Malibu Two rigging advice

Hello everyone - I was wondering if there are any members paddling a Malibu Two who could give some tips setting it up?

The reason I got this yak is because my wife and I occasionally go out and paddle around the bay together in tandem mode, and other times I'd like to take it out fishing from the "Center seat".

In particluar, I'd like to figure out where to mount a rod holder (I've got some tubes on a milk crate for transporting and trolling). Ideally it would work for both positions (single and tandem), or maybe get a second flush deck mount so that I can change it back and forth.

Secondly, I'm looking for a good portable fish-finder that can be easily removed for tandem use.

I searched the forum for posts related to the Malibu Two rigging, and found one by KzReelRods, but there were no pics in the thread.

Anyway, tips or advice would be very much appreciated!

Kook

I used to have a few M2s that we used to fish out of but never from the middle spot. The rear seat is more comfortable and I found the boat to be much more manuevable from this position.
The negative is that the wind can have its way with you if you dont have some weight up front.
When it wasnt used to transport gear or an ice chest for a day trip, I would use the larger recycle crate instead of the standard milk crate and put all my gear in front of me.
I have some pictures and some of them are pretty old school of different friends in M2s.
they make a great beer barge or transport when you want to move your camp across the lake.
hope this helps

Pics from old posts don't show up, I've tried looking at that post as well. Here is a few pics of my set-up.

Here is a few more. I just added a second downrigger.

Thanks for posting the pics to the thread, guys - very helpful!

So both of you are paddling from the rear seat. Very interesting...I hadn't really even considered that.

One thing I did find out is that the Malibu Two requires a special, narrow flush mount for a Scotty rod holder because the rails are so narrow. One is made for it, but not normally stocked.

I'm also planning to install a Gaspachi hatch, but haven't decided which of the three locations I ought to place it. I'm leaning towards the front one, which would be accessible from the center seat (but not under my legs), and would be the area where I'd install the fishfinder. However, I'm not sure that location would work with front milk crate/ rear seat set up.

I guess I need to try both locations before I make anything permanent.

I should have mentioned this, but I only use that yak when I'm with somebody. Otherwise I'm on a P15 or a Revo.

Goes without saying probably, but be real careful to practice your paddle stroke from both fore and aft seats to ensure clearance before mounting it. I have my M2 rigged with four recessed rod holders behind the rear seat, as well as two scottys behind and a couple mid, and one forward for lights and my wife's rod when she needs to set it down in the process of opening beers for us.

One thing I did find out is that the Malibu Two requires a special, narrow flush mount for a Scotty rod holder because the rails are so narrow. One is made for it, but not normally stocked.

So where can I find the "special, narrow flush mount"?  I just bought a used Malibu II and would like to install 2 flush mounts in the rear. NOt sure that a flush mount rod holder will have enough clearance given how long the rod holder is, and how short from the mount surface to the hull bottom.

Check out BanjoTAD's rigging as well.  He made a nice little getto bar for mounting his toys on.  Works well and looks great.

Check out BanjoTAD's rigging as well.  He made a nice little getto bar for mounting his toys on.  Works well and looks great.

What this old thing?,

Have since mounted my electronics on a crate that I position in front of my feet, will post pics soon