When I first looked at this kayak, my first impression was that they almost got it right but not quite. Featuring Native Watercraft’s First Class Seating with a HiFlo 3D suspension mesh stretched over a rigid, aluminum, frame that can be adjusted to either a high position for a dry ride or a low position for greater stability along with incredible back support and the ability to recline the seat combined with adjustable foot braces makes for a very comfortable place to relax and enjoy yourself for a day.

However, although the deck of the Slayer 14 is specifically designed to be flat and uncluttered, there are still protrusions that can trip your feet when standing in the kayak to fish and this is why I say that they almost got it right with this one. Another nice feature is the Slayer Electronics Console which provides a dry storage area for your battery when running a fish finder and thumb screws eliminate the need for tools when accessing the console. Also, the console cover has a Groove Track insert that allows equipment or rod holders to be easily added or exchanged.

Plus, there are three more Groove Tracks mounted on each gunwale forward and aft of the seat which enables you to easily add or remove components at your leisure and to lock them down anywhere along the rails that it suites you. Speaking of which, this kayak also comes with a pair of CamLok Paddle Holders which, unlike most paddle keepers that secure your paddle parallel to the gunwale, instead mount on the Groove Tracks rails so that you can configure them to hold your paddle either perpendicular to the gunwales by placing one on either side or parallel to the gunwale by placing them both on the same side.

Then, all you have to do is place your paddle shaft in the middle of “U” shaped holder and either push or pull to insert or remove it; quite ingenious.

Plus, there is a place on either side of the seat to secure a Plano tackle box and there is small hold positioned aft of the seat that contains a bucket and is accessible via a hatch w/cover. Another unique feature found only on Native Watercraft kayaks is the Tag Along Wheel. This feature comes in the form of a hard, plastic, wheel permanently attached to the stern of the kayak so that all you have to do to transport the kayak from the car to the launch and back again is grab the padded bow handle, lift the kayak, and pull.

Plus, it has a tank well in the stern which has molded indents for both a fishing crate and a bucket along with bungee cords to tie them down with. However, unlike most other fishing kayaks, the Slayer 14 has an open well in the bow with scupper holes for drainage but, they also offer an optional hatch cover and Super Seal scupper plugs which enables you to turn it in to a dry storage compartment.

Last is what, in my opinion, is what most sets this kayak apart from other fishing kayaks; it is the only fishing kayak that I have seen so far that has hard chines!!! Consequently, those of you who have a distinct preference for hard chined, Greenland style, sea kayaks finally have sit-on-top fishing kayak with the feel of hard chined sit-inside kayak!

Because I am a long time sea kayaker with a distinct preference for long, slim, hard chined, Greenland style kayaks, I would likely choose this kayak over any other sit-on-top fishing kayak presently on the market today simply because it is long and slim and has hard chines.

But, when you also take into consideration the excellent seat, the tackle box storage compartments the flat deck, the Groove Tracks rails, and the electronics console, it is almost a no brainer. In fact, about the only three things preventing this kayak from being perfect is the lack of a completely flat deck, the lack of rod holders aft of the seat, and the lack of an anchor trolley.