I figured i'd toss this out since there seems to be
a consistant interest in small canoes here lately. Just snagged a deal on a used Native Watercraft Ultimate 12. They have only been in production a few years
and have drawn allot of hupla since. This is a 12' x 30" hybred between a canoe and a kayak. It's open like a canoe but you sit a little
lower ( and very comfortably) more like a kayak. The lower seating and hull design really add to stability. ( They advertize the hull design allows you stand
and fish. it tried it. It's doable but outside of my comfort zone without practice.) It also paddles faster, straighter and easier than a canoe
and behaves better in a breeze too since it's only got 7" or so of freeboard when loaded with 250# or so. Nice details include; sliding, removable ,
raisable and adjustable "beach chair" type seating. Raised dry tray (under seat) for cameras, lunch etc., knotch's/depressions in thwarts and
gunnals for laying down paddles and rigged rods., retractable skeg for tracking in wind ( but keeps the boat whitewater friendly). This one had a few scotty
fly rod holder installed which I may/may not keep. Lastly, there are tons of factory accesories/skirts, etc that attach to their unique track system but the
rails system is a nice platform for us do it yourselfers to work with. ( i'm making my own skirts)
Perfect boat?
No.
However, IMHO, it's a knotch or two better ( for freshwater fly rodding) than any other small yak/canoe that I've owned to date. After two trips , I'm pretty impressed with layout, performance and comfort (I'm not getting any younger!)
