Bps Ascend D10T Kayak Vs. Malibu Mini X Kayak 2024

Jim McC reply :

I'm considering these 2 sit on top kayaks for fishing. Is the Mini X worth the extra money(about $200)? Is either one a clear winner? Is the Ascend a decent quality, stable kayak? Thanks.

Mini X - 9' 3" long, 33" wide, 325 lb. weight capacity, 40 lbs. Reviews say it is very stable

Ascend D10T - 10' long, 34" wide, 350 lb. weight capacity, 52 lbs. Stability unknown, new model

Jim McC reply :

75 views and no opinions?

Darren. reply :

Don't really know enough about the new D10T, but before I bought my first kayak I read a lot of reviews on BPS/Ascend yaks. One complaint that thwarted me was how thin the material was.

The new model may be fine, and based on the one review at BPS, seems nice.

One thing to consider, the Ascend being a BPS brand may be less in part because of the name. Malibu is a "bigger" brand.

I like the offerings of the Ascend. Seems a little more bang-for-buck.

J Francho reply :

I've fished in a Mini-X. It's worth it, if you can afford it. Malibu has really stepped up it's game with regards to construction, design, and quality. It's a lot more boat than the Ascend.

Darren. reply :

That's what you want to hear, Jim McC. Someone who's fished the yak! Better advice there than my only having read reviews.

I know there are some Ascend fishermen on the board, so perhaps one of them will chime in with .02 on the D10T so you can weigh it further.

J Francho reply :

If anyone is worried about turtling a small boat, the Mini-X is for you. You'll fall out before it flips.

Jay Ell Gee reply :

I actually work at BPS and am really considering picking up one of the D10T's. The tunnel hull design seems to be very stable and my discount will definitely apply. It would be an absolute steal and a great way for a bit of a larger guy to get out on the water comfortably in his first small craft.

Jim McC reply :

On 3/16/2013 at 7:39 AM, Jay Ell Gee said:
I actually work at BPS and am really considering picking up one of the D10T's. The tunnel hull design seems to be very stable and my discount will definitely apply. It would be an absolute steal and a great way for a bit of a larger guy to get out on the water comfortably in his first small craft.

Do you know if the stores stock the D10T? Do you know if the hull is indeed "thin"?

These 2 kayaks are within 7 inches length of each other. Since the Mini X is 12 lbs. lighter, doesn't that reason that the Mini X may actually have thinner hull material?

Jay Ell Gee reply :

I really have no idea where the thin material complaint comes from. I personally know 4 guys at our store that use the FS12T and have never had an issue. Perhaps earlier models?

No idea on the material in regards to weight.

Jim McC reply :

On 3/16/2013 at 3:53 AM, J Francho said:
I've fished in a Mini-X. It's worth it, if you can afford it. Malibu has really stepped up it's game with regards to construction, design, and quality. It's a lot more boat than the Ascend.

Thanks. Did you get my PM?

J Francho reply :

Yep, I got it. I'm not as active on the weekends, so I sometimes take a bit to get back to all the PMs that stack up.

Darren. reply :

FWIW, I was at BPS yesterday and took a look at the D10T. Nice unit.

Looked for the Malibu Mini-X, but it wasn't in store (or if it was, it was out of stock). BUT! If it is anything like the Stealth 9, it's built like a tank. Was pretty impressed with the build quality of the Malibu yaks they had in stock.

Jim McC reply :

On 3/18/2013 at 10:23 PM, DarrenM said:

FWIW, I was at BPS yesterday and took a look at the D10T. Nice unit.

Looked for the Malibu Mini-X, but it wasn't in store (or if it was, it was out of stock). BUT! If it is anything like the Stealth 9, it's built like a tank. Was pretty impressed with the build quality of the Malibu yaks they had in stock.

Thanks DarrenM. I know the Mini X is a very nice kayak, from what I've read. I have no Malibu dealers anywhere near me though to see one. Can you tell me a little more about the Ascend D10T? Build quality, plastic thickness, etc? Thanks a lot.

hookedahawg reply :

Hey guys this is the ONLY video I was able to find. Not the best review but does give a little insight to the D10T.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHGt4h3QreA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Darren. reply :

On 3/19/2013 at 2:56 AM, Jim McC said:
Thanks DarrenM. I know the Mini X is a very nice kayak, from what I've read. I have no Malibu dealers anywhere near me though to see one. Can you tell me a little more about the Ascend D10T? Build quality, plastic thickness, etc? Thanks a lot.

Jim, unfortunately I observed with my eyes more so than my hands + eyes. I do believe these are upgraded models, nicely outfitted for a day on the water if that's what you want. By that I mean buying a yak pre-rigged for fishing. My first one was that way, my Native wasn't, which allowed me to outfit it as I wanted, not as a company thought I wanted. If that makes sense.

They are redesigned from the models I originally looked at, and there's not a lot in the way of reviews out there. The thinness issue was where guys complained that any dents in shipping were still present and didn't come out easily.

Weighs 52 lbs as-is. So certainly seems to have more plastic than before.

Are you planning on having this item shipped to you, or buying at a "local" BPS?

J Francho reply :

Lesser boats sometimes have "thick spots," where the the beads stacked up in the rotomolding process. I've even seen some with an almost solid bow! Not saying that's what's up with the Ascend, but something you can only find out in person.

Jim McC reply :

Hookedahawg, thanks for posting that video review. I'm 99% sure I'm going to go with the Mini X.

I'm 5' 10" tall, and the Mini X is 33" wide. Does an 8' long paddle sound right? Thanks.

Hanover_Yakker reply :

Paddle size can be easily determined by standing with your feet flat on the ground and raising your hand directly above your head. Take the paddle and try to cup the end of your fingers around the end of the blade as it stands next to you. If you can just barely cup your fingers over the edge, then that length will work for you. Anything 10cm longer or shorter may not be as efficient for you on the water.

When selecting a paddle, your physical stature is not the only variable to consider. You need to take the proper length paddle and then sit in the kayak itself. If you have a kayak that rides higher out of the water than others or has a higher gunwale (as in the case of the Ascend D10T), then you may have to increase your paddle length by 10cm (ie: a 230cm over a 220cm). Remember, the Ascend D10T is a SINK (Sit INside Kayak) versus the Malibu Mini-X which is a SOT (Sit On Top) - two entriely different kayaks from a seated position perspective.

Another variable in your kayak decision process is seat time - I have yet to see any response from you stating how much seat time you have had in either kayak. They both are suitable as first kayaks, but if either or both are uncomfortable after 15 minutes on the water, what will you do then? Get some seat time in both and make sure you are wearing the exact PFD you plan on wearing while you are trying them out. That is the only way you will be albe to test out how comfortable you are.

Hope this helps.

Jim McC reply :

Thanks Hanover. The Ascend D10T is a SOT kayak, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to buy the Mini X. The problem with the Mini X is the closest Malibu dealer is 156 miles away. I cannot find anyone else closer, that has the Mini X for me to check out.

Hanover_Yakker reply :

Sorry thought you said FS10. In that case, based upon the zoomed in photo I just looked at of the DS10T definitely go with Malibu if those are your final choices. Reason being is that the footwell design of the Ascend does not appear to lend itself to proper drainage of any significant water volume that enters the kayak. I see only 2 sets of scuppers on the entire kayak, one set in the tankwell and one in the cockpit/footwell close to the seat. If you take any water over the bow or sides, the location of those scuppers would concern me. I prefer at least two sets in the cokpit/footwell area - one set by my feet and one set at or under the seat.

I have a couple friends who fished with me in some nasty waters last summer during an angler club challenge. One was fishing out of a Malibu Stealth and the others were fishing out of Wilderness Tarpton 140s and an Ocean Kayak Trident 13. All of which had no less than 4 total scupper holes in the footwell area. They were barraged with waves and rain for 6 hours straight and were wahsed over many times. At one point, all of them had to bail on the rosks to empty out the water in the footwells, because the waves and water were coming in faster than the scuppers could self bail them.

Imagine what would happen if you only had two individual scuppers? This same scenario can happen on a pond, river or lake. I was washed over in my old Ride 135 on Sandy River Reservoir by someone running only a 9.9hp motor on the their jon boat. It can happen even on a river. Don't think it can't.

Not trying to scare you, just trying to share a personal experience of how quickly an improperly designed kayak can get you in trouble real quick.

Darren. reply :

On 3/20/2013 at 3:40 AM, Hanover_Yakker said:

Sorry thought you said FS10. In that case, based upon the zoomed in photo I just looked at of the DS10T definitely go with Malibu if those are your final choices. Reason being is that the footwell design of the Ascend does not appear to lend itself to proper drainage of any significant water volume that enters the kayak. I see only 2 sets of scuppers on the entire kayak, one set in the tankwell and one in the cockpit/footwell close to the seat. If you take any water over the bow or sides, the location of those scuppers would concern me. I prefer at least two sets in the cokpit/footwell area - one set by my feet and one set at or under the seat.

I have a couple friends who fished with me in some nasty waters last summer during an angler club challenge. One was fishing out of a Malibu Stealth and the others were fishing out of Wilderness Tarpton 140s and an Ocean Kayak Trident 13. All of which had no less than 4 total scupper holes in the footwell area. They were barraged with waves and rain for 6 hours straight and were wahsed over many times. At one point, all of them had to bail on the rosks to empty out the water in the footwells, because the waves and water were coming in faster than the scuppers could self bail them.

Imagine what would happen if you only had two individual scuppers? This same scenario can happen on a pond, river or lake. I was washed over in my old Ride 135 on Sandy River Reservoir by someone running only a 9.9hp motor on the their jon boat. It can happen even on a river. Don't think it can't.

Not trying to scare you, just trying to share a personal experience of how quickly an improperly designed kayak can get you in trouble real quick.

Zoom in and you'll see a total of six scupper holes, or 3 sets of 2.

Two in the foot section, two at the seat, two in the rear.

Jim McC reply :

Well, I decided to go with the Mini X, and it's on it's way. $399 for the 2012 recreational model, plus $49 shipping to a hub near me. Now I just need to wait for these lakes to thaw.

I'm trying to decide on which seat to buy. If you have any opinions, please see my other thread. Thanks.

pabassr reply :

My son just bought a ascend d10t kayak at bass pro shops today. After doing a lot of research and seeing the actual kayak it it definitely does give you bang for the buck. It is 34" wide 52lbs. The new ascend kayaks are much nicer than they were.

We got home and he took it out on the water right away. He had nothing but praise for this kayak. He said it paddles very easy,very stable, and he even stood up in it.

Then I tried it and it was everything that he said it was, very stable,easy to paddle tracks very well, I even stood up in it, awesome.

I`m very impressed,I have a wilderness systems tarpon kayak,and an emotion stealth kayak which I really like, both kayaks are 30-1/2" wide. The ascend kayaks are great kayaks for a cheaper cost than my other kayaks. My son didn`t have the cash for kayaks like I own, so he went with the ascend D10T sit-on-top 34" wide,which is very impressive.Also the D10T has 6-scupper holes, two in the rear,and two under the seat ,and two up front. Some peoples reviews said seat slides out when paddling, if seat is adjusted right It won`t move. If anyone is thinking of buying these kayaks, I`d say check them out you won`t be disappointed. Check them out for yourself. The price is, $399.00

hookedahawg reply :

How big are you and your son? I'm a solid Guy at 6'1 265. I love the layout of this kayak but standing to me is a must. I understand its stable, but I'm a big boy haha.

pabassr reply :

I`m 6' 210lbs, my boy is about the same.The D10T has a weight capacity of 350lbs. It is extremely stable.

hookedahawg reply :

Hmm maybe that will be the way to go then. Thanks again!

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Bps Ascend D10T Kayak Vs. Malibu Mini X Kayak 2024

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