Native Watercraft "Ultimate 12" Hot

This is an extraordinary vessel. I've had mine for eight yrs and I love it. Perfect for small lakes or modest rivers. The best feature is the light weight. Jackson's are soooo heavy. At just over 50#, I can easily lift it and throw it on my car rack or carry it down to the lake/river. Super comfortable seat. Cannot beat this for the price.

I'm disabled and could no longer get into the cockpit of my other kayak when I found out about this kayak. I fish the lakes in Colorado where I live and in the Sierra's. I have also fished with this kayak in Louisiana and it works great. The 14.5 version would be my next choice but the 12 fits my truck and garage better. The seat is the best for sitting all day. Just love this kayak.

This Kayak is so great, that I'm writing my first review ever! My first take on the boat was that it was easy to put onto the roof rack due to it's weight and the sides (gunwales). Also, I could tighten the straps as tight as possible without any bend in the plastic - something you're also grateful for when traveling over sharp, protruding rocks in current because you don't feel them dig up into your thighs and butt! My next impression out of water and in my yard was the incredibly comfortable, reclinable seat. Next I noticed the foot pedals - what a difference over a standard peg! With a peg, you will inevitably feel pain and discomfort where your foot is resting as all the pressure is isolated - with the flat platform like pedal - the comfort level is astonishing! In the water I noticed the stability. I no longer have to do a half in the water half out of the water push off style launch... I can put this puppy completely into the water and step into the boat from the a dock. Standing up is a cinch! Within a minute of my maiden voyage (and I do not surf, paddleboard, fish in the sea, etc.) - I was forgetting I was even standing in a kayak! I could fish while standing - including yanking out lures that were stuck, setting the hook in a fish, reeling it in, and grabbing it by the mouth for the pickup - never once did I feel like I needed to get low or pay attention to my balance. (Ignore the popular youtube video where someone can't quite stand up without shaky legs - that person has the worst balance in the world - anyone with the balance to ride a bicycle shall have no issue.)
When I sit down, at 6'1" 170 lbs I am insanely comfortable. No pressures or aches - you can easily reach into the back cargo or down into the water to your side. It also glides fast, steers and veers great, and otherwise functions as any sit in kayak you CAN'T stand in! Whether you're out for a tour, fishing, or sipping some ales - this IS the kayak to own! I can shut my eyes and recline in the chair without concern for bumping a log or rock and rolling, or tipping too much to one side and losing balance! It'd be easy to fall asleep in that position - and I imagine you'd wake up drooling and well rested like if you spent the night on a good matress. (you'd think I was a salesman for this company - I am not!) My previous kayak was a Necky Manitou 13 - a pathetic piece of plastic compared to this superior vessel, the Native Ultimate 12!

My experience with the Ultimate 12 has been great. I started 8 or 9 years ago with a SINK then went to a SOT. I've test paddled the Slayer 12 & 14.5, the Cuda 12 & 14, the Coosa, Hobie Pro Angler, and a Hobie Outback. After having test paddled all those I can say with confidence that the Ultimate suits me the best for the kind of fishing I do.

Generally speaking the Ultimate is a great blend of everything I need in a yak.

Its only 30inches wide so it will paddle upstream fairly quickly. (80% of my fishing is paddle upstream and fish my way back)

Its open from bow to stern so you can put your stuff anywhere you like. If you've owned a SOT you know there HAS to be a specific place for everything or your stuff can easily end up in the water.

You can stand and fish very easily because your feet are below the water line. SOTs can only accomplish this same stability through extra width which means less speed which results in a more difficult paddle upstream.
Getting to the standing position is very easy because of the gunwales on either side of you giving you a firm place to push up from with your arms.

It may not be apparent at first but after a few trips the general ease of carrying this kayak becomes quickly apparent. Being a hybrid this kayak has gunwales, giving you the ability to lift and rest it on your shoulder as you carry it. Another notable feature of this kayak is its weight. As most kayaks seem to be getting heavier and heavier, mine (Ultimate 12 Basic) weighs in at 55lbs with the seat in, 50lbs without. That is at least 15lbs lighter than any of the kayaks I listed above.

In my opinion a hybrid kayak like the Ultimate is the way to go unless you absolutely have to have scuppers.