Sorry for the delay on this....and the long windedness. Hope this may help you make a decision.

As stated, I've owned both a Native Propel 13 and a Hobie Outback for 2 years now. I recently upgraded both of them to the newest models.

Both are great, well-built kayaks, in a similar price range. They both have their pros and cons, and each has their own specific applications which they excel in. It really all comes down to personal preference and demoing both to make a decision on which one fits your style best.

With that being said, the ONLY reason I still have a Hobie Outback is because my wife prefers it and finds she can handle it better by herself, the drive is lighter weight for her to take in and out, etc. If she didn't like it, I wouldn't have it.

Although the reverse on the mirage drive is a nice added feature, it still cannot compete with Native's reverse. Switching from forward to reverse hands free is much more usable then having to reach down and pull a cord every time you want to change directions. (As mentioned earlier, one of these cords broke on my first trip out.)

As also stated earlier, the Native drive is TOUGH. I have kept an extra prop and shear pin with me for 2 years and have never once had to change a prop. I have put my drive through hell, dragging along oyster bottoms, hitting stumps full speed ahead, it has yet to fail on me yet. The mirage drive on the other hand, gets bent masts fairly frequently. This isn't too hard to fix, but they can be bent to a point where the drive is unusable leaving you performing repairs on the water or having to paddle back in.

Native Slayer Propel 13
- Hands free reverse
- EXCELLENT Customer Service
- Propel drive is very tough, never failed me
- The boat is covered in gear tracks, easy no-drill customization.
- The boat has more ON hull storage and less IN hull storage.
- The propel drive hates grass, Delacroix in the summertime is a bitch.
- The propel drive drafts a few more inches of water in order to function.
- The rudder is not retractable so more care needs to be taken when loading/unloading.
- I find the plastic Native uses is tougher, seems you can almost scratch the Hobie plastic with your finger nail.
- Better stand and sight cast platform, the standing area is larger, flatter, and allows you to get a wider stance with your feet for better balance.
- More Stable.
- Propel drive is more maintenance than the mirage drive, requires specialized tools to access gears and grease occasionally. These tools and grease kit will run you probably $50-75.
- Propel drive creates a little more noise underway. It also has a little more resistance when pedaling if not freshly lubricated.
- Native Propel 13 does not have built in recessed fish finder transducer mount or pre-installed weather proof fittings for wiring.
- Overall kayak weight is heavier than the Outback for loading, unloading, launching purposes.

Hobie Outback Mirage
- Have to pull a cord to switch from forward to reverse, hard to tell which direction you are even heading until you start pedaling to figure it out.
- No experience with their customer service to vouch
- Mirage drive masts are very easy to bend, sometimes bend to unusable. Easy to straighten minor bends, but the more you bend them, the easier they bend the next time you hit something. Eventually will need to replace them at $20.00 a pop.
- No mounting options, just about have to drill for any customization.
- The boat has more IN hull storage and less ON hull storage.
- The mirage drive performs much better in grass.
- The mirage drive can operate in shallower water, many Hobie guys harp on this but I honestly haven’t noticed very much difference to be worth arguing.
- The rudder is retractable for shallow water and launching. The Outback has better turning radius hands down.
- Hobie Outback will allow you to stand and fish, but not nearly as comfortable as standing in the Native Propel
- If you have to pull the rudder/drive for some reason and need to paddle, the tracking of this kayak is absolutely horrible in my opinion.
- More stable than some kayaks, not as stable as Native Propel 13.
- The Mirage drive is practically maintenance free with the exception to bent masts occasionally.
- The Mirage drive is smooth, quiet, and weighs less.
- The Outback overall is lighter weight, easier to handle with one person.
- The Outback comes “pre-rigged” whereas the Native is more of a blank canvas. The Outback has built in paddle holders on both sides of the boat and comes with a paddle when you purchase. The Outback has a recessed transducer mount in the hull so the transducer is protected. It has weather proof fittings pre-installed for routing wiring.
- I would venture to say that a Hobie Outback with Turbo Fins is slightly faster than a Native Propel 13...either that or I just pack too much shite with me lol

This post was edited on 2/21/17 at 12:46 pm