Ok T-13 vs. Malibu X13???

So I just went and paddled both these rides at outback adventures in larkspur.  They both track well, both turn well, and are very stable.  Score = equal to me in terms of paddleability.  Really I think it boils down to rigging.  The sonar shield is nice, but the malibu has that center hatch which seems really accesible compared to the rod pod.  How often to people use the rod pod?? Aside from surf launching, it doesn't seem as useful as the center hatch.  Can you slip rods in the hull through the center hatch, and kill two birds with one stone?  Maybe Im being anal, but $1000 is a cool chunk of change to spend without thinking it through!!  Thanks for the help

I can not speak for the Malibu but I do own a Trident 13 and yes I use the center hatch every time I go out if I am fishing for trout I will store a bass rod or two just in case. As for the center hatch in the Malibu I would take a rod back to the shop where you test paddled it and try to stuff it down the hatch, good luck on your choice.

Pat R  

I don't know your height/weight but I would be more comfortable in the ocean with a 15' boat . . . I think the OK may be a little faster and the Malibu a little more stable. If you plan on diving off the boat as well, consider these factors

John

I can speak of the X13 as it is my ocean boat. It's longer than 13'. It tracks well for me.
I wish the scuppers in the rear well drained the well completely. I don't think the center hatch will accept a rod. It also leaks in any water that splashes on it. Also, I'm not sure of other seats, but my forward seat edge overlaps the hatch, making it a bitch to use the hatch when seated. I don't use the hatch anymore.
I added a 4" hatch at the very rear of the boat for when I rinse the insides, I can raise the bow and sop up the water with a fat sponge. I think the drain plug is useless unless there's a lot of water inside.
The forward compartment seemed like it had lots of possibilities with it's thru-water design, but I haven't done much with it. I plug it up with a cork and use it as dry storage. Even then, I put my stuff in a drybag cuz it's a tough hole to seal tightly. When this compartment is full of water the whole boat feels it. I'm thinking of putting fish I keep in this area, but have yet to try this.
Overall, it works.
If interested, I'll post a pic of how it's rigged.

Right on Mako one, I appreciate the word on the x13.  i came to the same conclusion that your talkin about.  i found that it took on a lot of water, so i went ahead and bought the trident the other day, and took it out to bean hollow with some folks on sat.  She's a great yak and performed perfectly.  Of course mother nature was just about perfect too, so we'll see when the seas get a lil rougher.  thanks again. See you otw, or maybe with a bow at sonoma??

Found out my hatch on the X-Factor also takes on water pretty easily.  When anchored at the Forebay with Sara tied up to me the wind created a nice chop that splashed inside my cockpit behind the seat and since I have plugs in the scuppers started to run inside the center hatch.  Also cannot easily access the hatch either otw, which kinda sucks.  Thinking of buying a new hatch lid and trying to cut it in half and install a hinge.  Probably even less water proof, but would rather have some accessible storage, or access to the hull without worrying about getting the hatch back on.

Al, the hatch on my MiniX is exactly like the one on my X13, SUCKY! They're probably the same hatch for all the Malibus.
The center hatch on my Hobie Quest is another thing. It's tight, round, and easy to get into on the water. The only time it leaks is if I open it with water already on top of it.

Wow, I guess I am lucky with my X-Factor front hatch, even after getting pummeled in the surf once, yard sale city, I had very little water in the hold. I got my X from Sean at GWKC, I wonder if he tuned up the seals....?? I'll ask him.

My fishing partner bought Mahi's old green X . . . his hatch was kinda loosely attached and took in water, he snugged it and that seems to have done the deal.

My center hatch does not leak unless the seal has gotten fouled in its seat, a qouick adjustment fixes it - yes it is tight to get into but if I scoot back as far as I can it works fine. I keep my beverages, snacks and cigars in there . . .

John

Hey guys,
I emailed SW about the Malibu hatches and he replied

"Re: hatch seal question

    The front seals are actually great, but if you don't seat the lid correctly or over-tighten the straps (very common) they leak like crazy. I used the hell out of my x-factor and it was never an issues.

    On the middle hatch if folks are having a problem the Erik Kunz "frog butt" fix will solve that issue."

The EK Frog Butt upgrade is here: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,5204.0.html

I hope this helps! 

John

I talked to malibu too and they said the hatches are perfect. But I paddled around the creek there in larkspur, and sprayed her off with a hose and there was about 3 inches of water in the hull???? Seemed a little crazy. But Chevy Chad said his pop's x factor is water tight, and doesn't leak a bit.  Sounds like a quality control issue maybe.  What I do know is the trident 13 handled like a champ, even with my big ass, and now that the fish finder is in....