I currently own a 2006 malibu wakesetter vlx, i am thinking of going for the all new 08 malibu LSV. how do the wakes compare? would i be taking a step forward or backward in buying this new boat?

Read thru these forums on the two boats. Sounds to me like the LSV can have a great wake, but it requires a lot more weight. So if you need the room for people, then go for it.

I have had a chance to ride behind the new 23 and thought is was amazing. Cant go wrong with the new 23...

Most the pros up here prefer the lsv over the vlx just because you can load it so much. I ride behind both and loaded the lsv has more of a rounded wake than the vlx. Both to me are great wakes though

i ride both of the wakes all the time and i prefer the vlx, just a better wake in my opinion... but i have never been behind the lsv sacked out. so in my opinion ride them both.... but what i do know is the vlx has a better stock wake.. just test ride the lsv.

I recently had the chance to ride in and behind a 08 23 LSV. The wake was amazing with only the factory ballast. Also it cuts through Double up like a knife. No other boat has a smoother ride to me.

the lsv compared to the vlx is like the vlx compared to the response in my opinion. all around the boat is way better and the wake is unbeatable.

We love our new LSV. The ride is so much better in the chop than our '04 was...plus all the new goodies are crazy! It was worth our $$$$! The new hull creates a nice clean wake and with weight it's insane. Here's a pic of the wake WITHOUT ballast and a little wedge (3 people in the boat).....taken right after we got the boat... <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/521985.jpg" alt="Upload">

That looks insane for no weight. Do you have any pics with weight?

If the LSV haul has not changed over the last 5 years I would say LSV. It might take more weight but weighted like J-rod had his a few years ago the wake was sick. Plus you have tons of extra storage and lots of seating.

hey in that picture, is that the wake hull or diamond hull? Also is that the 2008?

Yes..it's a 2008 LSV and we have the new wake hull. I looked for some pics of the wake loaded down, but couldn't find any. Broke a few ribs and couldn't ride for much of the fall season so I was pullin' the wifey around..she still gets scared with all the ballast full! <BR> <BR>If you want to stay with the VLX hang out till summer...they are changing them for 2009!

yea i heard the 09 vlx will have the same hull design as the LSV. so which motor did you go with? And do you have a ballast tank in the front. Because i have one in my VLX, and i find that i dont use it much.

I ordered the Hammerhead in this one because I was so impressed with it in my last LSV. We have ballast in the front and we do use it all the time since the boat is so large. We even have 3 500lb fat sacs to lay around as needed depending on how many people are riding with us. Our last boat didn't have the power wedge so that has been a really nice feature on this boat. When you add the ability to customize the ballast and speed with your own personal setting it makes changing out riders a breeze. The only problem that we have experienced so far is that it took almost 4 months to get our racks in...but other than that....I wish summer would hurry up!

Mike - are they changing the LSV for 09 as well? Do you know exactly what the planned changes are...hull-wise or wake-enhancing-wise for either boat?

i doubt they will change much in the lsv next year... it is now a all new boat as it is

Squid- The LSV has been redesigned from the ground up twice since J-rod's generation boat. The new LSV would drive circles around it. It's literally a night and day difference. <BR> <BR>Since the LSV is fully redesigned for 2008, it would be safe to assume that it won't be redesigned again for 4-5 years assuming their production "schedule" doesn't change.

scott isnt this the seccond hull change since j-rod had his lsv? i think he had an 01.

The LSV was fully redesigned in 2004, and again for 2008.

People keep saying "The new Wake Hull" What is that? The Wake Hull is what they have had and the new hull designed for crossover is the Diamond Hull. Even if they put the new hull on the VLX I will be getting the Wake Hull. The new hull is better for the more recreation style rider. If you ride any longer then 70 ft and faster then 23 mph go with the Wake Hull. The new dash is awesome and the pre-sets make life real easy. Just hit one button and it will adjust everything from speed and ballast to the song and volume on the stereo for up to 10 riders.

I was aware of the Speed/Ballast/Wedge all on a pre-set function, but the stereo volume in the mix is a new one....

Ben C, <BR> <BR>No, the "new" wake hull on the 2008 LSV has been redesigned from the wake hull on the 2007 and previous LSVs. The look of the hull is much more similar to the 247 from an appearance standpoint. The beam is also up to 102" instead of 100". When people are mentioning that the VLX may get the new hull, they are referencing this design change in the wake hull. <BR> <BR>The Diamond hull is still an option but when you get a 2008 23LSV with the wake hull, you are getting a different wake hull than previous years. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Schmo on November 28, 2007)

So, Ben....how does Tony like the new 08 LSV then...wake-wise? any comments to share? How do ya'll weight it...etc? <BR> <BR>anyone else have an 08 LSV that care to share their weighting experience? <BR> <BR>I'm looking into a new boat this winter and I'm leaning towards the VLX or LSV....really difficult decision. The wake is the most important thing to us....

There were some pictures recently on <a href="http://www.dallaswakeboarding.com" target="_blank">www.dallaswakeboarding.com</a> of some local guys taking one out and loading it down.

hey does anyone have any pictures of the new 2008 Malibu 23LSV???

Pics courtesy of kdubz(baschralper) in the BU PRIDE thread <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526738.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526739.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526740.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526741.jpg" alt="Upload">

Here are a few <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526774.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526775.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526776.jpg" alt="Upload">

<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526781.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526782.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526783.jpg" alt="Upload">

A couple of mine: <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526972.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526973.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526974.jpg" alt="Upload"> <BR><img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/526975.jpg" alt="Upload">

The BU LSV is a master piece of boat design and engineering. IMO is so far ahead of everybody else. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by Ralph on December 12, 2007)

that green one looks awesome

That tower is really growing on me. I like it better than the old one I think. Nice, nice boats.