Malibu "Stealth 9" Hot

This boat is not going to win any races...ever. It tracks poorly and at 33.5" wide and 9'3" long, it is slow. However, this boat wasn't made to paddle long distances or fish big water. It was made for creeks, ponds, and rivers. And in those bodies of water, it does great.

I am 6' and 200 lbs. I have spent multiple days floating down the river and standing to fish and fly fish without ever having an issue. The stability is awesome for such a short boat. I have had kids paddle it who could do gymnastics in the thing and not come close to tipping it. But again, it is a wide boat made with stability in mind.

It maneuvers quite well, which makes it an excellent creek boat. I have run up to class II+ rapids in it and never had a problem. You will get waves coming over the side and it doesn't drain quite as well as the Stealth 12, but it does the job. I have also paddled it in larger lakes. It can be a chore and if nothing else is good exercise, but it is doable and I have logged 5-6 mile lake trips in the S-9.

The features on the boat are great with multiple storage compartments, a tankwell that can double as a livewell (if plumbed), and a standing platform. For a small boat, it is well thought out. The only thing lacking is a better seat. It doesn't come with one and the CoD Apex seat is not the most comfortable on the market. With an upgraded seat, it would get a 5/5 on its 'Features' rating.

The weight capacity on the boat is 325 lbs. I have had this thing loaded down before - probably around 275 lbs. At that weight, you will get some water in the back storage well unless you use scuppers. I plug the scuppers with foam golf balls and that worked perfectly (and was cheap). Also at high weights, the boat will sit lower in the water and maneuver a little worse, but I never had any issues with stability.

At 42 lbs, I can lift it with one arm and carry it around. And of course, it is super easy to put on the roof of my SUV. I can even transport it in the SUV with the back of the yak sticking out my rear hatch window.

The boat has been extremely durable and for the price, it is hard to beat. The listed MSRP seems a little high, but you can find them many places new and lightly used in the $400-$600 range.

Although this boat is great for my uses, it is a fantastic boat for kids and also some female anglers. The female paddlers and teens that have taken guide trips in it have loved it, stating that they like the smaller boat better than larger kayaks.

This boat is certainly not for everyone. It is meant for a specific type of fishing - creeks, rivers, ponds, and other small bodies of water. It is also a great boat for smaller paddlers, teens/kids, and some female paddlers. It is made to be light, maneuverable, and stable. It is not made for long paddles or races. But this boat has won me over and found a permanent niche in my fleet.