Malibu xfactor - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

yotasan · 04-10-2013, 08:38 PM

Anyone on here recommend this boat?

spottie slayer · 04-10-2013, 08:39 PM

ya its good but the hatches leak from time to time, and its kind of a beast to paddle, but other than that its probably one of the most stable boats on the market with one of the highest weight capacities. plus theres a factory sale at oex on saturday april 13 with FAT! i meen FAT! discounts. like over 50% off.

dbarnett66 · 04-10-2013, 09:13 PM

I have had my X-Factor out three separate times. Once in Mission Bay and two local lakes here in San Diego. I am a big dude 325ish and still losing weight. My ride has been dry, but that is expected since I am not hitting the breakers yet. I am extremely pleased with my purchase, although I honestly can't compare it to anything since I have only paddled this yak.

Very stable for a big awkward guy such as myself. It is heavy. I don't believe the kayak to be 62 pounds. I think it is 85+ pounds, but I need to weigh it. It can be a bear to load and unload by yourself. I have a truck, so it isn't too bad. CJ and the guys at OEX Mission Beach installed my fish finder, wiring, and bait tank setup. Works awesome. I had the bait tank and fish finder running off the battery for 11 hours on two days before I recharged the battery again.

The Stealth 14 uses the same hull and has a better casting platform, but the X-Factor has more storage than I know what to do with. While the X-Factor is not nimble, it isn't a barge either. I can maintain speed with relatively easy effort.

danjor · 04-10-2013, 09:14 PM

Great boat (and yes it paddles like a boat/aircraft carrier but than again I made the switch from a trident 15 so this is a completely different yak style for me) my only complaint is when moving water tends to splash up threw the scuppers causing you to get wet... really annoying considering there there to drain the yak and keep you dry not flood the deck... but other than that I love mine so much I have 2 hahaha

Jimmyz123 · 04-11-2013, 05:01 AM

I Had an Xfactor and loved the Kayak, it paddled well, wasn't too tough to paddle, it was stable, dry, and a very good boat all around. I read someone called it a beast to paddle, but I do not agree with that.

DanaPT · 04-11-2013, 06:15 AM

It was my first set-up. I still have it and really like it. very big and stable. Could carry me + my boy. A lot of room. Heck, I think you could stow camping gear on that thing. Super stable, I could stand and fish. It is like a big plane, it takes some effort to get it started but once it's going it goes.

That malibu sale looks like a great deal for a "Blem". Mine is a blem and you'd never know, so I wouldn't worry about that.

give me a PM if you are interested in picking one-up that is all set up (scotty rod holders, gator hatch, x-wing, bait tank, lowrance ff, seat, paddle, and bait tank). Mine was configured to run w/ a trolling motor and has foot cables to navigate. I'v stopped using the trolling motor when the battery went bad.

Mine is just hanging in the garage. It is sad (I can tell) because it's not getting used.

spottie slayer · 04-11-2013, 06:22 AM

For me it was this boat or a Jackson cuda. I picked the Jackson because it suited me better. Test different boats and see which one you like the most.

ctrujillo · 04-11-2013, 08:18 AM

Good solid stable yak.not the fastest paddle yak I've been told but its a yak yo

u aren't going anywhere fast on a fishing yak any how.i learned to sit back and enjoy the ride.

easyday · 04-11-2013, 09:02 AM

Fant be as bad as paddling a cobra tandem by yourself

Biggameaddict · 04-11-2013, 06:15 PM

It wont kill you to reach a spot 2 minutes faster. I would rather have all the extra stability and storage then get .5 mph faster.

Mahigeer · 04-11-2013, 08:29 PM

I just got in to kayaking with a used Malibu X Factor 14 footer. I went for the price, but I like the stability over speed.

I have also been doing a lot of research on this site and others. So maybe this item will help the situation below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by danjor

my only complaint is when moving water tends to splash up threw the scuppers causing you to get wet... really annoying considering there there to drain the yak and keep you dry not flood the deck... but other than that I love mine so much I have 2 hahaha

http://www.rei.com/product/833761/ocean-kayak-scupper-valves-medium-package-of-2

I plan to give it a try, if it fits.

spottie slayer · 04-11-2013, 08:54 PM

if you can get your hands on a jackson cuda by all means go for it. I swear by this yak.

04-10-2013, 08:38 PM	#1
yotasan Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: south orange county Posts: 84	Malibu xfactor Anyone on here recommend this boat? Last edited by yotasan; 04-10-2013 at 08:46 PM.

04-10-2013, 08:39 PM	#2
spottie slayer Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Dana point Posts: 74	ya its good but the hatches leak from time to time, and its kind of a beast to paddle, but other than that its probably one of the most stable boats on the market with one of the highest weight capacities. plus theres a factory sale at oex on saturday april 13 with FAT! i meen FAT! discounts. like over 50% off. Last edited by spottie slayer; 04-10-2013 at 08:55 PM.

04-10-2013, 09:14 PM	#4
danjor Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Riverside CA Posts: 673	Great boat (and yes it paddles like a boat/aircraft carrier but than again I made the switch from a trident 15 so this is a completely different yak style for me) my only complaint is when moving water tends to splash up threw the scuppers causing you to get wet... really annoying considering there there to drain the yak and keep you dry not flood the deck... but other than that I love mine so much I have 2 hahaha Last edited by danjor; 04-11-2013 at 05:43 AM.

04-11-2013, 05:01 AM	#5
Jimmyz123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,385	I Had an Xfactor and loved the Kayak, it paddled well, wasn't too tough to paddle, it was stable, dry, and a very good boat all around. I read someone called it a beast to paddle, but I do not agree with that. __________________ No better time than being on the water, God Bless, JimmyZ

04-11-2013, 06:15 AM	#6
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	x factor It was my first set-up. I still have it and really like it. very big and stable. Could carry me + my boy. A lot of room. Heck, I think you could stow camping gear on that thing. Super stable, I could stand and fish. It is like a big plane, it takes some effort to get it started but once it's going it goes. That malibu sale looks like a great deal for a "Blem". Mine is a blem and you'd never know, so I wouldn't worry about that. give me a PM if you are interested in picking one-up that is all set up (scotty rod holders, gator hatch, x-wing, bait tank, lowrance ff, seat, paddle, and bait tank). Mine was configured to run w/ a trolling motor and has foot cables to navigate. I'v stopped using the trolling motor when the battery went bad. Mine is just hanging in the garage. It is sad (I can tell) because it's not getting used.

04-10-2013, 09:13 PM	#3
dbarnett66 Danodog Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lakeside, CA Posts: 155	I have had my X-Factor out three separate times. Once in Mission Bay and two local lakes here in San Diego. I am a big dude 325ish and still losing weight. My ride has been dry, but that is expected since I am not hitting the breakers yet. I am extremely pleased with my purchase, although I honestly can't compare it to anything since I have only paddled this yak. Very stable for a big awkward guy such as myself. It is heavy. I don't believe the kayak to be 62 pounds. I think it is 85+ pounds, but I need to weigh it. It can be a bear to load and unload by yourself. I have a truck, so it isn't too bad. CJ and the guys at OEX Mission Beach installed my fish finder, wiring, and bait tank setup. Works awesome. I had the bait tank and fish finder running off the battery for 11 hours on two days before I recharged the battery again. The Stealth 14 uses the same hull and has a better casting platform, but the X-Factor has more storage than I know what to do with. While the X-Factor is not nimble, it isn't a barge either. I can maintain speed with relatively easy effort.

04-11-2013, 06:22 AM	#7
spottie slayer Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Dana point Posts: 74	For me it was this boat or a Jackson cuda. I picked the Jackson because it suited me better. Test different boats and see which one you like the most.

04-11-2013, 08:18 AM	#8
ctrujillo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: garden grove Posts: 308	Good solid stable yak.not the fastest paddle yak I've been told but its a yak you aren't going anywhere fast on a fishing yak any how.i learned to sit back and enjoy the ride.

04-11-2013, 09:02 AM	#9
easyday Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oceanside Posts: 1,469	Fant be as bad as paddling a cobra tandem by yourself

04-11-2013, 06:15 PM	#10
Biggameaddict The Kayak Peddler Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Hollywood Posts: 591	It wont kill you to reach a spot 2 minutes faster. I would rather have all the extra stability and storage then get .5 mph faster. __________________ Keep your rod close, your gaff closer, and your paddle on a leash.

04-11-2013, 08:54 PM	#12
spottie slayer Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Dana point Posts: 74	if you can get your hands on a jackson cuda by all means go for it. I swear by this yak.