Malibu Ugliness

I've seen lots of online bashing of Malibu, Ocean Kayak, Cobra, Hobie, and anyone who makes a kayak.  I don't think it's fair, but unfortunately, that's the nature of any business today dealing with passionate customers who frequent online forums like KFS and NCKA.

I can understand the frustrations of customers, but too many times, it's taken over the top when the customer denies any responsibility when something goes wrong.  Even here, I've seen forum members unfairly gang up on a manufacturer rep.  Not cool!!!

It is getting nasty on that other board.  Anyone who chimes in with a different opinion is getting labeled as plant for MK. 

IMO it seems like MK made a fair offer when they offered a new kayak at the cost of shipping (despite the president believing the owner was at fault).  If I were MK, I'd just walk away...  Some customers just aren't worth having... 

Working in pro shops and having sold hundreds of kayaks from all different manufacturers; I've seen and heard this story played out again and again. It's hard to warranty kayaks because they get really abused. People aren't always savvy about storage and maintenance. When I sell a kayak, a lesson is always included and you won't get sold a kayak if your new to the sport and won't take a lesson. That lesson starts in the parking lot at your rig and ends back in the parking lot at your rig. Tying down a kayak is not intuitive, some people really screw it up. I have huge issues about tying down boats but that could take pages.
If you buy a kayak from a guy who looks you in the eye and shakes your hand to seal the deal, then your supporting your local economy and making a connection with someone who will not only back his boats with a warranty but with his word also. If you buy a kayak in cyberspace, you could be setting yourself up for anguish.

To be fair I don' think the guy had a choice. It sounded like he had no local dealers to support.

How hard would it be for the kayak manufacturers to include an owners manual? Not everyone has a local dealer.

I just picked up my Prowler and my wife's Tarpon last night. Included with both of the kayaks is an owners manual that talks about properly storing your kayak, being careful not to over-tighten when you strap it down, and what not to use when cleaning your kayak (303 was specifically recommended as the best protectant for the Tarpon). It looks like the manufacturers have caught on to the need for an owner's manual. 

Bill,You can't teach someone to kayak out of a manual it's totally hands on. Leaving it up to the manufacturer to set kayaking standards is not the way to go IMHO. I feel for ya if you don't live near a dealership. To me it's like buying a car sight unseen, you just wouldn't do it.

Bill,You can't teach someone to kayak out of a manual it's totally hands on. Leaving it up to the manufacturer to set kayaking standards is not the way to go IMHO. I feel for ya if you don't live near a dealership. To me it's like buying a car sight unseen, you just wouldn't do it.

To stick with the car analogy, the owners manuals we received are like those you get in a car. A car's owner's manual doesn't teach you how to drive, but it tells you how to care for your vehicle. The kayak owner's manuals I received don't teach you to kayak, but they do give you some direction on how to take care of your boat.

I agree with your analogy Jay. A manual with basic care and storage info should be included. I retract my previous statement but would like to clarify that Kayak instruction should only be taken from certified ACA or BCU instructors

I'm with Bill and Fishin Jay on the manual thing.  Its pretty surprising that in these lawsuit-happy times these guys don't give a manual with pages of legalize absolving them of any liability if anything goes wrong with the yak.  A page or two about care, tie-downs, etc. would be a bonus.  I bought an X Factor and a Pro E from Scwafish 2 years ago, and I know I could turn to him any time with questions, but I don't recall getting anything other than a receipt and two yaks!  Come to think of it, the last couple of times I took the X out it seemed to take on more water that I would expect.  Hmm......

Swellrider, I am not talking about how to kayak, I am talking about how to store and transport your yak... 

speaking of manuals.....here is what Ocean Kayaks have for thie customers:

http://www.oceankayak.com/product_support/

OK guys here it is in a nutshell how Manny things have you owned in your life that were made of plastic that broke, why would a kayak that is made of plastic be any deferent. To me if it is made of plastic it has a life span no matter what.

my haul on my extreme will be replaced this year because it has some deep
scratches in it that I am not willing to fix to me it is just better to replace the haul
+ it is 4 years old I would not run a haul more than 5 years because the more it is
expose to the sun it, will become that more brittle.

if you are trusting your life to a hunk of plastic you better take care of it