Spoiler alert<\/strong>: I love the customization options and the well-designed pedal system that\u2019s much easier to transport and store than many of its competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pros<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n UPDATE [SUMMER 2023]<\/strong>: The Propel 10\u202fisn\u2019t available anywhere… I\u2019d recommend getting the Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL instead. It\u2019s a bit more expensive but it\u2019s also faster and more stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a pedal kayak, the Propel Slayer 10 is on the short side, measuring ten feet in length. This makes it one of the easiest pedal kayaks to store and transport<\/strong>. You may find it can fit in the back of some pick-up trucks. But if you own a smaller vehicle, you\u2019ll probably still need to invest in a rough rack to safely transport it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For storage, it\u2019s best to store your kayak in a protected and climate-controlled environment, though a covered shed will also be ok if that\u2019s all you have access to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pedal kayaks come at a higher cost than their traditional paddle cousins. While the Propel Slayer 10 is one of the cheaper pedal models<\/strong>, it\u2019s still a sizable investment. If you\u2019re new to kayaking or aren\u2019t sure how much you\u2019ll use it, you may be better off with a cheaper paddle design to start out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t feel like you need to sacrifice quality and stability when you go down in price. There\u2019s no shortage of well-made fishing kayaks<\/strong> out there like the Sea Ghost 130 <\/a>from Vibe that has plenty of customization options and excellent stability. The big drawback is you\u2019ll have to use your arms to propel yourself instead of a pedal system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using the common \u201csit-on-top\u201d design<\/strong>, the Propel Slayer 10 has a wide hull that gives it great stability<\/strong>. The cockpit is big and open with plenty of room to move around and store your gear. But it provides little protection from the elements. <\/strong>If you\u2019re going to be travelling through a lot of rain or rough water, you may prefer a \u201csit-in\u201d kayak that offers more protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Length<\/strong>: 10-feet<\/p>\n\n\n\n Width<\/strong>: 34-inches<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight<\/strong>: 81 pounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n Load Capacity<\/strong>: 400 pounds<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the majority of the kayaks in its class, the Propel Slayer 10 is made of a tough and durable plastic called polyethylene<\/strong>. This gives the boat excellent rigidity in most water conditions and is very hard to seriously damage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Armed with the Propel Pedal Drive System, the Slayer 10 cruises across the water with smooth and efficient grace<\/strong>. While the keel isn\u2019t as long as most pedal models, it still moves faster than your average kayak. Once you get the hang of it, strong paddlers can expect to hit 3.5 or even 4 miles per hour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Propel\u2019s pedal drive system allows you to easily pivot between going forward and backward<\/strong>, a feature that isn\u2019t available from all pedal kayak designs. This coupled with the shorter keel and impact-resistant rudder makes it great for maneuvering sharp river bends<\/strong> or sneaking stealthily through tight areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The rudder is controlled with a joystick-style system mounted on the left side of the kayak and easily accessible from the cockpit. It may take you a few times out to get the hang of it, but the whole rudder system functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019d still recommend bringing a paddle along <\/strong>though. This gives you some redundancy and a safety net in case something happens with the pedal system. A paddle can also be useful for making tight turns in close quarters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It doesn\u2019t matter how fast your kayak is or how tight it can turn if you spend the whole day with hard plastic pushing into your back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Native Watercraft has taken extra care with their kayak\u2019s comfort and the Slayer 10 is no different. The seat is well-padded and can be easily adjusted backward or forward.<\/strong> Breathable and durable, most paddlers should be able to spend the day on the water without feeling stiff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike some pedal kayaks, this seat design can\u2019t go up or down <\/strong>which can be advantageous when switching from traveling to fishing, but this is a minor quibble and isn\u2019t a deal-breaker in my opinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With a beefy 34-inch hull and a tunnel hull design, you can feel confident that this boat will stay upright in most water conditions. It\u2019s rated as safe enough to stand and cast from<\/strong> which can give you a big advantage, allowing you to cast with better distance and accuracy while helping you spot passing schools of fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sharp bow and rudder help compensate for the shorter keel length and allows it to track quite well for a boat of this length.<\/strong> But for me, a boat this short probably isn\u2019t safe or capable of handling bigger ocean conditions. I\u2019d advise keeping this boat on safe bodies of water<\/strong> like lakes, rivers, and protected bays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This isn\u2019t meant as a challenge, but I\u2019d be stunned if you managed to punch a hull in the tough plastic<\/strong>. It should be able to handle most day-to-day collisions as well as any accidental drops or bumps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This doesn\u2019t mean you should treat it with impunity. Whenever possible, carry your kayak to and from the water in lieu of dragging it. If you\u2019re on your own a lot, purchasing a kayak rack will help take the stress off your arms and back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Drag only as a last resort as there\u2019s no skid plate.<\/strong> Prolonged or frequent drags will eventually cause the hull to peel and scratch which will harm the boat\u2019s efficiency and reduce your top speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prolonged UV exposure can also weaken and warp the plastic over time. When not in use, store your kayak away from direct sunlight. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Relatively speaking, the Slayer 10 is pretty light for a pedal kayak<\/strong>. With the pedal drive system fully rigged, it checks in at 81 pounds, more than 20 pounds lighter than many of its competitors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to, you can remove the pedal system and carry that on its own for longer portages. This drops the total weight when empty down to a more manageable 62 pounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For tandem carries there are molded handles on both the bow and stern <\/strong>to make life easier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the Propel Slayer 10 doesn\u2019t come with a bunch of included goodies like a paddle, I do like that it comes with its own scupper plugs<\/strong>. Many companies make you purchase these independently if you want them and they can be handy for preventing your boat from swamping when you\u2019re in rough water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For a shorter fishing boat, the Slayer 10 comes with a lot of customization options and plenty of features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Two flush-mounted rod holders<\/strong> are mounted aft of the seat. Groove tracks for accessory mounting <\/strong>are located in front of the seat. From here you can add a GPS, a GoPro, or spare tackle holders. The boat doesn\u2019t come with a paddle holder,<\/strong> unfortunately, so I\u2019d advise using some of this space to install one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three dedicated storage areas<\/strong>, two of which are waterproof. The biggest of which is the watertight bow hatch with a big 17\u201d cover<\/strong>. The spacious opening gives you plenty of space to fit larger items you want to keep out of the elements like a sleeping bag or tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The other large storage area is open-air and located behind the seat. <\/strong>Perfect for dry bags, a cooler, and other oversized items, they can be secured to this tank-well area with bungee cords that are stretched over the top. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Underneath the tank well is another, smaller dry storage area with a 5\u201d hatch cover<\/strong>. This is nice for personal items, but I wish they\u2019d put it closer to the cockpit so it was easier to access while you\u2019re out on the water.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you really want a pedal kayak but don\u2019t feel like you can justify purchasing one of the bigger and more expensive designs, the Propel Slayer 10 provides a nice middle ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s still noticeably more expensive than any 10-foot paddle kayak<\/strong> in its class, but comes with tons of features<\/strong> and I\u2019m impressed with the pedal drive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Outback provides many of the qualities that Hobie is known for<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Maneuvering is made easier by two steering handles<\/strong> for added flexibility and the boat comes filled with customization options <\/strong>like a transducer mount, four rod holders, and a big open-air stern hatch secured with bungee cords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite almost being almost 13-feet long, the Outback is lighter than a lot of pedal kayaks that are of similar length, making it a good choice for those that will be off on their own a lot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The load capacity feels a little light for a boat of this magnitude at 425 pounds, but that\u2019s a minor nitpick. 425 pounds should satisfy most anglers and opens up the possibility of more ambitious multi-day excursions<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our review of the Hobie Mirage Outback.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Another smaller pedal kayak model from Native Watercraft, it shares a lot of the features you can find in the Slayer 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a little wider <\/strong>at 37-inches so the stability is even better than its counterpart. The load capacity has also been boosted to 500 pounds, making it a slightly better choice for longer, overnight adventures, though I think the Slayer 10\u2019s 400-pound capacity is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You do get a few extra odds and ends<\/strong> with the design including a spot on the stern deck where a trolling motor can be installed.<\/strong> But it\u2019s also noticeably more expensive <\/strong>than the Slayer 10, and to me, there are not enough upgrades to justify the large price increase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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Things to Consider Before Buying<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Slayer-10.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSpecifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Design<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Higher-Seat-1024x435-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMaterial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Speed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Maneuverability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Comfort<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Stability & Tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Durability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Portability<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sidekick-1024x435-1-705x405.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPropel 10 Features & Accessories<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/3-pocket-tool-holder-1024x435-1.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nPropel 10 Fishing Ease<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Value<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Native Watercraft Slayer Propel 10 Alternatives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Hobie Mirage Outback<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Hobie](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Mirage_Outback-705x204.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Titan 10.5<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Native-Titan-10.5.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Slayer Propel 13<\/a> (now MAX 12.5)<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"Picture](\"https:\/\/www.happinesswithout.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Slayerpropelmax-705x198.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n