Changed my mind

A couple of weeks ago I was dead set on getting a new Malibu X-Factor. I had been planning on doing this for most of the last year and my mind was made up. I had rejected the idea of getting a Malibu Stealth 14 before because of two factors; the load capacity of the Stealth was 50lbs less than the X-Factor and they had a crappy layout for a rudder installation. I had completely dismissed the Stealth for those reasons. After spending an hour or so talking to C.J. at OEX, my rational for choosing the X-Factor seemed somewhat flawed. It was going to take quite a lot of work and a good bit of money to get the X-Factor modified to suit my needs.

The more we talked about the options on the Stealth, the more I realized that it was a better choice. C.J. pointed out that the 50lb difference in load capacity was likely due to the molded-in bait tank. Since I had planned on installing a Kayatank internal bait tank in the X it is likely that I would have reduced the capacity by a similar amount. As OEX has terminated production of the Kayatank, I would have had to go with a salvaged tank. The cost difference between the Stealth and X with the Kayatank wasn't significant and the Kayatank would require more time and effort to install.

The installation of a Kayatank on an X limits on-the-water access to the hull. You can only use the bow and stern hatches. If you are taking on water and need to pump out the hull on an X you have some problems. The rear hatch lip is too close to the waterline to open it in rough seas or if you have taken on water. The bow hatch is the only pump-out option, but crawling up to get to the forward hatch straps might be dicey if you have a significant amount of water in the hull. The Stealth has a small hatch outboard of the bait tank for access to the hull. It would be easy to pump out the hull from this hatch. I was planning on installing the drop in bait tank on the X to serve as a hatch extender/additional storage/hull access. With the Stealth I won't have to do that. Advantage - Stealth

The only real design flaw on the Stealth is the cockpit rail outboard of the two small hatches. In making room for the small hatch lids to open, Malibu forgot that the rudder cable normally runs through this area. With the current Stealth design, the rudder cables will be exposed at this point. Your thighs/knees will be resting on the cables. I really don't like this, but I'll bite the bullet and deal with it. I'm definitely not using the stainless steel cables that come with the rudder. I already picked up a spool of 1.8mm diameter Dyneema Spiderline. I used that for the rudder cables on my X-Factor, so I think it will work. At least it won't be pulling the hairs off the side of my leg the way the SS cable would.

So now things will be much, much easier. Plumbing the bait tank in the Stealth only requires drilling two hull penetrations. I am going to install an 8" circular hatch in the middle of the bait tank hatch. The bait tank hatch is just too large to easily open while on the water. Installing the circular hatch should be a breeze. I think I'll route the electrical up to a waterproof enclosure behind the seat. The only things that I'll have to install myself will be the electrical system, fish finder and rod holders. This is a major advantage over the X-Factor. Modifying the X would have taken quite a bit of work. Since my back is still AFU, anything that I can do to limit the amount of bending and kneeling that I have to do is a benefit. As I don't have a proper workspace anymore, any work that I have to do on my new yak will be on the living room floor and will necessitate a lot of kneeling and bending at the waist. If I have to do too much of that, I won't be able paddle for six months after I finish the work.

Brent, from OEX, placed the order with Malibu last week. I'm getting a yellow Stealth 14 heavy layup (7lbs of extra plastic used in the mold). Brent should be giving me the quote sometime this week. If all goes well, I'll get it before the end of the month. I'm almost giddy in anticipation. This is a bit of a gamble for me. I haven't paddled in a while and I have now idea how my back will respond. I am hoping that the paddling will strengthen my core and help with my back problems. As long as I can get the yak on and off my truck without F'n up my back I'll be OK. I seem to have overcome the dehydration issues that caused the muscle cramping and back spasms when I was paddling last year. As I said, it is a big gamble. If I jack up my back again, I'm giving up kayaking altogether. I just have to do this to prove to myself that I can. Its been an obsession of mine for a while now. Ever since I hurt my back I've felt like all the fun things that I enjoyed in life had been taken from me. However crazy and ill-advised, I need to try kayaking again. It will be one little triumph over my stupid spine. One thing in life that I can get back. Or maybe I'm just OCD.......I don't know. All I know is that I miss being out on the water.