Demoing kayaks

Hi all, in the market for a new kayak, would like to get a smaller lighter one. Been looking at Malibu mini.  Any suggestions?
does anyone know where I can demo malibus?
I currently use a 15 foot hobbie island sail equipped. Good yak but a little too heavy for quick solo launches.
I rf fish from San mateo to Sonoma and trout fish/troll in local lakes. Would like to try spearing ASAP.
See you'll on the water.

Cant think of a local Malibu Dealer but there are similar kayaks that you might look into. Cobra Kayaks (in Half Moon Bay) have shorter kayaks that you can demo. Aquan Sports in San Carlos has Wilderness Systems and Ocean Kayaks. They have a boat house 5 minutes away from the main store and have demo boats. (NCKA members get a discount)

demo these kayaks:
Wilderness System - Ride 115 Angler
Ocean Kayak - Tetra 10
OK - Frenzy
OK - Scrambler (my favorite among the shorter kayaks)
Cobra - Escape

Ocean Kayak has a new model called the Tetra. They come in angler and non-angler models. There is a ten and twelve foot model. Thay have a smaller version of the rod pod that has been so succesful on the Trident series. REI is have thier annual paddle day coming up in early April.

http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/angler_editions/tetra_12_angler/

Dont know how tall you are but Hobie has the " Sport" with the mirage drive. Its 9'7" and hull weight is 45lbs. I'm not sure what the rigged weight is.

Anthony

Ocean Kayak has a new model called the Tetra. They come in angler and non-angler models. There is a ten and twelve foot model.

http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/angler_editions/tetra_12_angler/

Adventure Sports had a ten foot Tetra on display at the RV and Boat show today. Looks like a real nice little boat. Show price was under $600 for the Angler. I was tempted!

Al

Try this yak my wife wants to sell 
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/single_kayaks/Venus_10/
9"10" and a weight capacity of 160-170lbs
If you can't carry this (35lbs), you cant carry anything
Oh Yeah,
It is in special collectors edition "PINK" 
Now you can be the envy of the Kayak world.

See Ya Soon,
Eric / Yakhopper

Ken, as you are already used to a Hobie I would suggest looking at the Hobie Quest 11. At 47lbs it's only 2lbs more than the Mini X but will paddle a lot better because it's about two feet longer and 4.5" narrower. Was looking at one the other day and it's like a mini Revo without the mirage drive. The shorter and wider you go then the slower your speed will be.

Ken, headwats kayak shop is hosting a fishing kayak demo day at Sherman Island on April 7th. Come try out a bunch of boats and enjoy some good company. Try them all, buy what suits you best.

Dude,  if you want to dive and fish in the ocean, I highly recommend something at least 12 feet long. If you gotta have something light, get one of those 13foot ocean kayaks. A lot of people who start on small kayaks, end up buying something bigger later on.

Dude,  if you want to dive and fish in the ocean, I highly recommend something at least 12 feet long. If you gotta have something light, get one of those 13foot ocean kayaks. A lot of people who start on small kayaks, end up buying something bigger later on.

+1. My Hobie is my main fishing yak, but for diving, my T13 is the ride for me.  Long enough for good tracking, rodpod for storing speargun & abalone, and ghe layout is clean for easy access getting off/on my yak.

Peace 2 U

Awesome, thanks for all the great advise.  I am going to def. do some demoing. Headwaters sounds good.