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Monday, 23 June 2014 00:00

Maintaining your Native Watercraft "Propel" drive

Written by Greg Becker
(12 votes) For owners of the Native Watercraft's “Propel” pedal drive propulsion system, routine maintenance is an important part of keeping the unit in top working condition. Fortunately, both the system and its upkeep are very straightforward.

Perhaps the most important maintenance tool for the Propel drive is cheap and readily available: fresh water. After every trip – especially in salt or brackish water – a simple and thorough low-pressure rinse with fresh water is a must. Never use a high-pressure hose; you don’t want to force water, dirt, grit, etc. past the seals to the internal components. I carry a little garden sprayer in the car, and use it to give my rods, reels, and Propel drive a quick shower right after I get off the water. They all get a more thorough hose rinse when I get home. While rinsing the drive, inspect the casting, cranks, pedals, and propeller for damage. Always check the section of the casing where the thwart tube passes through; there were reports of some early castings cracking when the screws were over-tightened. Look for grit buildup in screw recesses. Trapped salt can quickly lead to corrosion.

The interval for more in-depth upkeep depends on how frequently you pedal. The original recommendation from Native was every six months, but updated guidance suggests that users grease the upper and lower sections of the Propel drive after every seventy five days or 600 hours of pedaling, whichever comes first. Native specifies using only Finish Line Teflon Grease for the internal gears. Any other grease may cause compatibility issues and do more harm than good. Grease and a tool are available through your dealer, or can be found at many bicycle shops. Native Watercraft is training Certified Propel Technicians throughout its dealer and Pro Staff networks. If at any point you don't feel comfortable performing the prescribed maintenance, contact your local dealer or Pro Staff member for assistance.

Equipment and materials links:

Pin spanner wrench: http://www.amazon.com/OTC-6613-Variable-Spanner-Wrench/dp/B000F5JMEA/
Grease: http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/bicycle-greases/premium-grease-made-with-teflon-fluoropolymer
Long-nose grease gun: http://www.finishlineusa.com/products/bicycle-greases/grease-injection-pump-gun
Thanks to John Kiffmeyer from Native Watercraft (and star of the maintenance videos) for his input on this piece!
Read 17096 times Last modified on Monday, 23 June 2014 10:21
Published in How To Paddling Greg Becker



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# DDOlson 2014-06-23 18:57
Great article...Altho ugh I don't have a Slayer Propel; I did like the suggestion of the garden sprayer for cleaning reels. I plan on looking into this solution.






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