Ocean Kayak Malibu Two Review

A tandem kayak is great for spending time out in the water with a friend or family because they are built for more than one person. They also tend to be faster and more stable than single-person kayaks, so you can get farther than you otherwise would. We also can’t undervalue the fun and camaraderie in joint activities.

Today we shall review an incredibly versatile tandem kayak produced by Ocean Kayak:

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Malibu Kayaks design recreational kayaks for families, fishing kayaks for pro anglers, and diving kayaks for the more adventurous. They were initially kayak retailers before making the transition to manufacturing. This move was motivated by their belief that they could develop better kayaks than what was available after analyzing their customers’ requirements, unique preferences, and regional needs.

Since beginning kayak production in 1999, they have created the Pro Explorer, Extreme, Pro 2 Tandem, X-Factor Mini-X, Sierra 10, and the more recent Ranger series. The Sierra 10 and the Ranger Series are sit-in-side models, but all Malibu kayaks are designed for dry seating, stability, and versatility, impressively even the sit-on-tops.

Malibu Two Features

• Tandem sit-on-top kayak
• Seating capacity of 2 adults
• 12 feet long
• 34 inches wide
• Weighs 57 lbs
• Load capacity of 425 lbs

Malibu Two XL Features

• Tandem sit-on-top kayak
• Seating capacity of 2 adults
• 13 feet 4 inches long
• 34 inches wide
• Weighs 68 lbs
• Load capacity of 500 lbs

Pros

• It comes with a limited lifetime warranty
• Extra comfortable cockpit with comfort plus seatbacks and foot bracing
• Plenty of storage options throughout the kayak
• Easy to carry and transport
• Capacity of up to two people
• It is made of tough material that is abrasion-resistant and durable

Cons

• The comfort plus seatbacks are purchased separately at an extra cost.

Ocean Kayak Malibu Two Buying Advice

Here are the key things you should consider before purchasing any kayak:

• The length of the kayak: Longer kayaks tend to be faster in the water, while shorter ones are easier to turn. The Malibu is on the longer side, because it has two seats.
• The width of the kayak: A wider kayak provides more space and comfort and tends to be more stable in the water. A narrow one will be faster since it is streamlined and gets less resistance. The Malibu is 34 inches wide so stability will not be an issue.
• Capacity: This affects your decision two-fold. You will have to consider the number of paddlers it can accommodate and their maximum weight against the gear you need to carry on your expedition. Every kayak has a limit. The Malibu can accommodate 2 people, up to 500 lbs of weight, and as we just mentioned, its width makes it very stable. So if riding solo, you’ll have the option to bring ample amounts of gear if needed.
• What will you be using it for: Will you be using your kayak for fishing (professional or recreational), diving, or recreational ecotourism. This affects both the type of kayak you choose and the gear you need to carry. The Malibu Two is great for fishing if you’re by yourself, but can be difficult with in tandem due to storage – something to consider.

Why It Stands Out to Us

Lifetime Warranty

All Malibu Kayaks products purchased from authorized Malibu Kayaks dealers come with a limited lifetime warranty that ensures your kayak has no manufacturing material or workmanship defects. This boosts your peace of mind as you consider investing in them. Specific details can be found on their website or the owner’s manuals that come with the purchase.

Durability

They use ultra-high-density super linear polyethylene plastic, which is strong, durable and recyclable (when the kayak runs its course). They come already fitted with skid plates to protect the bow and stern stems of the kayak from impact and abrasion. Enabling maneuvering through rough waters or when running the kayak aground.

Multiple Storage Options

Tandem kayaks tend to lose out on storage space in the process of accommodating extra paddlers. Ocean Kayak tried to work around this hurdle by creatively utilizing other sections of the Malibu Two.

There are provisions for installing three round Gaspachi hatches at the bow, center, and stern for the Ocean Kayaks Malibu two and bow and stern for the Malibu 2 XL; this one has an oval cross lock hatch provision at the center.

They also come with bow and stern straps or bungee storage compartments to hold your gear. There are two side bungee handles with paddle holders on the bow left and the stern right side.

Made for Comfort

Their molded-in seat wells lower the center of gravity, making it easier to balance the Malibu 2 in comparison to other sit-on-top kayaks. You can hook up your comfort plus seatbacks on these seat wells, in the middle if you are paddling solo, or the stern and bow seats when in tandem. The patented overlapping foot wells ensure the paddlers have comfortable foot bracing that makes paddling easier.

A screw-in drain plug provides a watertight fit to enable you to control water accumulation in the cockpit from the drain. This drainage is important for the boat and will help cool the cockpit on very sunny days. In freezing weather, the water can be very uncomfortable, and a watertight plug comes in handy.

Portability

There are molded-in carry handles on the sides of the kayaks and bow and stern toggle handles for ease of carrying. The super linear polyethylene plastic is also relatively light for the size of the kayak. The weight and ergonomic handles make it easy to move around on and off the water.

Our Verdict

The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two is an all-around kayak that is ideal for an initial investment. It can be used for various expeditions from diving, recreational paddling to snorkeling and angling. It gives you the option of going out with friends or family while leaving the possibility of a solo mission open. If you’re looking for a fishing-specific kayak, then you may want to check out other products like the Stealth-9.