Stirring up the pot...

Ok...I know this is gonna get a few all fired up...mines better cause yours sucks...
But...I've been eyeing the Malibu kayaks...not any one in particular, but looking at the whole package (load capacity, design, hatches, bells whistles) and the PRICE...that's where i'm starting to lean...

So all you Malibu guys out there, pros-cons...likes-dislikes...

Thanks

First off ... If you really want to stir things up you have to have a better topic than which SOT is better for fishing.

Try something like ... "Only SINKs are real kayaks and only handliners are real fisherman" "You are nobody unless you can Eskimo roll your kayak"

If you just want to talk brands you will just get honest feedback and find out that almost everyone either paddles an OK or pedals a Hobie. I have never been on a Malibu but there are a few guys here who have. In fact I believe there may be one fully rigged and fishy as hell that might still be for sale.

Have fun and try and get one out for a test ride.
Enjoy.

FGs right. Outside of a few tussles here and there we're all happy enough with people picking what works best for them. As a matter of fact, we advocate it. There might be some good hearted smack talk but no teeth for sure.

As to the Malibu I had the Xfactor for a short bit and it's a nice paddler. It's super big and stable and a great layout for pimping. You'd think for their size they'd be a pain but they actually paddle really well. I really love my Hobie for it's pedal power to get through current and snags easily but if I was about paddling I'd go back to the X... Well maybe after the Quest 13. Those foot braces are the best in the biz!

I have a mini-x and like it.  My first yak experience was in x-factor.  It was in fact the one I was hoping to find but I was committed to buying used and found it to be, at least on my time frame - with no existing yak, impossible to find one.  In fact, the only ones I can across were should within 15 minutes of hitting craigslist... literally.  The ones I saw on ebay are all close enough to full price I figured I would be better off getting them from an actual kayak store so I have a connection with a place to help me should anything go wrong.

I think the mini tracks well for being so short, it is also super stable.  I also find it to be surprisingly swift.  I find it hard to get back on from the side but I can easily self rescue from the from of the back.  I don't know if all malibus are like this, but it seems the seated position has you rear end a bit lower then the OK trident.  I love that it is so easy to move and load, even by myself.  I have only used it so far on lakes so I don't know the performance in the swell or in the river... which is my secondary reason for owning it. 

Good luck in your search. 

If you just want to talk brands you will just get honest feedback and find out that almost everyone either paddles an OK or pedals a Hobie.

I don't have the time to argue this point, but the needle on my BS-ometer just twisted itself off the end of the dial.

Malibu makes some great boats, they just haven't put the effort in to get a foot hold in the Northwest market.  I paddled an X-Factor for a while and completely agree with everything Zee said.  They also have some nice medium-sized yaks that I've noticed, like the Stealth 12 and X-13.  I still have my Mini-X in its size class of paddle kayaks I think it's hard to beat.  Last time I drove through Brookings a couple years ago I thought I saw a Malibu dealer on the main drag so that might be worth looking into.

Dont know if they have any Malibu's, off the top of my head, but REI is doing a member sale right now.  A lot of their yaks are on sale.  I personally just upgraded from my SINK to a OK Prowler 13 for $815.  Plus OK is offering a $100 gift card for a boat purchase over $799.. So really the boat turned out to be $715 shipped to the Tacoma REI!! I mean that's a heck of a deal if you ask me!  Take a look at their selection..

Am an OK owner myself. But, traveling a lot like i do, i get to play on a lot of other yaks, some rentals, some belonging to generous members of other clubs across the country. Malibus have a huge following outside of the OR/WA area. They paddle as well as my T15 & T13, and feel just as solid and stable too.

If you find one for sale, get on it and paddle it if you can. you won't be disappointed.

And, Zee is right, we are one of the few clubs that actually encourages you to find what works for you.. trust me, there are some groups that arent so tolerant.

If you just want to talk brands you will just get honest feedback and find out that almost everyone either paddles an OK or pedals a Hobie.

I don't have the time to argue this point, but the needle on my BS-ometer just twisted itself off the end of the dial.

You really have a hard time making any useful contribution here don't you? What do you paddle? According to your last fishing report you just stand on the rocks and catch bait sized rock fish.
I would take a guess that 75%+ of the contributing members here are either on OKs or Hobies. I also don't recall anyone ever bashing a brand, and with the exception of a few salesmen talking heads no one really recommend something they don't use and own personally.

So I am kinda stumped why you bothered to make another useless post. If it is in an attempt to call me out for recommending a product I like or saying that I don't give my honest opinion you couldn't be further from the truth. If you want my opinion I'll give it to you and I'll try and not hold anything back ... weather it is warm and fuzzy or not.

My cousin picked up a X factor I paddled it last year at Browns Pt during the humpies run and I was standing the whole time and casting. It was so stable, I couldn't believe it. Even had some PBs zip by kicking up some swells.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

I've paddled an X-Factor for almost 5 years.  Great boat - takes more work, but is so stable it's worth it to me.  10 to 12 miles salmon trolling feels good on the X, but it's easier on a skinnier boat.  I took the Scrambler XT out last weekend so I could cover more miles in less time. 

Get what fits you.   

You'd never guess it from reading their posts, but FG and CHM actually fish together out of a tandem.

 

I have an X-13 and love it. Solid boat, great deck layout, comfy, and an efficient paddling machine. It's the boat full of fish in my avatar photo. I primarily peddle my revo these days for the convenience factor, but I prefer the layout and design of the X-13. Damn that mirage drive!!

I've looked (online and catalogs...rarely hands on yet) at alot of different manufacturers.  I keep coming back to the Malibu and Hobie kayak designs...the lines and layouts are overall more appealing.

I know, I know...get your butt in it...but ya gotta narrow the field a little first. 

With the Malibu line, the Stealth series is cool...but, am i  gonna stand and cast, and do i really need a bait tank?? Me thinks not...
The X-factor has dual hatches between the legs, but you loose the center console (with cup holder)...
The X-13, me thinks, is more what I'm looking for...
BUT...that Gator Hatch...good bad, like or no??
I haven't gotten ahold of a malibu to look at that hatch system.  Is it accessible on the water, or do you have to unbuckle the whole crazy thing?

On the Hobie side, the Quest series is comparable (for this arguments sake) to the X-13...
I dig the overall design and front hatch on the hobies...
But, on the Quest 13, it looks like it might be a little more difficult to mount goodies on the sides...
I REALLY like the Outback and the Revo...the ONLY thing keeping either one out of my garage is a large lack of $$$$$$$

Fishing was a hell of a lot cheaper when I was 8...cut a branch, tie on 20 feet of line, wrap line around stick, find worms and go catch trout...