-propel-max-10

 

https://nativewatercraft.com/pages/slayer-propel-10

 

 

Just found they have a titan Propel too which is 37in wide!

https://nativewatercraft.com/pages/titan-propel-10-5

[Choporoz]

The max is 13 pounds heavier, has a drawer and is more 'electronics-ready'.

[Allen Der]

best in what way?  Hobie probably has the best ergonomics and the mirage drive can be better for shallow water and weeds because you can flutter.  bike/prop drives probably can get you more top end speed but need more depth and can get choked with weeds.  Old town and Native seem to be the most reliable bike/prop style.  

[Jeffrey Walker]

Best in lightweight, Stability, Length (short)

[Jmilburn76]

I have a Native Slayer Propel 10 and its well over 100 lbs the way its rigged. I do have the side kick landing gear in order to move it though. The Propel drive is rock solid and was the first prop style to come out. The biggest down fall to it is the steering system, which I have completely changed and upgraded. 

[Allen Der]

5 hours ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

Best in lightweight, Stability, Length (short)

hobie lynx or passport

[flyfisher]

18 hours ago, Allen Der said:

best in what way?  Hobie probably has the best ergonomics and the mirage drive can be better for shallow water and weeds because you can flutter.  bike/prop drives probably can get you more top end speed but need more depth and can get choked with weeds.  Old town and Native seem to be the most reliable bike/prop style.  

Do prop drives need more depth?  When I was looking at them a few years back they were pretty much the same as pedal drives.  As far as ergonomics go, I am not sure you can say Hobie has the best ergonomics either as it is a preference.  I personally hated the Hobie push pedal systems and much preferred the recumbent bicycle style pedal drives.  Really it is all about the seat set up as well and I do agree the pedal drives are more efficient as you get more forward motion on a pedal stroke than a push/push method.  

Of course for me, I just went with a motor instead....less money and faster

[Choporoz]

The Hobie Mirage drive allows you to 'feather' the fins within about an inch of the hull.  You can pedal with short strokes and move forward with only a couple inches of water below hull bottom.  This also minimizes fouling in weeds and pads.

  As to ergonomics, I can only speak to the Compass.  The seat is ok at best.  There are far better seats out there.

[flyfisher]

11 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

The Hobie Mirage drive allows you to 'feather' the fins within about an inch of the hull.  You can pedal with short strokes and move forward with only a couple inches of water below hull bottom.  This also minimizes fouling in weeds and pads.

  As to ergonomics, I can only speak to the Compass.  The seat is ok at best.  There are far better seats out there.

Most guys I know only do that if it is super short distances, otherwise they are gonna paddle.  It is amazing at how much seat technology has changed over the last 15-20 years.  People always talk about hull design and kayak layout and they neglect one of if not the most important aspect of a kayak......the seat.

[Choporoz]

46 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

Most guys I know only do that if it is super short distances, otherwise they are gonna paddle.  

You can cover a lot of ground.  If I am in a shallow pad field, I still have drive mobility.   If I have to go into a laydown to get a fish, I don't have to pull the drive.   I can drift over rocky point without worrying about busting a prop or drive.

[J Francho]

I'm hardly ever seated while fishing.  Hobie Lynx at 47 lbs. and is suitable for stand up fishing. My personal opinion is that it's too crowded in anything less than a 12' boat, so my preference is my Compass and at 68 lbs considered light in its class. 

[Darth-Baiter]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

I'm hardly ever seated while fishing.  Hobie Lynx at 47 lbs. and is suitable for stand up fishing. My personal opinion is that it's too crowded in anything less than a 12' boat, so my preference is my Compass and at 68 lbs considered light in its class. 

agree 100%.  sometimes I look around on my Outback and it feels tiny.  

[Choporoz]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

I'm hardly ever seated while fishing.  

I stood in my Compass for about ten or fifteen minutes back in 2020.  

But, I'm old.  My balance wasn't really all that great 15 years ago.  Now?   Not worth the risk and anxiety...lol

[Darth-Baiter]

32 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I stood in my Compass for about ten or fifteen minutes back in 2020.  

But, I'm old.  My balance wasn't really all that great 15 years ago.  Now?   Not worth the risk and anxiety...lol

I get it.  I have the balance of a drunk person. 

 

the single thing that brought me to standing up in my Compass was paddling it around standing.  you are motoring along and you forget about balance.  you just do.  you are so focused on paddling. now I can stay standing if a mild boat wake hits me.  just sway and move at the hips. really helps when I need to pee.  I can stand and aim to the side.... 

[J Francho]

Or pull the drive and use the hole. 

[Jeffrey Walker]

On 7/6/2022 at 11:21 AM, J Francho said:

I'm hardly ever seated while fishing.  Hobie Lynx at 47 lbs. and is suitable for stand up fishing. My personal opinion is that it's too crowded in anything less than a 12' boat, so my preference is my Compass and at 68 lbs considered light in its class. 

Wow the Hobie Lynx looks amazing 47lbs and 36in wide.  I too prefer to stand up.  This might be what I am looking for.  My only concern is the flat open deck.  Will stuff fall into the water. 

[Sphynx]

On 7/6/2022 at 9:06 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

really helps when I need to pee.  I can stand and aim to the side.... 

It isn't polite to brag...

[Jeffrey Walker]

I’m really considering the Hinie Lynx, anyone else have any feedback on this?

 

it’s super light, it’s short enough, it’s very wide and seems like it’s easy to stand up.  My only concern is the deck is flat, will rods fall out, would a crate fall out? 

 

anyone have any experience?

[J Francho]

It's not totally flat, and is loaded with bungees.  Managing things is a kayak via leashes or bungees is something we all deal with.  It's only as clumsy as you are, so take whatever precautions necessary.  Here's one rigged for fishing, complete with a graph, crate, and rod holders.

 

[Darth-Baiter]

I wonder if that Lynx can handle big water?

 

it would be a sweet small river rig.