Native 12 Maiden Voyage

[Jim Wallace]

Had a really late start from near the Elk River bridge about 2 hours after high tide, and paddled in against a mild outgoing current, with a light breeze at my back. Kayoe tracked nice with the skeg down and moved with decent speed. Not the fastest, but for a 12 footer, pretty good.

My Werner "Camano" carbon shaft/ composite blade paddle made it all pretty easy. It was so light I never even felt fatigued in the back of my shoulders or neck...only my arms...biceps and forearms felt the burn. Love the paddle!
I did maybe 8 or 9 miles, round-trip, and logistically bass ackward, because I was late. Departing four hours earlier to get the tide in my favor would have made it all much easier. And if I'd had a cheap, low-end, heavier aluminum-shaft, molded plastic blade paddle, I'd never had made back home at all...my arms would have knotted up....I'd be fending off coyotes right now.

Got to the highest point I could get to on Andrews Creek. Stopped by a log across. Paddling upstream against the slow current was a cakewalk. Ate a snack and had my beer at dead low tide. The place was near the head of tidewater. Looked down into the water at a log and it was covered with large cased caddis. Cases were made out of little pebbles. Caddis larvae were crawling or clinging on every submerged piece of woody structure, everywhere I looked. Thicker than I've seen 'em in a lot of places. Paddling back out, the Caddis thinned out, disappeared, and were replaced with barnacles and brown seaweed, and eel grass.

The kayoe handled well slaloming downstream around the woody structure. Back in the estuary and with the skeg down, paddling against the tide and wind wasn't difficult, just a gruel. A slow walk, but not quite a crawl.

No cutthroat to be found, but I saw one small baitfish jump. Saw a family of 5 otters. Lots of eel grass on the tide flats. When I got back to the launch site, i carried the Native 12 the 200 yards back to my truck by "hanging" the rail I was gripping on my shoulder. Had to switch once to the other side. This carry is doable, but I'm going to have to make a small fat-tire dolly.

I really like my Native 12, and I'm glad I got the lightest paddle that I could sell my soul in exchange for.;)

[BFK]

Hey, Jim-- Nice report on your maiden voyage. I can just see the trip...

I located a site with some info on the Native 12, and it looks like a sweet boat-- one that I could be interested in, anyway. It looks like you made a good choice.

It will be interesting to see how you fare with the standing up and fishing thing. I tried that once in an older Grumman 17 (equipped with the foam outrigger kit) and decided I wouldn't do that again. I'd rather rig some kind of box for a seat that I could change to once I got to where I was going to fish. However, that's immaterial as the price I saw for your boat (right around $800) is going to keep that idea on the back burner. It's more likely that I'd build a smallish stitch-and-glue boat along the lines of your boat first.

[reelgirl]

So glad to see that you are as happy as I am with the Native Ultimate. I have fished out of an Ultimate 12 for about a year. I have been paddling about 14 years (its my fifth boat) and fly fishing only about three years. The Ultimate has been on a lot of lakes and rivers in NC and shad fishing on the Ronoake River a couple of times. It never disappoints me! I get a lot of commnents about the access the boat provides and the ability to stand up and cast.

I was able to demo the Ultimate Pedal drive boat this past weekend. You have got to try it out if you can! Its such high quality and so much fun. The rudder is very sensitive, has a lot of feel on the water, and the pedal unit very smoothe and efficient. Each full turn of the pedal produces about 10 rotations of the propeller. Even pedals in reverse! The real upside is that you can remove the pedal unit and paddle the boat. With the pedal unit in, I didnt have a drop of water in the boat or on me!
Could stand up easily and cast....I thought the pedal unit would be in the way, but that is not an issue. It also tilts back into the bow of the boat and the mount is covered with the unit in or out, so no water gets in the boat.
I was in the boat about an hour and really liked the ability to cast while I was pedaling!

Went back to the lake the next day and fished out of my Ultimate 12 for about four hours. I found myself thinking......if I could just use my feet, and had that rudder, I wouldnt be picking this paddle up every minute or two to readjust my position........ TRY THIS BOAT!
:thumb:

[Jim Wallace]

BFK, Mine is the 2007 model, and there were still a few of those at the store on Saturday. They were trying to clear them out for $699. Original price was $789 and the new '08 models are $879, base price. Damned expensive for a piece of tupperware.:hmmm:Accessories are extra. Check Alder Creek's website. This was the only time I have been to their store. They were having a sale(don't know if its still going on), and all accessories were 15% off regular store prices with the purchase of a boat.

I'm glad I got the 240 cm paddle, as these are hybrid boats and wider than most yaks.

I stood up in mine, and it was a little shaky at first, but I threw a cast and didn't fall in. I tried paddling downstream near the head of tidewater (slow, shallow, skinny water) while standing, and thought I'd be better off sitting. I was wearing my breathables and felt soles, and the felt is very slippery on the plastic hull. I'm going to buy some cheap oversized basketball shoes (court sole) to wear with my waders in this boat, something that won't slip as easily. Then I can get back to "creek surfin."

The seat is very comfortable and adjustable, as are the footrests. My back actually feels better now after that grueling into-the-tide-and-wind paddle than it did on Friday!

I haven't even paddled a yak or used a double blade paddle for several years, and my arms are out of shape for marathon paddling sessions, but I did OK. Arms, wrists and fingers are a bit overworked, though.

I won't need a pole, I think, as I can paddle this in very shallow water, and if its too shallow to float the boat, I'll just get out and drag it.

I will probably add an anchoring system and some sockets to plug in pole holders, etc.

reelgirl, thanks for the input. The pedal power sounds sweet. How shallow can you take it?

[Salmo_g]

Jim,

You're an animal! 8 or 9 miles on the first trip out? Sheesh, you oughta' be sore. Sounds like a pretty interesting boat.

Sg

[Jim Wallace]

Yeh, I was wondering what kind of fool I was attempting it, but the weather looked better farther in than it was behind me, so I didn't want to turn back! It was raining even harder behind me than it was on me, and clear up ahead. Further!
I measured the distance by using a long wire twist-tie bent to copy my route on an aerial photo. I straightened it out and it was equivalent to 4.5 miles or so compared to the scale on the map, one way. I use Yahoo maps for the Elk R. estuary, as they have great resolution for this area.

I already have 3 more exploratory trips planned. Not to mention my regular spots. Actually, I was figuring which route to take as I was paddling, looking at the sky. I'd been up Andrews Creek before, and I found some sun up there, briefly, and enjoyed a warm micro climate with my micro brew, before heading back into headwinds. I was still "up the creek" at 5pm, and back below the Elk River bridge by 7:20 ...averaging almost 2mph into 9 -12 mph headwinds and against the incoming flood. I was in a "powering" state of mind, though, as the horizon looked dark. I didn't let up, except to make a few casts around the bridge supports (perch, maybe?)
Going up the creek earlier, with the wind at my back, i was getting pushed upstream against the currrent by the wind without even paddling. Good hull design. The conditions were pretty mild, though.

[BFK]

Jim--thanks for the info; however, with three boats in my yard and a fourth under construction, it's not likely I'll be adding to the fleet any time soon. I need to get rid of one, if not two, and finish the other, a 12-foot sort-of dory, first. But then Son #2 is coming back from an exchange program and wants to build a canoe/kayak, for which I currently have the plans. Maybe after that's done I'll have time to look at something like your new toy, er, pardon me, boat.

[Chad Lewis]

Jim,
Glad to hear that bought one! And a good report on your first trip. The Native Ultimates are underestimated on what you can do with them.

Like I said before, I highly recommend the anchor trolley Native sell (or build your own). I can set the achor and make the bow point wherever I like - as long as there's some wind blowing.

Nice paddle too. I bought the same one, except in full carbon. The difference in weight is small, but I had the extra cash at the time and was wondering how long it'd be until I was saying "But I coulda bought the carbon". I'm a gear whore :rofl:

We definitely need to do some fishing together. I've only been in WA for a year, and it sounds like you know some great places to fish/explore. Let me know.

-Chad

[Walt K]

These reviews are really quite helpful, so thanks for posting! I'm looking to replace a yak I left behind when I moved from the Chesapeake--will be using it mostly for flyfishing in the Upper Hood Canal. I'm curious to know if anyone has experience in the Ultimate in the salt. The old yak was a 14' tandem that was bulky but handled the chop pretty well, and I'd like something that's a tad lighter but still can deal with waves. I think the Ultimate 14.5 would probably be better, but welcome your thoughts and insights.

[Jim Wallace]

Walt, One of the reasons, besides price, that I got the Ultimate 12 instead of the 14.5 is because i plan to employ the "mothership" method of loading the 12 footer on my 16 foot aluminum boat at times so that I can haul more camping gear and food supplies, etc to a base camp and then use the U-12 to fish and explore from there.

Its going to be a great little cruiser for all my local backwaters.

I had so much fun Sunday that I am already thinking that if my arms and shoulders hold up to this and respond positively, that I might get a longer kayak, an SOT like an Ocean Kayak 15' Prowler (maybe a 13') to fish for lings and rockfish near the harbor entrance and around the jetties, as well as do longer trips. But I don't want to get ahead of myself yet and take the plunge until I feel ready.

I was hanging with some of my old surf bros earlier this evening, and they were trying to talk me into going surfing again on a longboard. My friend Jack was showing me his new custom Dane Perlee model longboard, sweet looking machine. Jack said it rode nicely and handled easily. Jack used to switch stance to face the wave after coming out of his bottom turn while going left, after dropping in "backside" and while simultaneously "pulling it up" in the tube better than anybody I've ever seen..... and after a couple of beers Jack was claiming he could still switch stance better than nearly anyone.... and soon I was caught up in this machismo-fantasy and I could see myself carving a hard full rail turn off the bottom again and pulling up into an open fantasy barrel, and then he was showing me a lightweight epoxy longboard out in his garage and hinting that I could borrow it...

Ahhhh ...In my mind's eye I can see the road to Hell unfurling out before me like a wave unbreaking from the beach back out toward the peak, a film clip in reverse ending in a peak to nowhere, but beckoning like Circe to a certain fiasco in the impact zone. fuggettabboudditt!:eek: Ain't gonna happen!:beer1: I'm staying out of the surf if I have anything to say about it!

[Jim Wallace]

Walt, don't get set on any one design until you know what works best for the waters you will usually be taking it out in.
I've been looking at all kinds of craft, and think that if I clean more of the junk out my garage and have a yard sale, I can make room for and justify another yak and a new squanoe.:clown:

[Jim Wallace]

Chad, If you want to explore the Elk River Estuary, or some of the other local waters, let me know and we'll go.

There is an annual paddling event going on in the Elk estuary this July called The Elk River Challenge...all kinds of human powered craft are welcome. Some competitive paddlers are now showing up for this. You will need something that can be carried or dollied down a narrow, but open trail, though. It is a 7 mile course, all of it upstream from the bridge. I have never participated in this before, but I'm thinking of entering and I plan to take my fly rod with me and come in last.:D

[Freestone]

Ahhhh ...In my mind's eye I can see the road to Hell unfurling out before me like a wave unbreaking from the beach back out toward the peak, a film clip in reverse ending in a peak to nowhere, but beckoning like Circe to a certain fiasco in the impact zone. fuggettabboudditt!:eek: Ain't gonna happen!:beer1: I'm staying out of the surf if I have anything to say about it!

Jim, who are you kidding? I predict you'll be out surfin' that yak before you know it! Try it...it's a blast!

[BFK]

Ahhhh ...In my mind's eye I can see the road to Hell unfurling out before me like a wave unbreaking from the beach back out toward the peak, a film clip in reverse ending in a peak to nowhere, but beckoning like Circe to a certain fiasco in the impact zone. fuggettabboudditt!:eek: Ain't gonna happen!:beer1:

That is the exact feeling I had when I saw your new boat..."the road to Hell unfurling". I tried a SOT kayak for the first time down in Florida this past February and told myself that it was something I could really get into. Then a rational voice in my head--usually a very quiet voice-- said that I don't have the lagoons or estuaries close to home to really give it use.

Then YOU pop up with the MU 12...and I start thinking about cruising along crabbing out of a similar craft, maybe using it in the kelp or even towing it to the bay with my bike (a seven minute ride) SRC fishing in the salt could be a real blast and a close-to-home thing. Aaagggghhhh! Here come the flames!

[Jim Wallace]

I've been thinking of a bike trailer to make the flat 4-mile run to the Elk. I don't know if I'd want to return by bike any further than that after a full day on the water, though.

I'd need a new bike for that, too, and a "street legal" bike trailer, which i "really need" anyway. Really. Its flat around here.

OK, here's some additional madness, or 3 more ways to get in trouble::

A Malibu Mini-X for going after surf perch off the beach...when the waves are small in the Summer...maybe a little surfing action, eh Freestone?

An Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 or 13 for the harbor entrance (big water) for lings 'n things, and longer trips in the Sound, Canal, and Strait.

A new square-stern canoe, made out of royalex, powered by electric, for when I'm feeling old and lazy.

Can't afford any of this, but I can dream and keep my eyes open for deals on used stuff.:beathead:
There's an empty spot in my garage....
:eek:

[Jim Wallace]

I think this is as close to "going to hell in a handbasket" as I can get without taking my mini-drifter over Snoqualamie Falls.:D

[Walt K]

If there's a Circe, that means that Scylla and Charybdis can't be too far away ...

[BFK]

Hey, Jim-- This could be your next boat:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/08/designs/pvckayak/index.htm

It might work...

[Jim Wallace]

Hey, Jim-- This could be your next boat:
http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/08/designs/pvckayak/index.htm

It might work...

An you might be funnin' me:rofl::rofl::rofl: can ya stand in it?:rolleyes:

try googling "coracle":ray1: