Malibu Stealth 12 taking on water

[jsunmkly]

I've done some research on Malibu kayaks and many were having problems with the leaks.
Especially because of the 2 side hatches that the Stealth has in the middle.
The Stealths are wide enough so that people can stand on it, which they stand on the side hatches.
It might worsen the leak over time if you use it often because the weight of your body might stretch the outer lining of the hatches.
Some people put light blocks of styrofoam inside the kayak so your weight doesnt bend the kayak, stretching the leakage.

Malibu kayaks are great kayaks whatsoever!

[Robm422]

Hmmm, so the side hatches are the culprit... I will have to try and seal these up better as advised. I wonder if those front rod holders take in water too?

[jorluivil]

If you do a search you might come across a thread that Frank (wiredantz) posted a while ago regarding some water sealing options. I don't recall how well it worked for him and I could be wrong but I believe he had the same kayak

[chuckt]

I have malibu x13 and the front hatch doesnt seal that well and always getting water inside. On top of that, the hatch itself has water inside. I still try to figure out how to drain it without drilling a hole.

[alanw]

Yep the side hatches leak like mad, especially when the leaky bait tank overflows the sides from swell action or whatever. Even paddle drippings make it inside the yak. Remove the screws around the perimeter and seal it up with marine goop or cut a nice foam gasket. Once that leak is fixed then you need to fix the inner lid seal by replacing it with some weather stripping or whatever you find that works.


And Chuck I drilled a small (1/16") hole in the bottom end of the hatch for drainage. It's about the only way to drain it.

[Robm422]

That bait tank is super wet, between that and the leaky side hatches, you really need a bilge pump. For the front hatch, I put window sealing foam tape around it and on the lid, it seems to help. Next project is sealing up the side hatches, and possibly trying slow down the bait tank leaks.

[tomahawk]

I have a stealth 14 that leaks pretty bad. I propped the back end in air, removed the gator hatch, and ran the hose on low over every hatch and gasket. The results were interesting. The side hatch that gives access inside the hull leaked bad through the gasket between the lid and the frame. The side hatch into the "dry storage" leak really bad at the gasket between the frame and the hull. The rear hatch behind the seat leaked like no gasket was present. A close inspection showed the frame being wrapped by the hull so bad that when the when the hatch was in place a gap existed along all edges between the frame and lid. My lid is the old style with "dogs" in each corner. Tried the foam weather stripping on the rear and it helped some. I am going to try the "D" weather stripping next. The frames are riveted to the hull and drilling out the rivets is a pain in the butt.
Tom