New Native Mariner, rough maiden voyage
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2013 12:14 am
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.
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.