WTB: Malibu 12-15 ft (got one)

It is the only kind I have used.  But I liked it.  I am in the 250# range and a newbie. I would be looking for a smaller one as well as a second for use in river and when I have a guest.

Demo some other yaks if you can.  I have no opinion on the Malibu's as I've never paddled one.  But you won't know if it's really what you want until you try a couple.

Look at the Ocean Kayak Prowlers if you can find one.  They're a bit older than the current Trident design and likely still in your price range.  Or if you can find a Trident for a good price snap it up.  There was that one that Alkasazi just sold that would have been a smoking deal.  If you can get up to the north side of the Sound I'll let you try my Prowler 13.

There's also the Wilderness Systems Tarpons that a lot of folks like.  One member that's only a little heavier than you had a poor experience with the 12', but the longer ones should be worth considering.

Pretty nice looking one on Portland CL.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/2977451865.html

I thought that edit was "got one?" Oh well, maybe somebody else is looking.

I called on that one within 15 min of it being posted and she already had someone coming to pick it up. Thanks for the heads up. I got a ok trident 13... Still looking for second one as a guest/backup/river yak... A minix or something else short.