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New Native Mariner, rough maiden voyage

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:14 am
by UltimateBobWPB
Well I sold my Ultimate 14.5 and took the next step and bought a Mariner 12.5, and by and large I'm very glad I did. Picked it up from the folks at Orchid Bike & Kayak in Vero Beach, Fl., and couldn't have found better folks to deal with, Malcom and his staff were great.
The first trip (in fact 1st & 2nd) were mared by a little problem. The bolt securing the peddle crank arm came loose, it's takes a 8mm hex wrench and geez I just didn't have one on board, (I do now), I was a half mile from the ramp, so back I went, paddling powered. Couldn't beg or borrow one at the ramp so load up on the trailer and head for a parts store. NPPA didn't have on, found it at West Marine, a drip of loc tight and the repair seemed complete.
Met up with a buddy who had a Hobie Mirage Outback and took another shot at getting out and really wanted to show off the Native product. Well within a short time the crank arm again came loose, luckly I know had the tool so I tightend it up and made it a short trip.
Otherwise I loved the kayak, really fun, but a hell of a workout, gotta break out the bike and start getting the legs into better shape. Looking forward to getting out again in the near future and getting a few miles under my belt.

Re: New Native Mariner, rough maiden voyage

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:13 am
by Deek
Good luck Bob on the new Mariner

Re: New Native Mariner, rough maiden voyage

Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 5:25 pm
by UltimateBobWPB
Thanks Deek. FYI we got into the DOA paddle in by the skin of our teeth!! Look forward to fishing it in my new kayak.

Re: New Native Mariner, rough maiden voyage

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2013 8:53 am
by Deek
UltimateBobWPB wrote:Thanks Deek. FYI we got into the DOA paddle in by the skin of our teeth!! Look forward to fishing it in my new kayak.
See you there!

Re: New Native Mariner, rough maiden voyage

Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 12:00 pm
by RobertBfishin
Hi Bob,

Read your article on the maiden voyage of your Mariner. Recently purchased the 10' Slayer Propel and I had the exact same issue with my mechanism. 15 minutes out my left pedal started wobbling. Of course I didn't have a hex wrench with me. Had to paddle back to launch area, load on car top, go home and get the tool. After unloading, tightening the screw and peddling back out the screw came loose 2 more times. Since then I have never had the problem again.

I'm sure by now your legs have gotten in fairly decent shape. I'm 67 and I go out twice/wk so I know my are definitely getting stronger. After my not so pleasant maiden voyage I have come to love my propel yak. Don't know if you troll while fishing but I seem to catch many more fish including snook, reds, specks, jacks, gafftops and even a shark...all on the troll. Enjoy your Mariner!

Robert