To say Malibu boats are impressive would be an understatement. Simply put, there is a boat in the line that will suit you and your needs (and more than likely exceed your expectations). The best way to describe the boats is that they just work well. They aren’t overcomplicated. They don’t require a ton of fiddling to get the wake dialed. You can turn them on, fill ballast, engage the Surf Gate and/or Power Wedge, and be riding in minutes. And not just any old riding, but legitimately good waves and wakes across the board.
A game changer in the wake-shaping realm is Malibu‘s Surf Gate. When it arrived on the scene in 2012, Surf Gate helped launch a trend in automated wake enhancement that is still growing to this day. The old way of creating a wave was by heaving all your ballast to one side of the boat and living your life on the water in this crazy tilted world. Malibu changed all that with a gate that swings out from either side of the boat’s transom to alter the boat’s running attitude and generate a massive wave without having to stick all your weight on one side. Not only does this save time and energy, but it is also more effective (and way more convenient).
With the push of a button, Surf Gate can switch from one side of the boat to the other, so the rider can transfer over the rooster tail and switch up his riding. This transfer feature reveals a whole new realm of tricks. And if that wasn’t enough, Malibu took it to the next level with the Surf Band. Surf Band is like a watch that you wear around your wrist that allows you to control your own wave without having to yell at the driver.
Another option unique to Malibu is the Power Wedge II, which is a hydraulic-powered hydrofoil that, when deployed, creates exponentially more drag to sink the rear of the boat even more. The Power Wedge II can be set at different levels to alter and customize the shape of the boat’s wave for different riding preferences.
For ease of riding configuration, the driver can use the digital Command Center dash to tailor wakes and waves for any skill level. Malibu‘s signature touchscreen dash system is not only gorgeous but also extremely intuitive and user-friendly. The central screen, above the steering wheel, shows all the boat’s main gauges: speed, rpm, ballast, fuel and more. On the right, drivers can control GPS and navigation, stereo setting, and all other options such as lighting, heaters, blower and bilge pump. The Sport Dash option on the left is a unique knob that allows the driver to control several things by feel, without having to take his or her eyes off the water. Volume, track, boat speed, the wedge, and Surf Gate can all be adjusted with the dial.
Malibu has made a name for itself as a giant wave and wake machine over the past few years, and that continues as each new model year unfolds. From hull designs and advancements in wake-shaping features, to touchscreens, more comfortable seating, automatic towers and more, the technology that is packed into Malibu‘s boats is amazing.
