'04 wakesetter 21 lsv VS. ' 04 Sunscape 21 lsv

[duffbeerisgood]

I have read that an '02-'04 Sunscape 21 LSV has one of the best slalom wake of any v-drive. A guy near me is selling a '04 wakesetter 21 lsv which looks very similar, and from what I can tell has diamond hull? My question is what is the difference between the two? 

[srab]

Wakesetter should have plumbed-in ballast tanks and a tower.  Sunscapes came without, unless maybe special ordered or, otherwise, added afterwards (affectionately referred to as a "Fakesetter").  

I think it would be unusual, though certainly possible, for an '04 Wakesetter to have a diamond hull.  If slalom skiing is your focus, I'd make sure.  Looking from behind the boat at the lower transom, you should be able to see the downward pointing chines on the edge of the steps vs flat steps with the wake hull.

See this thread:  https://www.themalibucrew.com/index.php?/forums/topic/83188-diamond-hulls-on-earlymid-2000s/#comment-1225958

[duffbeerisgood]

This boat appears to have the downward pointing chines on the edge  of the hull unless I am looking at it wrong. Would love to have a second opinion. I am hoping to go look at it this weekend see if I can even take it for a ski run, as slalom is definitely a focus for us. Any other way to tell for sure if its diamond or not? 

 

Thanks for any input 

 

Edited July 20, 2023 by duffbeerisgood

[Bozboat]

Yes Diamond Hull, it has the downward chimes at each side 

[Zloe]

@duffbeerisgoodand @Bozboat thanks for the pictures and the confirmation.  Always wanted to see some good proof of the diamond hull chimes. 

We love our 23 LSV sunscape from 2002.  completely empty it seems to have a very acceptable slalom wake (diamond hull as well). 

[srab]

Yes.  Diamond hull.

Curious though.  A 21 foot 2004 v-drive Wakesetter, I believe, should have "VLX" on the transom, not "21 LSV"  (21 LSV was the Sunscape designation).  If this boat does have built-in ballast, it could very well be a "Fakesetter."  Should be a great boat either way.

[redrooster]

I think vlx came out in 2006 or 2007.  

2004 had a lsv or xti in 21'.   

[Nitrousbird]

On 7/25/2023 at 10:29 AM, redrooster said:

I think vlx came out in 2006 or 2007.  

2004 had a lsv or xti in 21'.   

Incorrect.  VLX has been out since 1996.  Sunsetter VLX from 1996 - 2001, and Wakesetter VLX from 1999 (I think) onward.  I believe 1998 the Wakesetter name was an add-on to the Sunsetter, but not its own distinct model - I might be off a year or so on that as its been a while since I researched it.

In Vdrive form, the SV23 hull was used from 1996 - 2008.  The only models that got the diamond hull were the 2001 Sunsetter VLX and 2002 - 2004 Sunscape 21 LSV.  The other year Sunsetter VLX, Waksetter VLX, and Vride were all on the wake hull.  There are rumors of one-off special orders that go outside of these rules, but that's not typically the case. 

IMO, the diamond hull is more desirable, as it doesn't take away from surf/wakeboarding wakes, but improves ski wakes.  The integrated ballast in the SV23 boats was junk and should be pulled and replaced to today's standards, so not a benefit.  If you can get a 21 LSV for less money without a tower/ballast than a comparable Wakesetter with factory ballast/tower, that's a big win, as you can put a modern tower and proper ballast in it and be better off financially.  

[redrooster]

18 minutes ago, Nitrousbird said:

Incorrect.  VLX has been out since 1996.  Sunsetter VLX from 1996 - 2001, and Wakesetter VLX from 1999 (I think) onward.  I believe 1998 the Wakesetter name was an add-on to the Sunsetter, but not its own distinct model - I might be off a year or so on that as its been a while since I researched it.

In Vdrive form, the SV23 hull was used from 1996 - 2008.  The only models that got the diamond hull were the 2001 Sunsetter VLX and 2002 - 2004 Sunscape 21 LSV.  The other year Sunsetter VLX, Waksetter VLX, and Vride were all on the wake hull.  There are rumors of one-off special orders that go outside of these rules, but that's not typically the case. 

IMO, the diamond hull is more desirable, as it doesn't take away from surf/wakeboarding wakes, but improves ski wakes.  The integrated ballast in the SV23 boats was junk and should be pulled and replaced to today's standards, so not a benefit.  If you can get a 21 LSV for less money without a tower/ballast than a comparable Wakesetter with factory ballast/tower, that's a big win, as you can put a modern tower and proper ballast in it and be better off financially.  

This is from the 2004 Malibu owners manual. Must be a misprint. 

 

 

 

[Nitrousbird]

19 hours ago, redrooster said:

This is from the 2004 Malibu owners manual. Must be a misprint. 

 

 

 

Misprint.  Doesn't show that way in the Malibu brochure:

https://www.themalibucrew.com/_files/malibu/malibu_2004_brochure.pdf

Plus the fact that all of the 21' Wakesetter Vdrive Wakesetters came badged as VLX.  Now the NMMA sticker may have a different model listed on it, as Malibu shared those stickers with similar models.