Kayak Fishing

Just pull the mirage drive cartridge out and put it in backwards

You can get a gheenoe and a small reliable outboard for the cost of a hobie. That way you don't have to paddle around in a tub toy all day and people at the ramp won't hate you.

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Hobie's Mirage Drive vs. Native's Pedal Drive with Reverse? Pro Angler looks like a king but, has no reverse?

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Get yourself a hobie and your boyfriend a native.

I've owned both.

Both are good kayaks, and it really comes down to what you prefer. My initial opinion was that the Propel drive felt more natural than the Mirage (Bicycle vs. stairmaster essentially), but after putting many miles on both, I definitely prefer the Mirage over the Propel.

Propel is useless in grass- something to keep in mind if you fish grass ponds alot. Also if you fish shallow; unlike the mirage, you can't put the propeller flat against the hull, so when you are in shallow water, you have to pull the drive up and paddle. The mirage drive can still be used in shallow water, even if the fins cannot be fully extended. (flutter them)

Can't really compare the Slayer Propel to the Pro Angler- it's a really unfair comparison and the PA will trump the Propel in almost every category. The Outback is more in line as far as comparisons. Both are around the same price, same weight, length, etc. and the Propel is easier to stand up in, but the Outback's improvements for 2015 get the nod in the other categories.

As far as reverse. . . it's a neat feature, but not a game changer. It was cool to be able to hold a position against current and work points without having to anchor, but putting a stake out pole down isn't difficult and works equally as well. For times you need to go back in the Hobie, remember that each one sold comes with a paddle, and all it takes is a couple strokes to get you facing where you want to be.

I own a 2015 Hobie Outback and a 2014 Native Propel 13. Both are great boats and have their pros and cons, I honestly think it is hard to say that one is overall better than the other.

I purchased the Outback for my wife because she found the drive is lighter weight and easier for her to take in and out herself. The outback turns much better than the Native, even after adding an aftermarket extended rudder to the Native. But, the Native has reverse so the sharp turns aren't as necessary.

Many of the diehard Hobie guys will tell you "I can't think of a time I needed reverse" but that's probably because they have never had it. I use it all the time and I know my wife will tell you she wishes the mirage drive had it.

The Native layout is more of a blank canvas with many gear tracks to set it up how you want. The Hobie has more enclosed storage and has a lot of the small accessories built in for you like paddle holders, rod holders, etc. The hobie is also is GPS ready with thru hull fittings for wires and a transducer mount in one of the scupper holes.

Native has better area for standing and site casting, is still possible in the Outback but not as comfortable.

Propel drive needs 12-18" of water, any shallower and you are pulling it up through the hull. The mirage drive can run in much shallower water by fluttering the fins, or you can pull the fins up flush with the bottom of the hull but do not have to remove the drive.

Mirage drive is better around submerged grass and lilly pads...sometimes they will slow it down but usually if you keep pedaling the fins will clear themselves. The propel drive is completely useless is grass and lillys, and you have to pull the drive up through the hull and clean the propeller with your hands. The native paddles very well when fishing in those conditions though.

Just depends on your preference.

I have a pro angler and I love it. The mirage drive is tough to navigate in the shallow water, but you can flutter or paddle still. Also getting a bigger rudder is very useful. Not having reverse has honestly not been an issue to me.

I've never paddled the native's propel, but I've heard that they have had pretty bad rust issues. So if that's true and you plan on fishing saltwater at all with it, that would be something to consider.

I went with the Slayer Propel simply because I came across a good deal on a used one. I've been in Hobie's as well and they each have their own pro's and con's. The propel drive's reverse is nice but not a game changer. I've used it more when it's windy to prevent me from drifting too far while I'm fishing. It definitely sucks in shallow water with the propel drive with grass and such, but pulling the drive out isn't that bad and it sits on top the front of the kayak. But compared to the outback I feel the slayer is better when standing up. My suggestion would be to demo some of each before you decide.