'04 Malibu VLX x-illusion tower

[david126]

Last week i talked with a local dealer (Missouri) in regards to a 21' Wakesetter VLX. After it's all said and done, i'll be able to get the boat w/o trailer for about $47,500 ... I've read elsewhere that this may be high, but i know these boats range all over the place as far as price goes. I'm looking for a dealer in the Missouri/Arkansas/(possible texas/oklahoma) area, any recommendations? If you need more details on the boat, let me know.

Thanks,
Dave

[Mike O]

Depends on equipment. Dealer here could beat that with trailer depending on optios.

[Cbrown]

Can you give a list of options. That sounds a little high but can't tell you for sure without knowing what your options are.

[Bruky]

yeah, even one little thing like an engine upgrade can really change the price on them. malibu has stopped its 04 productions i think, or at least the molds or whatever, so they can raise the price a little on them if they wanna...

[Bruky]

and in the title of the thread, whats with the x-illusion? are you saying it has the illusion on it?

[david126]

has illusion x tower
bimini top
2 wakeboard racks

340hp indmar monsoon
adj drivers seat
bilge pump
dual gas flls
ski/tow tower
wedge plate
collapsable tower

I don't see anything else that is outside of standard.

Anyone want to drop a phone # / website of their dealers?

Thanks,
Dave

[chavez]

david126, don't get the illusion x if you can help it. First time you try to board the boat from a dock you will understand why

[Shawn Madison]

chavez-y-chavez, That is really not a big problem! The visibility gain is well worth it. However, Metcraft is drowning in orders to keep up and hardly any accessories are being shipped out. I know Malibu-Australia has yet to receive a illusion-x tower. The have boats setting in a field waiting for them.

[chavez]

Shawn Madison, visibility gain? I have never had any visibility problems on boats with traditonal towers.

Problem 2 with them is compatibility with accessories.

I bet $$$$ that when the vinyl gets torn on the sunpad from people stepping on and off there it will be a big issue. This may take years, but eventually it will take its toll.

Concept is nice, but practicality is lacking - but hey, it's cool looking, so I better get one! Right?

If I was in the market for a new VLX, I would choose the Titan.

[Cbrown]

david126, That price sounds too high. We recently got an 04 with more options for less than that. PM me for more details as I do not want to write too much here.
As for the tower, boarding the boat has not been a problem by a single person that has got on the boat. The tower itself is very sturdy and accessories are already coming out for it. What do you expect from a tower that is less than a year old. Skylon is starting to sell racks and speaker systems for it and other companies are doing it also. If you want tower Demo the boat and treat it like a normal day getting in and out of the boat and see if it bothers you. It did not bother us so we got it.

[chavez]

[Nor*Cal]

I can see what chavez-y-chavez is saying. The only way to enter the boat is on the interior but with the wrap around seating you're stepping on vinyl anyways.

[Bruky]

I must have gotten used to our boat, because I never even realized that Bu's didnt have the wrap around seating stop right where you get in...

[david126]

Anyone else suggest any dealers?

Thanks.

[Mike O]

I have the same boat as the picture, (nice boat Chris )! Even if you have Swoop, Titan, or Illusion you can't step into the boat without stepping onto seats, and you CAN step on the gunwales and not the sun pad to get in. My dealer is Shadracks Watersports with stores in Bristol, TN and Kingston, TN and soon to be in Knoxville, TN 423-652-0120 or 865-376-0706 selling out of the area is sticky! If your ordering a boat you will be waiting a long time depending on who from as slots are pretty much taken up unless your special!

[Bruky]

chavez and chavez, your arguement isnt really true...even though the illusion seems impractical, on a Bu, you are pretty much screwed as far as stepping on the seats go...

in our SAN we dont have a seat there, but we take our shoes off anyhow so it really shouldnt make much difference. just checked out that other thread about how spyplane put in that soon to be seat speaker box...those look pretty cool and it will add a seat

[chavez]

You guys have a point, but I always (even though its a total pain in the ass) step ALL the way into the boat onto the carpet unless I am doing the circus jump from the dock onto the bow of the boat cuz then I don't really have a choice.

It's just something I do - I know how pissed I would be if I was the boat owner and someone got my stuff dirty with a mukky foot or trashed my vinyl with an errant rock or oily/mukky shoe. I just don't see being able to make that stretch (without jumping) with that tower in the way. In fact - it was one of the first things I thought of when I first saw the setup at last years Bu' Open.

[Bruky]

yeah, you do have a good point there chavez. its just one of those high class things that nice, considerate people do, but its just as much Bu's fault that they didnt just not put a seat there...you see what i mean? they could have also shortened up their windsheild, etc...they do have a bayliner style windshield compared to a lot of other boat manufacturers that have nice, low mass windshield sides.

[david126]

Do all VLX come in that color combo? seems to be all i've ever seen.

[Mike O]

Just good taste! LOL! Any courteous person who gets in my boat takes off their shoes or I accidently put it in reverse during boarding!

[Bruky]

HEY MIKE! THATS NOT NICE!