Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL Angler Review

It’s almost always more fun to fish with a friend, but this isn’t always possible for kayaking anglers. To fish alongside an accomplice, you’ll either need a friend with his or her own kayak, or you’ll need to use a tandem model. But unfortunately, many tandem models don’t work well when piloted by a solo angler. Read our in depth Ocean Kayak Malibu Two XL Angler review and see our feedback on this fishing kayak’s build quality, storage capacity, comfort, balance, and more.

The Malibu Two XL Angler breaks this trend, as it functions equally well as a tandem or solo kayak, thanks to the adjustable seat positions and overlapping leg wells. While the Malibu Two XL Angler is a little big for a single kayaker to carry to the water, it will perform very well and offer a comfortable ride once it is floating.

Build Quality

The Malibu Two XL Angler is a bit of a tank. Measuring 13 feet and 4 inches long and 34 inches wide, the Malibu Two XL Angler is quite large, and because it is built from relatively strong plastic, it weighs a hair under 75 pounds.

It features high-quality hardware and a protective skid plate to absorb some of the wear and tear that may otherwise damage the hull.

Storage Capacity

To help keep the weight low and ensure that the craft still performs well for a solo angler, Ocean Kayak provides only a small amount of storage space for the Malibu Two XL Angler. The kayak comes equipped with two bungee-secured cargo areas, although they are both a bit smaller than the typical cargo area found on similar angling kayaks.

A single storage hatch is located in the center of the boat, which is kept closed by the Cross Lock Buckle System. Two articulating rod holders are included. The rod holders can be mounted in any of four different locations, to give you different options for storing your rods. A paddle keeper is also included on each side of the craft.

Comfort

The Malibu Two XL Angler cockpit is rather spacious, so most anglers will find it pretty comfortable. Three sets of overlapping footwells are included to give anglers seated in any of the three possible locations (front, back or center) allowed by the boat plenty of options for resting their legs.

The adjustable seats provide plenty of support, and they are easy to move from one position to another. They do not, however, provide very much padding for your rear end, as they’re a bit thin.

Stability

Overall, the Malibu Two XL Angler provides a stable ride that will allow you to stop worrying about flipping and concentrate on fishing. It is probably stable enough for most anglers to stand up, but it doesn’t provide a great place to put your feet, so it isn’t the ideal choice for anglers who prefer standing up while fishing.

It handles exceptionally well in calm lakes and ponds, and it is stable enough for use on smaller rivers too. Some anglers may even feel confident enough with this craft to use it in the ocean surf.

Maneuverability

The Malibu Two XL Angler is not the nimblest craft on the water, but it will prove adequately maneuverable for most anglers – whether you use this in tandem or solo fashion. Its length will prevent it from fitting into some tight spaces, but it cuts through the water and tracks relatively well.

Owners report that it is easy to paddle in either solo or tandem fashion, and it scoots around the water fairly quickly too.

Summary

The Malibu Two XL Angler is a pretty good kayak for anglers who always require a tandem-style kayak, but it is most valuable for anglers who want the flexibility to use the kayak for solo excursions too. The overlapping footwells and multi-position seats make it easy to use in either fashion, and it generally performs well in the water.

It isn’t, however, a great choice for anglers who like to stand, or those who require an abundance of storage space. Just be sure that you don’t mind the weight of this craft, if you intend on using it for regular solo trips, as the Malibu Two XL Angler is a rather heavy kayak.

Brand	Ocean Kayak
Model	Malibu Two XL Angler
Price	Check on Amazon
Type	Sit-on-top
Color(s)	Brown Camo, Urban Camo
Length (ft / cm)	13'4" / 406cm
Width (in / cm)	34" / 86.4cm
Height (in / cm)	N/A
Kayak Weight (lbs / kg)	74 lbs / 33.6kg
Weight Capacity (lbs / kg)	500 lbs / 226.8kg
Cockpit Size (in / cm)	N/A
Hull Material	Polyethylene
Transducer Compatible	No
Number of People	2
Inflatable	No
Salt Water Friendly	Yes
Peddles	No
Tracking Enhancement	N/A
Adjustable Seat	Yes
Rod Holders	2
Adjustable Foot Braces	No
Paddles Included	No
Other Included Items	None