Before you raft through a rushing river, you first have to find the right kayak for your next great adventure. However, searching for your next kayak can leave you in some uncertain waters. With so many different options out there, it can be difficult to know which to choose or even where to begin. The last thing you want to have to think about when braving rough waters is not having a kayak that is up to the task. At the same time, you don’t want to spend a fortune on something meant for fishing and family trips.
Thankfully, the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two attempts to offer a neat solution to this with a family-oriented kayak in terms of both price and performance.
Features of Ocean Kayak Malibu Two
The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two is constructed from a highly durable plastic, with different builds weighing between 58 and 75 pounds and the kayak measuring 13.4 feet by 34 inches. This makes the boat big enough to accommodate two crewmembers easily without being unwieldy. Finding this balance is one of the most important considerations you need to make when selecting a kayak. On the one hand, you don’t want something that’s so small and flimsy that it’s easily bowled over by an incoming wave, but on the other hand, the bigger the kayak, the more work it takes to paddle it. This model does a good job of striking a happy medium between those extremes.
The Ocean Kayak Malibu Two distinguishes itself as one of the better mid-range two-person kayaks on the market. The kayak features two open cockpits for two paddlers. While more people can theoretically squeeze into these spaces or sit along the side, doing so drastically reduces performance and raises the risk of tipping over. That said, you should still be able to expand your “crew” to carry a small child or pet without rocking the boat.
While it weighs less than 100 pounds, this model has a total carrying capacity of 500 pounds, giving you more than enough to support two people while still having room for fish or luggage. It offers comfortable foam padding and adjustability in its Two Comfort Plus seats.
The special shape of the foot wells allows for the centrally-seated paddler to brace their feet more comfortably than in more cramped kayaks. Both of the paddle holders and deck bungee spots are easily within reach of both paddlers.
You can also check this short, yet informative video review:
What Do Kayakers Say?
Most users have found this kayak to be very durable and reliable, which is exactly the kind of thing you want when taking to fast-moving rivers or paddling along in vast open lakes. The paddles move smoothly, and while there are a few slight “waves” in the PVC molding, it too is likewise mostly consistent and of high quality. Users have given this kayak especially high marks in terms of comfort, which is no surprise given its more spacious design.
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This model is heavier than some other lightweight models and so it can be a tad more exhausting to transport to and from the water. That said, this is something that should be immediately noticeable when viewing the product features above. You know you’re getting a kayak on the larger side, so as long as you have the muscles to handle that, and like what you see here, chances are you’ll be pleased with your own user experience with this model.
Pros and Cons
Armed with the information from above, let’s compare pros and cons.
- While it’s designed to be used with two people, this model can also be reconfigured for solo use
- The overall stability from end to end
- How easy it is to use
- The extra leg space and overall spaciously comfortable design
- That “XL” size means this is a bigger, heavier kayak than others, which in turn makes it slower
- While solo use is possible, its weight makes this more difficult than with a two-person crew
- Less storage space compared to other kayaks
- What storage space there is can be hard to access given the storage compartment’s design
In Conclusion
Our rating: 
4.4 / 5
Every purchase is a reflection of and falls somewhere on the spectrum between “Want” and “Need,” and the Ocean Kayak Malibu Two is no exception. Evaluating the points above and seeing how well they line up with what you want and need out of a kayak is essential for making sure this model is right for you.
Still, given how well this model is constructed, you’re probably swimming downstream in smooth waters in that regard. This model is durable, highly stable, can be used singly or with a partner, and while it’s heavier and a bit slower than other models, is also more spacious and comfortable to use.
All of these factors taken together make this model one of the top options in its weight range for kayakers of all kinds.