The Mariner’s nimble handling and zip-
The Mariner Volt version of stand and deliver. INSET: The Volt’s business end.
py motor were put to the test as I drove it like I stole it—weaving in and out of pilings, running full speed into wind and current, and doing donuts in forward and reverse. Maneuverability is unparalleled—it’ll even crab sideways. On the down side, the motor’s head ate up most of the space between my legs— space I use for rigging lures and landing fish. Also, with the battery behind the seat, even my short legs were cramped in the footwells. After hours of abuse, I still had no fish
NATIVE MARINER 12.5 VOLT: SHOCKINGLY NIMBLE PERFORMANCE
$2,109 / Angler $2,278
www.nativewatercraft.com
NATIVE WATERCRAFT’S Mariner 12.5 Volt definitely attracts a lot of attention. As I puttered away from the launch ramp and headed towards Chesapeake Bay, by- standers at the dock stared and pointed. What had everyone gawking was the
modified electric trolling motor mounted through the hull between my legs. With kayak manufacturers jumping on
the motorized bandwagon, Native’s line of Multisport boats has already claimed a front seat. The Mariner’s tunnel hull and open cockpit are a perfect platform for mounting a small trolling motor and 12- volt battery. I received the Volt in early April, while most of the local fish population was still on winter vacation. To put the vessel through a real-world trial by fire, I headed to Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel—a pun- ishing obstacle course and my best shot at an early season fish. Installing the motor was simple: just clip
the bracket into the Plug-and-Play slots, drop the motor’s shaft through the open well, replace the well cover (which disen-
gages the cutoff switch), and run the cable to the battery strapped behind the seat. The Volt met its first open-water encoun-
ter with plenty of power. I turned the tiller to 5—full power—and blasted through wind driven chop sending spray over the bow and into my face. Under calmer condi- tions, the kayak topped out at 3.8 mph. In reverse, I could do two mph. Direction is controlled with a rudder that is mounted under the stern; turning the rudder and the motor in unison puts the boat into a tight spiral.
MORE MOTOR OPTIONS
BASS YAKS $499-899 /
www.bassyaks.com
Bass Yaks has a custom motor kit for practi- cally any fishing kayak. The slick systems are based on Minn-Kota trolling motors, con- trolled hands-free via foot pedal steering and remote throttles. Install, add your own 12-volt battery, and off you go. Energy saving EM and saltwater options are available at extra cost.
kayakanglermag.com… 35
to show for my effort. As the sun set, I mo- tored to the middle of the three-mile-long bridge to wait for striped bass to show up in the street lights. Sure enough, the first light I visited had a half dozen fat bass holding just below the surface. I picked the biggest fish and dangled a swimbait in its face. Strike, hook set, fish on. A few seconds later, and the 25-inch striper was flopping on the deck between my legs and the motor. I released the fish and ticked the last box on my check sheet. That’s when the battery died—finally succumbing to hours of running full blast. With no voltmeter to warn me of diminish- ing juice, I was left with a two mile paddle into brisk wind and ripping current. Even with the motor cocked up, the 90 pound boat, plus motor and full-sized battery were a drag to paddle. An hour and a half later, I pulled the
kayak up on the dark, deserted beach at the launch ramp. That’s when I heard a snap—I’d forgotten the non-retracting rud- der mounted beneath the stern. Busted. Although it had nothing to do with the motor drive, it was a sharp reminder that the increased complexity inherent in all electric kayaks demands more care and attention than most of us are used to. —Ric Burnley
PHOTOS: COURTESY NATIVE WATERCRAFT
PHOTO: COURTESY BASS YAKS
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