Need advice on purchase of my first Malibu

[Bu hoo]

Hey Everyone,

My wife has given me "permission" to buy a boat! Can you believe it? I can't. She gave me a pretty strict budget of about $20k, so hopefully I am not reaching too much to think I can find a good Malibu for that price.

The main purpose of the boat would be wakeboarding (intermediate level). My wife does like to slalom, but that is usually only one ride a day.

I have been glued to the internet and trader sites looking at all sorts of boats, but I keep coming back to Malibu's, especially the Wakesetter. They look like fantastic boats and this site has shown me that they have some very satisfied customers as well.

What year and model is realistic for me at $20k? I really like the layout of the VLX's (no hump in the middle, open floor plan). Please forgive my lack of knowledge on inboards, but isn't the hump a direct drive? I grew up on saltwater and had outboards my whole life, so I am still in the learning phase here.

I would like it to have ballasts, a wedge, a wakeboard tower and produce a great wake.

I thought I read that the Sunsetter is pretty much the same boat, is this correct? Do they share hulls? If so, is it a good idea to just add a tower, wedge and ballasts to a sunsetter? How much would that cost approximately?

Anyways, that is pretty much it. Any advice will be very much appreciated. Please feel free to make suggestions or corrections where needed.

Thanks!

[TrickyNicky]

Hey Everyone,

My wife has given me "permission" to buy a boat! Can you believe it? I can't. She gave me a pretty strict budget of about $20k, so hopefully I am not reaching too much to think I can find a good Malibu for that price.

The main purpose of the boat would be wakeboarding (intermediate level). My wife does like to slalom, but that is usually only one ride a day.

I have been glued to the internet and trader sites looking at all sorts of boats, but I keep coming back to Malibu's, especially the Wakesetter. They look like fantastic boats and this site has shown me that they have some very satisfied customers as well.

What year and model is realistic for me at $20k? I really like the layout of the VLX's (no hump in the middle, open floor plan). Please forgive my lack of knowledge on inboards, but isn't the hump a direct drive? I grew up on saltwater and had outboards my whole life, so I am still in the learning phase here.

I would like it to have ballasts, a wedge, a wakeboard tower and produce a great wake.

I thought I read that the Sunsetter is pretty much the same boat, is this correct? Do they share hulls? If so, is it a good idea to just add a tower, wedge and ballasts to a sunsetter? How much would that cost approximately?

Anyways, that is pretty much it. Any advice will be very much appreciated. Please feel free to make suggestions or corrections where needed.

Thanks!

First off, to the crew.

Second, what is this STRICT budget of ABOUT 20k.

Third, many will chime in to verify or shoot down what I have to say and they probably have more knowledge than me on the specific boats your looking at. Having said that I would recommend a sunsetter vlx. It seems you want a v-drive layout (engine at the back, no 'hump') as opposed to a DD (direct drive, engine in the middle, 'hump'). The reason I recommend the sunsetter is for your wifes slalom wake. A wakesetter really isn't going to put out a nice slalom wake. Generally a good slalom wake comes from direct drives and good wakeboard wakes from a v-drive. The sunsetter vlx (v-drive) is one of the best slalom wakes of any v-drive. I think it would satisfy your wife's slalom urges no matter what level. As well a sunsetter can be had with under-floor ballast (500lbs center) and I believe rear factory ballast as well (but dont quote me). Along with a wedge and a tower, you'll have a great wakeboard wake for any intermediate rider without question and your wife will still be happy. After all a happy wife is a happy life!

Good luck and happy hunting.

Do NOT settle out of the frustration of searching, because as much as waiting sucks, once you get teh right boat and take it out for the first time everything is worth it. No-one wants to look back at there 20k purchase and say I wish I would have...

[99response]

Where do you ride and how big is your crew usually?

Also, what are you riding behind now? Any inboard will throw a better slalom wake than an I/O so your wife may be happy behind a wake hull VLX and no need to seek out that relatively rare 01 Sunsetter VLX or 02+ Sunscape 21 LSV.

Note that although TrickyNicky suggested a Sunsetter VLX I think he was really talking about a diamond hull Sunsetter VLX which was only made in 2001. - so not too many of them floating around.

If you want the breakdown on diamond vs wake hulls, run a search, heaps on info on the board.

-Chris

[Malibudude]

The Sunsetter LX and the Wakesetter are the same boats, with one exception in '02 the Sunsetter was put on the diamond hull. The diamond hull will make for a softer wake than the non-diamond hull and much better for slaloming, but the still very capable for slalom. The diamond hull will require a bit more weight but also capable of producing a wake when weighted. Here is a '98 Sunsetter for 16k, the interior needs a cleaning and I bet the price is negotiable. You'll be hard pressed to find a decent well care for V-drive for that price range. The Sunsetter will suit your needs just fine as posted above. Slalomskiing behind a VLX...ya not so much even on the diamond hull.

[TrickyNicky]

Where do you ride and how big is your crew usually?

Also, what are you riding behind now? Any inboard will throw a better slalom wake than an I/O so your wife may be happy behind a wake hull VLX and no need to seek out that relatively rare 01 Sunsetter VLX or 02+ Sunscape 21 LSV.

Note that although TrickyNicky suggested a Sunsetter VLX I think he was really talking about a diamond hull Sunsetter VLX which was only made in 2001. - so not too many of them floating around.

If you want the breakdown on diamond vs wake hulls, run a search, heaps on info on the board.

-Chris

I completely disagree witht his one comment. Our old 95 Larson 175 o/b arguably threw a better ski wake than our VTX. The pull from the boats isn't even close but the wake was smaller just a bit more firm and a bit of a jolt. Either way seeing as the VTX is one of, if not the best ski wake of any current v-drive. I would bet a LOT of money our old Larson would beat the hell out of a VLX, LSV or 247 based on ski wake alone.

[Jimmypooh]

Slalomskiing behind a VLX...ya not so much even on the diamond hull.

I'll disagree especially if coming from an I/O or outboard as this is what I did. 06 VLX with Diamond hull was an upgrade for me and definitely don't regret the decision. The Layout of the Vdrive trumped the sacrifice of my slalom need.

Let us know a little more about the uses and experience and we can lend a hand. For example did she ski behind a direct drive before? Are you guys interested in surfing? will you be in rough water? You said something about salt...still using it in salt?

[wakechick3]

JDGREEN1...where are you located? so that we can keep an eye out for you... And welcome!

[99response]

I completely disagree witht his one comment. Our old 95 Larson 175 o/b arguably threw a better ski wake than our VTX. The pull from the boats isn't even close but the wake was smaller just a bit more firm and a bit of a jolt. Either way seeing as the VTX is one of, if not the best ski wake of any current v-drive. I would bet a LOT of money our old Larson would beat the hell out of a VLX, LSV or 247 based on ski wake alone.

So how did the Larson handle in the course with a good/larger skier behind them? Probably pulled the back end of that boat all over the place.

The wake may be smaller yes, but what about the overall pull?

-Chris

[TrickyNicky]

So how did the Larson handle in the course with a good/larger skier behind them? Probably pulled the back end of that boat all over the place.

The wake may be smaller yes, but what about the overall pull?

-Chris

Don't have a course on our lake but even with my skill level (32 15 off through a course) it got pulled around some. But for free skiing I'd still take it over a VLX or LSV, Honestly haven't tried skiing behind one but the wake quality was comparable (although completely different) to my VTX so I can't imagine a VLX or LSV doing better in the wake department. The pull isn't comparable but personally i prefer to slow a boat down a bit than to catch air on my slalom ski.

[Bu hoo]

Where do you ride and how big is your crew usually?

Also, what are you riding behind now? Any inboard will throw a better slalom wake than an I/O so your wife may be happy behind a wake hull VLX and no need to seek out that relatively rare 01 Sunsetter VLX or 02+ Sunscape 21 LSV.

-Chris

I live in North Alabama now, so I usually ride in the Tennessee River. We usually have 4-6 people in the boat, so the 21' range should work fine. I am not opposed to the 23' though. Price may be the only issue.

Right now I am riding behind my wife's fathers boat (Yamaha 212x with 750 ballast). It's actually not too bad.

[Bu hoo]

The Sunsetter LX and the Wakesetter are the same boats, with one exception in '02 the Sunsetter was put on the diamond hull. The diamond hull will make for a softer wake than the non-diamond hull and much better for slaloming, but the still very capable for slalom. The diamond hull will require a bit more weight but also capable of producing a wake when weighted. Here is a '98 Sunsetter for 16k, the interior needs a cleaning and I bet the price is negotiable. You'll be hard pressed to find a decent well care for V-drive for that price range. The Sunsetter will suit your needs just fine as posted above. Slalomskiing behind a VLX...ya not so much even on the diamond hull.

Thanks for the reply. Ok, so a Sunsetter LX is a good option. Thanks I will look out for one fo those near my area (North Alabama).

[Bu hoo]

I completely disagree witht his one comment. Our old 95 Larson 175 o/b arguably threw a better ski wake than our VTX. The pull from the boats isn't even close but the wake was smaller just a bit more firm and a bit of a jolt. Either way seeing as the VTX is one of, if not the best ski wake of any current v-drive. I would bet a LOT of money our old Larson would beat the hell out of a VLX, LSV or 247 based on ski wake alone.

Noted. Never bet against an old Larson for ski wakes. Thanks.

[Malibudude]

Don't have a course on our lake but even with my skill level (32 15 off through a course) it got pulled around some. But for free skiing I'd still take it over a VLX or LSV, Honestly haven't tried skiing behind one but the wake quality was comparable (although completely different) to my VTX so I can't imagine a VLX or LSV doing better in the wake department. The pull isn't comparable but personally i prefer to slow a boat down a bit than to catch air on my slalom ski.

Well there ya go, you said it, I've skied behind a i/o, and and inboard w/ comparable hull size will be a huge improvement. The pull, the ability for the boat to stay inline, less rocking. Not saying that i/o's are terrible but the inboard is a different league in terms of slalom.

[Bu hoo]

I'll disagree especially if coming from an I/O or outboard as this is what I did. 06 VLX with Diamond hull was an upgrade for me and definitely don't regret the decision. The Layout of the Vdrive trumped the sacrifice of my slalom need.

Let us know a little more about the uses and experience and we can lend a hand. For example did she ski behind a direct drive before? Are you guys interested in surfing? will you be in rough water? You said something about salt...still using it in salt?

Thanks for asking this because I think I may have put too much emphasis on slalom. My wife is a novice skier. She gets up on 2 skis and drops one, and likes to be pulled at 21mph. I don't believe she would know the difference to be honest. Don't get me wrong though, I want her to enjoy skiing when she does decided to go though. So, if a wakesetter is unbearable to ski behind then let me know. But if it just isn't a "professional" quality slalom wake that you guys are worried about then that is acceptable for our needs.

And yes, we would like to experiment in surfing.

We won't be in rough water most of the time, but the river is 2 miles wide in parts, so a 1-2 chop isn't that uncommon. For the most part though, we will not be in rough water. And a big NO to saltwater. This boat will never see salt.

Edited July 13, 2010 by jdgreen1

[TrickyNicky]

Well there ya go, you said it, I've skied behind a i/o, and and inboard w/ comparable hull size will be a huge improvement. The pull, the ability for the boat to stay inline, less rocking. Not saying that i/o's are terrible but the inboard is a different league in terms of slalom.

I'm just trying to be helpful to the OP who was thinking about a wakesetter VLX as a good slalom boat for his wife. Someone responded it will beat the hell out of any sterndrives and I argued the difference based on experience. Besides if your looking for that quality pull and tracking to get through a slalom course your not going to be buying a wakesetter VLX anyways.

My logic was that a sunsetetr VLX would be a better option for the OP than a WS VLX. Seeing as he seems to be an intermediate rider, I'd say that the sunsetter would throw out a better wakeboard wake than the WS VLX would a ski wake. Hence why I though it would be a better option.

[Bu hoo]

JDGREEN1...where are you located? so that we can keep an eye out for you... And welcome!

North Alabama. My Dad is in Texas, my brother is in New Orleans, I have relatives in the Orlando area, so pretty much the southeast (Texas to the Carolinas) is my buying area. Thanks for the offer!

Edited July 13, 2010 by jdgreen1

[Ndawg12]

Thanks for asking this because I think I may have put too much emphasis on slalom. My wife is a novice skier. She gets up on 2 skis and drops one, and likes to be pulled at 21mph. I don't believe she would know the difference to be honest. Don't get me wrong though, I want her to enjoy skiing when she does decided to go though. So, if a wakesetter is unbearable to ski behind then let me know. But if it just isn't a "professional" quality slalom wake that you guys are worried about then that is acceptable for our needs.

And yes, we would like to experiment in surfing.

We won't be in rough water most of the time, but the river is 2 miles wide in parts, so a 1-2 chop isn't that uncommon. For the most part though, we will not be in rough water. And a big NO to saltwater. This boat will never see salt.

Then based on your price range I would be looking for 2000-2002 Wakesetter VLX.

[Bu hoo]

Then based on your price range I would be looking for 2000-2002 Wakesetter VLX.

Thanks, Ndawg.

[Jimmypooh]

Then based on your price range I would be looking for 2000-2002 Wakesetter VLX.

Agreed. You'll be happiest with the vDrive option. Layout is beneficial and if you don't have any top end skiiers, you wont know the difference for several years. Not that you can't surf behind a direct drive, but vDrive is much better. You can also look at maybe a 2005-2006 vRide. This will be the same hull as an older VLX but newer boat with less "bling."

Take a look at some of the resources on this site such as here. If you have further questions, just let us know.

[shawndoggy]

Agreed. You'll be happiest with the vDrive option. Layout is beneficial and if you don't have any top end skiiers, you wont know the difference for several years. Not that you can't surf behind a direct drive, but vDrive is much better. You can also look at maybe a 2005-2006 vRide. This will be the same hull as an older VLX but newer boat with less "bling."

Take a look at some of the resources on this site such as here. If you have further questions, just let us know.

Not gonna find a vride for $20K, but there are tons of early 2000 vlxs with asking prices in the low 20s out there. Surely you can find someone who'll take $20k. I'd look long and hard to find one with tower, perfect pass and wedge already installed. Those items are expensive to acquire and install aftermarket. Ballast too... unless you aren't adverse to drilling holes in the boat.

[Bu hoo]

Agreed. You'll be happiest with the vDrive option. Layout is beneficial and if you don't have any top end skiiers, you wont know the difference for several years. Not that you can't surf behind a direct drive, but vDrive is much better. You can also look at maybe a 2005-2006 vRide. This will be the same hull as an older VLX but newer boat with less "bling."

Take a look at some of the resources on this site such as here. If you have further questions, just let us know.

Great link! Thanks!

[Bu hoo]

Not gonna find a vride for $20K, but there are tons of early 2000 vlxs with asking prices in the low 20s out there. Surely you can find someone who'll take $20k. I'd look long and hard to find one with tower, perfect pass and wedge already installed. Those items are expensive to acquire and install aftermarket. Ballast too... unless you aren't adverse to drilling holes in the boat.

Same great link!

[Chia]

there is a 2001 sunsetter vlx on onlyinboards that is reasonably prices at $23,000. ballast, wedge, pp stargazer, tandem axle trailer. looks pretty good. i have owned the ssvlx and it is a great boat.

who knows he might come down to near your budget.

http://www.onlyinboards.com/Details.aspx?ID=816767

[WayneO]

The Sunsetter LX and the Wakesetter are the same boats, with one exception in '02 the Sunsetter was put on the diamond hull. The diamond hull will make for a softer wake than the non-diamond hull and much better for slaloming, but the still very capable for slalom. The diamond hull will require a bit more weight but also capable of producing a wake when weighted. Here is a '98 Sunsetter for 16k, the interior needs a cleaning and I bet the price is negotiable. You'll be hard pressed to find a decent well care for V-drive for that price range. The Sunsetter will suit your needs just fine as posted above. Slalomskiing behind a VLX...ya not so much even on the diamond hull.

I had someone look at that boat for me and it was a little rough, has been for sale for a while now. Also it has had a lot of salt water use and it shows other than that it is still a nice boat. I ended up finding a 2000 VLX WS for about the same price, so there are still some good deals out there. Good Luck

[Ndawg12]

Not gonna find a vride for $20K, but there are tons of early 2000 vlxs with asking prices in the low 20s out there. Surely you can find someone who'll take $20k. I'd look long and hard to find one with tower, perfect pass and wedge already installed. Those items are expensive to acquire and install aftermarket. Ballast too... unless you aren't adverse to drilling holes in the boat.

At least we hope not!!