2009 Model line-up...

[skurfer]

What percentage of Walmart and Tyson employees can afford a Malibu? Top 5%?

[Arctic Slalom]

there was a comment about smaller boats a few posts back....I totally agree. weren't the larger Bu's (like the 247's) not really selling anyway? I thought last year the 20' VTX was the best selling Bu?! it makes sense....people want quality, but they don't necessarily need a whale. the trend is certainly set in the auto industry. look at the sales of the big fuel vehicles (down nearly 30% across the board, last month)!

take the VTX, trim it down another 8" to 10" (with a 7-8 person capacity) and lower the dry weight to around 2700. keep the tower, wedge and other features. drop a high tech 6 banger with +/- 275 hp and it would sell like crazy. it would be a great boat for those just getting started and for those who only go out with 4-5 people.

[Cory]

there was a comment about smaller boats a few posts back....I totally agree. weren't the larger Bu's (like the 247's) not really selling anyway? I thought last year the 20' VTX was the best selling Bu?! it makes sense....people want quality, but they don't necessarily need a whale. the trend is certainly set in the auto industry. look at the sales of the big fuel vehicles (down nearly 30% across the board, last month)!

take the VTX, trim it down another 8" to 10" (with a 7-8 person capacity) and lower the dry weight to around 2700. keep the tower, wedge and other features. drop a high tech 6 banger with +/- 275 hp and it would sell like crazy. it would be a great boat for those just getting started and for those who only go out with 4-5 people.

I'd like to see Malibu update the Vride with a new hull and offer all the latest goodies (ballast monitoring, rider presets, 4th bow ballast tank, etc.). I just purchased an '08 Vride and optioned it out with almost all the options available (at least the ones I felt I would use or make the boat look nice--which was most of them). I picked the Vride not so much because of the price point, but for the size. I like the 94" beam. We have a cabin on a lake with a dock and lift. I don't need a big boat to spend the day on it. Most of our trips on the lake are 20 or 30 minute pulls. I love the "look" and options of the VLX--just not the size. When I purchased the boat this year, I was disappointed that I was unable to get all the latest options on the boat--I would have paid for it (I guess Malibu didn't want my money???).

I seriously considered the VTX, but its 98" beam concerned me for fitting in our garage out at the cabin and just looked a little too stubby. The 98" beam was the main concern. We just built a 30' x 30' garage out there, but it has dual 9'x8' doors. The true opening is 104" wide and I wasn't certain the VTX trailer would fit. It's a pretty dang tight fit with the Vride when backing it in.

Anyway, my point being... The boat size was the determining factor for me. I would have purchased a premium version of the Vride had it been offered. My dream boat would be the Vride size with the V25 wake hull or another modern wake hull, a bow ballast tank, and all the bling of the VLX. Of course, I made my purchase--it'll be 10 to 15 years before I'll be in the market again. I'm not sure how may people have the same desire as I do?

Edited June 7, 2008 by Cory

[mcsammamish]

Back to the topic of model line up. The Response LX will be available.

And all I can say is.........Oh man.......the new VLX is SICK! Once again Malibu has put even more distance between them and the competition. Just some awesome styling and I think will look even better in the water.

FYI, majority of the price increase is driven because of the vendors raising their prices.

I hope this doesn't spill too many beans for what Malibu wants released.......Nice work Malibu!

[1FootDan]

So, anybody hear or seen anything on the 2009 line-up this week?

[Malibudude]

I can tell you the increased costs are for transportation of materials and petroleum products, and are nowehere near the increases discussed earlier.

[Lakenut]

What kind of production decrease has the industry seen? Gas prices have got to have a negative effect on production.

We are all "into" high performance watersports and can justify (for lack of a better term) the expenses that go along with it. 2 years ago when gas was 50% of what it is now, a lot more families were looking to either get into watersports or move into an inboard. I can sure see now that people with less fun $$$ add up the cost and start looking at other options to spend their $$$ on. Plus the fact that boat prices have gone out the flippin roof... 80k for a toy that will get used for 6 months of the year? If I were looking to get into a 2-3 year old boat now like I did several years ago, there is no way I could.