Looking for opinions.....

[Tony Mig]

I'm looking at 2 different kayaks...

#1 - Hobie Quest...

#2 - Malibu X-Factor....

Anyone fish from either of these models.....?

Your general opinion on....
fit & finish....
comfort....
accessability....
weight & ease of launching and landing.....
Stability in rough water......

I'm looking into possibly buying one in the spring, and my budget will be restricted so $2,000 + foot pedal models are not an option...
I'm 5'11", and run between 235 and 245 pounds....

I appriciate any advice concerning these two models as they are both sold locally. I'm sure I'd be able to demo the Hobie at Bay Cats in Ocean City, but I don't believe the Malibu is available for demo......

[barrell]

Ive paddled and sold a few Quests. They are very fast and stable and will handle the big guys. Havent paddled the x factor, but isnt that only 10-6 long? Where did you get a footdrive qoute of 2k? Thats way out of line!!

[Sterling Harbor]

Tony, You are welcome to test ride the Hobie Quest here, but we do not carry the Malibu X-factor. I think the Quest is one of the nicest paddling kayaks out of all I have tried but I have never paddled the Malibu X-Factor. I am also smaller than you, so that will make a difference as well.

[snakiepoox]

here in the West, the serious kayakers tend to have one of two kayaks, either the Cobra Fish N Dive, or the Malibu X factor... they are both tough enough for high surf launches, heavy waves/wind, drift well and can take beatings and repeated draggings across nasty beaches.. the Hobies I have not been pleased with in terms of stability in rough conditions, but I understand they paddle very well... Having fished from the X factor, I was suitably impressed with deepwater performance in rough seas, but I did not fish it more than a few times.. It seemed roomy and capable of doing anything I would want it for.. just my .02$
D

[snakiepoox]

I meant to add that finish on serious fishing kayaks, finish tends to suffer first.. shorter kayaks tend to not stay real straight in the water *though I did paddle to the 9 mile bank one time in my F n D..ONCE*, wider yaks are more stable.. so figure out if you need speed or stability, the lighter a yak is, the less dragging along some nasty beach you want to subject it to.. thicker yaks tend to be heavy and difficult to launch, but for a very difficult launch, IMO, they are far superior.. and harder to paddle.. lol.. almost any kayak is good for SOMETHING.. just a question of what you feel your needs are... now i'm just rambling because it's getting late, saying things that are already obvious.. lol.. either way you choose, i'm sure you'll do fine, hobie and malibu both make fine kayaks for fishing purposes.. it's past my bedtime.. lol
D

[WURK2FISH]

Myself....being exactly the same size as you.......went with the X-Factor for stabilty and sheer brutalness of fishing ability. I've only had my new boat out a few times...but it performed :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: EVERY TIME!!! It's stable...haven't stood in it....no need to...but I turn around on my knees in the seat to reach in the back for gear and rigging and whatnot with no problems of feeling tippy! I've got the rudder system on mine and highly recommend getting it rigged with this option....it helps in wind/drift situations and definetly helps you steer that puppy!!!
The X-Factor is 14'-4" long and 33"wide....65 lbs. barebones hull....add weight for all your gear...you'll need a cart for transporting from truck to launch and back!!!

I recommend this yak for anyone looking for a stable fishing machine.....that is "outfront" capable and able to take on some rough water!!! It's a beast of yak but I give it a :thumbsup: for the purposes I bought it for!!!


http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s340/Wurk2fish/YAKS/IMG_0036.jpg


http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s340/Wurk2fish/YAKS/IMG_0037.jpg


http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s340/Wurk2fish/YAKS/IMG_0038.jpg


A peddle yak would be better for your more frequent backwater ventures around sodbanks and bridges.....no paddling....more fishing!!!:D

Hope this helps!!!

W2F

[snakiepoox]

that's a slick rig you have there.. makes me look like cro magnon man in my F n D.. I was totally impressed w/ the X factor when i shot it thru some 5 foot surf.. they are great yaks for the open water when things get rough... and still 30lbs lighter than a F n D... lol
D

[Seabasstard]

Luv my X factor. Its not the fastest yak out there, but it does have lots of rigging possibilities and storage. I call it the barge, but I also tip the scales at 300lbs. great big guy yak.:thumbsup:

Just paddle or peddle anything before you pull the trigger.

SB

[WURK2FISH]

that's a slick rig you have there.. makes me look like cro magnon man in my F n D.. I was totally impressed w/ the X factor when i shot it thru some 5 foot surf.. they are great yaks for the open water when things get rough... and still 30lbs lighter than a F n D... lol
D

Thanks Snake...it gets me out there!!! And I haven't done a 5 ft. surf launch yet.....1-2 ft. thus far:o

W2F

[snakiepoox]

Thanks Snake...it gets me out there!!! And I haven't done a 5 ft. surf launch yet.....1-2 ft. thus far:o

W2F

lol.. its a darn good thing though, to know it is capable.. I tell you that my F n D is slower than your barge, but it could be launched through bigger, more horrible stuff than I can imagine, more than i could take.. that confidence and knowlege can go a LONG way.. if you ever need the capacity, it will be there for you, I've been out on the pacific when it is flatter than a pancake, 3 miles from shore, but before I can think about going back, all of a sudden, there are 8 foot swells between land and myself.. knowing my kayak won't have a problem making it can mean all the difference...
D

[WURK2FISH]

lol.. its a darn good thing though, to know it is capable.. I tell you that my F n D is slower than your barge, but it could be launched through bigger, more horrible stuff than I can imagine, more than i could take.. that confidence and knowlege can go a LONG way.. if you ever need the capacity, it will be there for you, I've been out on the pacific when it is flatter than a pancake, 3 miles from shore, but before I can think about going back, all of a sudden, there are 8 foot swells between land and myself.. knowing my kayak won't have a problem making it can mean all the difference...
D

You guys on the West Coast are insane anyways!!! LOL! I've watched the videos of the guys on the F&D's catching 200 lb.Threshers and hauling em back in on the bow of the Yak.....:bow::bow::bow:

W2F

[snakiepoox]

You guys on the West Coast are insane anyways!!! LOL! I've watched the videos of the guys on the F&D's catching 200 lb.Threshers and hauling em back in on the bow of the Yak.....:bow::bow::bow:

W2F

we have the mud marlin here too.. giant bat rays that weigh 200lbs or more in many cases, I have caught many from some shore spots over the years (have yet to nail one over bout 120 from the yak tho), as well as a couple makos in the dark on the trench... but you all back there have some MAJOR BALLS too.. HOW COLD do you people fish ? ARE YOU ALL NUTS? lmao.. people think i'm outta my mind for fishing sculpin after dark in shorts and a fishworks jacket in january.. but I have this odd feeling that it would just be another balmy october day along the circle for you all... so a few :bow::bow::bow::bow: to you guys too.. the insane breed known as a TRUE yak fisherman, not some guy that launches during the prime two months under ideal weather conditions and never takes a yak out the rest of the year -an honest cheers to the true diehards.. LOL
D

[WURK2FISH]

we have the mud marlin here too.. giant bat rays that weigh 200lbs or more in many cases, I have caught many from some shore spots over the years (have yet to nail one over bout 120 from the yak tho), as well as a couple makos in the dark on the trench... but you all back there have some MAJOR BALLS too.. HOW COLD do you people fish ? ARE YOU ALL NUTS? lmao.. people think i'm outta my mind for fishing sculpin after dark in shorts and a fishworks jacket in january.. but I have this odd feeling that it would just be another balmy october day along the circle for you all... so a few :bow::bow::bow::bow: to you guys too.. the insane breed known as a TRUE yak fisherman, not some guy that launches during the prime two months under ideal weather conditions and never takes a yak out the rest of the year -an honest cheers to the true diehards.. LOL
D

Mud Marlin......:rolleyes:Too funny! I honestly don't know how cold some of these guys will fish in....I'm new to it! This fall thus far and have not gottin' out as much as I'd of liked with job huntin' after getting laid off and the weather/wind....but I'm not done yet....heading to VA. in the next few weeks for the STRIPER INVASION into the Chesapeake Bay........can't wait!!! It's cold here now.....in the 20's to 30's at night...lotsa frost.......but I'm geared and ready!!!!!!:thumbsup:

W2F

[Tony Mig]

A lot of good feedback so far guys, and I thank you for your opinions. Don't know if I'll be able to pull off the purchase of a Yak with the economy taking such a big dump on us, but if I can swing it, I hope to have one before the spring striper run here.

As for Yaking in the cold...I'm also a surfer and have a few wetsuits hanging in the garage, if I can paddle a 10'4" Bing Silverspoon around in the surf wearing a 4/3 wetsuit, I don't imagine paddling a Yak would be any more difficult in skin tight rubber.....:D

I'll keep shopping around, and checking back here to read what the rest of you guys think......:thumbsup:

[snakiepoox]

hell.. might need waders AND a suit.. maybe a dry suit even.. water temps in the 30's-40's ain't so nice, i bet.. coldest it gets here is bout mid 50's.. and i don't come back in until I can't feel my left foot any more.. of couse i usually just wear shorts and a jacket, but damn.. still gets cold as get out at times, esp w/ an open ocean launch.. tho i did go out in that 'national news' 20 foot swell last year.. it was cool.. but bout all you could do to stay on top of it.. lmao.. i saw some of the long yak guys in the channel to the bay, surfing down the middle.. they blew by me in a blur, reminded me of a yak shot out of the barrel of a gun, the way those cats were haulin on the swells.. i'd have been just as confident on the xfactor though, if I'd have had one at the time... lol.. oh yah, some guy nailed a mud marlin in newport harbor (orange county, CA) last week, 265 lbs.. that's a hell of a thing to take on a kayak.. he has some pix up online... lmao
D

[WURK2FISH]

hell.. might need waders AND a suit.. maybe a dry suit even.. water temps in the 30's-40's ain't so nice, i bet.. coldest it gets here is bout mid 50's.. and i don't come back in until I can't feel my left foot any more.. of couse i usually just wear shorts and a jacket, but damn.. still gets cold as get out at times, esp w/ an open ocean launch.. tho i did go out in that 'national news' 20 foot swell last year.. it was cool.. but bout all you could do to stay on top of it.. lmao.. i saw some of the long yak guys in the channel to the bay, surfing down the middle.. they blew by me in a blur, reminded me of a yak shot out of the barrel of a gun, the way those cats were haulin on the swells.. i'd have been just as confident on the xfactor though, if I'd have had one at the time... lol.. oh yah, some guy nailed a mud marlin in newport harbor (orange county, CA) last week, 265 lbs.. that's a hell of a thing to take on a kayak.. he has some pix up online... lmao
D

I told ya you WC guys were insane!!! LOL!!!

W2F