The Native Watercraft Hammer is a full-featured, full-on fishing kayak with the ability to rig with motors, pedals, accessories and the whole nine yards.
The Native Hammer is ready for pedal and dual power
Fishing kayaks are now more and more about adding motors to the kayak. And this Hammer has the ability to add not only a bow-mount trolling motor, but you can also add a stern motor. So, you are completely able to rig it with motors on both ends of the boat.
The Hammer also has a new pedal system from Native, the Propel X-Range Pedal Drive. Native was actually one of the first kayak companies to come up with a pedal system for their kayaks, and their Propel system has been an icon in the pedal kayak industry.
What’s really interesting about this new system is that it actually hinges, and so it folds flat against the kayak deck. That gives you more space in the kayak when the pedal system is up.
Wizard Foot Control System and outfitting
A smaller detail I really like about the Hammer is the incorporation of the Wizard Foot Control Steering. I’ve noticed on motorized kayaks that a failure point tends to be the foot pedals for steering. The lines always want to break or they want to seize up. The Wizard controls are a refreshing and well-engineered approach. They are really low profile. They are super easy to adjust the length. And once you adjust the length, they stay in place.
The food controls also move fluidly. They move on ball bearings, so they stay loose and ready to roll and are easy to steer. I feel they are going to prove to be a very reliable steering system.
The Hammer also features a swivel seat. And there is a huge well in the stern for storing a battery, and that storage keeps the battery low and improves the stability of the kayak.
A motor-ready kayak that doesn’t forget its pedal roots
One of the trends with motorized kayaks is building kayaks that are 40 inches wide. That makes these things like barges that you could almost not even paddle. The Native Hammer is a little bit narrower, so it’s going to be a little easier to maneuver and a little easier to transport, and store. But it’s also going to be faster if you’re pedaling it because there’s going to be less resistance as it moves through the water.
Native hit the ball on the head here with this thing. It is a kayak that’s designed to be optimized for motors at the stern and the bow, but also doesn’t forget its roots as a pedal kayak as well.
The Hammer is available now at local paddling shops.
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Feature Image: Kayak Angler Staff
