?'s about X mini... - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Ryan The Sealion · 03-22-2007, 04:20 PM

Saw the X-mini @ the FHS yesterday and really liked it..I'm sure it's pretty slow, but how slow???.. Is there anyone that has paddled both the mini and a fish n dive to compare speed..? I might go test paddle it next week @ OEX

I'm only 6'1" 175 so weight is no issue...It also looked like it had plenty of legroom.. any comments on the mini welcome!!!

Pat · 03-22-2007, 04:43 PM

Hey Ryan,

I've never paddled a F&D so can't help you there. I played with the mini one day in big surf and was happy with it. Enough leg room for me at 6'6'' and surfed well enough to almost stand on.

Pat

madscientist · 03-22-2007, 04:46 PM

The mini feels pretty funny the first time you get on it, particularly if you are used to a bigger boat. It is super stable so it feels like an eX or X-factor, but it is so short I kept feeling like I was missing half my kayak. The deep V bow deflects water and spray very well, making it very dry. The first time I used it in chop I kept bracing for water over the bow as in my extreme but it just pops up and over everything. It is slow, but not as slow as you'd expect, more that it tops out quickly around 2.5-3 mph. My wife pretty much kept up with me at a steady cruise when she was on it. It turns on a dime but doesn't track great, though once you modify your stroke a bit you can keep it straighter. It is awesome in the surf.

Ryan, why the little boat though?

Dennis · 03-22-2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madscientist

Ryan, why the little boat though?

He has length issues....lol

Ryan The Sealion · 03-22-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madscientist

Ryan, why the little boat though?

^ My hobie is only 11'6", and 36" wide, so I'm used to slow and stable already..(ONLY THING IS I DON'T WANT TO BE ANY SLOWER) right now I'm already slower than a fish and dive!!!! I really like the way the mini is set up and I don't bring much out there.. It's perfect for my thresher tank and 2 rods.. Plus It wouldn't hang off the bed of my truck so far and make me nervous about it falling out the whole way to LJ.. not to mention I've been keeping my yak @ my neighbors since my apt. has no garage

the mini would fit on the balcony

Only downside is people might think I'm with the OEX crew :P

lamb · 03-22-2007, 09:00 PM

who knows - you might make it in OEX team one day Ryan, when you grow up.

That is only if you start catching big fish consistently, not once in a while.

Hey, watch out for sneaker bars... I heard these BWE guys are fast on them.lol

lamb · 03-22-2007, 09:01 PM

That MiniX 1/2 a kayak is pretty cool I think.

..for 1/2 a kayak.

Fish look bigger on them.

gary sullivan · 03-22-2007, 11:20 PM

Yea they do look bigger.

Will B. · 03-23-2007, 12:00 AM

How is it to catch bigger fish on the Mini? Does it get pulled around a lot or remain stable?

It looks like you could stow a 6 -7 foot rod down thru the front hatch and drop a yellowtail in thru the center hatch?

diggy619 · 03-23-2007, 01:12 AM

i have both a cobra fish n dive and a malibu mini x....my opinion they paddle the same...i use a 240 cm paddle on both, i first started with a 220 paddle but its just way to short and kept hitting the side of the kayak...mini x is good if you're not gonna haul alot of stuff...
just out of the subject im selling my malibu mini x its only seen the water twice...selling it for $475, bought it brand new from oex 3 months ago...its a fish and dive package color is stone....

Matt · 03-23-2007, 08:24 AM

"were gonna need a bigger boat!!!"

Dan · 03-23-2007, 11:19 AM

Don't lie Ryan, you know you're only 5'10 and 145#

madscientist · 03-23-2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will B.

How is it to catch bigger fish on the Mini? Does it get pulled around a lot or remain stable?

It looks like you could stow a 6 -7 foot rod down thru the front hatch and drop a yellowtail in thru the center hatch?

It handles just like the other boats. In fact, it's almost easier to fight a fish on the mini since it is so short...you never have a problem getting the rod tip around the bow. And the mini turns much quicker than the bigger boats so I think you'd be LESS likely to get pulled over sideways.

I've never tried to stuff a rod down the front but it would probably work. The big center hatch is great and you could put a ton of stuff below if so inclined.

Ryan The Sealion · 03-23-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diggy619

i have both a cobra fish n dive and a malibu mini x....my opinion they paddle the same...i use a 240 cm paddle on both, i first started with a 220 paddle but its just way to short and kept hitting the side of the kayak...mini x is good if you're not gonna haul alot of stuff...
just out of the subject im selling my malibu mini x its only seen the water twice...selling it for $475, bought it brand new from oex 3 months ago...its a fish and dive package color is stone....

how many hatches you got..? I think I only want the center hatch...the more hatches the more water you get inside it seems..

Ryan The Sealion · 03-23-2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamb

That is only if you start catching big fish consistently, not once in a while.

lol

Just be glad I'm living in temecula right now or ur WCW earnings would be hurtin

nmbrinkman · 03-23-2007, 07:32 PM

Since when did an hour drive stop anyone.... And I thought you were hardcore..

lamb · 03-23-2007, 07:34 PM

That's the newest one - living close to the beach?!? lol

What is it, it is no longer time on the water, skill, whatever?!?

It's the damn luck, and the lucky ones will place in the top on WCW.

Everyone can troll bait and get bit, right?

Cmon Ryan, you know you're serious contender.

I hear it's a big $$ this year...

It's not only $50 x the number of people...
I hear ther's like 1.7 K up for grabs already, with <20 people signed up...

...and that is without JP $$....

GAME ON!

diggy619 · 03-24-2007, 01:07 AM

my mini x has 2 hatches and 2 pole holders in the rear... 1 circular hatch up front and a rectangular hatch in the center...

Ryan The Sealion · 03-24-2007, 06:27 PM

lamb I know I know.. living far is only an excuse to bitch about gas and sleep in on days off

thanx for the info guys..I might get a malibu

cabojohn · 03-25-2007, 08:07 PM

We have one of them short bus Mini X's and I like it for what it is.
It has its place... in fact, I used it this weekend.

Its a fun kayak but not one I would want to go long distance on.
I'd take Mini Me over a FnD!

John

03-22-2007, 04:20 PM	#1
Ryan The Sealion Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 308	?'s about X mini... Saw the X-mini @ the FHS yesterday and really liked it..I'm sure it's pretty slow, but how slow???.. Is there anyone that has paddled both the mini and a fish n dive to compare speed..? I might go test paddle it next week @ OEX I'm only 6'1" 175 so weight is no issue...It also looked like it had plenty of legroom.. any comments on the mini welcome!!!

03-22-2007, 04:46 PM	#3
madscientist Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,906	The mini feels pretty funny the first time you get on it, particularly if you are used to a bigger boat. It is super stable so it feels like an eX or X-factor, but it is so short I kept feeling like I was missing half my kayak. The deep V bow deflects water and spray very well, making it very dry. The first time I used it in chop I kept bracing for water over the bow as in my extreme but it just pops up and over everything. It is slow, but not as slow as you'd expect, more that it tops out quickly around 2.5-3 mph. My wife pretty much kept up with me at a steady cruise when she was on it. It turns on a dime but doesn't track great, though once you modify your stroke a bit you can keep it straighter. It is awesome in the surf. Ryan, why the little boat though? __________________

03-22-2007, 09:00 PM	#6
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	who knows - you might make it in OEX team one day Ryan, when you grow up. That is only if you start catching big fish consistently, not once in a while. Hey, watch out for sneaker bars... I heard these BWE guys are fast on them.lol __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

03-22-2007, 09:01 PM	#7
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	That MiniX 1/2 a kayak is pretty cool I think. ..for 1/2 a kayak. Fish look bigger on them. __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

03-23-2007, 08:24 AM	#11
Matt Support your local pangas Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lj Posts: 976	mini x "were gonna need a bigger boat!!!"

03-22-2007, 04:43 PM	#2
Pat Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 283	Hey Ryan, I've never paddled a F&D so can't help you there. I played with the mini one day in big surf and was happy with it. Enough leg room for me at 6'6'' and surfed well enough to almost stand on. Pat

03-22-2007, 11:20 PM	#8
gary sullivan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: spring valley Posts: 192	Yea they do look bigger.

03-23-2007, 12:00 AM	#9
Will B. Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: La Jolla Posts: 96	How is it to catch bigger fish on the Mini? Does it get pulled around a lot or remain stable? It looks like you could stow a 6 -7 foot rod down thru the front hatch and drop a yellowtail in thru the center hatch?

03-23-2007, 01:12 AM	#10
diggy619 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 6	i have both a cobra fish n dive and a malibu mini x....my opinion they paddle the same...i use a 240 cm paddle on both, i first started with a 220 paddle but its just way to short and kept hitting the side of the kayak...mini x is good if you're not gonna haul alot of stuff... just out of the subject im selling my malibu mini x its only seen the water twice...selling it for $475, bought it brand new from oex 3 months ago...its a fish and dive package color is stone....

03-23-2007, 11:19 AM	#12
Dan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,053	Don't lie Ryan, you know you're only 5'10 and 145#

03-23-2007, 07:32 PM	#16
nmbrinkman Work Sucks! Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 559	Since when did an hour drive stop anyone.... And I thought you were hardcore..

03-23-2007, 07:34 PM	#17
lamb Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,568	That's the newest one - living close to the beach?!? lol What is it, it is no longer time on the water, skill, whatever?!? It's the damn luck, and the lucky ones will place in the top on WCW. Everyone can troll bait and get bit, right? Cmon Ryan, you know you're serious contender. I hear it's a big $$ this year... It's not only $50 x the number of people... I hear ther's like 1.7 K up for grabs already, with <20 people signed up... ...and that is without JP $$.... GAME ON! __________________ [------------------------ <)))< ....b-a-a-a-a

03-24-2007, 01:07 AM	#18
diggy619 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 6	my mini x has 2 hatches and 2 pole holders in the rear... 1 circular hatch up front and a rectangular hatch in the center...

03-24-2007, 06:27 PM	#19
Ryan The Sealion Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 308	lamb I know I know.. living far is only an excuse to bitch about gas and sleep in on days off thanx for the info guys..I might get a malibu

03-25-2007, 08:07 PM	#20
cabojohn PROBATION Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 656	We have one of them short bus Mini X's and I like it for what it is. It has its place... in fact, I used it this weekend. Its a fun kayak but not one I would want to go long distance on. I'd take Mini Me over a FnD! John