Calling all Malibu Owners!!!

[yakersaltlife]

I need your input to try and figure out if its just me or my kayak. I am currently around 220lbs and have a Malibu 12-stealth. Every time I have taken my yak out, I have water in the back where my crate is. Now, I usually do the "go light" thinking and hardly have any gear with me, but I will outline what I take.

two spinning rods
pdf - on me
knife - in crate
radio - on me
one plano 12x16 box with fishing gear - usually between my legs in the livewell
pliers - in the side pocket
small spool of mono for leader - side pocket
dry bag with wallet, keys, phone - side pcoket
milk crate - in storage area
battery- inside kayak front hatch
yakattack vispole - in crate rod holder


I might have some other stuff, but it would be really lightweight stuff in my mind. Anyways, my question is, is this a norm for all Malibu kayaks? or is it my layout and gear? I normally have at least an inch of water in the back and anything sitting in my crate on the bottom gets wet. just wanted to check what others have experienced.

Keith

[jsnyd86]

I have the same yak. The stern tankwell does get wet, but it's a SOT. That's what is supposed to happen I thought. You could plug the scupper holes if you want to keep it dry, but then you loose the self bailing aspect of the yak. Foam golf balls are brought up often. I haven't used them myself. Others rigged ways to raise the crate so everything at the bottom stays dry. I have a mesh tackle bag with a plastic bottom that is almost bucket like that keeps the mesh from getting wet. I dont mind if other things back there get wet.

[ronaultmtd]

All SOT stern wells get wet- even the all mighty Hobie Outbacks- scupper drains let water in...as well as out- as a matter of fact kayaks are usually a wet ride, period...that is part of the attraction for me- cools me off in these hot summers-

[yakersaltlife]

So I realize that a SOT is supposed to get wet... but I dont think that an inch of water in the back is right. I would take it if its just wet on occasion from water coming in and out, but its constantly in there. That is what i wanted to understand. If that is the way this kayak rides, then ok, but it seems like it should have less in the rear to me.

[ictalurus]

My Tarpon constantly has an inch of water in the tankwell, too. I'm nowhere near the weight limit. Even adding scupper plugs doesn't help. I added feet to my crate to keep my tackle out of the water. It is an aggravating design flaw.

[fredneckyaker]

I and 6'2" and 215 LB and picked up a stealth 14. I havent had any issues with this but have niced its close to coming in. Some people put lifts on their crate to compensate for it. Maybe that is an idea to solve it.

[KbowersRiverBum]

I have the malibu stealth 12, and notice there is always water in the back, not an inch but there is always water in the back, as long as those scuppers are open you will have water back there coming and going through those holes. If its the gear u r worried about do like these other guys said and add some legs or rubber stoppers on the bottom of the crate to get it a few inches taller

[KbowersRiverBum]

Not sure if anyone has heard but Malibu may be going out of business. Not 100% sure on this as I heard it through the grapevine on KBF. I will be dissapointed to say the least if they do

[jsnyd86]

Not sure if anyone has heard but Malibu may be going out of business. Not 100% sure on this as I heard it through the grapevine on KBF. I will be dissapointed to say the least if they do

wow, that would really suck. Malibu has a great this going with their stealth line. Very comparable to the Ride series Wilderness Systems has. Cheaper and lighter to boot.

[KbowersRiverBum]

From what I have read so far is that it isn't looking good for Malibu and supposedly their pro-staff Has already disbanded. Im kind of in shock as they had just released their stealth 9 not too long ago

[yakersaltlife]

Yea, I had heard that as well. shame really.

[Fishtank]

I spoke with the people at Malibu Kayaks today and they said all is fine now. It appears they had an issue with someone associated with the business. I know very little about it so I won’t go into detail. They just asked if I would let people know they are fully operational and look to stay in business.

[jsnyd86]

good to know! thanks!

I spoke with the people at Malibu Kayaks today and they said all is fine now. It appears they had an issue with someone associated with the business. I know very little about it so I won’t go into detail. They just asked if I would let people know they are fully operational and look to stay in business.

[fredneckyaker]

One of the owners got bought out. asked my buddy who is a dealer in CA. Apparently coming out with some new cool lines as well.

[KbowersRiverBum]

That's good to know they will still be around. They make a great product and I look to continue my business with them