Malibu X-Factor on the water

[Yakity - Yak - u.k.]

Starvinmarvin:

Told you Yakity, loose jaw.    

 

SM    

Sorry Starvin,

 

You told me what.......

[Artfulfisher]

Cheers Simon,

 

really good explanation there and as you say it would make sense for me to have a paddle of yours first...I'm sure we'll find an excuse to get together for that!

 

Oh and thanks SM I wasn't aware of the euro thing etc...all very interesting

 

Cheers for now, Tightlines, Art

[Pugs]

Nice report.

 

Here's a hurdle for me, will this thing sit on an hatchback's (Audi A3) roof ok and do you need special roof racking for it? :confused:

[Zzippy]

Brilliant review Simon.

I like the Malibu,but its a bit heavy for my use I think.

As for the caption.......

"I have the bread,but where are the fish for my followers"

23AD

[Simon Everett]

Pugs,

the Audi should be able to take any of these kayaks - check your handbook (or go into the dealer and get the specs - or website?) to get the maximum roof load for your car.

 

You can get away with just foam blocks on the roof to sit the thing on - but a pair of standard roof bars are the best idea. You can leave them as they are or do like most of us have, get some pipe lagging foam - in a length from B&HomeFocus for about £2.50 per length (or if you are in Starvin's neck of the woods £4 per length - in Liverpool nowt, someone will get it for you!!) The pipe lagging is used to buffer the kayak on the bars - some gaffer tape over the lagging will prevent it from getting torn - this foam is not very resilient.

Then you just strap the kayak on the roof - it overhangs a bit at each end - you can lash each end to the towing eye just for extra security and to stop a bit of flex. But that is all there is to it.

Most cars should be able to take 65kgs on the roof - which is enough for 2 kayaks and the roof bars. The roof bars spread the load onto the strongest part of the roof and are the recommended method. There are specialist racks which go onto the bars - but only needed to carry a couple of kayaks - one on its keel or upside down is fine.

[ZEBRA]

liverpool comment is a bit strong

terry

[doshkadog]

These things are nearly twice the price of a Ocean Yak!!!!

[SpeciMan]

Simon Everett:

 

the Scupper Pro is going into production as per mine. The difference for the angler version is slight.

Simon, do you know if its only the non angler version which comes with the console without the cup holders? Its a shame that the holders position the rods within the paddling arc - Barramundi mentioned in another thread that the rods get in the way when paddling. A way around it would be to get the non angler edition and fit them ourselves but then we may not get the new features of this UK edition.

 

[ 11. October 2005, 09:33 AM: Message edited by: SpeciMan ]

[Simon Everett]

The rod holder angle is something I did point out to the powers that be (A.D.) and was assured that on the production models the holders would be angled astern, as per your Caper and the Prowlers. Mine was just a thrown together version to get the first one done and the holders were put in straight out it was a mistake, they should have been angled.

 

If you make enquiries and ensure you specify that the holders are to be installed angled aft by 45 degrees then you should be fine - I think Barra was hard done by, but as he mostly fly fishes it isn't going to worry him unduely. I have just adapted my paddle stroke for when the rods are in position. It is a pain, so for had paddling I put the rods straight the stern under the crate bungies. It works and for me isn't worth altering the holder angle for. I might at some stage as they rivetted in on mine - so I can just drill out the rivets, fill those holes and reset the holders by drilling 3 new holes and rivetting them in place. At the moment it is just too much trouble!

[south african]

Zzippy you have a pm mate