Also, medium scupper plugs are a bit too big for the foot holes and can make it hard to remove. I had to go buy a 240cm high angle because anything shorter does not work with such a wide high seated kayak. Carts easily fit inside the hatches if you are not too lazy to take it apart. Two people and a dog with a large cart strapped on back is actually spacious so a couple with a small child would easily work.

The only time I go tandem is if I am questioning a new relationship. When I kayak to the dog beach along lake Michigan the Malibu is stable through small swells and cuts through any little wave with ease. I stand up and walk around on it so it is probably great for fishing. It stays stable even when she jumps off the side of the kayak to chase a deer on shore. She has a tendency to stand at the tip and lean like its Titanic and the Malibu stays stable. My dog has tons of space to walk around the front and lay down in a few spots. I can paddle fairly easy with it at around 2.5 mph (took 2 hours for 5 miles in a casual position). The seat itself is not comfy so a gel butt pad is recommended.

It is very easy to lose gear inside though since its open and large so gear can slide around (Maybe not the smartest but I did an eyelet with rivets on the inside which have rope to attach to my gear instead of damaging the hatch seal).Īs a single paddler always with a 45lb dog: The hatches are huge and have yet to leak. I got the Ocean oval and gaspachi hatches installed through Austin Kayak when I purchased it. Slow moving and turning but can maintain speed relatively well. This kayak is very spacious on top and inside. Fortunately I am still strong enough to pick up this 72lb monster and throw it on the roof of my car a couple times a week. Being a tiny 5'6' 130lb dude makes it difficult to handle this kayak solo, which I do frequently. I refer to my Malibu as a tank because it is a massive indestructible heavy boat.

Ocean kayak malibu two