malibu x-factor

[bowfront26]

Hi was wondering if anyone owned or had used a malibu x-factor kayak. I found one for sale and wanted to hear some reviews.

[AquaHunter]

Very stable ride, I went out on mission bay yesterday with my son on a windy day, was choppy. Boat ride great, it paddle and track nice as well but sometime the wind will change the kayak direction, very common for all kayak to shift direction from the wind, I didn't add the rudder kit because I didn't want to tangle up the kelp. Very roomy to fit my Wong, Mojo, and tracker guns in plus fins. I'm using the kayak mainly for fishing or doesn't have a motor powered boat to go out diving. Son got 3 spotfin, we got few bat rays and released them. I got 3 sand bass.

[bluesquids]

Here's what I wrote about my thoughts on the 1st generation XF vs. 2nd generation XF.

For anyone looking into X-Factors.
The first generation X-Factors had a smooth hull and were just about as fast as the extreme.
If it was a drag race start the Extreme would jump ahead the first few yards easily
because of the EX's flat bottom vs. the XF's deep keel but otherwise they were very similar.
What happened was the early XF had such a large wide hull that if it was roto molded with any thinness near the scuppers,
the scuppers would bow out of the bottom a little. The bottom of the Hull would look like it had boobs.
I actually don't think they really effected performance. But, didn't look too good, once you noticed it.
However, I looked at 8 yaks off the first run and 2 had that problem pretty good, 2 a little bit and 4 not at all.
To solve the problem they molded rails in the bottom of the hull.
IMO, it adds a little extra drag, and makes for a slower kayak.
The very first reviews of the XF said it was about the same speed as the Extreme,.
I have a 1st gen. XF and a Extreme and can also say they are very close.
Also, I paced my older model XF against a buddys New XF and I kept pulling away from him easily, going at the same paddle cadence.
This was even with me having extra weight onboard and pulling a bait tube in the water.
I thought it might of been the carbon paddle making the difference, but that was not the case either.
So, if anyones looking for a used XF, I'd recommend smooth bottom/no boobs.
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[bluesquids]

Still, a great yak for diving regardless of hull.
Ask yourself where you are launching, you can't exactly shoulder carry the thing, it's a beast.

[bowfront26]

thanks