The New MALIBU KAYAKS X-Wing Slider
- Skinnyfeet
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The New MALIBU KAYAKS X-Wing Slider
Ever since Jim Sammons gave his ICAST report, people have been asking me for details on the new X-Wing Slider ...... here it is in a nutshell.
The X-Wing is a new sliding console that holds electronics, tools, gear, etc. It's designed to be customized by the owner, and as you can see from the pics it will hold everything from rods to fish finders to GPS units to cell phones to ipods and whatever else you can think to mount on it.
The one in the pics is the prototype; the production model will have a net on the right side of the console to hold a plastic tackle tray. There is a round hatch on the left side that opens up the console for a 12v lawn tractor battery and dry storage for whatever else you need to store. The area above the cup holder has already been redesigned to hold pliers and a small knife, plus it now has a lip to hold lures/hooks and other goodies.
The Wing is fully adjustable; it slides back and forth on rails (18+ inches of travel), locks into place wherever the user wants it, and it will have a quick release to get it out of the way quick if needed. It will retail for around $100, and will fit any model kayak on the market as well as canoes.
The X-Wing is a new sliding console that holds electronics, tools, gear, etc. It's designed to be customized by the owner, and as you can see from the pics it will hold everything from rods to fish finders to GPS units to cell phones to ipods and whatever else you can think to mount on it.
The one in the pics is the prototype; the production model will have a net on the right side of the console to hold a plastic tackle tray. There is a round hatch on the left side that opens up the console for a 12v lawn tractor battery and dry storage for whatever else you need to store. The area above the cup holder has already been redesigned to hold pliers and a small knife, plus it now has a lip to hold lures/hooks and other goodies.
The Wing is fully adjustable; it slides back and forth on rails (18+ inches of travel), locks into place wherever the user wants it, and it will have a quick release to get it out of the way quick if needed. It will retail for around $100, and will fit any model kayak on the market as well as canoes.
Last edited by Skinnyfeet on Wed Jul 18, 2007 7:28 am, edited 2 times in total.
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The rails are the same rails used on adjustable foot rests, so they hold plenty strong! The boat that its mounted to in the pics is an X Factor (65+lbs); I lifted the boat off the ground by the wing several times to answer that same question for folks at the show.Night Wing wrote:Right now, I want to see how sturdy the connection is to the rails that hold it in place on the yak.
As for who will be carrying it, all of our existing Malibu dealers will and since it fits on all boats, other dealers as well. I have a LOT of follow up after last week, but hopefully it will be on the shelves within the next month or so ..... production is supposed to start immediately.
Last edited by Skinnyfeet on Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Maybe, just maybe, there could be an optional stainless steel rail for it besides the plastic rail. If one is going to spend $100 for it, I would spend a little more for the stainless steel rail. Just a thought on my part.Skinnyfeet wrote:The rails are the same rails used on adjustable foot rests, so they hold plenty strong!Night Wing wrote:Right now, I want to see how sturdy the connection is to the rails that hold it in place on the yak.
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The runners are roughly 23" apart, which will allow it to fit on all but the most narrow kayaks. The way I understand it (I haven't actually seen it yet), there is an adapter kit for boats that need it.Spuds (Piscator Eximius) wrote:How does it compensate for the varying widths in kayaks, or did I miss that part?
An X-facctor is 33' wide. Seems like a guy that wants to mount it on his 28" wide Tarpon might have some issues in getting it to straddle and fit correctly.
Interesting idea, though.
When it becomes available I'll post pics of it on various hulls ..........
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The one in the picture is a fiberglass model ...... I believe that the finished product will be made from polyethylene, the same material that most boats are made from.Donor wrote:NICE!!! what type of plastic is used in its production?what is used as a uv blocker to protect the plastic?how much does it weigh?how will affect paddling in the wind?
As for UV blockers, whatever they put in the plastic for boats is what we are using. Sorry to be so vague, but I honestly dont know as its done by the company that produces our resin.
The one in the pics weighed around 10-12lbs; the final product should be around 8-10lbs, give or take a few.
Wind should have no affect, or at least no noticeable amount. Its actually a bit smaller than it looks in the pics; there's not much there for the wind to push off of.
Hopefully I answered your questions, but if not, ask again and I'll give it another try .
Last edited by Skinnyfeet on Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Wow that looks familiar
Out in Cal we use bars to mount our gear.
Here's my version: the "Jim Bar" that I've been using for a while now.
One thing I like about the bar/rail as you can put the rod on it when your fighting big sharks.
It's strong but only adds a pound or so.
I'll vouch that the rod holder finder etc.. spacing works great. Looks like a great product.
Just dropped in linked from another kayak site. Grew up fishing Big shell Padre so I hope you don't mind if I drop by more often. Might have to bring my yak next time I come home.
Jim
Here's my version: the "Jim Bar" that I've been using for a while now.
One thing I like about the bar/rail as you can put the rod on it when your fighting big sharks.
It's strong but only adds a pound or so.
I'll vouch that the rod holder finder etc.. spacing works great. Looks like a great product.
Just dropped in linked from another kayak site. Grew up fishing Big shell Padre so I hope you don't mind if I drop by more often. Might have to bring my yak next time I come home.
Jim
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