Malibu Kayak's custom bait tank experience

[Mike K.]

After a loooooooong wait, finally got my drop-in-the-back-hatch custom bait tank for the x-factor. Got the first on home and found a bunch of tiny pin holes around the seam where it sits on the hatch lip. (1st thing th look for :? . Got a second one and it seemed o.k. but, no, it had a gap on the inside around where the plumbing fittings go through that was not "welded" up...didn't feel like a another long trip back to the shop so I gooped it in. Set up the battery and a timer switch and off to L.J. I went! Flipped the switch and only got a hum. Thought about it a second and suck started the water flow and all was well. (2nd thing to look for...keep a 12' length of tube attached to the spigot inside the tank so you can do this on the water. They don't supply this with the boat, I had to ask for it.) Made bait and they were HAPPY...put 8-10 spanish macs in it without one belly up with the timer switch turning on/of every couple minutes. Put the hatch cover in the top of the bait tank and made the paddle out. (3rd thing to look for...you'll have to do some carpentry on the inside lip of the tank to get the hatch to go on. Even then it is not a tight seal by any means...just keeps the bait from hopping out.) All seemed fine BUT WAIT>>>BOAT FILLING UP WITH WATER!!! Used the mini handheld pump and pumped out the hull...if you don't have one of these you should...it can be a life saver. As I listened closely, heard the trinkle of water. Looked back at the tank and noticed water spilling over the top and down along the sides of the tank and entering the yak where the tank fits into the hatch. Apparently, even with the weight of the full tank, the foam gasket they apply is not a seal. The outlet tube swivels up and down. If the angle is set too high, the tank overflows. Problem is, the angle has to be up to clear the side of the boat. At this angle the water will stay below overflow but not much...a decent rock and roll will still send water over the sides. (4th thing to watch for...angle of outlet tube.) If Malibu is listening...maybe a good idea is to make the tank 2-3" taller or making a dip in the side of the yak to accomodate the tube. Long story short, tank looks cool set in hatch, tank keeps fish happy, timer switch very nice, watch outlet tube angle and water level, keep a pump handy, and maybe wait for new and improved version.