Malibu Stealth 14 and Stealth 12 out for a test ride? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

MKNOTT · 01-15-2009, 07:43 PM

I stopped by the shop and checked them out last week and cant wait to try one. I was wondering from Andy's post with pics a few weeks ago about the underside of the stowage areas and rod stowage. You can still stow your rods for big surf days with the compartments. The open too the hull side obviously works and the sealed compartment side gives you enough bottom clearance room to slide the tips back. While I was sitting in the boat on the lawn like a little kid waiting for a stranger to put a quarter in the horsey ride in front of Kmart I also realized how much easier it is to open the hinged compartments. No more undoing hatch covers, moving them out of the way and then reseating them and reclamping. That is worth alot right there.

MKNOTT

Soo uhhh,,, can I borow one.

ElectroMike · 01-15-2009, 08:34 PM

Dady Like!

Slay Rider · 01-16-2009, 02:22 AM

The evolution continues. Nicely done.

red sled · 01-16-2009, 08:15 AM

Thank you for the review and pictures.

Can you share more information on bounce ball fishing technique?

DaGoose · 01-16-2009, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red sled

Thank you for the review and pictures.

Can you share more information on bounce ball fishing technique?

Red Sled,

All I can say is just do it..........slow trolling the bottom in stealth mode will whack the flatties. And you don't need bait. There's some good info out there but most is a retread of folks that don't do it much.

Will gladly help out however possible.

My website is www.bestofbiggame.com.

Tight Lines,

Rick

trob · 01-18-2009, 08:26 PM

Looks great Brent!

Rolo · 01-19-2009, 08:19 AM

The review mention that the bait tank hatch seal worked pretty good. Do you think this seal would be water tight if the space was used for dry storage? Does the seal need to be fine tuned? Anyway.. great review and great looking yaks! This has got the wheels turning in my head. How do you hide a 14 foot kayak so your wife doesn't know you bought another yak?

Rolo

anjcomp · 01-19-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo

The review mention that the bait tank hatch seal worked pretty good. Do you think this seal would be water tight if the space was used for dry storage? Does the seal need to be fine tuned? Anyway.. great review and great looking yaks! This has got the wheels turning in my head. How do you hide a 14 foot kayak so your wife doesn't know you bought another yak?

Rolo

If you can hide then lie, Just won from BWE tourney

Siebler · 01-19-2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo

The review mention that the bait tank hatch seal worked pretty good. Do you think this seal would be water tight if the space was used for dry storage? Does the seal need to be fine tuned?

Rolo

Overall it is pretty watertight. The problem is that it is only held down on the 2 ends, there are no latches on the sides of the hatch cover.

I just wouldnt put anything in there that would be broken if it got wet. But you want to do this with any hatch. Always use Dry Boxes or Bags when something MUST stay 100% dry.

lamb · 01-19-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red sled

Thank you for the review and pictures.

Can you share more information on bounce ball fishing technique?

Masta Da Goose has said it the best - ball bouncing is simply slow trolling the lower water column. It is mostly done with the heavy led ball, 1lbs +, depending on the depth, or a current. You then may have dodger (not a flasher, ask Rick

) to give proper irresistible action to your favorite artificial lure (or live bait). You may not have the dodger at all, in the past I've been mostly doing it without a dodger (I would quickly get frustrated with the tangles). I believe there's something to be said about that thump of a led ball, ringing dinner bell for halibut. I'll try to write up some more about ball bouncing as I get more time to actually do it, hopefully hang some brown.

Don't miss Rick's article - http://www.bestofbiggame.com/BounceballTips.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rolo

The review mention that the bait tank hatch seal worked pretty good. Do you think this seal would be water tight if the space was used for dry storage? Does the seal need to be fine tuned? Anyway.. great review and great looking yaks! This has got the wheels turning in my head. How do you hide a 14 foot kayak so your wife doesn't know you bought another yak?

Rolo

The hatch really seemed to seal pretty good. I had the tank full of water and bait, and I was intentionally rocking the boat to see if the water would be leaking on the sides. You ought to be able to use it for a dry storage, but I would still keep the water sensitive stuff in the dry bag, just like you would do in any other kayak hatch.

BTW, this was my catch that day...

full moon + high tides = back bay clean up, all sorts of crap floating.

Iceman · 01-23-2009, 12:37 PM

I picked up my first Stealth 14 yesterday from Malibu Kayaks for OEX Sunset Beach and am rigging inside today because of the rain. Here is a view of the pump set up from inside the hull.

Want to see one up close, stop on by. Next week I hope to have the Stealth 12 as well.

Holy Mackerel · 01-23-2009, 12:59 PM

That is a NICE thru hull design, I like it, no mas dragging around that bilge pump, snagging kelp, etc...!

chris

Iceman · 01-29-2009, 11:20 AM

and yet another use for the Stealth tank. I think it will make a great live well for bass tourneys as well.

BTW I have both models as I picked up the Stealth 12 today

Kippers · 01-29-2009, 11:47 AM

After much research, I'd settled on the Malibu X13. Now, the Stealth is a major contender...BUT, I don't see a 'Package' deal with the Stealth yet. Will there be one? Gotta have the help since I'm new and I've never rigged before.

bigbarrels · 02-22-2009, 11:50 PM

Willing to trade my Xfactor for your Stealth 14

Let me know! Seems like a sweet deal.....for me anyways

01-15-2009, 07:43 PM	#1
MKNOTT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Persian Gulf Posts: 263	I stopped by the shop and checked them out last week and cant wait to try one. I was wondering from Andy's post with pics a few weeks ago about the underside of the stowage areas and rod stowage. You can still stow your rods for big surf days with the compartments. The open too the hull side obviously works and the sealed compartment side gives you enough bottom clearance room to slide the tips back. While I was sitting in the boat on the lawn like a little kid waiting for a stranger to put a quarter in the horsey ride in front of Kmart I also realized how much easier it is to open the hinged compartments. No more undoing hatch covers, moving them out of the way and then reseating them and reclamping. That is worth alot right there. MKNOTT Soo uhhh,,, can I borow one. __________________ When I grow up I want to be, One of the harvesters of the sea, <O I think before my days are done, I want to be a fisherman.

01-16-2009, 02:22 AM	#3
Slay Rider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1 Posts: 108	The evolution continues. Nicely done. __________________

01-18-2009, 08:26 PM	#6
trob Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Marcos (now idaho) Posts: 231	Looks great Brent! __________________

01-23-2009, 12:37 PM	#11
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	I picked up my first Stealth 14 yesterday from Malibu Kayaks for OEX Sunset Beach and am rigging inside today because of the rain. Here is a view of the pump set up from inside the hull. Want to see one up close, stop on by. Next week I hope to have the Stealth 12 as well. __________________

01-29-2009, 11:20 AM	#13
Iceman Administrator Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 1-2 miles off the point Posts: 6,943	and yet another use for the Stealth tank. I think it will make a great live well for bass tourneys as well. BTW I have both models as I picked up the Stealth 12 today __________________

01-15-2009, 08:34 PM	#2
ElectroMike Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 32	Dady Like!

01-16-2009, 08:15 AM	#4
red sled Junior Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1	Thank you for the review and pictures. Can you share more information on bounce ball fishing technique?

01-19-2009, 08:19 AM	#7
Rolo Junior Join Date: May 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 5	The review mention that the bait tank hatch seal worked pretty good. Do you think this seal would be water tight if the space was used for dry storage? Does the seal need to be fine tuned? Anyway.. great review and great looking yaks! This has got the wheels turning in my head. How do you hide a 14 foot kayak so your wife doesn't know you bought another yak? Rolo

01-23-2009, 12:59 PM	#12
Holy Mackerel Señor member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,627	That is a NICE thru hull design, I like it, no mas dragging around that bilge pump, snagging kelp, etc...! chris

01-29-2009, 11:47 AM	#14
Kippers Junior Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 3	After much research, I'd settled on the Malibu X13. Now, the Stealth is a major contender...BUT, I don't see a 'Package' deal with the Stealth yet. Will there be one? Gotta have the help since I'm new and I've never rigged before.

02-22-2009, 11:50 PM	#15
bigbarrels Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vista Posts: 1,111	Trade? Willing to trade my Xfactor for your Stealth 14 Let me know! Seems like a sweet deal.....for me anyways Last edited by bigbarrels; 02-23-2009 at 11:01 AM.