Kayaking, Diving, Skiing, & Surfing Forum. - Native Ultimate 12

I am seriously considering one of these for inshore saltwater fly fishing for specks and rockfish. Can anyone give me any personal experience type reviews on these boats?

They seem very stable, and yet fairly nimble. I like the idea of being able to stand up, and I may even be able to use it for a little calm water duck hunting in the early fall.

Any intel or advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

I opted for the Majic 14. Twin seats if you want, self bailing SOT, and I can stand in it. If the Ultimate fills with water you're pumping. Ride as many as you can stand before buying.

I looked at the magic also. The self bailing option is very attractive, but I really like the higher freeboard on the Ultimate 12. This may be a false sense of security, since, as you say, if it gets water in it you are going to be pumping sponging or bailing. I also like the idea of my gear actually being "in" the boat, as opposed to being bungee corded to the top of it in a tank well. I will not be using this in snotty conditions very much, mostly calm water sight casting.

I'm selling mine, not because of the yak itself, just no longer into it and I was probably never suited to yak fishing.

1. It is stable, although I have never tried to stand on it and think you'd need a good sense of balance (it is stable for a yak, but not jon boat stable).
2. It is light and pretty easy to load and unload into the back of a truck.
3. The deployable skeg does help it go straight without wagging its tail like some yaks do while paddling.
4. Its seat is very comfortable.
5. Being deep and open, the cockpit has plenty of room for you and your gear. The seat can come forward several inches easily to help you reach items toward the front of the yak.
6. Drier than a sit on top

The only cons I experienced:
1. It is slower than some other types, being wide and kind of pontoony, it has a lot of surface in contact with the water.
2. Being fairly deep hulled, it would be harder to get in and out of on the water than a sit on top.

Of the yaks I considered, I think it was the best for lake type fishing. If you were considering a sit on top, the Manta Ray uses a very similar seat now since both yaks are made by the same manufacturer. The Magic also looked neat, a little less cockpit area than the Ultimate and not as much freeboard.

Thanks Shem, I appreciate the intel, your experience sounds like it matches up pretty well with what I have heard. If you really are selling yours, shoot me an email. akpilot29@aol.com

If you will be yakking the waters of Mobjack Bay, in search of specks & rockfish, you may see me out there in a white Hobie Revolution! Will mostly be around Ware Neck.