Wakeboard Boat Review
A staple in the wake boat industry, the Malibu Wakesetter VLX remains Malibu Boats’ number-one seller. Sessioned daily by riders like Phillip Soven, Chad Sharpe, Brian Grubb and Dallas Friday, the VLX has one of the best wakes in the world, and the boat sacrifices nothing in classic Malibu Boats comfort and reliability. Our favorite features include the frameless MH2 windshield, the innovative MaliView 6.5-inch LCD dash system and the new, weightless fold-down Illusion G3 tower. Any rider who knows what’s up will agree that the Wakesetter VLX is one of the finest wake boats ever built.
The Wakes
Like the boat itself, the VLX’s wakes are an institution. These king-making wakes are long yet poppy with soft landings. They can jack up to pro size with a little extra weight, but most people are going to be content with the 1,250 pounds of stock ballast. Try the available patented Power Wedge at about 75 percent for what we consider the optimal pop.
Don’t Miss
Illusion G3 tower The new Illusion G3 tower features a forward-sweeping design, pre-wired accessory hookups for speakers and lights, standard Titan slide-off spinner combo racks and a very modern billet aluminum and stainless-steel tubing makeover. The new gas spring-assisted G3 is literally weightless, even while fully loaded with boards and every tower accessory you can think of, as well as a massive Bimini that shades more of the cabin than ever before.
Specs
People: 11
Dry weight: 3,500 lb.
Fuel capacity: 46 gal.
Tower: Illusion G3
Racks: Titan slide-off spinner combo racks*
Wake shaper: Manual Wedge*, Patented Power Wedge*
Engine
Standard: Malibu 330 LCR 330 hp (Monsoon 350 hp in California)
Test: Malibu Monsoon 350 EFI-MPI 5.7L 350 hp
Test prop: 13.5 x 17.5 Acme 381
Cruise: Precision Pro Speed Control
* = Optional
Ballast
1,250 lb. total (350-lb. bow tank*, 500-lb. center tank, two 200-lb. rear tanks)
Test Measurements
Length: 21 ft. 6 in.
Width: 8 ft. 4 in.
Bow length: 54 in.
Bow width: 64 in.
Floor to tower: 66 in.
Gunwale: 30 in.
Main lounge: 59 sq. ft.
Sun pad: 24 sq. ft.
Platform: 12 sq. ft.
