help for potential new boat owner '05 VLX

[N518LF]

I am new to boating but got addicted pretty fast when a buddy invited me out wakeboarding. Since the wife grew up around water she is all for buying a boat and I have friends that are eager to help me learn (my friend with a boat only goes locally twice a year otherwise I would just helpout with gas and maintenance instead of buying my own...)

Anyway, found a mostly clean '05 VLX, 340 monsoon with 205 hours, original owner with all service records. I think it is a pretty standard VLX but it does not have the Illusion X tower which actually works out better for me because the Titan tower it does have folds low enough to get into my 7' garage...

It looks like what I would expect a 5 year boat to look like. Two really small tears in the vinyl, a small amount of fading/staining on the dash, a couple spots on the windshield frame that the paint has been chipped, carpet is so matted it doesn't feel like carpet when you stand on it, graphics are faded and scratched a little,couple surface scratches on the gel coat and one spot with a chip into the gel coat. Trailer also has some rust between the diamond plating and the trailer itself.

I know these are pretty much all cosmetic items but I am also the guy who believes in pride of ownership. Boat is on consignment at my local dealer so I have not met thet owner. Wondering what the consesus is on these items, I assume they are all easily fixed (couple hundy for the chip in the gel coat, $600 for new graphics if I wanted, touch up paint on the windhield frame...)

My limited experience is with my friends boat which is a 20 year ski boat that looks like new becuase he is "anal" (hope I don't offend anyone with that) like I am. Boat is priced right at $35k which is cheaper than any other similar VLX that I have found and wouldn't you know, my two friends who promised to help are both out of town on vacation for the next week...

Sorry for the long email, would love to hear any comments on the boat or possible things to look out for with that year and model. thanks in advance for the help.

Oh ya, one more thing, are all the '05 VLX on the wake hull or should I find out if it might have the cut diamond hull? I am not sure how to tell the difference, thanks again.

[hethj7]

I'm just learning myself, but think the VLX was on the wake hull. Click the DIY/Resources section at the top of the page and then click on the specifications link. All the specs are there plus the manuals and brochures for each year. Pretty cool feature at this site

There is also a section there (under articles) on how to tell the difference between the wake and diamond hulls. Good luck!

Edited July 24, 2010 by hethj7

[Pistol Pete]

Sounds like a good boat with low hrs. The Titan tower is more desirable to some people.

Do you have a web link showing the boat for sale? That would be super useful in us accessing it.

Welcome to Malibu ownership. You know what b.o.a.t. stands for right?

[N518LF]

Sounds like a good boat with low hrs. The Titan tower is more desirable to some people.

Do you have a web link showing the boat for sale? That would be super useful in us accessing it.

Welcome to Malibu ownership. You know what b.o.a.t. stands for right?

I now first hand what B.M.W. stands for and I know what the best two days on a boater's life are, but I don't think I know what b.o.a.t. stands for?

okay, anyone looking at the link has to promise they won't buy it before I make up my mind

potential vlx

Of course the pics don't show the little things I mentioned...

[Greg_S]

Chris was my salesman when I bought my 05 VLX and he won't tell you anything about the boat thats not true. Did they sell the boat to the original owner? if so then Brian in service will have all the records. If its clean mechanically then just detail it back to as good as its going to be and have fun with it.

[jk13]

Looks like a wake hull from the pics, but here's the how to link:

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/page/articles.html?record=9

If the price is right and it's mechanically sound, don't worry too much about the imperfections. It'll keep you from going nuts the first time you nick the dock or trailer and it'll really help the first time someone else asks to drive.

Also, on the exterior, pull the tribals and buff, polish, and wax. That is a great gel scheme and looks awesome naked.

[Pistol Pete]

I now first hand what B.M.W. stands for and I know what the best two days on a boater's life are, but I don't think I know what b.o.a.t. stands for?

B ust

O ut

A nother

T housand

Looks like a good deal.

[Pistol Pete]

This is a diamond hull. Notice the 90* part of the hull at the bottom of the transom.

[Chia]

the boat you are looking at is on the wake hull.

[G-Mack]

Others say a boat is just a hole in the water you throw money into.... money well spent in my mind. Just got back from a week.. $1200 in fuel and $600 on a new IS Blue lake

[Faceplant409]

This is a diamond hull. Notice the 90* part of the hull at the bottom of the transom.

...I always thought that was on the SLXIs and that was the extra 8".... (SLXIs are 20'8")

[WakeGirl]

...I always thought that was on the SLXIs and that was the extra 8".... (SLXIs are 20'8")

Yup, that's actually the only Malibu that sports the cantilever. For the purposes of distinguishing the difference in hulls, it's purely a coincidence that the SLXi is on the diamond hull, since the cantilever has nothing to do with it. You have to pay attention to the chines, that's where the story is.

[Malibudude]

...I always thought that was on the SLXIs and that was the extra 8".... (SLXIs are 20'8")

Actually the SLXI is 21'8", the 8" is the cantilevered portion.

Yup, that's actually the only Malibu that sports the cantilever. For the purposes of distinguishing the difference in hulls, it's purely a coincidence that the SLXi is on the diamond hull, since the cantilever has nothing to do with it. You have to pay attention to the chines, that's where the story is.

IIRC isn't there a sunscape model that has some rear cantilevering....Sacriverrats boat.

[WakeGirl]

Hmmm, good catch. I'd forgotten about that. Little bit of cantilever there.

[Faceplant409]

Actually the SLXI is 21'8", the 8" is the cantilevered portion.

IIRC isn't there a sunscape model that has some rear cantilevering....Sacriverrats boat.

21'-8"...I knew that...brain fart! 10/4 the cantilever has nothing to do with the wake as it is out of the water under way.

[99response]

Yeah the old 23's also had the cantilever action going on.

[shawndoggy]

that's a decent price for sure, unless it looks BEAT in person. Sounds like a little elbow grease is going to fix 90% of it.

[N518LF]

Thanks for everyone's help. I am going to call the dealer today to start talking terms. Wish me luck...

[Malibudude]

If the stock prop is on it the Acme 537, assuming it's got the monsoon engine, change that puppy out for the OJ 475 or the Acme 1235 or for even better performance the OJ 468. Once fully ballasted up, wedge, people and gear you'll never go back to the stock prop.

[N518LF]

If the stock prop is on it the Acme 537, assuming it's got the monsoon engine, change that puppy out for the OJ 475 or the Acme 1235 or for even better performance the OJ 468. Once fully ballasted up, wedge, people and gear you'll never go back to the stock prop.

I will hold onto that info but I was told yesterday that the boat I was ready to buy had just been sold!

!

[shawndoggy]

I will hold onto that info but I was told yesterday that the boat I was ready to buy had just been sold!

!

Gah! Bummer. I was looking furiously this time last year and only saw one 05-08 vlx for under $40k (was also $35K) and missed it by about 8 hours. I know your frustration.