When it comes to big time, kayak bass fishing, I’m learning as I go and sharing what I learn with you.
Transparency Note: The gear reviewed in this article was provided to me at no cost for evaluation. The views and assessments presented are entirely my own. If you buy something via one of our links, there is no additional cost to you and we may earn a commission.
My Kayaking Situation
To get you up to speed on my journey, I started with an Old Town Bigwater EPDL+ 132 as the platform for all the next kayaking steps. Also important to know, at this point in my life I don’t own a truck. When I sold my last bass boat a couple years back, I found I didn’t really have a need for a truck. So, when I got this kayak, I pictured it on top of my VW Passat…until I tried lifting it over my head. At over 13-feet long and over 140-pounds, getting this kayak on top of my car was technically possible, but didn’t seem practical. I considered buying another truck, but after a quick bit of research I was pleased to discover this car has a towing capacity of 1,000-pounds. A new plan was formed.
What I Needed
I wanted a trailer that would be strong enough and built well enough to endure all the highway-speed-miles I wanted to put on it without any worries, but light enough to not overtax my tow vehicle. That’s when I was introduced to the Malone MicroSport™ series. Specifically, I opted for the MicroSport™ XT model.
The Stats
This trailer is made of 11-gauge, galvanized steel so it’s strong and it’s going to last. The construction is beefy enough to carry loads up to 800-pounds, but it only weighs 230-pounds. Since my kayak comes in at 143, that gives me plenty of room to upgrade in the future (like maybe a second kayak for my wife), but it also puts me well under 500-pounds total for now, so I’m not over-stressing my tow vehicle.
The Features
The MicroSport™ XT has a lot of great features. It features submersible LED lights and sealed hubs so it can be backed right into the water. It includes a retractable tongue, which when extended can carry boats up to 20-feet long. But the trailer can easily fit in any garage, and can even be stood up vertically on its back edge and stored against a wall. And the upgraded aluminum spoke wheels and diamond plate aluminum fenders just look really sharp—way more legit than a standard utility-style trailer. And also worth noting, this trailer is made in the U.S.A. and comes with a five year, limited warranty.
The Convenience
This whole thing shipped right to my front doorstep in five boxes (I added a few extras, so mine was seven boxes). And assembly was pretty straightforward. Anyone with a reasonable amount of mechanical aptitude can handle this. I do have pretty strong mechanical skills and put this together by myself in three or four hours. If you need to, ask a friend to assist. It really wasn’t a big deal. In fact, I created a video overview of the assembly process. There’s a shortened preview at the top of this article, or you can see the full video (still less than seven minutes) on YouTube, here.
The Malone MicroSport XT Features
Here’s a list recapping the features of the Malone MicroSport™ XT:
•Pre-assembled hubs for a clean and simple installation
•Aluminum Spoke Wheels & Aluminum Fenders
•MPG494 Retractable Tongue Kit
•DOT approved LED "Plug N' Play" lights
•Reinforced, retractable, steel tongue can transport boats up to 20' in length
•11-gauge, galvanized, steel construction for years of service
•Made in the USA
•Five Year Limited Warranty
•Load Capacity: 800 lb / 20' canoe or kayak
•Weight (Without accessories): 230 lb
•Hitch: 2" Class II receiver
I believe the transportation part of my kayak adventure has been sorted. This Malone trailer ticks all the boxes for my needs. Soon, I’ll be strapping down the Old Town and hitting the road. And, I’ll be reporting back to you with everything I learn along the way.
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