looking for input before getting my new kayak

tackleman · Post by **tackleman** » Wed Nov 26, 2008 11:52 pm

i am looking at getting a new kayak here in a week or so, i am not sure what one i should get, so any input would be great from your experience. i am looking at the malibu X factor or the emotion grand_slam_angler i can get both for the same price, and they are both the same length so...... in your opinion what one is the better of the two

Redfisher · Post by **Redfisher** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:00 am

I can tell you that the Grand Slam is going to be easier to paddle and much quieter than the X-factor. The GS is very stable but the X should be slightly more so but it will be heavier.
Both are great boats but you will probably like the way the GS paddles better.
I bought the Grand Slam because I love my Redfish and the GS was like an improved Redfish with some added features that I really wanted. i love the hatch in front of the seat and the front hatch will fit my cart and you can also fit rods inside. This is my biggest complaint with the Redfish. Not much fits in that dang hatch. I was happy when the cart fit in but then I realized that the tires were flat. With inflated tires they wouldn't go.

wilfish · Post by **wilfish** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 10:21 am

Redfish, I don't know what type of cart you have, but with mine I have to take the wheels off my cart to put inside the front hatch and thats for the GS. Most of the time I use a small bunge cord and strap it to very back of the handle of the kayak. Its out of the way. Tackleman , Like redfish said both are good kayaks GS is a little faster and easier to paddle .Paul from Masthead could help you on this . He knows both kayaks.

tackleman · Post by **tackleman** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 12:58 pm

thank you for the info. i am on the "big" side (250, 5'10") so this is another thing i have to take in when looking between the two.

JayB · Post by **JayB** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 5:27 pm

There are small boats for big guys. I am 6'4" and at the time I bought my Manta Ray 12, I was 260. A good chine gives the boat plenty of float.
The cockpit is as roomy as some 16 foot boats.

It is easy to handle and does alright in the speed depart. Not great but you can't have everything.

Bottom Line

Listen to what everyone tells you. But remember, they are recommending a boat that they probably own.

Test as many as you can. Find the one that fits your style and the waters you paddle.

J

Tide1on · Post by **Tide1on** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 6:54 pm

WARRANTY

Steve

Redfisher · Post by **Redfisher** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:12 pm

I only commented on the two because they are what he mentioned.
Like Jay said you aren't limited to the Malibu kayaks and the BigGame because you are a big guy. I am bigger than you(for now) and I have a Redfish and the Emotion Grand Slam. There are others that will work but you have picked a couple nice ones.
What did you find the Grand Slam for? I got mine with the angler package for $750 brand new.

Redfisher · Post by **Redfisher** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:14 pm

Tide1on wrote: WARRANTY

Steve

This helped in my decision to buy the Emotion. The customer service that others here got made me feel good.

tackleman · Post by **tackleman** » Thu Nov 27, 2008 11:35 pm

the grand slam angler i am looking at is a left over from 08 and comes with the paddle, fishing pfd, cart, and high back seat for 950.00

wilfish · Post by **wilfish** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 7:58 am

tackleman wrote:the grand slam angler i am looking at is a left over from 08 and comes with the paddle, fishing pfd, cart, and high back seat for 950.00

Thats not too bad of a deal for everything . What color is the kayak ?

rsieminski · Post by **rsieminski** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 8:54 am

The Cobra FnD is awesome too. I have a couple of X's, but beforehand I tested everything from Tarpons, to Redfish, to Hobies. My thoughts were I want stability for my 240#s, cargo capacity and space for camping gear sometimes, enough rocker for the open ocean, easy enough to paddle... This is the way I ranked them: X, FnD, Redfish 14, Big Game, Any Tarpon. If you are athletic, the X is awesome, but if you are 260# of jello, then an easier, less stable kayak like the Redfish might be a better choice. For me, the Big Game was slow, that without a rudder could not go straight. The capacity and storage was almost as good as the X, but required more input. The FnD, for me, was almost as good as the X. I will get one someday as a second kayak.

I never tried the Grand Slam, sorry to say. Maybe that would have been a better choice. Paddle as many as possible, and imagine while your in it, if it'll work for you in your fishing situations/locations. Take time to make your decision. Look around for new, but used kayaks, from others who made a hasty decision.

tackleman · Post by **tackleman** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:56 pm

one is sand and the other is stone in color

Chief1600 · Post by **Chief1600** » Fri Nov 28, 2008 9:40 pm

I have a Marquesa which I really like, my son has an Emotion Mojo. When I buy my next boat it'll very likely be a Grand Slam based on the difference in customer service between Heritage and Emotion, can't comment on the service from Malibu, I know a lot of people really like their boats

pag_yaker · Post by **pag_yaker** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:29 pm

One thing I did that made my Grand Slam a lot friendlier cost me a dollar. Yup ... bought a basket at Dollar Tree, hacked it a bit and stuffed it in the hatch. Perfect for holding a camera, dry bag, small sure box, etc.

mudfish · Post by **mudfish** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 5:55 pm

You can fit one of these bitches in there easy...

Thanks for the image Rik.

wilfish · Post by **wilfish** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 6:56 pm

I like that .I need to do that with mine.