Best Small Surf and Diving Kayak?

Howdy all,

Would love to hear ideas about the best small SOT kayaks for going through surf, kayak surfing and free diving for abs and spearfishing. (non Hobie drive). 

Malibu Mini-X? OK Frenzy? Yak Board? Other?  I'm 5-8, 115 lbs., and prefer light, stable yaks 10 ft. and under.

Thanks,  -Matt

Why not your Hobie Sport? I think it'd work just as well as all the other yaks you mentioned. If you wanna surf it just pull the mirage drive.

Z

I have surfed a Cobra Wave Witch (in plastic) for several years now, & really like the boat for it's crossover personality. It tracks well for its size (10') and is very maneuverable. It does sacrifice a little stability, but overall I think its a great little playboat. I don't charge giant surf on it, but I love it in decent longboard waves. At only about 30lbs its easy to carry too. My .02

Z;  Yeah, the Hobie Sport is okay, as I always have the drive pulled in the surf, but I have it rigged for fishing, and I'm afraid the fishfinder, rudder, etc. will be damaged if I use it in bigger waves, so I'm thinking of something simpler, made more specifically for the surf, and as a stable diving base.  Also just a second yak for buddies.  Even if I don't get a second yak, I'm just interested in what folks' experiences are with other small surf-SOTs.  Thanks,  -Matt

 It is really hard to cross polinate a plastic "surf" SOT with anything that requires the transportation of gear.  Ive got a little time in a few of the boats you mentioned and maybe I can help, but I am not a pro. Just the dude with alot of time in the water.

The OK frenzy was a blast in the surf and it would fit you.  Its easy to catch waves with it but I found that once I picked a line, there I stayed. Its like any other boat of its size. Quick off the line but not very far. Limited storage/access and like all of the smaller boats, the performance is easily effected by weight and its distribution. I liked how low the CoG was in this boat.

The OK yakboard was even quicker but I thought it felt like I was paddling a giant frisbee. Leg straps are an absolute must as well as some bracing skills, but this boat can turn on a dime.
ripping fun on bigger waves if you dont catch a edge. forget gear

The WS Riot was too small for me but might fit you perfectly.  I struggled with it wanting to pearl easily in the transition and it had that old school WS U-bolt that hit me in the back a few times. That is a special kind of hurt. It had pretty good storage for a smaller kayak so I ended up using it for a creekboat. Im weighing in at 174 and was a bit too big for it.

My favorite was an Islander kayak called the Hula. So many fantastic rides it makes me smile writing about it. Even did a few stream fishing trips in it but I ended up in the water/swimming all day. They had another that was called a Big Stick (I think) and it was longer and had more volumn. I stumbled across these boats again awhile back, but they had a perception label on them and the names had changed. Not sure what happened there.

I have some time in a WS T100. Awesome ride, super stable, and fast for its length, but I never surfed or tangled in any hydrolics with it to be able to comment. I considered this boat as a creekboat but the tupperware hatch covers are absurd for a boat that may take a heavy hit on a hot day.

The mini-X seems to be the perfect blend of surf/river fishing boat in a compact package. I cant say enough about how much Ive enjoyed this boat during the short time ive had it and limited adventures. It is not for the long haul but its not misery to make it go straight for awhile. If youve got the skills this boat will not hold you back in a bad situation or the need to jump onto a rogue that snuck up on you.
It has fantastic storage,rigging potential, and is quickly becoming one of the all time favorites.
It did take on ALOT of water due to alot of holes in it from hatches ect.

Ive paddled the WS Kaos but never owned one. It is made to ride waves and I wouldnt think it would be much fun for anything but. There is one in my future.

Just have to share ,again, a fondness for riding waves tandem in the OK malibu2.
The lighter of the 2 paddlers in front and the power paddle in the back. As soon as the wave has a hold of you the front rider lays back while the backseat picks the line. A solid team is capable of taking big waves and ever bigger wipeouts. Too much fun!
hope that is some help

helmet or head injury, you decide

I had a hobie maui that I bought for $200 in near new condition.  Yeah, a real steal.

It was light, nimble, and was a lot fun in the surf.  at 9'6" sounds like it might be worth a demo for you

I had a hobie maui that I bought for $200 in near new condition.  Yeah, a real steal.

It was light, nimble, and was a lot fun in the surf.  at 9'6" sounds like it might be worth a demo for you

Looks like it would be a great yak for drifting as well.

Z

Malibu Mini-X or Hobie Maui.  Similar?

Thank you "H20 Arachnid" for your wisdom and experience.  Very helpful, really.  I would normally have a Malibu Mini-X; all things considered.

Yet I like the sound of the Hobie Maui. Thank you Yakuza. Research and experience with the hull shapes and my meager body type are required.  Good fun.

I guess that I'm just looking for a little kayak that I can recommend to kids of all ages and shapes and sizes, as long as the kids are under 6 feet tall and 180 lbs or less, in various waterly conditions.  I've read many discussions of bigger folks about the bigger kayaks.  So be it. I'm just interested in smaller SOT kayaks for smaller people, and more of a wetbutt plastic platform while wearing a full wetsuit.  Maybe I should just use pool noodles and wetsuits. 

I'm only 5-'8" and 110 lbs and 51 years, and when kids near my size of all ages are maybe interested in SOT kayaks, I'd like to have something to at least temporarily scare them off with until I can at least convince them of all the mandatory safety requirements.

Thanks.

Since Yakuza mentioned how well the Maui handled in surf I've been intrigued. But other than Yak's recommendation I haven't come across any other words on it. I ran across the Hobie Australia website and found some cool yak surfing pics. I'd love to give this yak a test paddle... especially in the surf! Thanks for mentioning this Yak!

Z

cool yak surfing pics

Those ARE cool pics.  That got my Summer-Jones going really bad!   

I ran across the Hobie Australia website and found some cool yak surfing pics. I'd love to give this yak a test paddle... especially in the surf! Thanks for mentioning this Yak!

The guy in the pics has mad skills!  Could probably whoop me even if he was paddling on a 2 x 4.  I can't say I ever carved like that on my Maui back in the day.  Itd' sure be fun to try, now that i've got a few more years of experience

Study this Yak! The Maui in action.



Z

wesome vid. interesting that he lashed his paddle leash to the bow.  smart way to get it out of the way.

I too have a Hobie Maui. Great little fun boat in the surf. I had a friend paddle with me one day and he did manage to roll it in the surf. To teach him how to surf I took it back out in and surfed for about an hour. It handled great.

the 9 foot hobie is actully the lanai, the maui is 11 feet long  try it with knee straps for more fun