Mini-X test drive

I had a chance to test drive the Malibu Mini-X this morning.  At 9'3" this kayak is short.  But it's also 33" wide.  It does live up to its claims of being able to handle some load as it was a nice dry ride.  The rated load is 325# and I'm 215# these days.  Super stable too, which I expected as it had the same line of the X-Factor, just shorter.  The center hatch was nice and there was lots of room in the hold.  I had to adjust my paddling style to almost vertical to get the most out of this yak.  It wasn't that big of a deal, because I have a high angle anyway, but even then I had to keep it really high.  Once I figured out that, this boat tracked pretty well.  Without that adjustment it "wobbled" quite a bit.  It reminded me of my whitewater days at least in terms of the paddling style.  This could be a nice boat for those of you looking for something "river worthy".  It turned really quickly as expected.

-Allen

POLEPOLE, do you recall the weight of the mini-x?

38#

http://www.malibukayaks.com/kayak_minix.asp

-Allen

Polepole,

Good report!  I can relate to your description really well, and so I can just about imagine how that might be to paddle.  Any clues as to price?

This could well be my next kayak, beleive it or not.  I've got this dream of taking it to some of our wilderness lakes or at least "near-wilderness" lakes, maybe about 2 miles from a trailhead.  Don't want to carry it though, hoping to use the standard kayak cart and then probably also a backpack.  That reminds me... I know that the Olympic Nat. Park doesn't allow ANY wheels, but can wheels be used in the wilderness areas?  I have to imagine "no", but I still think that there would be a lot of lakes on BLM land or state forest land that fit my day dream.

Fishin-T

Allen,

Is the tracking issue something a new paddler or occaisional paddler can deal with?  I would like to pick up a shorter boat to use in a river and some of those lakes in eastern WA that require a portage, but I would also like to have a boat that my wife or 13 year old could paddle with me on occaision.  This boat looks like it may fit the bill.

Pete

Price is in the $570 range, +/- depending on options.

I wouldn't worry about the tracking for new paddlers.  They'll figure it out ... it's not that bad.

-Allen

BTW, I keep thinking about these small boats (sub 10').  They're not that new.  OK has a number in their lineup including the frenzy and the Big Yak and the Venus 10 (a yak for women, but it paddles pretty good for men too).  Hobie has the MirageSport and Lanai.  And WS has the Tarpon 100.  Just like the big boats, they all have their positives and negatives.  I'd love to get my hands on all these boats and do a side by side comparison.  Hmmm .... I'll try to get out on all of them at Bay Area Paddlefest this weekend and write something up.

What specific criteria are you all interested in me paying attention to?

-Allen

POLEPOLE,
 Being of average size the most important to me is the storage of gear and maneuverability of the boat. Oh yes, the weight is crirical, even more so as I get older!