New 23 for 2014?!?!

[85 Barefoot]

I've seen it and it doesn't fit the lines. LSV is the flagship boat for Malibu, it's their top seller

It's plastic, I've touched it on a 14 VTX

You've seen a production 14 LSV?

[CJAY]

You've seen a production 14 LSV?

Yes, I'm purchasing one this winter, so I've been privy to a little extra info due to that.

Edited August 15, 2013 by CJAY

[85 Barefoot]

On my lake alone there are 5 LSVs, one VLX, and our VTX. Maybe it's just my dealers best seller, but their malibu rep called it the flagship boat also

An LS 460 is Lexus's flagship, is it their bestseller? An xstar is Mc's flagship, is it theirs? I'd agree that the 23 could be dubbed teh flagship just trending the wrong direction hence the refresh.

[85 Barefoot]

Yes

in person

[CJAY]

in person

No, I have seen the pictures from every angle. I've seen a finished one, I saw the proto type and acad drawings of the gel coat schemes

[Bobby Light]

I would agree its time, my point was that Maibu has never messed with a "good" thing going. HAs the 23 been the best seller, sure, my point is was it firmly still on top or trending down? My bet, they were trending down, hence time for a redesign.

Or we can all just agree we have no idea why really and just bet it was a business decision we may never know. Maybe they just figured it was TIME after 6 years. The last VLX didn't even go 6 years without a redesign and they sold like mad.

[85 Barefoot]

Or we can all just agree we have no idea why really and just bet it was a business decision we may never know. Maybe they just figured it was TIME after 6 years. The last VLX didn't even go 6 years without a redesign and they sold like mad.

Need an emoticon for a nail on the head

[85 Barefoot]

No, I have seen the pictures from every angle. I've seen a finished one, I saw the proto type and acad drawings of the gel coat schemes

and you don't think the new glove box matches the new lines better than a non-descript flip up glove box with no soul on the old one?

Glad there are options. I disagree. I think it matches quite well. Certainly better than the VTX.

[CJAY]

An LS 460 is Lexus's flagship, is it their bestseller? An xstar is Mc's flagship, is it theirs? I'd agree that the 23 could be dubbed teh flagship just trending the wrong direction hence the refresh.

Well according to my dealer it's the top seller. I can take internet guys word or the guys who actually sell the boats........

[CJAY]

and you don't think the new glove box matches the new lines better than a non-descript flip up glove box with no soul on the old one?

Glad there are options. I disagree. I think it matches quite well. Certainly better than the VTX.

I hate the flat metal look of the glove box. I prefer the door, but to me it looks like the used the metal form a gray man hole cover. They could have chosen a different metal style. It's the same as is around the upper screen on the VTX dash, and I don't like that either. The lines of the glove box and door are fine, just poor material selection

[85 Barefoot]

Well according to my dealer it's the top seller. I can take internet guys word or the guys who actually sell the boats........

I'm pretty confident there are only 2 23 molds, like most models. When factory at full tilt, its really hard to have any degree of seperation anyway. The point isn't that its never been teh best seller, point is which way is it headed. Given more than 70 23s for sale JUST on boattrader, I'd offer its been a slow year for 23s. But what do I know, I'm just an internet guy.

[CJAY]

I'm pretty confident there are only 2 23 molds, like most models. When factory at full tilt, its really hard to have any degree of seperation anyway. The point isn't that its never been teh best seller, point is which way is it headed. Given more than 70 23s for sale JUST on boattrader, I'd offer its been a slow year for 23s. But what do I know, I'm just an internet guy.

That you are, could it be people are waiting for the 14 this year?

[85 Barefoot]

I hate the flat metal look of the glove box. I prefer the door, but to me it looks like the used the metal form a gray man hole cover. They could have chosen a different metal style. It's the same as is around the upper screen on the VTX dash, and I don't like that either. The lines of the glove box and door are fine, just poor material selection

Do you prefer pitted polished aluminum like on your dash?

[Afun]

I would agree its time, my point was that Maibu has never messed with a "good" thing going. HAs the 23 been the best seller, sure, my point is was it firmly still on top or trending down? My bet, they were trending down, hence time for a redesign.

I agree. I see way more VTX's and VLX's around here.

[85 Barefoot]

That you are, could it be people are waiting for the 14 this year?

This site is a microcosm of the malibu-buying universe. How many "new" boats do we see posted here over the course of a year? 50? Malibu sells how many? The general boat-buying public had no clue a new 14 was coming. Does the general boat-buying public however compare the differences in old models to new models justifying design enhancements to justify going new? I'd offer that they do.

[Cory]

I thought the VLX was the traditional volume leader and was taken over in the past couple years by the LSV. It wouldn't surprise me if LSV sales numbers dropped this year once people got word that a new model was coming. If the VLX was going to be new in 2014 and I heard about it before my order was placed during the boat show, I would have held onto my '08 Vride for one more year. I'm pretty sure I knew the LSV was getting a makeover for 2014 by January. I know I knew by April when I took my factory tour cause I asked them about it (didn't get much info though).

Malibu has also fragmented their market in the last few years by adding all the MXZ boats. I'm sure the MXZ has stolen sales that would have otherwise gone to the LSV, VLX, or VTX. Given their 102" beam and heafty weight, I suspect the LSV lost the most to the MXZ models.

Just my 2 cents--I don't really know anything, but it's fun to type something...

Edited August 15, 2013 by Cory

[shawndoggy]

^^Right. How could MXZ sales not canabalize LSV sales.

[85 Barefoot]

I heard in 12 the MXZ was in fact the best seller...not surprising. new model and all new style....wouldn't be surprised to hear the same about the 14 LSV

[Cory]

Also, the first mxz model was the 22' and 102" beam, which seems closest in size to the LSV. I know the VLX is only 6" shorter, but the bulk of the boat seems closer to the LSV.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Cory

[thtrog]

_{Wow this thread took off, wish I could post pictures from my visit. I’m OK with the new dash layout, no real need for the gauges anymore with the screens. I’m also for a better glove box, but have to agree with CJAY on the metal finishes. There’s no rhyme or reason; the new brushed look, polished aluminum racks, polished SS tower, and chrome emblems. As far as losing sales because of changing a dash and wheel, that’s a reach. I do think there needs to be some consistency in the overall design element.}

[85 Barefoot]

I for one wouldn't mind them changing materials on the racks. they look like poop in 6 months where I am anyway.

[Cory]

I for one wouldn't mind them changing materials on the racks. they look like poop in 6 months where I am anyway.

That is why I'm always advocating whenever possible for people to get the anodized board rack (and G3 knobs) option. They call it the Salt Water Series racks. It's a relativley cheap upgrade (about $100), the finish is nice, and they don't look tarnished in under a year. Just wash them and they look new. Maintaining the mirror like shine of the regular racks is impossible.

I have the billet aluminum G3 name plates, and I've had to take them off and shine them on my buffing wheel with mothers twice already this year. I wish they had been offered with an anodized finish also.

Edited August 15, 2013 by Cory

[85 Barefoot]

good tip for sure. I kept the finish of my last set pretty good but waxed like every other month. Still, it was just a matter of time.

[bamabonners]

What lines of the boat did the old glove box go with? Zero. You have not even seen a picture of the 14 LSV exterior and you're preaching it doesn't fit the lines of the boat.

Factory was at full tilt last year. LSV was a 5 or 6 year old iteration. My dealer hasn't sold a 23 in 3 years I don't think. An all new model now comes out and its going to cost sales because the dash doesn't go with the lines of the boat that no one has seen. Great goodness. This is in the running for silliest logic of the week.

In my area of the country, 23 is the biggest seller. Some dealers don't even order a vlx all year.

[Tims]

23's are biggest seller in East Tn followed by the VLX. Worst sellers are the VTX and 24MXZ. (According to my dealer.)

Edited August 15, 2013 by Tims