|
Is the
Native Watercraft "Ultimate 12" Fishing Kayak as Good as the Name it Bears?
(continued)
  Real World
Tests:
Testing of the
Ultimate 12 took place along many of Southwest Florida's rivers, estuaries,
backcountry waters and beaches. I put this kayak through it's paces having
paddled it in various types of conditions from flat calm waters to chop and
current in the Gulf.
The Groove Track
system allows you to effortlessly mount accessories like rod holders.
Hull:
The tunnel
hull offers solid stability and maneuverability. This is the easiest, most
stable kayak I've ever stood in. However, if you try to ride up over a
submerged structure like a rock or fallen tree and then slide off to the side,
you can find yourself momentarily stuck in the Ultimate, as the structure tends
to end up between the pontoons. The Ultimate is far more maneuverable than most
solo canoes, but due to the lower sides takes on a bit more water in moderate
chop. The lack of scuppers does present a minimal nuisance where heavy rain or
chop might be a factor. A bilge pump or large cup for bailing water is
recommended.
The Ultimate 12
provides an incredibly stable ride whether you're sitting or standing and is
extremely difficult to flip over.
Stability:
The
Ultimate 12 is a fishing boat like no other and was made to stand in. If you're
new to the concept of standing in a kayak to fish it may feel a little wobbly at
first. In time and with a little practice, you'll soon get over the initial
awkwardness of standing. Unsteadiness is caused by having a wide stance. Due to
the pontoon hull shape, you must maintain this fairly wide stance while
standing, thereby making the boat shimmy occasionally. I intentionally rocked
the kayak fairly violently while standing, and even stood for a while with both
feet inside the same pontoon to see if it would capsize and it never did. Going
from a sitting to standing position was as simple as getting out of a chair.
Not much has
changed in the overall construction of this boat since it came out on the market
in 2008. The tunnel hull gives the Ultimate superb stability so you can stand
and maneuver the boat effortlessly and without sacrificing speed. The concave
wells inside the boat that the tunnel hull design provides allows your feet to
ride lower than your torso so you can sit or stand for longer periods with less
fatigue.
The hull looks like two pontoons with a channel down the center,
which offers extremely good stability and tracking.
Price and
Applications:
The Ultimate 12
is the perfect choice for the paddler that's looking for an affordably priced
kayak that offers many high quality features you'd expect to find with more
expensive models on the market. It's well suited to river and back bay
exploration as well as venturing out in the ocean in a light chop. Priced at
$799-$1049, the Ultimate is a great value without sacrificing quality. It comprises
all the key features and accessories kayak anglers search for when looking for
that perfect kayak. It's no wonder this model is a best seller among kayakers
across the country with it's exceptional attention to design and comfort.
This kayak is a
good choice for both conventional and fly applications
Ratings:
(We've
re-calibrated our
ratings standard for
2008 and have
included a key at
the bottom of the
following matrix as
a guide):
|
Native
Watercraft
Ultimate
12
Ratings
(?/10)
|
|
Construction/Quality |
The roto-molded
plastic
is
extremely
light
and has
a very
slick
clean
finish
much
like
fiberglass.
The only
downside
is that
the boat
does
tend to
scratch
easily
especially
if you
drag it
over
structure.
Stainless
steel
hardware
and
straps
are
excellent
quality
and hold
up to
the
elements
well.
|
8 |
|
Performance |
The
tunnel
hull
gives
the
Ultimate
superb
stability
so you
can
stand
and
maneuver
the boat
effortlessly
without
sacrificing
speed.
You can
sit or
stand
for
longer
periods
with
less
fatigue.
It does
tend to
get
turned
around
fairly
easily
in a
stiff
wind
and/or
current.
The
rudder
kit for
$299 is
recommended
so it
will
track
straight
under
these
conditions. |
8 |
|
Price |
For
$799-$1049, depending
on
configuration,
this is
an
exceptional
value
|
9 |
|
Features |
Great
features
for the
money.
Native
continues
to raise
the bar
on
offering
standard
features
like
First
Class
Seating,
full
size
foot
braces,
integrated
arm
rests,
and
Adapt a
Track
System
without
compromising
price.
|
8.5 |
|
Design
(Ergonomics) |
The
tunnel
hull
design
provides
an
incredibly
stable
ride
whether
you're
sitting
or
standing
and is
extremely
difficult
to flip
over.
Submerged
structures
can
present
a
problem
and tend
to end
up
between
the
pontoons.
The roto-molded
plastic
is
extremely
light
and can
scratch
easily
especially
if you
drag it
over
rocks or
oyster
bars.
This is
one of
the
lightest
kayaks
on the
market
which
makes it
easy for
the solo
paddler
to
carry. |
8 |
|
Application |
The
Ultimate
is a
great
all-around
kayak
for a
variety
of
applications.
From
rivers
and
backbays
to open
water
flats,
this
kayak
handles
well in
light to
moderate
chop and
current. |
8 |
|
Total
Score
|
8.25 |
Ratings
Key:
1 =
terrible
: 2 =
poor : 3
=
lacking
: 4 =
sub par
: 5 =
mediocre
: 6 =
fair : 7
= good :
8 =
great :
9 =
excellent
: 10 =
unbelievable!
For More
Details
of the
updated
rating
system
visit
our
explanation
here |
Pluses and Minuses:
|
Plus
Minus
|
|
+ Stable
hull |
- Makes
it a
little
slower |
|
+ Light
for
carrying |
- The
plastic
doesn't
feel as
thick as
some
boats |
|
+ Roomy |
|
|
+ Easy
to
paddle |
|
|
+
Affordably
priced |
|
The Ultimate 12 is
fun to paddle as well as fish from!
Conclusion:
I can't think
of a more perfect boat. It's the #1 seller for Native and there's lots of
reasons why. The stability and comfort are tough to beat and I love everything
about the seat. The major selling point of the Ultimate is the seat since a
happy kayaker is one that can comfortably stand or sit and fish for extended
periods without any discomfort. This model is especially popular with fly
fishermen since there's a ton of clear, snagless floor space between the front
edge of the seat and the foot braces which is nice to have when you need to make
longer casts. The ability to remove the seat gives the fly angler even more room
to stand and spread line out onto the platform. The possibilities are endless
when it comes to fully customizing the Ultimate making it the perfect choice for
the kayak angler that's into gadgets and accessories.The Ultimate 12 retails for
around $800 and is available at most major kayak dealers throughout the country.
|
