Malibu dealers

Say a fella wanted to demo one of them sleek new SOT rocket ships.  Would he need to go to Astoria in order to do it?  Or is there a Malibu dealer closer to PDX?  Malibu's dealer finder says....no.

Malibu doesn't have a dealer in NW Oregon aside from the shop in Astoria unless something has changed recently.  That's a pretty slick little ride though!

Thanks, Rawky.  Kind of what I thought.  I am currently infatuated with said boat.  Not sure when they are coming out, but I'm gonna call Astoria.  Rumor has it placed at 750 or so.  It's based on their 4.4 speed demon...

Damn, that thing is sexy!

I coulda sworn that it popped up on here earlier, but I was drinking wine and looking at boat porn.  Musta been a different site.  Rawky may know this dude...

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/showthread.php?t=13205

I have a call into Astoria Scuba.  Will let you all know when I hear back regarding ETA and demo potential.

Yeah, Andy (Iceman, he used to me an ice delivery guy) is a good dude and one helluva fisherman.  He's also the manager of OEX Sunset Beach. 

Kayak Angler Mag posted a review recently on Facebook.  I would love to see one of those and give it a try in the surf. 

I have some time fishing from the 4.4.
It looks likes Malibu addressed some of the issues I struggled with. Most obvious, other than hull access, was that they added some much needed volume to the aft section of the boat. I found that the 4.4 lost a lot of performance and speed whenever I added enough gear for a day trip behind the seat.
If the hull is completely based on the old 4.4 it will have tracking rails along the edges of the boat. The tracking rails capture air as you glide through the water and create a bubbling that sounds like a trio of syrian water pipe players.  It was amusing at first but I found that I missed the silent glide of my other boats. The bubbles rattle down the length of the boat and may take away some of your fishing stealth.
Its explosive off the line, and certainly faster that any of the fishing barges, but it has very little extended glide. Once you stop paddling the boat seemed to settle quickly.
The 4.4, like any other SOT, performs better with straps and it is very easy to roll without any gear on board.
Im curious if the scuppers have been changed. The 4.4 was a wet ride and it didnt drain and recover as fast as I wanted.
Im also interested in testing this boat, but if you planned on fishing from it I would recommend taking your gear to paddle it at playing weight and of course the paddle that you use regularly instead of a shop paddle that you aren't used to.
Im hoping this is a great swell rider that can support some gear. I have some doubts but HOORAY! for Malibu for stepping outside of the fatboy fisherman kayak box.

Thanks, hydro. That's good info. Interesting about the onboard hooka noise. I have never heard of such a thing. Without diving into your most personal measurments, do you think 6'2" and 180 is pushing the limits of the boat? It's a lowrider as is...

Thanks again!

Im not quite 6' and 170 something. I was wet but I don't believe the 4.4 was ever designed to be a dry ride, still, I really hope they improved the scupper placement.
I wouldn't think that you would have had too much trouble with the old 4.4 except you couldn't bring very much gear along. The expanded volume of this new creature should only make it easier for the bigger rider and fishing gear. There is hope, and other than the rail rattle the 4.4 was a pleasure to paddle.