malibu sunsetter

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-02-2006, 9:59 AM

i am looking into buying a boat. it will be my first and i think i want to start out cheap. right now i am thinking of an older (1995+) malibu sunsetter. i am aware that this is the same hull as the current ride series. does anyone have any experience with this boat, if so any input is greatly appreciated. should i stay away? is it a good idea? stc.

thanks everyone

(dizzyg) · (dizzyg) **Join Date: May 2005** 11-02-2006, 12:07 PM

we had a '95 sunsetter direct drive. Wake was alright at best, we had around 1300lbs in it, 500 on each side of the engine, 300-400 in the walkway in the front.

It was as nice as we could get it, better with more people. Not a v-drive but that's what I've got for ya

(jnewton7) · (jnewton7) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 11-02-2006, 1:49 PM

I bought my 98 Sunsetter VLX 1 1/2 ago and it is an excellent boat. It has the same hull as the 04 wakesetter and current Iride and Vride. I have had no problems out of it for as long as I've had it and we have put some hours on it. Needs some weight but the wake is awesome when you dial it in. You can see some pics and vids of it at www.blackwaterrydas.com

(curtisco24) · (curtisco24) **Join Date: Dec 2005** 11-02-2006, 7:33 PM

great boat, I wouldn't mind having one myself.

(jeff359) · (jeff359) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 11-02-2006, 8:55 PM

Alright at best?!?!?! One of the first big wakes I rode was behind that same boat. Wedge and about 1500 LBS, it gets enough to girth to work nicely.

The Vdrive is bigger, and more comfortable, but comes at a price. For the price of some of the bigger open bow DDs, someone starting out can do really, really nice.

(malibu_monkey) · (malibu_monkey) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 11-03-2006, 8:46 AM

I just bought my 1st boat. A 97 Sunsetter VLX, I haven't had any problems with it, and it's got over 500hrs. I'm running about 1800lbs right now, and the wake is BIG ENOUGH TO HURT YOU!!! I just updated the graphics, check my profile for a pic. The sunsetters are great starter boats, especially when you can't afford 40-50k for a boat!!
(ps. that pic is un-weighted.)

(Message edited by malibu_monkey on November 03, 2006)

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-03-2006, 3:41 PM

thanks everyone...i found a Prostar 205v...they are asking 21K if i can get it for 19K i am gonna go for it...if not i think i will go for the sunsetter.

(etakk7) · (etakk7) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 11-06-2006, 6:48 AM

derek, did you get the 205V? What are the specs on it? Hours, year, add ons?

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-06-2006, 3:15 PM

I didn't get it yet...hopefully before x-mas. it is all stock. 150hrs.

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-06-2006, 3:15 PM

it is a 1999

(etakk7) · (etakk7) **Join Date: Apr 2006** 11-06-2006, 3:34 PM

Sounds about average in price. 1999 doesn't have wrap-around seating, only a jump seat and a back bench like the direct drive. You'll incur some expense if you want to set it up for wakeboarding, such as tower ($2K for OEM), perfect pass ($1100-1500), ballast (at least $500). Those are really low hours and if the boat is in great shape I'd go for it.

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-06-2006, 6:23 PM

thanks erik

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 11-06-2006, 6:27 PM

My buddy has a '97 sunsetter lx DD. It will throw as big of a wake as you'll ever need. It also has a very nice shape to it as well.

His boat now has ~1200 hours on it.

(bvo) · (bvo) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 11-06-2006, 6:47 PM

i have a 97 sunsetter direct drive with the diamond hull. it has the wedge, tower and bimini top. it has been a great boat, i like to wake board and my wife likes to slalom and the kids tube,ski and board. it has been a great all around boat but i am thinking about moving up to a Vdrive wit the diamond hull in order to get more wake for me but not so much my wife can't slalom. mine may be for sale but i would like to hear from someone that has the Sunscape 21 LSV.

(dgoulet) · (dgoulet) **Join Date: Aug 2006** 11-06-2006, 7:12 PM

hey bill i am the market for a boat so let me know if you decide to sell your sunsetter.

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-07-2006, 5:55 PM

bill...i know of a great boat for you. i would have bought it but i don't want the diamond hull. i have been to this dealership, and they seem great and very honest. you could probably take 2500 off that price, maybe more. i was at this dealership last week and the salesman told was telling me about 2K less for prices that what was listed.

(derek23) · (derek23) **Join Date: Oct 2006** 11-09-2006, 7:08 PM

here is the link to that boat bill

http://www.boattraderonline.com/caddetail.html?/ad-cache/6/7/5/85886375.htm

(chaser) · (chaser) **Join Date: Sep 2006** 11-10-2006, 6:09 AM

derek, that looks like a nice boat. I wonder what they mean when they say "it needs cosmetics"? For those of you who have ridden behind both, how much difference is there between the diamond hull and the wake hull?

(timmy) · (timmy) **Join Date: Jul 2001** 11-10-2006, 9:18 AM

Bob, there is a huge difference. The diamond hull makes it perform really well across the board, but compromises the wakeboarding wake. You need to add a lot of extra weight to make up for it, and it will never be a Ginormous, like you can make the non-diamond wake. That being said, I really enjoy my boat, which has the diamond hull.

(jasonj) · (jasonj) **Join Date: Aug 2004** 11-20-2006, 7:01 PM

We have a '97 Sunsetter VLX as well and I love this thing. It is our 2nd boat and the best thing about it is this; when we turn the key it starts!!!! The bonus is that it kicks up a big wake and we added 1,400 lbs with a home made ballast system. I love this boat and will miss it when I sell it soon. But I think I am ready for a new baby. If you are interested let me know, I am in So Cal. jjinsc1@dslextreme.com