Difference between Wakesetter and Sunsetter VLX

I'm looking at selling my current boat and getting a used Malibu with MLS and wedge. I'm looking at a couple 2001s. one is a Wakesetter VLX with MLS and wedge. 2 are Sunsetter VLX, one with MLS and one without. What is the difference between these 2 boats. Hull? everything seems the same at first look.

Brad, I am not a Malibu expert, but a wakesetter is a sunsetter with the wakeboarding package(ie. tower, ballast, wedge, and graphics) If you like the more wild graphics go with the wakesetter, if you don't go with the sunsetter with the MLS, you will be kicking yourself if you don't buy one that has built in ballast.

2001 wakesetter and sunsetter are on different hulls.
Slightly better wakeboarding wake on the wakesetter and slightly better ski wake on the sunsetter.

but before 2001 it is the same hull

older sunsetter=newer wakesetter

So a sunsetter with MLS and wedge would be ideal for both? my wife likes to ski, kids and I board.

Yes.

The wakesetter that is know for its wake is a vlx, the v-drive, from what I understand the sunsetter v-drive is pretty crappy for slalom skiing, but good for boarding, with addtional weight on top of the mls and wedge (if you're smart you'll remove the wedge

(Message edited by tommyadrian5 on August 28, 2004)

Why remove the wedge? I thought that enhanced the wake?

I like the wedge.

i love the wedge.

i don't know, most people i have talked to that are good say they like the wake better without the wedge and with alot of weight, it makes the boat handle like shizzle too

My boat still handles great with the wedge down. Talk to more people.

I love my wedge, boat handles fine. Gives you more options. No wedge- rampy wake, or wedge- more of a vert wake, Works great.

I love the wedge as well. If you have the new Gorilla fins, it handles very nice.

The Sunsetter VLX does not ski crappy. It is the diamond hull and skis fine, especially past 30 mph. With the wedge and ballast, it gives up very little to the SV23 wake hull. I have an '04 sunscape 21 (same as 2001 sunsetter VLx) and it pleases everyone.

I had a 01 SS VLX for a couple of seasons and the ski wake is great. I also never had any problems with the wedge. Really improves the boarding wake. We use it on the new VLX constantly and no probs either. The nice thing about the wedge is if you don't like it, don't put it down.

I think in 1998, Malibu changed the Sunsetter to the SV23 Diamond hull. This is known as the Sunsetter LXi I believe. The Diamond hull has chines on the sides of the hull that help push the boat up on top of the water for smaller wakes and better handling. If your a wakeboarder, read that as harder to sink.

The wakesetter line stayed on the SV23 hull up through 2004. The SV23 hull does not have the chines and sinks into the water more easily giving it a bigger wake.

There's a detailed article about the hulls on malibuboatowners.com

all you ever needed to know: http://www.malibuboatowners.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid= 46

anybody have any wake pics of the sunsetter VLX at 36? We are looking to get a new boat my dad ski's and im trying to talk him into a V-Drive

good link Trace.

1996-2000 Sunsetter VLX = 1999-present Wakesetter VLX

Thanks for the info - very interesting and a little confusing. I'm looking now at 01 sunsetter VLX but it does not have MLS. Can this be added or will I have to go with sacks?

Brad, I built a one off ballast system for my '99 Wakesetter that did not have factory MLS. I tried to keep it as close to oringal as possible, even using the two unused acc switches on the dash for fill and drain. It is very easy, the sack is in the ski locker where the factory MLS is on the DD, and there are plenty of resources on www.malibuboatowners.com on how to install a system. Just remember that the '01 Sunsetter VLX is on the diamond hull, which is the ski hull. Good luck on your hunt and keep us updated

Daniel

Daniel

Thanks, I thought the MLS system was two tanks on either side of the engine in back? Not so? Its a sack in the middle? How much extra weight would it take to get the diamond hull to sink down like the wakesetter. The price on the boat is good but maybe I should wait for a wakesetter if its going to take a lot to get a good wake.

On the VLX, it is a tank/sack on either side of the motor, and a sack in the locker. Mainly what I was trying to say is that it may be easier to make your own than to find a boat with the factory MLS. Don't pass up a boat you like just because it doesn't have the factory MLS.

Good wakes are subjective, I think my DD with 1000 lbs and the wedge is pretty awesome, where someone with a SAN and 2500 lbs would tell you it sucks. My guess would be you would need anywhere from 600-1000 lbs more to get the same wake out of a diamond hull than a non-diamond hull. Keep in mind that I base this on what I've read and not what I have actually experienced, so someone more knowledgable may chime in.

Daniel

WOW, I hope your wrong on the extra weight. That would change my mind on what hull to get. anyone else that has any knowledge please speak up.

do not get a diamond hull unless you ski.

I have had a 01 Sunsetter VLX and an 03 Wakesetter VLX. IF you filled the center locker on both boats and had 500 LBS in the back of the wakesetter and 1200 lbs in the back of the sunsetter the wakesetter would have a bigger/better wake.

Thanks Andrew, good info. when the wakesetter is emty is it a decent boat to ski behind. I have a wife that likes to ski amd need to keep that in mind but everybody else boards.

WVLX will ski fine over 28 MPH even better over 32 MPH with no ballast. I think it will ski better then your centurion does.