new yak
 

well thinking about getting a malibu stealth 14 whats your thought how fast stable is it compared to my OK trident 15

Welcome to BWE. I have only test paddled a stealth but I'm currently looking for one. only negative that I keep reading about is people have had pluming problems with internal bait tank.

I know the Trident and Prowler are not much different, I have a Prowler 15, and a buddy of mine has a Malibu and we have paddled side by side and speed wise they seem to be pretty equal. Not sure how they handle paddling out in the surf, but my prowler slices through the surf very well and handles very well also. I was paddling with two other buddies yesterday 1 was in a Trident 13 and the other in a trident 15 and they were going through the surf smooth and fast once they got beyond the surf. You won't go wrong with a trident, but I would at least test all of your options before buying. That also includes the Hobies, test out all your options.

The bait tank is cool had a problem the first time but was user errors! Let's just say make sure you put your drain holes in before going out! . But lacks storage if you add a crate in front of the back hatch or add a crate toward the far back if you have long arms then your cool . Its a trade off With bait tank for storage.

to jump on what johnny cope said I have a stealth12 and really like it but due to the bait tank location you cant but long things in the front hatch ie 1piece paddle or a 1 piece rod. its a little thing but just something to think about

Paddles you are F*ed, but my rods are able to fit in the hual. I have 4 rods that i fit in the hual 2 on each side and able to put in a large drybag. The trouble is that hatch at the rear gets in that way of any crate that you have. Cant use the hatch if you want anything close to you ie Rods on Crate

What issues have you heard? We have not had any problems on the several hundred Stealth's we have sold and done plumbing on (Other than one single hose clamp that had come slightly loose but we have changed brands).

Buy from a dealer who knows how to install the kit and there will be no issue :hello:

Oh yea, and we include the pump kit FREE at OEX.




As for Speed and stability. Stealth is far more stable, Trident is far faster. The S-14 is built on the same hull of the Xfactor which I paddled for about a year and the Trident I paddled for about 2 years. Both boats are great, each has their own advantages. I have a demo of both at OEX Mission Bay if you are local and would like to try them out.

What issues have you heard? We have not had any problems on the several hundred Stealth's we have sold and done plumbing on (Other than one single hose clamp that had come slightly loose but we have changed brands).

Buy from a dealer who knows how to install the kit and there will be no issue :hello:

Oh yea, and we include the pump kit FREE at OEX.

Just keep hearing about that clamp, as recently as the last blem sale a guy here who got one had it come loose. it was installed at sunset the sunday following the sale. Then there is the issue with the hatches, yes the seals have been changed. I read that everywhere too. I'm not doubting the quality of the product, If I was I would be looking for one. :cheers1:

Ya my clamp wasnt completely secure it seemed but i tightened it and have used it twice since and have had no more problems

Yep the hatches ! This Sat. At CMD took on a bit of wake coming back in the bay and from my side hatches I took on some water! . My two trips this month with wake I have taken on water from the side hatches. I think ill be heading to OEX monday morning for this. Mine as well was from the Blem sale in OCT last year.

For what its worth. im as new to kayak fishing as anyone can get. thats the only kayak i realy used for more then a few hours. Got my S14 last year at the blem sale. Took it out a few time off malibu area. That thing is realy stable.. Which was the main concorn for me as i swim a little better then a rock. I dont like the rear hatch what so ever. Cant use it if you store anything in the back. and everything that you do keep in the back is a long reach to get there as the hatch is large. For now i find i rather keep all my things in the bait tank and the side hatches. Im working on better ways to fit everything in a secure way in case i do flip. I would have loved to have an easy way to store all the rods and have an easy way to get them out. Just cause of the rear hatch i think an S12 might be better but then i never realy used one.
As for water. I realy think it the front gator hatch that gets the water in. It has to sit just right or lots of water gets in. I would never try and open the front hatch on the water. just in case i wont close it the right way. To help seal it im going to put more bungee cords to put pressure down for better seal.
Sasha

I keep my batteries in the rear hatch (one for my bait tank and one for my fish finder) and it works out great. The only issue I have had with the stealth 14 is that the side hatches (the small ones) will leak if they get wet.