I cant decide between the winderness system ride 135 and the Malibu X-factor! Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm a big guy so the weight is a big issue, and i also plan on taking the boat on river camping trips so i need storage.


Help please

You'll have lots of opinions on that one. The only way to tell is to paddle both and decide for yourself. Those are both fine yaks...talk to a shop and demo them.

FM

Youtube is a great place to start.Lots of advise and opinons there.

thanks ive been on youtube for the past week lol! Just looking for a fellow fisherman with experience with one or possibly both kayaks.

2012 X-Factor vs Ride 135 (2 very nice kayaks)

IMO there were only 4 reasons why you might not like the Ride 135:
1. Offset rear handle (Like the X-factor, heavy & offset handle makes it awkward to carry)
2. Small front Keel (Takes water over the front in a lil white cap and will punch through big waves rather than going over)
3. Leaky front hatch. (think this was improved on in the new 2012 models but not sure)
4. Only 400lb. capacity rating

IMO the reasons you'd like it:
1. EVERYTHING ELSE! WS made more improvement to the cockpit & they are definitely nice! Especially for river fishing IMO. I paddled Neumie's 2012 model & found they are faster than the older models too


The Malibu X-Factor is gunna be more yak to haul But is a lot dryer ride in chop because of the more pronounced keel. It's slower than the Ride but has a 650lb weight capacity rating. It does not have the offset rear handle Their hatches use to leak too & Malibu also had issues with thin areas in the their hulls. I understand that Malibu has addressed these 2 problems If i had to do over again, being a big man myself, would go with the X-Factor.

Thanks that's the info i was looking for! although i thought the ride 135 had a 550 weight capacity but im probably wrong

Here are the specs for the 2012 Ride 135.

Length: 13 ft 6 in. / 4.11 m
Width: 31.5 in / 80 cm
Weight: 85 lbs / 39 kg
Capacity: 550 lbs / 249 kg
Leg Room To Peg: 60
Leg Room - Total: 62
Hatches Incl: 2
Optional Hatches: 0
Rod Holders Included: 3
Material(s): Polyethylene


I'm 5'9" and weigh around 210. I don't have any water in my Ride at all and the hatch is dry. It paddles better that the X-Factors that I've paddled in the past and it isn't that bad to transport. I put mine on top of my 4 Runner by myself but take everything out to move around. I have added a rudder to mine and it helps me while paddling in a cross wind as well as drifting. I can average around 4 mph while paddling and if I want to get on it I can reach speeds to 5 mph. The seat is a great seat as well. I can be out on the water all day with out my rear being sore. One of the best things I like about my Ride is that I can stand up and fish out of it when I want to.

Good luck and hope this helps. If you are in the area I can meet you to paddle mine or go up to Mariner Sails and they will take you out as well.

im a little bigger im 6' and 300lbs lol

BTW, Here is the picture of the 2012 Ride 135

Go out and paddle both to see which one you like better. That is going to be the best way to see. We can tell you everything we like about the kayaks but until you get in one then its a judgement call.

BTW, the seat on the 2012 Ride will move up and back so you can plane out the kayak or just get more leg room. When you move the seat all the way back it will give you a flat surface for your feet so you'll have plenty of room to stand.

Thanks n2bassfishing i might have to take you up on the offer to paddle your yak around. Im very excited about getting in to kayak fishing and ready to get one just stuck between the two! were is the closest place in the dfw area that would carry these two kayaks?

What part of Texas are you in?

Mineral wells about 45 mins west of fort worth

I'd be happy to meet you so you can try mine out.

This is the kayak that I use for river camping. I'm 250 and never have water inside as well as the Coosa having a ton of storage space with the most comforta ble seat out there.

Thanks and id love to meet but it might be a few weeks. This is the first day ive had off in a couple months and dont expect another for a few weeks but ill gladly look you up when its time.

Just fish thats a nice looking yak

the WS website still says 400# capacity i did read an article that stated it was increased however the article did not specify to what.

here is some more info on the ws ride 135:
http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/serv...de-dsh-135/Page

No problem. Let me know if I can help.

My schedule is pretty full for a little while but will be happy to meet you if you would like.

Weekend of the:

21-22 Anglers Pro Tackle Show
28-29th Tournament
2/4-5th Dallas Boat Show - Mariner Booth
2/11-12th Dallas Boat Show - Mariner Booth
2/25-26th Tournament

If you can make the boat show there will be a ton of kayaks to look at.

Not sure about the X-Factor but Mariner Sails will carry the Ride 135.



Zombie, here is the link to Wilderness website

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/news_item/index/news_and_events/news/2012_ride_115_specs/

And if you are looking for stability for us big guys, Nice to be able to stretch the legs during the day

sound good id like to try and make it to the boat show it would me nice to check out a bunch of kayaks before i buy.

just fish what type of yak are you fishing?

It's a Coosa by Jackson Kayak
http://jacksonkayak.com/jk-kayaks/kayak-fishing/coosa/

Ncamfield, how old are you? I ask because the Ride is one heavy ride! 85 pounds! Has everyone already rolled out their 2012 models? I ask because I know Diablo is rolling out a rotomold boat this spring.

Call ack and ask em why they will no longer carry the Malibu line, I was looking at a Stealth and after alot of research went with a Ride 115.

Im 25 so i dont see any problems with a heavy boat.

We have a full review of the Ride 135 on our Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=277942022228844

If you're looking at the Ride 135, also check out the Jackson Cuda. It combines the speed of a Tarpon 140 with the stand up stability of the Ride 135. It has a performance capacity of ~315 lbs. Plus, it has the famous High/Low seating system that is unrivaled by any other manufacturer. Here's our review on the Cuda:

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=277942022228844

I know you're a long way off, but we have these yaks in stock and available for test drives everyday we're open at our San Marcos location.

I looked at Jackson kayaks, but the thing that steered me away way the weight capacity. Its only 400lbs on the cuda, and seeing that i weigh 300 it doesn't leave much room for gear. Also the ws ride 135 is a little less that the Malibu. I'm not left with many options other than loosing around 80lbs haha!

At the moment im leaning more toward the malibu!

Native Watercraft Ultimate 14.5 or 16.

cobra fish n dive is big man yak

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/fishndive.html

would anyone happen to have a kayak they would like to sell???

Check out Texas kayak fisherman.com or craigslist, all good deals go very fast. You have to check them out multiple times a day.

will do man thanks.

frochop,

love my cobra for BTB & big water but its not ideal for shallow running rivers because of the deep v hull.

well im almost sure ive found a kayak!! Ill be making a 4 1/2 hr dive to New Brunsfield on the 28 to check it out! Its a New Malibu stealth 14!! Wish me luck..

Also were is a good place to get a paddle at a reasonable price and what length do most guys use?

dunno bout a 14 ft on river. never had one but seems tuff unless nice size river

Im going to have to go with a long boat to get the weight capacity that im looking for

Since everyone suggests the kayak they own Ill suggest the ocean kayak trident 15 .

550lbs weight capacity and only weighs 60 lbs! Its a really fast boat yet super stable. Plus its got the rod pod which is an awesome feature. I can easily store fishing rods and whatever else inside the hull and access them without leaving my seat while on the water. The front hatch is so large that you can probably crawl inside it. If your into adding sonars it also has a battery hanging kit installed from the factory and the transducer scupper hole plus the small storage area where the sonar fits inside of.

Mine will hold 600 per the Hobie book.

Well like i said earlier that i was almost sure about finding a kayak i think ive found one closer! Thinking im going to go try out the ride 135! Lol i cant make up my mind so im just going to try and demo this one!! Has anyone dealt with mountain sports in Arlington?