Anyone Use a Ocean Kayak Malibu II?

[two4hooking]

Just wondering if anyone has used, or uses a Malibu II. I am thinking of buying the tandem for general purpose use but would still like to know how it does in the surf.

[fish-aholic]

That is what I rented down in SC 2 weeks ago......are you planning on doing the surf single or tandem?

[Charkbait]

Why a tandem? If you are interested in testing the strength of a marriage a tandem is highly recommended. If not get a single =).

[two4hooking]

No, I have a single Walden sit inside fishing Kayak now that I use for the Susquehanna and Potomac around here. I never get to use it much on the weekends though because the wife wants to do stuff with me. So if I get a tandem I can use it more (she can get her exercise paddleing and be on the water ect.) ...and I get to fish. Then I can also use it solo for fishing and put a lot more crap on it than my current one. Granted it will be harder to paddle and launch, but if I get to use it more that is a good trade.

I would also like the ability to maybe use it in the surf...I like how versitile the sit on tops are. I've used my current one only like 4 times in 2 years so it is time for a change.

I would keep both but it would require me getting a rack for the Jeep costing $350 or so.....one I can just strap to the hardtop like I do now. Can't afford too much...

[fish-aholic]

It did fine as a single on the way in, however with bigger surf or choppy surf it was a little harder going out. I enjoyed it, once out past the breakers it was incredible. But believe me, as a solo, you'll be verticle going out over bigger waves....quite a rush though

[Charkbait]

If you are set on a tandem that is a nice yak to buy. When you are single be sure to ride in the front seat so you balance the yak, otherwise you go verticle over waves like fish said. I think the only complaint I've seen on them is availability of mounting space for rod holders, fish finder etc. That's with all tandems though.

[two4hooking]

That is good news.

I was debating on waiting and trying to get the longer, more expensive, Malibu XL, or sticking with the older model I can find at BP fairly cheap. I am glad to hear someone is using it and it is do-able. Good tip about sitting in the front...I would have probably used the middle jump seat and been airborne!

I also found some useful reviews at:

http://www.paddling.net/Reviews/

Basically saying the same things you guys are....good site taht has lots of models....even had my Walden which has since gone out of business.

[Charkbait]

If I remember the difference is in capacity. EVERYONE should look at capacity when they are checking out yaks. Be realistic about how much weight you will carry. If you're 170 and she's 110 you can ride tandem on a single, but if you are heavier then you need to watch out.

For example my tarpon 160 will hold 375.

I carry an anchor 10 lbs, tackle, up to 25lbs, keeper fish up to 30lbs, I don't carry a cooler but that would be common + ice another 15lbs. Just your gear can hit nearly 80 lbs, that and my 240+waders boots, vest clothes gets really close. You don't want to be riding low, it makes the trip twice as hard, and your scuppers will be full.

It's not an issue in the surf just dropping off baits, out on a day trip in the bay it's a huge difference when having to fight the tide and the wind.

[eklutna]

Chark bait

I have the tarpon 160 and WS lies on it capacity. 375 pounds is the point that the kayak sinks to the bottom. Trust me on this or get some bags of sand and fill the kayak with 375 pounds and find out for your self. I max the kayak out and I weigh 260 pounds and carry 20 pounds of gear.

Every kayak manufacture lies about the weight capacity. Or they are misleading. Either way the printed information about the kayaks capacity is useless for a potential kayak buyer who wishes to make a informed decision when buying a kayak.

What do you do.

Every summer Kayak dealers have kayak exhibitions at local parks. You can try out several kayaks in one day. Bring a dry bag and fill it with five gallons of water and put it in the kayak to simulate a load. You can bring two bags and disburse the weight evenly. This way you will have better knowledge of what the real capacity of the kayak is. You can see how the kayaks react to your weight and what you plan to carry.

Learn about Kayak design. Do you know what is a Greenland, fish form or Swede hull and what are the advantages? What is rocker? Do you understand that tracking is 80% paddling and 20% kayak design? How about paddle design. What is weather cock, Pitch polling, and broaching. How do different kayak designs deal with these issues. Learn and make a informed choice on your next kayak purchase because there are plenty of people who will take your money for something you will struggle to use for your intended purpose.

[two4hooking]

Well I picked up the Maulibu II on Sat and tried it out on Sunday in the Potomac.

The wife and I weigh a combined 330lbs.....the rating range was 375 - 425. What eklutna said is true. We were maxing the weight at 330. The foot wells were full of water with both of us and it was obvious that was the limit.

Fortunately this will work out well because I doubt i will ever be fishing while the wife is along to paddle. The tandem should work out well for me solo fishing with a 50 pound cooler and gear.

If I could do it again I might have gone for the MalibuII XL model that is a little longer and supposedly holds more weight....but this one will do the trick for my needs and was a little cheaper.

I found it easy to handle and could load it on my Jeep solo with the right technique.

Now to rig up an anchor system.....