Native Watercraft recently released a video describing some of the improvements they have made to their popular “Slayer” line of fishing kayaks. Immediately after the video was released, user comments started popping up on the Native Watercraft Facebook page and the YakAngler.com Forums “Is that a Slayer with a Propel Drive in the background?” and “Ok, what's with the Propel driven yak in the background?”.

I immediately took a close look at this mystery boat in the background of the video. The bow was not the same shape as the Native “Mariner”, one of their current Propel drive kayaks. The hull was nothing like the “Ultimate”, their other production kayak with a Propel drive option.

I was unable to figure out if this was a brand new model or an updated one, so I decided to go straight to the source. I gave Woody Callaway of Native Watercraft a call, and he has confirmed that the kayak in the background is a Propel Slayer.

If all goes well with the mold, the Propel Slayer should be available in the fall of 2013. Woody said, “We raced a Mirage Drive kayak with turbo fins and it kicked derriere.” Woody said that according to their GPS, they easily sustained 5+ MPH in it. The seat has been altered on the Propel Slayer. It will no longer have the High/Low seating option; instead, the seat will now slide forward and backwards. Woody said the reason for this is the seat needs to adjust to allow for kayakers with different length legs.

Specs: Length 13' 2" | Width 33" | Weight 101 lbs. | Projected MSRP: $2,399



Click on the image of the Slayer Propel for a larger view

The Slayer has quickly become one of Native Watercraft’s top selling fishing kayaks. Add on a Propel drive for hands free fishing, and I see a contender for top fishing kayak for 2013!