Which Sunsetter VLX?

[Arctic Slalom]

I used to have a '89 sunsetter.

My family are moving back to MN this summer, and I'm starting to shop for a good, crossover boat.

I think I'm planning to spend around 20K and get a sunsetter VLX.

I know the '01 VLX has the diamond Hull and the other years have the regular SV23.

Which one makes a better crossover boat? The '01 or the other years?

Of the total hours behind the boat I'd say we do this:

30% -Wakeboard

35% -Wakesurf

20% -Ski

15% -Tube/other

I've got a 10 year old boy (wakeboarder) a 6 year old daughter (a little of everything) and a 10 mo. old.

I think the V-drive would be nice for the kids (and their friends) who come to the lake.

I really loved my old '89, but it needed to be upgraded (tower, speakers, racks), so I sold it.

any thoughts comparing the diamond VLX to the non-diamond version would be great!

how does the ski wake of a '99 SS VLX compare to my old '89 SS @ 34'ish mph?

should i get a wedge?

later,

CR

[99response]

The 01 is a better cross over, but if you do wakesports in the proportion you stated, I'd just go for a wake hull. Gives you alot more options for used boats.

-Chris

[Arctic Slalom]

chris,

thanks for the input.

is slalom wake nasty behind a SV23 VLX? how does the wake ski wake compare to '89 SS?

what is a good aftermarket tower for an older VLX?

It needs to fold down, have swivel racks and look decent (polished).

I really don't care about speakers up there.

what weight boat lift do I need for a SS VLX? 4000 lbs?

thanks,

Craig

[martinarcher]

chris,

thanks for the input.

is slalom wake nasty behind a SV23 VLX? how does the wake ski wake compare to '89 SS?

what is a good aftermarket tower for an older VLX?

It needs to fold down, have swivel racks and look decent (polished).

I really don't care about speakers up there.

what weight boat lift do I need for a SS VLX? 4000 lbs?

thanks,

Craig

Craig,

I remember when you sold your SS and am glad to hear your shopping again. If I were to jump to a "newer" year boat I would be looking for a SS VLX. They truly are awesome crossover boats.

As far as the tower goes. I would check out Star One Wake/Menace Watersports. They are now making the Series I and II tower (same guys that were running Titan). They also are coming out with a new T III tower soon. I'm excited to see it. I think the new T III would look killer on a VLX and would certainly be my first choice. They also have a new spinner rack out that looks bulletproof. I'll be ordering a few next month for my Sunsetter's T III.

[Bozboat]

I would put

This East Coast Boat

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/30259-1999-malibu-sunsetter-vlx-for-sale/

on this

trailer from the West Coast

http://www.themalibucrew.com/forums/index.php?/topic/30159-new-2008-ryan-trailer-20ft-vtx/

1) It would be a nice challenge to figure out how to get it all done and sent to MN by Spring

2) may not be economical, but it would be fun.

[martinarcher]

I would put

This East Coast Boat

http://www.themalibu...r-vlx-for-sale/

on this

trailer from the West Coast

http://www.themalibu...ailer-20ft-vtx/

1) It would be a nice challenge to figure out how to get it all done and sent to MN by Spring

2) may not be economical, but it would be fun.

That boat comes with a trailer and would be a really good buy. It needs a little TLC to fix up a few spots I saw, but looks solid overall.

Edited February 5, 2011 by martinarcher

[Arctic Slalom]

marcher,

yep, I'm back....was thinking about waiting till next winter to start shopping, but wife and are are moving back to Nodak (bismarck) end of may and are both starting new jobs August 1st (wife) and third week of August (me, when kiddos go back to school).

basically, it gives us most of the summer to hang at her parents lake home!

wife is NOT down with purple malibu; although that one does looks like and clean.

we're looking at one from skiers pier with 200 hours (waterford, MI). 19K. looks super clean.

love the tower link; sweet. swivel board rack is $450, yikes!?

what is the policy on tower installation when you buy a used boat from a dealer? should they install for free? are most malibu dealer cool with aftermarket towers? will need to talk with them about it.....

thanks for the info!

CR

[hethj7]

Just curious - if you're going to go with the wake hull, why go with the Sunsetter VLX over the Wakesetter VLX? It's seems like you could broaden you're search to include both, and potentially find the Wakesetter and already have the tower.

[99response]

For a V-drive the dealer is probably thinking he will have to add a tower for most buyers, you can work tower, installation etc all into the negotiations. Works for both parties as the dealer gets the parts and labor at a lower cost than you can.

Slalom wake is all relative but ski-able if you are willing to go a bit faster. I suggested the wake hull because it will improve your wake for the majority of your water activities and also allows you to look at much more inventory on the market which helps find the best boat for the money.

-Chris

[rugger]

CR,

You and I were in a similar situation (having to sell our older Sunsetters) and looking towards the 01 SS VLX for family space. I'd go with the best deal -- I really think you will be happy with either hull. You know from your 89 you can tweak the wake a lot anyway. I ended up getting an 03 23 lsv -- which is also on the diamond hull, but a tad bigger than the SS VLX. IMO it's easier to modify for a better wakeboard wake than it is to create a better slalom wake. Lots of hype around the hulls. Good luck

Edited February 5, 2011 by rugger

[martinarcher]

marcher,

yep, I'm back....was thinking about waiting till next winter to start shopping, but wife and are are moving back to Nodak (bismarck) end of may and are both starting new jobs August 1st (wife) and third week of August (me, when kiddos go back to school).

basically, it gives us most of the summer to hang at her parents lake home!

wife is NOT down with purple malibu; although that one does looks like and clean.

we're looking at one from skiers pier with 200 hours (waterford, MI). 19K. looks super clean.

love the tower link; sweet. swivel board rack is $450, yikes!?

what is the policy on tower installation when you buy a used boat from a dealer? should they install for free? are most malibu dealer cool with aftermarket towers? will need to talk with them about it.....

thanks for the info!

CR

Cool. Good stuff. That should make for a fun summer!

No problem. Just a heads up - most all swivel racks are a bit pricey. Those seem to be the best bang for buck rack I've found that swivels. Not cheap, but they are sweet!

[martinarcher]

CR,

You and I were in a similar situation (having to sell our older Sunsetters) and looking towards the 01 SS VLX for family space. I'd go with the best deal -- I really think you will be happy with either hull. You know from your 89 you can tweak the wake a lot anyway. I ended up getting an 03 23 lsv -- which is also on the diamond hull, but a tad bigger than the SS VLX. IMO it's easier to modify for a better wakeboard wake than it is to create a better slalom wake. Lots of hype around the hulls. Good luck

Isn't that the truth!

[Arctic Slalom]

CR,

You and I were in a similar situation (having to sell our older Sunsetters) and looking towards the 01 SS VLX for family space. I'd go with the best deal -- I really think you will be happy with either hull. You know from your 89 you can tweak the wake a lot anyway. I ended up getting an 03 23 lsv -- which is also on the diamond hull, but a tad bigger than the SS VLX. IMO it's easier to modify for a better wakeboard wake than it is to create a better slalom wake. Lots of hype around the hulls. Good luck

rugger,

the guy I sold my malibu to was super excited and very happy with it. he must have email me about (5) times this past summer and fall...he put 110 hours on the engine!

I agree with you about getting a good deal. I think priority #1 is a really clean boat with low hours. If I can find a nice '01, that's likely what I'll do, but if I find another year I'll probably go with it.

I'd like to find one with an existing titan tower, but those might be tough to come by. If I can't fine one with a Titan, I'd prefer to get one that's naked and then dress it up for the party.

Maybe I should just look at some of the earlier Sunscapes...a little more coin, but might be worth it?

It's my general impression that the SV23 diamond vs. the regular SV23 makes a bigger difference at lower speeds, correct? Aren't they really similar when you get above 30 mph?

I'm sure the Diamond SV23 on the SS VLX will be enough to push my kids for several years!

If you run a '89 SS and a '00 SS VLX (regular SV23) @ 34 mph, which has a better ski wake? I'm assuming the '01 SS VLX with diamond will have a better wake than my '89.

When you say there is a lot of hype around the hull, you're saying people make a bigger deal out of the differences than there really is out on the lake, correct?

thanks,

Craig

[rugger]

rugger,

the guy I sold my malibu to was super excited and very happy with it. he must have email me about (5) times this past summer and fall...he put 110 hours on the engine!

I agree with you about getting a good deal. I think priority #1 is a really clean boat with low hours. If I can find a nice '01, that's likely what I'll do, but if I find another year I'll probably go with it.

I'd like to find one with an existing titan tower, but those might be tough to come by. If I can't fine one with a Titan, I'd prefer to get one that's naked and then dress it up for the party.

Maybe I should just look at some of the earlier Sunscapes...a little more coin, but might be worth it?

It's my general impression that the SV23 diamond vs. the regular SV23 makes a bigger difference at lower speeds, correct? Aren't they really similar when you get above 30 mph?

I'm sure the Diamond SV23 on the SS VLX will be enough to push my kids for several years!

If you run a '89 SS and a '00 SS VLX (regular SV23) @ 34 mph, which has a better ski wake? I'm assuming the '01 SS VLX with diamond will have a better wake than my '89.

When you say there is a lot of hype around the hull, you're saying people make a bigger deal out of the differences than there really is out on the lake, correct?

thanks,

Craig

I think it actually makes a bigger difference at 30mph+. There are plenty of people on this site who swear there are negligable differences with wakeboard, and especially wakesurf, speeds. I'm not getting into that -- I'm sure the wake hull has a better size/shape wakesport wake, but is it enough to really matter is the question. I'm only doing twisting triple flips myself (not really), so not enough need for more wake.

The reverse chines push the rear of the boat up at faster speeds If I were you I'd look at the SS VLX on the diamond or also see what you can get by way of a 01-03 Sunscape or Wakesetter 23 lsv if you're not afraid to go bigger. Both are on the diamond. Although I've only been out a few times on the new boat, it sure is nice to have the extra room (I too have 3 kids, plus usually plenty of guests). PM me your email and I can send you pics of the wake at slalom and wakeboard speeds. It's not going to be a response ski wake, but I think you'll be plenty happy from the 89.

Ben

Edited February 7, 2011 by rugger

[Arctic Slalom]

ben,

i think we're gonna roll with a sunscape 21 (assuming I can find one at the right price). wife loves how the seating wraps around the back behind the driver.

still not sure which tower to go with? is the sunscape 21 with a wedge really rare?

this one looks pretty clean (but high price, eh?)

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2003-MALIBU-Sunscape-21-LSV-97691732

i always thought my 89 had a sweet spot going pretty fast (34+) with a short line...

later,

CR

[Steve B.]

Does look a little pricey to me too, and 400+ hours. The hours aren't big by any stretch, but a negotiating point with dealer.

Also, since it is a dealer, and off-season, I'm sure the price is very negotiable. Not many people buying boats now. You're in AZ and they are in NY. Maybe have them include trailered shipping to you?

Does look like a clean boat though. Good luckski,

Steve B.

[hethj7]

That definitely seems pricey to me. Not sure it would serve your skiing needs as well, but for $28K, you could probably get into a V-Ride or 04ish VLX.

[ed obermeier]

chris,

thanks for the input.

is slalom wake nasty behind a SV23 VLX? how does the wake ski wake compare to '89 SS?what is a good aftermarket tower for an older VLX?

It needs to fold down, have swivel racks and look decent (polished).

I really don't care about speakers up there.

what weight boat lift do I need for a SS VLX? 4000 lbs?

thanks,

Craig

V-drives DO NOT make good slalom boats. Period.

Ed

Edited February 11, 2011 by ed obermeier