2020 Model Year Predictions & Emerging Facts Thread

[Eagleboy99]

Those videos remind me of election ads. 

[UWSkier]

Props to Malibu for making a V-drive on their three-event hull!  There's definitely less chine spray on this VTX than the last one just comparing intro videos.

But yeah, the walk-through videos can get cheeseball at times...

Edited August 27, 2019 by UWSkier

[Raimie]

4 hours ago, Ronnie said:

 

2020 20VTX Walkthrough.

They did a great job on this. It looks like it is getting a bimini similar to the Axis style... I haven't seen any pics of that yet... did I miss it?

[IXFE]

27 minutes ago, Raimie said:

They did a great job on this. It looks like it is getting a bimini similar to the Axis style... I haven't seen any pics of that yet... did I miss it?

Agreed.  The walk thru video is amazing. I love the interviews how they go deep into some of the features, capabilities, and design logic. 

[ahopkins22LSV]

That’s the first video I can recall from any manufacturer that shows slalom turns, in a course, from turn to turn for any vdrive, crossover.  And video from the boat of the wake crossing. I’m very interested in this redesign. 

[Eagleboy99]

40 minutes ago, IXFE said:

I love the interviews how they go deep into some of the features

Yeah, whoda thunk a Malibu employee or sponsored skier would say good things about the hand that feeds them. 

[Eagleboy99]

3 hours ago, UWSkier said:

Props to Malibu for making a V-drive on their three-event hull! 

No offense, but that is NOT a trick wake.  Of course the wrap wake-O is pretty shmeared so it is hard to tell.

[UWSkier]

2 minutes ago, ahopkinsVTX said:

That’s the first video I can recall from any manufacturer that shows slalom turns, in a course, from turn to turn for any vdrive, crossover.  And video from the boat of the wake crossing. I’m very interested in this redesign. 

And it even comes in the right color (Vapor Blue is back for 2020 it seems).

Can't put on the ski tower in the boat builder yet.  Three different gel schemes on this one too.

[Eagleboy99]

That tower would restrict you to 15 off. max.  From the front pylon anyway.  Although the video says there is a removable pylon.  Of course a removable centre pylon has been around for decades.

[IXFE]

We get it @Eagleboy99, you’re a hater. 

Can we move on please?

[Eagleboy99]

Not a hater at all.  Just not a fan boy of the usual marketing schtick.  (And I bet you thought the removable pylon - industry first? - was a game changer, even though it has been around for literally decades).  

Edited August 28, 2019 by Eagleboy99

[UWSkier]

At this rate, that MBO post count will be eclipsed in a few months...

[BaBaLoO]

8 minutes ago, Eagleboy99 said:

Not a hater at all.  Just not a fan boy of the usual marketing schtick.  (And I bet you thought the removable pylon - industry first? - was a game changer, even though it has been around for literally decades).  

Yea I agree with the bolded statement. How about put some more time and money into your upholstery/stitching/QC and a legit quality product for the crazy amount of money they are charging. 

 

Not a hater, I think I will always have a Malibu, I think they are the best looking wakeboard boats around, (G-seires is pretty sick too)  and know that every manufacturer has their issues but you can make a pretty ad like that but let a stitch that isn’t straight go pass QC 😂 

[IXFE]

6 minutes ago, Eagleboy99 said:

Not a hater at all.  Just not a fan boy of the usual marketing schtick.  (And I bet you thought the removable pylon - industry first? - was a game changer, even though it has been around for literally decades).  

So in a 15 minute video your big beef is a 5 second comment about the pylon. Great, let’s break that down....

He didn’t say “industry first” he said “industry exclusive” as in “name me another v-drive in production today with a removable center pylon.”

And this really is not the usual marketing schtick at all... which was my point. I can’t remember seeing another boat video quite this detailed.  The others don’t show the boats performing like this nor do they explain all the  features and design cues like this. They are mostly lifestyle videos. 

I seriously don’t understand a Malibu owner/fan who would hate on a 15 minute detailed product video. Rewind 5-10 years and all we heard was how Malibu should release more collateral.  Now it’s apparently too much for you. Or they didn’t say the right words for you. Seriously, what’s not to like?  You don’t like hearing from Regina Jaquess?  You don’t like that Malibu brings in an engineer to explain why they did what they did?  Wow... tough crowd. 

Tell us, oh wise one... what should the video have been like?

[kayt425]

I’m with IXFE on this one...i thought the video was well thought out and informative.  Hell, made me want to buy a VTX LOL.  I know they are definitely bias videos, but thats ok, its their time to spread their message and inform potential buyers.

Even with the marketing $ they spend i still believe Malibu delivers a great value to the customer.  My dealer is great to fix any issues the QC misses, so I’m not too worried about that...

[IXFE]

Dear Malibu,

Please cancel all product related content and shut down the YouTube page until you achieve zero manufacturing defects. I prefer to wait until the boat show next year to see the new stuff you’ve cooked up. 

I realize your homemade videos are virtually free to produce and distribute. But hey, every penny counts. 

Sincerely,

@BaBaLoO

 

P.S. Please take down your webpage too. 

Edited August 28, 2019 by IXFE

[ahopkins22LSV]

8 hours ago, Eagleboy99 said:

That tower would restrict you to 15 off. max.  From the front pylon anyway.  Although the video says there is a removable pylon.  Of course a removable centre pylon has been around for decades.

You are wrong, center pylon and tower are in the same position as mine and I Ski mine at 32 off all the time. Rope does touch the tower at times, but it’s at the apex of the turn so it has zero affect on you. 

 

[ahopkins22LSV]

9 hours ago, UWSkier said:

And it even comes in the right color (Vapor Blue is back for 2020 it seems).

Can't put on the ski tower in the boat builder yet.  Three different gel schemes on this one too.

That looks pretty sick. Vapor blue never went away btw, stratosphere blue flake went away in 2019 and vapor blue flake, azure blue flake, and zephyr blue flake was added. 

[Hemmy]

10 minutes ago, ahopkinsVTX said:

That looks pretty sick. Vapor blue never went away btw, stratosphere blue flake went away in 2019 and vapor blue flake, azure blue flake, and zephyr blue flake was added. 

I noticed you can't select the graphite color for the tower for a G3.5 for the 2020 models.  You can select grey for the GX.  I have seen some 2020 models with a G3.5 tower in graphite but not in the builder.

[Slayer]

FWIW, I think Malibu did a great job with the new VTX.  While I'm not at all a fan of the tower shown in the video, I completely understand the logic behind it and the benefit it would provide to a short line skier.  As @ahopkinsVTX stated, the G3.5 doesn't seem to be a problem at -32.  Any deeper than that I would think it would be an issue, however.  I don't feel that it would be an issue with the new tower, but I do feel like the new tower is not well integrated into the overall design and feel of the boat.  Or, at least that's my impression from the video.

 

I do love the fact that Malibu is developing a ski-centric V-drive as @UWSkier said.  IMO, it's the only real viable crossover on the market and I commend Malibu for dedicating as much engineering effort as they have with the boat.  I'm interested to see one in the flesh.  From the video, the position of the hull on the water at ski speeds looks impressive.  

[ahopkins22LSV]

@inlandlaker I agree! It’s not the best looks wise but functionally it’s going to better especially for the shorter line guys. I have pulled a few guys at -35 on mine and the rope does touch on every turn. He said he could feel it, and wondered what it was, but had zero effect on his as like I mentioned earlier it’s at the apex of the turn so there is no load on the line. Haven’t pulled anyone shorter then -35 though. 

I think I’m going to have to see this boat in person though... I love the changes to the interior and the trickledown of the 25 design into this as @IXFE mentions. 

[mrothwell]

That looks great.  As an 07 VTX owner who skis, this looks great...... OTHER THAN THAT HIDEOUS TOWER.

 

[UWSkier]

2 minutes ago, mrothwell said:

That looks great.  As an 07 VTX owner who skis, this looks great...... OTHER THAN THAT HIDEOUS TOWER.

 

I suspect this boat would actually be one of the few Malibu makes that would actually look better without a tower if you did the right color pattern and combo.

[oceanbu]

20 hours ago, Ronnie said:

 

Dude better hide his daughters!

Tell me that family is not every 20 something single guys that's into skiing/boarding wet dream to marry into!

[jcon44]

49 minutes ago, oceanbu said:

Dude better hide his daughters!

Tell me that family is not every 20 something single guys that's into skiing/boarding wet dream to marry into!

Mmmh, maybe if they had the mythical M240..... And no one in their 20's ski's anymore...