Malibu's entry-level wakeboats???

HHI Dave · Posted: May 04, 2007 1:04 pm Post subject: Malibu's entry-level wakeboats???

Malibu has 3 new models under the heading "entry wake boats" : the iRide, RideXTI, and VRide. What's the difference? And what's the consensus?

A brand new Malibu wakeboat starting under $37k sounds pretty damn good to me. Shocked

J-Ro · Posted: May 04, 2007 1:32 pm Post subject:

IRide = inboard SV23 hull
VRide = old VLX
xtiRide = XTI on old SV23 hull.

These have been out for a couple years now, you can get used ones too.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 04, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject:

I didn't realize these had been out. I thought they were new.

Good boat for the $$$ or what? Question

DRAGON88 · Posted: May 04, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject:

HHI Dave, better off buying a used VLX or Wakesetter, for depreciation reasons.

Very good boats for the $$ though.

RiverRunner · Newbie Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 35 City: Houston

A great boat if you are looking for a new boat on a budget. If you want all the bells and whistles you are better of letting someone else take the depreciation hit and buy a good used one.

LFADAM · Posted: May 08, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

HHI Dave, I hear great things about the vRide. itch has one if I remember correctly. No doubt about the wake, tried and true hull, great wake.

gotama176 · Soul Rider Joined: 19 Aug 2004 Posts: 341 City: Columbus

Ride behind my buddies V-Ride a couple times a week. Great fit and finish and killer wake. About 1600 lbs of ballast right now....and growing!

itch · Posted: May 09, 2007 6:52 am Post subject:

To me i.m.o I have riden behind all the entry level boats and hands down the VRide is the best for the money. From fit to finish and from wake style and construction, you get a bopat that can be tweaked when you progress as a rider.
Those above are right about not having the bells and whistles but if you can deal with out the bling. For your money you are getting an above grade wake that if you drop an extra ballast you have a expert to pro wake. the only advantage I can see in some others is that you do not need to add on racks and such.
The Malibu throttle by wire cruise control is great we didnt have that option and we added perfect pass the same year we boaught it.
Your best bet is to find a used Vride for sale and you can not an will not beat it.
ITCH

Wow do I have owners goggles on?

ikonxone · Criminal Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 72 City: Henderson

i have been actively looking into a boat and haven't decided if i should go new or used yet. i like the entry level malibus better then getting a moomba if i was to go new. what kind of hit on the value is typical on a new boat? if i went used then i was looking into malibu wakesetter 02-04. if i plan on keeping a boat for about 5-8 years, is it good to buy new then?

LFADAM · Posted: May 09, 2007 12:17 pm Post subject:

ikonxone, Im not sure but nowadays wake boats are holding their values unbelievably well. (Im thinking specifically of the new VLXs) Our 05 VLX was bought for around 50k and I think we could sell it somewhere in the mid to upper 40s right now! On an entry level boat (such as the vRide, the initial hit will probably be a little worse though.

HHI Dave · Posted: May 09, 2007 1:31 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the info guys. I've got at least one more season left with my I/O, but its never too early to start researching my next boat. In addition to cost, I also have to take storage into consideration. My 19.5' I/O currently fits in my garage (thanks to the folding tongue trailer). My HOA prevents me from parking a boat in my driveway and my wallet prevents me from keeping a boat in a marina or storage unit. The smaller Malibus might just fit my needs. Cool

timmyDecker · Outlaw Joined: 22 May 2006 Posts: 187 City: Manhattan...KS

HHI Dave, I think most HOAs have bylaws about the type of boat. Brand new Malibus are usually allowed to be displayed prominently in the driveway.
If not, they're gay, and you can tell them I said so...

HHI Dave · Posted: May 09, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

timmyDecker, Great tip! I'll keep that in mind. Wink

bird_dog0347 · Newbie Joined: 01 Feb 2007 Posts: 17 City: McKinney

We went with the Moomba Mobius LSV as it was the largest boat in our price range, and still has plenty of options. We have the GAY HOA as well, but we still park it in the driveway on the weekends. If I did not have free storage in my Dad's barn at his house, I would have probably gone with a smaller boat that can be stored in the garage.

Test drive all the boats in your price range and then make a decision. The Malibu is a great boat, and so is the Moomba. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

--cresko-- · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 496

well. storage in the v-ride is pretty close to the vlx even though the beam is slightly less. There fore it will take less weight to get a good wake. But the major storage difference is that the v-ride uses bags and the vlx uses hard tanks. The fit and finish is not as nice, but still niceeee. But the biggest thing i noticed was the smaller beam. And the seats.

jpk · Outlaw Joined: 07 Aug 2005 Posts: 215 City: Redmond

Check your facts, cresko. The V-Ride has a hard tank ballast system just like the VLX. You can get the power wedge or manual wedge just like the VLX as well. The only ballast feature you can't add is the bow tank, which is fine as I just use three lead bricks up there and still get bow storage.

biglouie · Outlaw Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Posts: 135

I agree with LFADAM, these boats seem to be holding their values well. When I was looking for a boat I was looking for one or 2 year old V-rides. Many of them were the same or nearly the same as a new V-ride at a local dealer here. I know some of it is probably the extra bling added to the used boats too though.

kmagnuss · Posted: May 25, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

FYI...I bought my V-Ride new in March of 05 with a slew of options for 39k before taxes and such. Sold it in January of 07' with 150+ hours on it for $36,500. Can't beat that with a stick.

kencampos · Newbie Joined: 09 May 2005 Posts: 45 City: San Ramon

For the money i would buy a Sanger V215. Much more bang for your buck

Jifffy · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 34 City: Seattle

$37,000 for the V Ride is bare bones, no options at all. Not even a CD player..I mean nothing.

I also agree your better off buying a used VLX, option for option your getting more for your money.

kmagnuss · Posted: Jun 14, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject:

I got mine for $39k like I said with the following:

-Monsoon 340 HP engine
-Trailer w/ disc brakes
-Perfect pass
-Board racks
-CD player w/ 4 speakers (all Sony)
-Illusion X tower
-Some extra paint detail crap
-Wedge
-Rear hard ballast tanks
-Water hook up (to run the boat with a hose hooked up)
-The front seat that has the cushion raise up? Forgot what it's called.

You still want to pay 55k for a VLX just to have different graphics and some chrome, go right ahead. But for a new boat with an unbeatable wake, V-Ride is the way to go.

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 14, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject:

The new VLX and Vride have different hulls by the way...

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 14, 2007 1:05 pm Post subject:

Also,

I paid less than 55k and I got the 340 monsoon, power wedge, trandem trailer w/ chrome rims, tower, mbquart tower speakers, dual batteries, LED's, swimlights, heater, cd player and changer, dual amps, upgraded graphics, titan tower, racks, towing cover, perfect pass, 1250lbs ballast upgrade, RF sub and interrior speakers, docking lights, etc.

Don't get me wrong. A new Vride is a great boat at 39k, but it's not like you don't get your money's worth with a VLX. Oh, and I think my boat's a foot longer.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jun 14, 2007 7:03 pm Post subject:

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 15, 2007 5:11 am Post subject:

I don't think I'm being overly defensive. If I happen to see someone make a comment about how it may not make sense to spend 16k more to buy a VLX over a Vride, I don't think its out of line for me to explain why I don't think it is so crazy to do so.

But hey, if I gotta get pulled over by the freakin forum police for a simple comment, oh well. Rolling Eyes

DRAGON88 · Posted: Jun 15, 2007 8:09 am Post subject:

Forum police? I'm just saying don't take it so personally. Why should you care what other people think? Life is too short.

Meltz · Criminal Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 85 City: Fairfield, Ca

DRAGON88, He didn't seem to take anything personally. He's just offering his side to help someone make a decision. You're actually the one pouncing on him.

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 15, 2007 11:20 am Post subject:

Whatever

Either way, IMO Malibu's Vride w/wedge is the best bang for the buck wakeboat you can get - if you're buying new. They look sick as hell, and have a tried and true wake. I have to admit, though, I love the titan tower on the Vride too!