malibu stealth 12?

has anyone paddled one? is it stable? outback doesnt demo this model. im kinda diggin the middle hatch bait tank.

I have never paddled one, but I have the X13 which I like a lot. The way I understand it, the Stealth 12 is very stable so that one can fish standing on the storage hatches to each side of the center well you like. I looked at it as well, but its pretty short and stubby for ocean use so I passed.

I have never paddled one, but I have the X13 which I like a lot. The way I understand it, the Stealth 12 is very stable so that one can fish standing on the storage hatches to each side of the center well you like. I looked at it as well, but its pretty short and stubby for ocean use so I passed.

sorry to thread jack but how do you like the x13 i tryed one for a couple of min. and it was nice any complaints thanks james

"but its pretty short and stubby " thats what she said!

Last year I was looking for a new yak and I considered the Stealth. The dimensions of the 14 look like a better ocean-going yak. Plus, it has an extra hatch behind the seat, I think. In my research, I discovered multiple complaints about leaky hatches—specifically, the open hatch beside the bait tank. There was an issue w/water getting into the hull on the original models, due to poor seals on the hatch. If I recall correctly, they (Malibu) made some adjustments to fix it. But I’m not sure if it’s a retrofit that will work on original models, or if it only fixed the newer ones…but I assume it’s the exact same mold, so even the older models s/b fixable.

The real question is how often you use live bait? Because that is the major feature/advantage of this yak. It w/b great if you do a lot of livebait halibut fishing or frequently use livebait for stripers, LMB, etc. Of course, you can also use the hatch as dry storage, but you can do that w/practically any yak, w/out sacrificing comfort or paddlability. I know Outback Adventures has the Stealth 12 on sale for like $850. But you still have to plumb the baittank. And some people have reservations about drilling holes below the water line. Of course, I say this w/out having paddled one so it’s all heresay. I’ve seen em up close and they look pretty cool—hopefully I get a chance to paddle one soon. Because I am still interested in possibly getting the Stealth 14 in the future. Maybe there’ll be one @ GS4 to demo…Hawk? 

This pump installation video will help if you decide to get one.

I also heard the same about leaky hatches on the stealth.  Not sure how that would be resolved on a used one. 

In comparing the Malibu kayaks, looks like the stealth is really an X-Factor with some fancy hatches.  I thought the top hatch wasn't really strong enough to stand on, as they pictured it.  I think i'll stick with a bait tube...

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sorry to thread jack but how do you like the x13 i tryed one for a couple of min. and it was nice any complaints thanks james
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No complaints other than I wish I would have bought the non rigged version and done it myself. Flush mounts up front are a waste. I am also uncertain what to do with the bow live well. I have seem some pics of guys who plug it and use it as dry storage and put a 4 in hatch inside the well to get better access to hull storage. Problem with it is it fills anywhere from a third to half with water on the ocean which sucks on rough days. I will probably put a semi-permanent plug in it for a while and see how I like it.

Non of these things are issues with the new model. Bow hatch has a good seal and opens to hull for storage and 4 flush mounts behind the seat instead of one up front. I would swap mine out for a new one in a heartbeat. The scuppers in the new ones are much cleaner as well.

has anyone paddled one? is it stable? outback doesnt demo this model. im kinda diggin the middle hatch bait tank.

baitNbeer,
We now have a demo model of the Stealth 12 and 14 vailable for demo at the Larkspur store.  We were waiting to get the new shipments with the new hatch gaskets.  As this thread mentions there were leaking issues and this is why Malibu changed the gaskets.  From what I've been told they're thicker now.  From my experience all hatches from all manufacturers leak a bit, but the early Stealth models leaked more than normal.

In comparing the Malibu kayaks, looks like the stealth is really an X-Factor with some fancy hatches.

Yeah, pretty much.  The hull on the Stealth 14 is the same as the X-factor.

We will have both of these boats and more available at our Demo Day on June 5th in Larkspur.  For more info check out http://www.outbackadventures.com/sales_service/sales/demo_days.htm