Now that the Christmas rush has died down a little, we’ve had time to really appreciate some of our new arrivals here at ARC, and we’re taking this week to shine a spotlight on some offerings you may have missed in all the holiday excitement. This also seems like a good time to mention that Appomattox River Company is now proud to be a NuCanoe dealer! So if your New Year’s resolution was to get outside more, you may just find the perfect adventure companion in one of our new fishing boats from Native, 3 Waters, NuCanoe, and Jackson.

Native Watercraft Slayer 12.5 Max Propel: The new Slayer Max Propel has added a whole slew of upgraded features to the Slayer lineup, including the new 701 pedal drive system, which includes hands-free forward and reverse and a weed guard. Native has also added more surface area to the rudder, allowing greater control and maneuverability. There’s plenty of storage at the bow hatch and the rear tankwell, and the Slayer comes complete with an adjustable frame seat. To up the excitement, Native has also released a 200-boat run of the Special Edition Slayer Max Propel, which features vibrantly-accented deck padding that makes the classic color really pop.

NuCanoe Flint: As a new NuCanoe dealer (see what we did there?), ARC is super excited to offer a line of NuCanoe kayaks that provide great fishing features at an easier price. Today we’re looking at the Flint, the most easily approachable price tag in the line, which provides an excellent hull and the essential deck features anglers need. The Flint is the only kayak in its price range that accommodates either a pedal drive or a motor, allowing you to paddle at a trim sub-$1k price or add whichever propulsion system works for you. It comes complete with a comfortable frame seat, rod storage, and plenty of gear mounting points. Best of all, the hull combines the right balance of speed and stability to make this an excellent boat for a wide variety of paddlers.

Jackson YuPik: There’s a basic truth in paddle sports that explains the existence of such a wide array of manufacturers and models and dealers: there is simply no perfect boat. You will always have to choose and prioritize. What kind of water are you paddling the most? Do you prefer speed or maneuverability? How much storage do you need, and how much weight are you willing to carry to get it? Solo or tandem? The YuPik makes some of these choices just a little bit easier. It’s designed as a blank slate with full capability for whatever is important to you. The deck is a flat, open space to optimize carrying capacity. We couldn’t really find a word to describe the amount of gear track on this thing, so we actually went out and measured, and if 276 inches of track isn’t enough, we’re not sure what is. The center track runs almost the entire length of the deck, all the way under the seat pan. The YuPik has tackle box storage points on both sides and under the seat, and even has a paddle holder strap incorporated into the bow for flat paddle storage. Speaking of seats, the YuPik allows for anywhere from zero to two, as the seat pan is completely removable, and the fore-deck features attachment points for a second seat when you want to take a friend. It’s the perfect boat for the gear junkie, the occasional tandem paddler, or even man’s best friend, because the deck is also kennel cot compatible.

3 Waters Big Fish 108 Pedal: The Pro Fish Pedal Drive is here, in the new Big Fish 108. A super stable cathedral hull and Beaver Tail rudder make this new addition to the Big Fish line instantly fishable out of the packaging, and the four-position EZ Rider seat will keep you comfortable from the get-go. It adjusts to high, low, and recline positions, and also flips around to become a lean bar for standing. It’s ready for accessories with plenty of Uni-Track mounting rails. It’s an ultra-stable fishing platform coming in under $2000, and we call that a win-win.