Malibu 23' Wakesetter XTI, family friendly boat?

[iamthunderman]

Anyone have any opinions on this boat? It is a 2005 model that I might take a look at. What are the main differences on direct drives in terms of ride? I know there is no trim, but how much of a difference is there between a direct drive and an I/O?

Thanks again to the forum for such good insight!

 

[superpop]

Re: Malibu 23' Wakesetter XTI, family friendly boat?

That particular boat has a very specific purpose, making a big wake and dragging around Skiers and Boarders. They are very nice boats but have a purpose as mentioned. Main difference between IO and Direct or V Drive is the maneuverability particularly in reverse. In reverse there is very little control of the boat direction because you are not moving the prop but rather a rudder behind the prop. Unless you plan on getting hard core into Wakeboarding or Skiing I would keep on looking, you are paying a lot of money for a very specific type of boat. As far as ride, some wakeboard and ski boats tend to have a flat bottom to create a smoother wake, the trade off with a flat bottom is a rough ride in anything other than very flat water. You can get a lot of boat for what you are going to pay for this boat, but like I said, if you are into the watersports it is a great boat.

 

[iamthunderman]

Re: Malibu 23' Wakesetter XTI, family friendly boat?

It is actually a spotless boat for $15k. Crazy deal. The other boat at that price I like is a 1999 Sea Ray 230 br. The Malibu is a sick deal so I am also looking at investment purposes.

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: Malibu 23' Wakesetter XTI, family friendly boat?

I had a Nautique for years. I can tell you they are NICE! Very stable, quick precise turns and very little fluctuation in speed when pulling someone. However in rough water you will get beat up big time and reverse is a little tough getting used to especially at the boat dock with tons of boats...

I sold it and was boatless for about a year and decided to get another boat. I came across a screaming deal on a Bayliner and picked it up. Well I can say that there is a TON of storage, great layout and nice quality. I will say that it takes time getting used to the whole throttle thing. It seems there is a lot of speed fluctuation when pulling someone. It take constant control and making sure the outdrive is lowered and in the water before starting is something I am always concered with. But it handles rough water great, I have full control of the position of the Bow and reverse is always controlable.

Drive them both if you can and keep in mind exactly what you want. As far as an investment???? Don't buy for an investment, buy it because you like it and plan on keeping it. The way the economy is right now there are a tons of deal out there. The guy that sold me his boat had the original paper work for almost $20,000.00 in 2002. I bought it last month for $7,000.00. It only had 66 hours on it and is like new condition.