two questions about the x-factor vs. extreme.

[joegisper]

i'm looking to buy a kayak (first time) and i've been looking at all the different styles and shapes, and it seems that the x-factor and extreme are the top of the line kayaks for fishing. being from new england, the waters around here get pretty rough and choppy. my questions are 1. which kayak is a drier running kayak? and 2. which kayak tracks straighter? i'm 5'10 and about 165 lbs. and gonna use the yak for fishing. any info would help me sleep better at night. thanks.

[joegisper]

i'm looking to buy a kayak (first time) and i've been looking at all the different styles and shapes, and it seems that the x-factor and extreme are the top of the line kayaks for fishing. being from new england, the waters around here get pretty rough and choppy. my questions are 1. which kayak is a drier running kayak? and 2. which kayak tracks straighter? i'm 5'10 and about 165 lbs. and gonna use the yak for fishing. any info would help me sleep better at night. thanks.

[Bernie]

The X tracks better and is somewhat drier from what i hear.The downside is the higher profile catches more wind/drift,and makes reentry a little harder.Bear in mind the eX also tracks very well but turns quicker.No water comes in it either till things get nasty.At that point you get wet in anything so the difference is pretty much insignificant really.I havent had a chance to try the X yet myself but ive been very happy with the eX.Other than the hefty weight,which applies to both they're excellent fishing yaks.

[The Riddler]

Joe welcome to the site. Good to see more new england people coming here. I have the Malibu Extreme for 2 seasons now going into a third. I like it. Its not a do all kayak but for my weight (215) it is a great stable kayak to fish. Like Bernie said the weight (75lbs) is a bummer some times.

Your weight class will give you a lot more options then bigger paddlers.

[joegisper]

thanks guys for your input. i didn't think buying a kayak was this hard, but there are alot of things to consider and options before throwing down 800 bills on a yak. once again thanks.

[marsh paddler]

I have used bo

[marsh paddler]

Whoops! Machine gone mad! I have used the Extreme a good bit and just bought the X. The X is somewhat more stable and handles much better in the rough as it has rocker and a V hull. Both are excellent fishing yaks.

[LunaSea]

Joe,

Don't know if you've bought a yak yet, seeing how your original post was over a month ago, but I bought a Malibu eXtreme last year and am now selling it on consignment at an outfitter in the Florida Keys. The reason I'm selling it is because I had a very difficult time paddling it into any kind of facing tide and/or wind. It paddled okay in calm water, and was an ultra stable yak. I could even sit on a gunwale and it barely tipped. I compared it to a Tarpon 160 recently and if I'd leaned very hard in the cockpit I'm certain it would have flipped. You'd have a hard time flipping an eX.

Now I'm looking for a faster yak and am mostly interested in either a Heritage Fisherman (Redfish, Pro 14, Pro 17) or a fiberglass 15' Kaskazi Dorado (manufactured in South Africa).

Unfortunately I've never seen/paddled an X-Factor but it looks like a fine yak. I'm wondering if any of you X owners find it to be an easy yak to paddle into wind and/or tides? And have you fellow Malibu eX owners had as much trouble as I've had paddling it into wind and/or tides? Sure hated to put it up for sale. Not long ago that would have been thinking the unthinkable. And here I am looking for a faster fishing yak (I still have my Hobie Outback, which I regard as a "fun" boat just for kicking around close to shore).

Feedback anyone?

IKFA Member #107

A fool and his money are soon partying.

[Scott]

I had the X, but it has no rocker and as such doesn;t bounce over waves but plows through them. I am assume you had the rudder? In calm water I thought the yak moved very well. I really felt it's nich was calm bay fishing, long distance included. Scott

[marsh paddler]

The X is excellent into or quartering winds and tidal flow. I recently paddled mine quartering into a 30 knot wind with remarkable tracking. I do have a rudder.

[calfarmli]

Maybe it's my ignorance or lack of experience with assorted yaks.I paddle the eX in everything and I just don't seem to have trouble with any conditions.Had it out on this beautiful day today.Some wind some chop no problem.?????? Cal

[Scott]

I felt it didn;t handle the bigger stuff to my liking. But out in cape cod bay with waves less than a foot, no problem. that being said I did take it in some big stuff, just didn;t handle as well as I would have liked. Scott

[marsh paddler]

Scott: Are you referring to the X or the EX?

[fishhound]

I have an X and can paddle it directly into a 30mph wind. Don't get me wrong, it's not easy but I still can make headway. If the nose blows around in this type of wind it's difficult at best to get it straightened out. I do not have a rudder but if this became a concern I would add one. My top speed for paddling my X is 5.2mph with no winds of any kind. I'm still new to the world of kayaking and enjoy it very much. The X is a great yak.

[CPP]

I have the extreme and darn heavy, you can get wet but so do all kayaks. Well I guess I have jumped Kayak ship and bought a 39 lb 14' solo mowhawk canoe. Put a springcreek ourigger system on it and I can stand up and pole for redfish or bonefish with no problem, plus it's soooo light and stable. And I use a kayak paddle and this thing is quick and turns on a dime. You and you your stuff stay dry and what a pleasure to re-load on a car after a 8 hiur fishing day

[scwafish]

I have paddled both extensively, and they are very different boats.

For flat water, you won't find a faster, drier, or more comfortable big man yak than an eXtreme. They also do well in large swells, but I find them annoying in medium to large (1-3.0 foot)wind chop. The lack of rocker makes for tough headway as you continually spear oncoming waves and lose momentum. From a safety standpoint its very seaworthy, just not efficient. They are still my favorite freediving boat, as on and off of the eX is a dream. Finally the eX is a little noisy, but in a weird way. Not the typical slap, but in small ripples or chop air moves under the chines and gives the eX "gas"...lots of little gurgles and farts.

The X-factor was a total surprise for me. Much faster than I expected, but not as fast as an eX. Outstanding in sloppy water and a great layout. Super quiet, especially for a yak this wide. If it were 2-3 inches narrower it would be perfect, but I still love it.

[LunaSea]

Hey Scwafish,

Thanks for the personal insight on the eX and the X. I think the problem I had with my ex eX was that I came around a bend into a stiff headwind and relatively choppy water, and the yak did, indeed, want to plow through, rather than ride over, the chop. In calm water it paddled fine but I do know what you're referring to about "gurgles and farts." That's a pretty good description of the noise it made, especially when drift fishing. Sounded sort of like soothing music after awhile though.

Haven't heard back from the Texas guy (Hanyak) who bought my eX yet but I'm hoping he's liking it. It's his first yak. I gave it a bad rap in a review but now I realize that it was more me and those particular conditions than it was the yak. Sure was stable as all get-out. Kinda miss the ol' girl!!!

IKFA Member #107

Life's a beach.

[Hanyak]

I'm the guy from Texas who bought Lunasea's eX. (Sorry Lunasea for not responding, I was traveling for work.) Just took it out this weekend and really had a blast. I was on little 7 acre tank in slightly windy conditions (10 mph), but loved my first kayak experience. I had my 6 year old son with me and we got wet, he was behind me in the tank well and water came through the rear scupper holes. I got more water on me from the paddle drip than anything.

The coolest thing was turning my son loose on the kayak by himself. He was begging me to let him paddle and I couldn't figure out a way to stay on board while he was doing it, so I made sure his pfd was strapped on tight and followed him around in a 14' flat bottom. The little dude figured out how to get around and his smile lit up the afternoon. Almost forgot, we caught 4-5 small black bass and a handful of perch as well (that't what we call bream in Texas). Cool, cool boat...

[LunaSea]

YAHOOOOOO HANYAK! http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums?s=418607442&a=ga&ul=811107247 I'm so glad you like ol' LunaSea! Did the sonar unit work okay on her after the trip there?

And WAY cool about your young son paddling around! Send me a private message when you get a chance and tell me all the details...I have a new e-mail account, so discard the one I sent you, or just change the word "earthlink" to "adelphia" and that's it.

IKFA Member #107

Happiness is knowing your yak found a good home! http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif