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-   Archive through July 21, 2006 (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=349637)
-   -   MB B52 23V or Malibu VLX (http://www.wakeworld.com/forum/showthread.php?t=345490)

pdxviperguy 07-13-2006 8:30 PM

Ok guys, I need feedback. no bashing but personal preference. If both boats were loaded with the same stuff, both dealers equal whether they are of not, and the same price which one would you go with. B52 is as shown below and the VLX is wine red on the main panel behind the graphic with the gun metal upper and lower accent and hull. I am at a stalemate. I appreciate the help in advance. <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/345491.jpg" alt="Upload">

madchild1 07-13-2006 8:42 PM

which wake do you like more? i'd say go with that one.

macgiver 07-13-2006 8:51 PM

They are both great boats i think the malibu is the only other boat i would buy it is also built well. There are things about it i dont like like complete carpet every where, the balast tanks are on the surface so you can load no more than 40 pounds in the trunk on top of them, they use crappy trunk liner carpet on the bottom of there storage hatches and radio cover that always peals off. On the other hand, it is a great audio boat where as the mb is a little tougher to do something huge in. My preferrence is mb but you cant go wrong w/ either boat. Dont know if i helped you or not. I certainly prefer the looks of the b52 over the malibu however.

poserondubs 07-13-2006 10:41 PM

that mb looks amazing!!!! <BR> <BR>DREw

dakid 07-13-2006 11:27 PM

vlx every day of the week, and twice on sunday.

buzz_grande 07-13-2006 11:34 PM

My vote goes to the VLX, but I am biased. BTW - ballast tanks are under the floor so they son't hog storage. The 40 lb thing is just a sticker. I put one or two 400 lb sacks on top of mine with NO problems. Radio cover peels off? First time I have heard that one. My vote still goes with the VLX. <BR> <BR>Go drive both and pick the one you like. Both are nice.

anodyne 07-14-2006 1:00 AM

VLX hands down. Build-quality won't be as high, but it's a <i>much</i> better wakeboard boat.

alans 07-14-2006 6:25 AM

It all comes to personal prefference. I am an MB dealer so... take what you want from my post. MB is a bigger boat, more solid construction(only evident in extremely rough water though.) Resale values are similar according to NADA, but, because MB is such a "boutique" market and there are very, very few used ones on the market, I really think the MB may take it here as well. As far as the wake goes....I hate going here, because so few people actually have lots of time behind both boats and don't know what they are talking about. But I will. The MB def. has a bigger wake, however it is a different shape than most people are used to. It has a nice long transition, with a very confortable and predictable "lip." I have two customers on this forum that owned a VLX or were shopping the two boats closely, one of them will probably chime in here soon. One was about to buy a VLX, until they demoed and rode behind an MB a few times, and the other traded in an '05 'Bu. Most of my customers that were shopping Malibu this year were shopping 23 LSV's, though. Have you taken a demo in each of the boats yet? For most of my cutomers it was a no brainer after the demo, I lost one sale this year on a back to back demo with an X-30. The MB's seats were not hight enough off of the floor and it hurt the grandmother's back, needless to say they were not shopping wake or handling. Good luck in your research, I love those MB colors, might have to order one of those for next year. Oh, and on your demo, take tight turns at wakeboard speeds with full ballast, like you are in a tight cove, you will be suprised.

alans 07-14-2006 6:40 AM

Oh yea, one more thing. A lot more people on this forum are going to say VLX, why? Because everyone and their mom has one or their buddy has one. MB made 291 boats in 2005, of those 100 +- were 23v's('05 was the first year for the 23) Add that to the people who have bought '06's and you get something close to the number of VLX's sold last month in the US. MB's are not for everyone, they are only for people that have actually ridden behind them. Here is a link to the pics from my last tournament on June 18th. Of the 15 Outlaw riders 13 of them had never ridden behind an MB, every one of them "loved" the wake, and I pulled the whole event with factory ballast. <a href="http://www.beyondsilver.com" target="_blank">www.beyondsilver.com</a> <BR>Click on Southern Ski Boats Classic/Richmond, skip through the groms and the outlaw starts on 5th page of so.

trace 07-14-2006 6:59 AM

Bryan, have you demoed both boats? If so, what could really be said here that would sway you one way or the other? You also say dealer reputations being equal, but you know they are not, right? Also, the search button will provide a wealth of info on any boat on the market. <BR> <BR>The advice you've already been given on your other threads is very good. The bottom line is this: every boat you're looking at is better for watersports and higher build quality than 99% of all other boats on the market. You won't be disappointed with any of them. If you're under warranty or just the type that likes to take their boat to its dealer for service, and your dealer sucks, your boat ownership experience will be much less enjoyable. One little difference here or there with one boat vs another will be completely insignificant in the long run. <BR> <BR>As far as these two particular boats, they have a different look and feel, but both are built very well and perform. The same could be said for just about any two inboards, but these two are really pretty similar in a lot of ways (big Vdrives). The last MB I rode in &amp; behind was an ~03 B52, and I haven't been behind a new VLX, so I won't comment on wakes etc. Again, research the dealers and demo the boats you're interested in.

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 7:44 AM

It sounds like it's really a toss up. Gerry from active has been so good and I can't begin to fathom him and teh company not taking amazing care of us. The one problem I have had with the malibu dealer is that tehy have not just come right out and been up front about their best deal. For the average person taking part in a boat buying experience with this particular dealer they would have gotten hosed and I mean with one used to put out a fire on teh price as the dealer is beyond a tough negotiator. There is part of me now that the boats and equipment are equal that is torn. I have not actually ridden behind both boats so comparison is tough. From the drive the malibu seemed a bit under powered with the mcx, I didn't care for malibus version of perfect pass and the particular boat I am look at does not have the power wedge. I really don't like the idea of having to adjust that manually although I have heard it's super quick and easy. As one of you said previosuly the MB is a botique tye of boat and that appeals to me. Teh waranty on the MB is better as well and the kicker in my thought process is that after telling my contact at AWS that I would like to chat with Coby Mikacich for a few minutes over the weekend as the pro tour is in portland this weekend no more than 10 minutes later did I recieve a call at my office from Coby himself. We had a very nice chat about the plus's and minus of the MB and why he chose to ride for them after leaving tige. He is both a knowledgeable person but very low key as well. As all of my friends have said, that is customer service above and beyond the point of even the highest expectation. So here I am, ready to make a move and this forum has been so helpful. any and all aditional feedback is welcomed. <BR> <BR>P.S. That means even you Gerry <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/lol.gif" border=0>

auto 07-14-2006 8:18 AM

Alan, i would have to disagree about resale, at least from a regional perspective. Try the resale on a MB in say............... Dallas, not a market here for them, at least it was that way in the past, compared to BU, MC, Supra, SAN's. Just MHO.

trace 07-14-2006 8:18 AM

Don't worry about any stock boat feeling underpowered; they ALL need lower pitch props from the factory. They all have plenty of motor these days. I think this is either to appeal to the "but how FAST does it go??" morons, or to prevent someone from running all day bouncing off the rev limiter. <BR> <BR>My old VLX doesn't have a Wedge and I don't really miss it, but if I were buying a new 'bu I don't think I'd miss out on the power wedge. The 'bu cruise control has been getting rave reviews, so no worries there. <BR> <BR>If you're still serious about the 'bu regardless of the dealer, check out themalibucrew.com for lots of info. Try to resist the urge to post before running searches, though. There are also some unbelievable surf wake pics behind a 247 with a power wedge.

entrustclothing 07-14-2006 8:29 AM

go with the MB! can't say ive heard very many good things abotu the BU dealer

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 8:33 AM

I wish it were not the case but neither have i. I was talking toa buddy the other day and he has an 03 vlx which he has nothing but good things to say about but he said he is should close his current company and become a boat dealer. AWS is really the only one in the area that I have never heard anything bad about. The others do leave alot to be desired. So entrust, what do you think of the boat colors? I don't know if you have seen it but that boat has the SICKEST wake surfing wake. It's more than waist high.

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 8:36 AM

Here is another question for you MB guys. What have you done in the past or seen in the non team edition to weight down the front? Lead? Plumbed in additional ballasts?

cawakeboarder12 07-14-2006 9:49 AM

What MB is that? is that an 07?

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 9:51 AM

It is an 06 B52 V23 non Team. Just can't see the reason to spend the additional 1500 for the team just to get one sack and I hate the playpen feature. I reallylike the walkthrough especially having dogs!

cawakeboarder12 07-14-2006 10:23 AM

The tower is different

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 11:05 AM

the tower is different on the nmon team edition. how is that? I thought the only fiddrence was the ballast in the front being factory.

cawakeboarder12 07-14-2006 12:49 PM

There is a Pro tower that the put on 06 boat that has a Billet middle from the top and bottom

entrustclothing 07-14-2006 12:53 PM

it's a sick boat bryan! you should buy it <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> i like that is has the normal tower! just buy it! summer is fading away <IMG SRC="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=":-)" BORDER=0> gerry and active will treat you right!

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 1:03 PM

Who does everybody recommend for insurance and what amounts and deductibles do you all use?

entrustclothing 07-14-2006 1:05 PM

i have ski safe, i called geico and that's who they use. it's like $460 a year on my boat. my deductable is $1000 which they waive if the boat is totaled

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 3:56 PM

I am going to go with the MB. Plenty of reason to and none not to. Thanks everyone for the insight. Here are a fwe more pics! I am having 4 fusion 6.5T's put on the light bar, black bimini top, harmon kardon ipod interface, new isobaric subs, replacement of interior speakers and new amps. It should be ready to hit the water monday. Can't wait to hook up with everybody out there and do some serious riding.

macgiver 07-14-2006 5:46 PM

Glad you chose the mb now all you have to do is choose the right stereo components and you will be set.

pdxviperguy 07-14-2006 10:51 PM

so dave, you sounds like a guy in the know. What do you suggest? Do you have an MB as well. Went to the double up contest tonight and talked to nick ennen about the boats and coming from the guy who went bigger than anyone and that is what he rides well, hard to argue proven results.

dakid 07-15-2006 2:17 AM

i didn't vote for vlx just cause my friend has one. other friends had an mb. i still vote for vlx. i'm not sure about the people above, but i've actually had experience in both boats. the vlx just seemed to be much better quality and the wake was MUCH better than the mb's. <BR> <BR>disclaimer: i'm not saying mb's a bad boat. i'm simply stating that in MY OPINION, the vlx is a much better boat.

auto 07-15-2006 6:56 AM

rode in one during the 03 boat buying process, and I would have to agree with Umali, there was not comparison, the VLX. As had been mentioned in another thread, you really should not be buying boats on what the pros ride. that being said, congrats on the purchase, MB ownes love their boats. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by auto on July 15, 2006)

newty 07-15-2006 7:31 AM

Bryan, I couldn't tell you much about the malibu or even big V-drives but I love my MB and have over 650 hrs w/ very few problems. I bought my MB from Active and can't say enough about them. Gerry and guys at AWS are top notch and have been great to deal with. Even w/ stuff that was really not covered under warranty they have been more than happy to take care of. Having a dependable shop like AWS, I think would weigh heavily on my decision when making a purchase like this. <BR>(Gerry I'll be by later to pick up my check for the plug.) <BR>Seriously though, my vote is for MB.

seangriswold 07-15-2006 8:14 AM

bryan..i used lead in the front..dont really need it if you have a couple of people sit up front. Both are great boats you have to go with what feels right for you. i was in your shoes 3 months ago and i went MB..i loved the VLX but i just had a certain feeling about the MB. It is a different boat..definitely eye catching and it is great for wakeboarding.

bensk8in 07-15-2006 10:29 AM

ya i'd definitely go with the Tige 22VE or 24VE, oh you agree, good choice.

pdxviperguy 07-15-2006 4:50 PM

wow ben, thanks for the completely inciteful feedback. I did indeed look at tige boats didn't feel it was exactly what I was looking for.

gnelson 07-16-2006 12:26 AM

I love the color scheme on that boat! Did you buy it? If so post some pics with all the extras when its complete.

pdxviperguy 07-16-2006 11:45 AM

I will make sure I do that. I was hoping that the dealer would be open today but alas. Why is it that boat dealers aren't open on sundays. That does not make any sense to me. It is going to be a really nice set up when finished. I am quite excited.

goodwin 07-17-2006 7:34 AM

Sweet boat! Those are the best colors for the puzzle graphics I've seen so far and the classic tower looks good. <BR>Congrats and enjoy! MB's are top notch. I love my '05 B52 V3 team edition!

pdxviperguy 07-17-2006 10:37 PM

ok so went for one more ride behind the MB tonight an dman that surfing wake is HUGE! It cracks me up that everyone talk about the wake and all the the tiny little things that one could change or perfect about the wake on this boat vs an x-star or VLX. Are any of us really good enough to really worry about such subtle things as this? that MB is a really well built nice boat. About the only thing I wish was different was the steering wheel. As always huge props to gerry at active. Bar none the bes sales person I think I have delt with on any purchase.

basemechanic 07-18-2006 1:56 AM

Congrats bryan on the new boat <BR>and you cant beat the service at AWS <BR>they take great care of you after the sale <BR>looking forward to seeing you on the water <BR>i have the same boat i put a fat sack 440 lb in the nose area and the wake is dailed on it

biz 07-18-2006 7:05 AM

Congrats. Show more pics!!! If the only thing you are worried about is the steering wheel you are in great shape..


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