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Go Back   WakeWorld > >> Boats, Accessories & Tow Vehicles Archive > Archive through July 28, 2009

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Old     (wakeboardaddy)      Join Date: Sep 2006       06-28-2009, 3:59 PM Reply   
Caught the new malibus at Lake Don Pedro for the Photoshoot.
Brand new towers!Upload
Upload
Old     (lfrider92)      Join Date: Sep 2008       06-28-2009, 4:11 PM Reply   
im sorry, but that tower is bad. i like the solid look, not with the space in between
Old     (neneman54)      Join Date: Apr 2009       06-28-2009, 4:14 PM Reply   
i could be wrong but my friend who works pretty high up at Malibu says the tower looks like the axis tower not that one or their older ones. but i hope im wrong cuz that tower is sick.
Old     (cameronb)      Join Date: Jun 2009       06-28-2009, 4:19 PM Reply   
not feeling the tower

... i can't tell if that top boat is chromed out... or wrapped in plastic, if its loaded with chrome, you can put me down on the dislike list
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-28-2009, 4:32 PM Reply   
Got to love the spy photos!! Nice work!! I like the look of the tower, but the angle in the top one seems funny. I really like how the shape of my tower (2008 VLX with Illusion tower) follows the line of the windshield. I think that makes it flow with the boat better.
Old     (malibuboats4)      Join Date: Sep 2008       06-28-2009, 4:32 PM Reply   
surely these are just a joke....
Old     (benjaminp)      Join Date: Nov 2008       06-28-2009, 4:41 PM Reply   
^Uhoh, is this a clever scheme to protect new R&D or a legitimate shoot down of these photos?
I personally do not like them. At all. Illusion XS for life.
Old     (liljohn)      Join Date: May 2007       06-28-2009, 5:00 PM Reply   
Oh please say thats not the tower! I guess the titan three wil be the hot ticket this year.
Old     (wakeboardertj)      Join Date: May 2005       06-28-2009, 5:02 PM Reply   
Definitely don't like the holes in the tower, makes it look cheap. Stick with the regular illusion.
Old     (nsolis220)      Join Date: May 2007       06-28-2009, 5:06 PM Reply   
wow way to blow the whole boat first the hull now the tower. My when i get a new boat it wont be another vlx.
Old     (snork)      Join Date: Jun 2007       06-28-2009, 5:10 PM Reply   
Thats the fugliest boat next to a Wakecraft
Old     (westsiderippa)      Join Date: Dec 2006       06-28-2009, 5:11 PM Reply   
just erased my thoughts...................
please say its a joke.
Old     (johnsvt)      Join Date: Dec 2006       06-28-2009, 5:24 PM Reply   
kinda like it
Old     (wakeboardaddy)      Join Date: Sep 2006       06-28-2009, 5:31 PM Reply   
This is no joke, I actually pulled my boat up next to Alkema's house boat (owner of malibu) and verified that those were the 2010 bu's and they were doing a photo shoot for the new catalog. the white and sky blue one was a response and the other obviously the wakesetter. I didnt care for it, I think they did bad letting the old manufacturer go, to Tige', I've heard these new ones are mfg. in china. not good for america, if its true. hard to find anything these days not made in china, we have no since of pride any more.
Old     (bill_airjunky)      Join Date: Apr 2002       06-28-2009, 5:40 PM Reply   
Never liked the Illusion anyway. This one looks as bad as the others. Titan's always been the hot ticket.
Old     (cavlxenvy)      Join Date: Aug 2007       06-28-2009, 6:01 PM Reply   
Don't be surprised if Illusion is out of business very soon. I saw one of these in person on Friday and I was not feeling the tower.
Old    brycejay            06-28-2009, 6:08 PM Reply   
The tower makes the boat look like some kind of an ocean cruiser. I was just getting to like the illusion tower, but this thing is fugly. I love the look of the actual boat, just not the tower.
Old     (h2oproaccessories)      Join Date: Sep 2007       06-28-2009, 6:29 PM Reply   
I'm sure they were trying to cut cost in the tower. It looks like the main frame of the tower is tubing..... instead of being all cast aluminum. Someone will like it though.
Old     (martinez30)      Join Date: Mar 2007       06-28-2009, 6:39 PM Reply   
Made in China? What!?


Man, that tower does look ugly though. I guess I will be buying a Tige or Nautique in 2010.
Old     (wakeslife)      Join Date: Jul 2005       06-28-2009, 7:00 PM Reply   
The Malibu line looked great when they had the first generation Illusion that flowed with the lines of the boat. Every redesign they did it just became more upright and more awkward, and now this! Not diggin the look at all...
Old     (hdchapman)      Join Date: Mar 2008       06-28-2009, 7:36 PM Reply   
Love Malibu's but that is one ugly tower; only thing uglier is the Axis tower.
Old     (family_deckhand)      Join Date: May 2008       06-28-2009, 7:42 PM Reply   
Always liked the look of malibu but that tower is just not doing it for me.
Old     (dohboy)      Join Date: Aug 2007       06-28-2009, 7:45 PM Reply   
Tower doesn't look as beefy as the old ones. It will probably grow on everyone. Maybe! I saw the new nautique towers up close and those things look like they are made in a high school welding class then powder coated without cleaning up the welds. Seems unacceptable for the money being spent. Hopefully that won't be the case with these.
Old     (sidekicknicholas)      Join Date: Mar 2007       06-28-2009, 8:12 PM Reply   
Barf.
Old     (anodyne)      Join Date: Feb 2006       06-28-2009, 8:21 PM Reply   
Double-barf. Give me Titan I on an '02 Wakesetter over that crap-wagon.
Old     (hco)      Join Date: Jun 2006       06-28-2009, 8:24 PM Reply   
Almost as ugly as this years CC's half-assed attempt at the illusion.
Old     (rebelman10)      Join Date: Jun 2009       06-28-2009, 8:30 PM Reply   
Nautique man my self but always liked the wakesetters. The new tower is cheesy looking!
Old     (bird_dog0347)      Join Date: Feb 2006       06-28-2009, 8:32 PM Reply   
Man, towers are getting ugly these days...
Old     (mofreestyle)      Join Date: Jan 2006       06-28-2009, 8:39 PM Reply   
I give to them for trying to be innovative but I'm not digging it.
Old     (wakeitnofakeit)      Join Date: Jan 2009       06-28-2009, 8:49 PM Reply   
Anyone here noticed that Malibu is not the same since David Telling left?
Old     (deltadave)      Join Date: Mar 2005       06-28-2009, 9:20 PM Reply   
FUGLY!!
Yeah Dan, David Telling started WC and obviously used all his mad skills and experience from Malibu to design his boat.
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-28-2009, 9:26 PM Reply   
"Anyone here noticed that Malibu is not the same since David Telling left?"

Yes it's way better.
Old     (jason_b)      Join Date: Feb 2008       06-28-2009, 9:28 PM Reply   
That tower is nastier than some of the girls I woke up next to in college.....and that ain't sayin' much for the new VTX/VLX in a second. If they come with that tower I'll stay with Tige.
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-28-2009, 9:31 PM Reply   
Tige is the reason for the new tower design. We can all thank them, well and the DB's at Metcraft also.
Old     (travisz)      Join Date: Jun 2008       06-28-2009, 9:34 PM Reply   
Ok im not gunna lie I would use a Proflight tower before that.... Its a damn shame Metcraft went under (the comp that made malibu towers other than titan) what are they gunna do??!!!
Old     (travisz)      Join Date: Jun 2008       06-28-2009, 9:34 PM Reply   
PS THE WAKESETTER LOGO LOOKS SOOOO SICK!!!!
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-28-2009, 9:35 PM Reply   
Who says they went under?
Old     (greatdane)      Join Date: Feb 2001       06-28-2009, 9:47 PM Reply   
What is Malibu smoking these days?

I bet its a cheaper tower and that is the appeal.
Old     (cavlxenvy)      Join Date: Aug 2007       06-28-2009, 9:59 PM Reply   
Metcraft has not gone under but they are hurting bad. Don't be surprised if they are gone soon.
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-28-2009, 10:02 PM Reply   
Especially now that they lost malibu as a customer.
Old     (wakeandmx)      Join Date: Apr 2009       06-28-2009, 10:32 PM Reply   
+1 on the Wakesetter logo. I dont mind the tower but i dont mind the FC3 on the new Nautiques. Next boat will be a 210 anyway. I dont give a dam* what the tower looks like, as long as, it holds boards and the boat is mackin. A buddy has an 08 210 and im sold. IMO. Peace.
Old     (brett564)      Join Date: Jul 2006       06-28-2009, 10:42 PM Reply   
Nope...

XS tower was perfect, this thing looks god awful.
Old     (lionel)      Join Date: Nov 2005       06-29-2009, 12:11 AM Reply   
No wonder their president stepped down. I would too.
Old     (saceone)      Join Date: Jan 2009       06-29-2009, 2:10 AM Reply   
^^^ditto.

that thing is nasty.
Old     (snork)      Join Date: Jun 2007       06-29-2009, 5:36 AM Reply   
Bet Malibu lost 50% of its potential customers due to the new tower and the other 50% due to some sort of health issues because it was made with tainted materials from China. Maybe Malibu is trying to bolster their Axis sales.
Old     (formfunction)      Join Date: Jun 2008       06-29-2009, 6:46 AM Reply   
For starters thats a terrible picture and you can't see the true shape.Besides this is how you guys always treat something new,rag it to death then go buy one and defend it to the death.
Old     (murphy_smith)      Join Date: Dec 2005       06-29-2009, 6:50 AM Reply   
I have a Malibu and hoepfully will always have a Malibu but those pictures are good enough to see that I think the tower sucks.

IMO, you don't have to change every year to stay with the top dogs.
Old     (ttuclint)      Join Date: Sep 2003       06-29-2009, 6:52 AM Reply   
looks good to me.

"this is how you guys always treat something new,rag it to death then go buy one and defend it to the death."

exactly.
Old     (savage)      Join Date: Mar 2008       06-29-2009, 7:12 AM Reply   
Man that tower is fuugly!!
Old     (tampawake)      Join Date: Mar 2008       06-29-2009, 7:15 AM Reply   
As bad as the CC tower. I love the look of BU's and just do not like this at all. However functionally it may be great.
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-29-2009, 7:25 AM Reply   
Here's better photo's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/malibuboats/?saved=1
Old     (cameronb)      Join Date: Jun 2009       06-29-2009, 7:37 AM Reply   
im sure the tower will grow on everyone...
i could see myself liking the tower if there was some paint slapped on the chrome part

... i still think the previous years were pure sex
Old     (ghostrider_2)      Join Date: Aug 2004       06-29-2009, 7:39 AM Reply   
Look at the bimini open, it looks to be a PITA to hook the rope up.
Old     (xsmini)      Join Date: Dec 2005       06-29-2009, 7:57 AM Reply   
I Like it, Everybody dogged the first illuison tower when it came out too...
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-29-2009, 8:06 AM Reply   
I think the actually build of the tower looks killer. I like all the bars and holes. Definitely a change. It's the angle I'm having trouble understanding.
Old     (cbk)      Join Date: Aug 2006       06-29-2009, 8:30 AM Reply   
From this angle it looks good....

Upload
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-29-2009, 8:38 AM Reply   
I like the way the industrial build matches the windshield.
Old     (ghostrider_2)      Join Date: Aug 2004       06-29-2009, 8:39 AM Reply   
Nate, I think you have some really long arms then that looks to go back atleast 36 inches.
Old     (mike3500)      Join Date: Jun 2008       06-29-2009, 9:00 AM Reply   
nasty tower
Old     (westsiderippa)      Join Date: Dec 2006       06-29-2009, 9:08 AM Reply   
tower looks cheap and tacky just like the windshield. they are going the wrong direction for sure, they have already lost 1 future return customer. im so glad i got my 07.
Old     (fullspeed)      Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Santa Cruz County CA       06-29-2009, 9:50 AM Reply   
I think it will look good once everyone gets use to the tower. I think the tower will help make the windshield look better. They go good together more so now.

I never was a fan of the Illusion Tower and that is why I went with the Titan III. I would buy the Titan again on my next BU. Malibu is not afraid to make changes and change things up. If they didn't why would you want to buy the newer ones.
Old     (extremeisaac)      Join Date: Aug 2005       06-29-2009, 10:44 AM Reply   
HAH!! I saw the same boat yesterday at pedro also! I was telling everyone in the boat.. what the hell is that tower?? then I saw the malibu sticker on the back.. it was beige in color.. looked wierd
Old     (denverd1)      Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tyler       06-29-2009, 11:38 AM Reply   
Typical responses from this crowd. It's "fugly, sucks, what are they smokin."

Like Dave and others said, at least it matches the windshield and contributes to the theme of the boat.

Anyone care to comment on the gas shocks that take most of the dead weight off the tower, making it easier to put up/down by yourself?? isn't that an industry first??
Old     (hyperlite_boards)      Join Date: Aug 2007       06-29-2009, 11:45 AM Reply   
More pics here, looks sick to me

http://www.flickr.com/photos/malibuboats/sets/72157620589471033/
Old     (xbones)      Join Date: Mar 2007       06-29-2009, 11:55 AM Reply   
Mike... post a few of those pics here... the client I'm at has a web-block on flickr ;)
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-29-2009, 12:03 PM Reply   
I haven't heard about gas shocks, but my '08 Illusion tower has adjustable springs that take the weight off the tower. I can drop the whole thing with just my pinky. This is one of those brilliant features that they just don't emphasize enough in their marketing. This is a HUGE advantage for anyone that has to fold their tower on a regular basis.
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-29-2009, 12:05 PM Reply   
I'll admit the angle looks much better in this photo...

Upload
Old     (timmyb)      Join Date: Apr 2007       06-29-2009, 12:07 PM Reply   
That tower is terrible but the Titan swivel board racks look bad azz!
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-29-2009, 12:12 PM Reply   
Dave you're right that tower looks nice in that photo. I think functionally this tower will be better than either Illusion X or XS.
Old     (ghostrider_2)      Join Date: Aug 2004       06-29-2009, 12:13 PM Reply   
one question. is that the same kind of hardened black plastic like on the Avalanche, if so screw that that sheeet fads bad!
Old     (05mobiuslsv)      Join Date: Apr 2006       06-29-2009, 12:20 PM Reply   
No it's cast aluminum like the Illusion towers were, it just has a textured look to it like the Axis towers.
Old     (lionel)      Join Date: Nov 2005       06-29-2009, 12:41 PM Reply   
OK, Dave is right. From those last 2 pics it's already growing on me. Even though I can't really see it in that dark marketing pic. I shouldn't be so quick to judge.

I actually don't care TOO much about how it looks, as long as it performs well. Form over function......

IMO historically Malibu has had one of the strongest towers. Hopefully they can build on that.

Looks higher, for more head clearance!
Old     (lionel)      Join Date: Nov 2005       06-29-2009, 12:50 PM Reply   
I'm surprised you Malibu guys haven't caught this, yet:-)

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/498708-mastercraft-plan-avoids-bankruptcy-filing
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-29-2009, 1:05 PM Reply   
Yeah, I don't think there's any doubt that the Illusion is the most functional tower out there. It only has two mounting points, it can be folded down by a 10-year-old and it's as strong as anything out there. Obviously, looks are controversial, but I like the way it looks and even if I didn't, I'd take functionality over looks any day.

I also know that one of the complaints of the tower on my boat (original Illusion), which hugs the shape of the windshield, is that there wasn't enough head room, so perhaps the increased angle on these newer models is an attempt to address that.
Old     (desertbum)      Join Date: Dec 2007       06-29-2009, 1:14 PM Reply   
Upload
Old     (bill_airjunky)      Join Date: Apr 2002       06-29-2009, 1:15 PM Reply   
Or maybe reducing the lean forward is an effort to solve the problem with the pins hogging out &/or breaking & subsequent rattling..... especially when their loaded with gear.
Old     (stewart)      Join Date: Feb 2006       06-29-2009, 1:18 PM Reply   
2 sets of swivel board racks on each side, I like that.

Looks like this tower is made by Titan??
Old     (cwkoch)      Join Date: Aug 2006       06-29-2009, 1:22 PM Reply   
I heard from our local Malibu dealer about this tower on Saturday.... It sounded like one of the goals was to make it fold flat enough to go into a 7' door without removing that rear hoop like you have to on the Illusion XS. I'm not sure if this happened or not. It would be very nice though to just have 2 pins to pull, and flop it forward, and back it in! My Titan 2 is very easy to fold down, but does get a little heavy with speakers and racks.
Old     (johnny_jr)      Join Date: Mar 2006       06-29-2009, 1:22 PM Reply   
I like it more and more every picture I see, it's different, it's functional, it fits the new window design, it looks much higher so that's a plus.
If someone buys a LSV, I'll trade them my Illusion X for this tower. I'll even re-powdercoat my tower for you.
Funny thing is what everyone hates today will be loved tomorrow.
Old     (wakeworld)      Join Date: Jan 1997       06-29-2009, 2:03 PM Reply   
I wonder if you can still get it in different colors. I thought that was another huge selling point of the last Illusion tower.

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