Ocean Kayak / Old Town
Malibu Two XL
The tandem sit-on-top that has taught more couples, kids, and dogs to kayak than any other. Now built by Old Town — bombproof and endlessly friendly.
Specifications
- beam
- 34"
- type
- Sit-on-top Tandem
- length
- 12' 0"
- weight
- 68 lb
- capacity
- 425 lb
- material
- Rotomolded Polyethylene
Ocean Kayak launched the Malibu Two in the 1990s and it never left the water. Old Town now owns the mold and builds it in Maine, and the Malibu Two XL is the current, slightly longer, higher-capacity revision. It is the tandem we recommend to everyone who wants to paddle with a partner, a kid, or a golden retriever.
What makes it work
- Three seating positions: two paddlers, solo from the middle seat, or two paddlers with a kid or dog in the middle
- Sit-on-top layout: if you flip, you climb back on. No wet exit drills. No spray skirts.
- Self-bailing scupper holes drain rain and splash automatically
- Rotomolded polyethylene: you can bump docks, scrape rocks, and drag it up sand
Where it excels
Calm lakes, slow rivers, ocean bays, and any beach launch. It is not a fast boat — 12 feet of hull with two adults on top will not win races — but it is a happy boat. Kids love it, dogs love it, and it is the least intimidating first kayak we can think of.
Trade-offs
At 68 pounds empty, you'll want two adults to cartop it. The wide platform makes it stable but slow into a headwind. If you're a solo paddler most of the time, buy a solo boat — the Malibu Two is only in its element with a partner.
Bottom line
Nothing has replaced the Malibu Two in 30 years for a reason. It is the tandem sit-on-top standard.
Pros
- +Legendary rotomolded hull — nearly indestructible
- +Genuine 3-seat versatility (2 adults, or 2+kid, or solo)
- +Self-bailing — dries out on its own
- +Made in Maine by Old Town
- +Excellent primary stability for kids and dogs
Cons
- −68 lb empty — a two-person cartop lift
- −Slow into headwind vs longer touring tandems
- −Basic seat pads (aftermarket upgrades available)
Best for
Couples, families with young kids, and dog owners who want one boat that handles every scenario short of whitewater.
Who should skip it
Solo paddlers, or anyone chasing speed and long-distance efficiency.