Malibu Mini X

[dwighty]

I know what's it's like trying to look for impartial Kayak reviews. Especially Mini X one's, it can be hard work. So I thought I'll add my bit here.


The Malibu Mini X is an amazingly stable Kayak. Primary, secondary stability is fantastic. This Kayak can handle heavy chop, which quite frankly for it's size it shouldn't do. It's great in the surf too. It really doesn't want to tip over. You could do somersaults on it and it still won't tip. Well, okay, that's taking it a bit too far, but you get my point, it's very stable.
It tracks okay. You need to use the odd correction stoke but it get's you where you want to go no problem. It's not the fastest Kayak but don't be misled into thinking it's slow as a snail, it's not. It obviously doesn't glide like much longer Sea Kayaks but considering it's short length I find it quite nippy once you get up to speed.
Leg room is fantastic. Before I bought mine I read the odd review raving about the layout and it really doesn't disappoint. I'm 6ft and it feels really roomy. The plastic's are good quality but I do find the side handle's a bit awkward. Don't get me wrong, they're good quality too, but they're set in a slight cup/indentation and due to the Kayaks width if your careless, like me, your knuckles take a sharp rub on the edges moving it about. That's my only gripe and even then I put it down to my own handling stupidity. Other than that this Kayak gives you a sense of being really safe and it delivers that feeling in abundance.
It cost's a bit more than the Perception Scooters and Nomads of the world but I can now see why. It can handle all conditions. I've used the Scooter and Nomad, though good, they can't handle all condtions as well as the Mini X can. It's worth paying a bit extra for.

[andyman]

Hi dwighty:
I'm thinking of buying a new Mini-X recreational which is £449.00 plus delivery to the U.K. at Canoe Shops UK.
I just wondered about it being worth paying the extra for.
Would you, by any chance, recommend a particular supplier.

Cheers,
Andy

[SEAJUNKY]

As you say Dwighty the mini X is very stable. It's also quite light to carry out of the water as well. If there is a critism about the mini X, it's fairly slow on the water. I know we should never be in a hurry, but because of it's length it is slow. And this is the main critism that I have heard from a few owners. Andy if you can, try and get a go in one before you part with your hard earned. It's the old maxim try before you buy.

Steve

[pogue]

hi ,im a newbie here and have just bought a mini x .paid 449 which included the £65 seat and two rod holders and a paddle.ive no concern if its slower than other yaks as being 57 im not after speed just total stability.ive not used it yet but will get out on it the weekend.ive bought it for an allrounder which im sure it is,after the osprey osx i bought first im sure this will fare better with my 6.2'' 107kg frame

[pogue]

it handled superb on rudyard lake not as slow as i thought it was going to be in fact it went fairly fast.the tracking isnt great but its so easy to compensate this.im very pleased with the mini x and am looking forward to taking on the sea.im 6'2 107kgs i can stretch my legs straight out and my weight had no effect on it at all.

[SEAJUNKY]

Hi pogue
When I talk about speed. It's more to do with paddling into a current or a head wind. At the moment I have a manta 12', and sometimes that's difficult to make much headway into a current. I like the mini x very much, it's a very stable little kayak. I am sure that you will have a lot of fun in it. Which is after all the single most important thing, next to staying safe.

[pogue]

i understand sj.i bought this yak mainly for its stability,before this one i had an ospey osx i used it once and it tipped over hence me having the mini x.although its an out n out fishing yak im sure it will be ok to do most things?

[dwighty]

*Six months later...........*

Yep, it handles the chop brilliantly but it ain't the quickest from the off, I know what a Donkey feels like. I've had a year with this and after some hardcore use I must report back that the only way you can tip this over is if you do something really really stupid.
It's super stable. I 've used it in choppy spring waters, regulary crossing a notorious point (with company) to get from one beach to another where the directional choppy current in a receeding tide causes directional mayhem under the hull and the Kayak sides. But the hull design, the width and the pontoon effect of the raised sides and lower sitting position breeds confidence in it's stability. As do the thigh pads I use with it.....

In a nutshell it ain't the quickest but once you've bust a gut in the first instance to get up to speed, she'll cruise and stay on course with some correctional paddling. It's light as a feather to stick on a roof rack but don't buy those stupid blowup 'handirack' kits for your car to strap the Kayak onto. Firstly when it rains the rain seeps through the door because the 'handirack' straps pass though the inside of the car roof area via both doors. And secondly if you need to put the 'handirack' directly above the driving position the handirack straps in the car try to decapitate you when you're driving. I like my head, so I'll be buying a real roof rack soon enough.

Sorry if me going AWOL meant me missing one or two questions directed towards me in the thread....