Review - Malibu Stealth 14
Jul 1, 2009 12:26:32 GMT -1
Post by johnh on Jul 1, 2009 12:26:32 GMT -1
Well, I used the Stealth 14 for the fist time last weekend. I'm generally, very happy with yak. My previous yak was a Prowler Big Game. The Stealth is as stable as the Big Game. However it is noticeably faster and far better in cross winds and short chop waves.
However there are a few design flaws; which I will highlight. Still, no yak is perfect.
Overall image
It comes with Gator Seat, as standard. The forward hatch is cavernous.
There are two side hatches. The one on your right, gives access to a fairly large compartment. I've inserted my pliers and knife to give you an idea of size.
The left hand hatch, gives access to the whole hull. I used it to keep my spare clothes and hand towel.
There is a large oval center hatch which gives access to a sealed compartment. I used it to keep all my bait in.
This compartment has a threaded bung in it, allowing it to be filled with water to keep live bait in.
There are two inserts in the hatch, which you can remove, allowing you to feed an aerator pump and outflow pipe. It is clearly designed with the American market in mind. As one of the design flaws highlights.
The scupper holes in the seating area also have two threaded bungs.
There is a rear sloping hatch, just behind the seat area;which gives you access to the whole hull or to a nylon removable pouch (left in kev Hambo's car, doh!)
The rear open storage area is huge. Bigger than my Big Game. However there is a section of it that is quite low in the water and some water came up through the scupper holes, soaking my lunch box. So, as you can see, I have fitted scupper bungs.
It comes fitted with four rod holders. Two to the front and two to the rear. The rear ones are easily reached. However the front ones are clearly designed with people who are 6 feet or over in mind. I'm only 5' 7" tall and there was now way I could access the front rod holders. This is one of the design flaws. So I've fitted flush mounted Ram holders for my usual the rod holders.
Now to the other design flaws. The side handles are not fitted at the center of the yak. This means when you try to lift it by one of the handles to, say store it vertically in a rack, the yak tips bacback wards. My old Big Game was perfectly balanced, with the handles exactly at the cecenterf the yak. This makes carrying the Stealth by the side handles a real struggle.
This off center positioning is even more of an issue when you try to lift the yak on your head; which is how I carry my yaks. Grabbing the handles at either side, I throw the yak up wards and then balance it on my head for carrying. Because the handles are not in the center, the yak tips back-wards violently. I’ve just strained my neck and shoulders trying to stop the yak tipping backwards, when lifting it on my head. I never had this problem with the Big Game. The Big Game is heavier than the Stealth by about 8lbs, but the Stealth is far more awkward to lift and carry. The handles only need to be moved slightly to alleviate the problem. I've emailed Malibu to highlight the design flaws.
The second minor irritation is that having fitted Ram rod holders, the buts of my rods prevent the opening of the centre oval hatch.
But this is easily overcome by swinging the rod parallel when I need to open the center hatch
The third design flaw is that the front seat strap anchor points are just behind the side hatches. (The rear ones are fine) When the seat is fitted, the forward straps prevent you from fully opening the hatches. As demonstrated in these two photos.
So I've fitted my own anchor points for the front seat straps. Which work fine.
As I mentioned earlier the Stealth is far better in a cross wind than the Big Game. I found I was paddling with just one arm all the time in even the slightest of cross winds. Also the bow of the Big Game is very low; which meant that in slightly choppy water, the waves came over the bow. The Stealth, like the X Factor, has a far more turned up bow.
The hull is more "V" shaped than the Big Game; which was nearly flat. The Stealth also has deep grooves in the hull; which help with tracking.
So there it is. My new pride and joy. As mentioned it has a few niggles, but nothing insurmountable.
It's a cracking looking yak. It's actually a deeper richer orange than the in the photos. There's more than enough storage for all my needs.
Whilst I loved my Big Game, the fact that the Stealth is quicker and better in cross winds, gives it a big thumbs up from me.
John
However there are a few design flaws; which I will highlight. Still, no yak is perfect.
Overall image
It comes with Gator Seat, as standard. The forward hatch is cavernous.
There are two side hatches. The one on your right, gives access to a fairly large compartment. I've inserted my pliers and knife to give you an idea of size.
The left hand hatch, gives access to the whole hull. I used it to keep my spare clothes and hand towel.
There is a large oval center hatch which gives access to a sealed compartment. I used it to keep all my bait in.
This compartment has a threaded bung in it, allowing it to be filled with water to keep live bait in.
There are two inserts in the hatch, which you can remove, allowing you to feed an aerator pump and outflow pipe. It is clearly designed with the American market in mind. As one of the design flaws highlights.
The scupper holes in the seating area also have two threaded bungs.
There is a rear sloping hatch, just behind the seat area;which gives you access to the whole hull or to a nylon removable pouch (left in kev Hambo's car, doh!)
The rear open storage area is huge. Bigger than my Big Game. However there is a section of it that is quite low in the water and some water came up through the scupper holes, soaking my lunch box. So, as you can see, I have fitted scupper bungs.
It comes fitted with four rod holders. Two to the front and two to the rear. The rear ones are easily reached. However the front ones are clearly designed with people who are 6 feet or over in mind. I'm only 5' 7" tall and there was now way I could access the front rod holders. This is one of the design flaws. So I've fitted flush mounted Ram holders for my usual the rod holders.
Now to the other design flaws. The side handles are not fitted at the center of the yak. This means when you try to lift it by one of the handles to, say store it vertically in a rack, the yak tips bacback wards. My old Big Game was perfectly balanced, with the handles exactly at the cecenterf the yak. This makes carrying the Stealth by the side handles a real struggle.
This off center positioning is even more of an issue when you try to lift the yak on your head; which is how I carry my yaks. Grabbing the handles at either side, I throw the yak up wards and then balance it on my head for carrying. Because the handles are not in the center, the yak tips back-wards violently. I’ve just strained my neck and shoulders trying to stop the yak tipping backwards, when lifting it on my head. I never had this problem with the Big Game. The Big Game is heavier than the Stealth by about 8lbs, but the Stealth is far more awkward to lift and carry. The handles only need to be moved slightly to alleviate the problem. I've emailed Malibu to highlight the design flaws.
The second minor irritation is that having fitted Ram rod holders, the buts of my rods prevent the opening of the centre oval hatch.
But this is easily overcome by swinging the rod parallel when I need to open the center hatch
The third design flaw is that the front seat strap anchor points are just behind the side hatches. (The rear ones are fine) When the seat is fitted, the forward straps prevent you from fully opening the hatches. As demonstrated in these two photos.
So I've fitted my own anchor points for the front seat straps. Which work fine.
As I mentioned earlier the Stealth is far better in a cross wind than the Big Game. I found I was paddling with just one arm all the time in even the slightest of cross winds. Also the bow of the Big Game is very low; which meant that in slightly choppy water, the waves came over the bow. The Stealth, like the X Factor, has a far more turned up bow.
The hull is more "V" shaped than the Big Game; which was nearly flat. The Stealth also has deep grooves in the hull; which help with tracking.
So there it is. My new pride and joy. As mentioned it has a few niggles, but nothing insurmountable.
It's a cracking looking yak. It's actually a deeper richer orange than the in the photos. There's more than enough storage for all my needs.
Whilst I loved my Big Game, the fact that the Stealth is quicker and better in cross winds, gives it a big thumbs up from me.
John
looks great 
