Calabria and Malibu

jfair 07-12-2006, 8:52 PM

Looking at buying a 23' boat and wanted your opinion between Malibu and Calabria.

How are Calabria's? Do they produce a good wake? What are some of the major differences between the malibu wake and calabria.

The calabria's price is also very appealing compared to a malibu. Would i be dissapointed if i go with a calabria over a malibu?

(clubjoe) · (clubjoe) **Join Date: Sep 2005** 07-13-2006, 7:46 AM

I'm a Calabria owner, and love my boat. I like the wake which to me, is a little steeper and shorter than a Malibu when running dry. No issues, and would not have a problem buying again....TONS of room!

If I had to buy again however, I would definitely look at the Malibu VLX. Not nearly the room, but its good. The wake (to me) is longer and not as steep. I think it's an easier wake to ride, in general.

If you like the Malibu, consider used, to keep the price down, but make sure it has the full compliment of internal ballast.

I think you'll be very happy with both, though.....check with folks in your area about dealer service! That might end up being the most important factor! (BTW, I'm no expert)

(mammoth) · (mammoth) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 07-13-2006, 10:41 AM

First, Calabria doesn't make a 23' boat...so if that is specifically what you're after, Calabria is out. The Pro-V gets listed as a 23', but it's really 21-1/2ish plus the swim platform.

I'm a Pro-V owner and I love my boat. I've had a few minor problems but my dealer (Larson Marine -Stockton) has been great about taking care of things. At this point, the Pro-V was the perfect boat for what I wanted to spend. If I ever feel a need for a new boat or (for lack of a better word) an upgrade, Malibu will be my first choice out of the higher end boats.

As Joe implied, the Pro-V wake is pretty steep. As a newer rider, the steep wake can be intimidating at times. I haven't had a chance to ride a Malibu yet but almost every single one I've seen on the water was putting out a nice clean rampy wake.

Anyway, I'm not sure the two really compare apples-apples. I think either would make most owners happy, it's a decision as to whether you want the details and features that Malibu offers over Calabria.

(macgiver) · (macgiver) **Join Date: Jun 2006** 07-19-2006, 8:20 PM

I dont know what a calabria costs but i would have to say that if either boat you can afford then i would buy tha bu.However, I would also look at MB.

(john30) · (john30) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 07-19-2006, 8:29 PM

I've got an 02 Cally Pro V and am happy with it. I think when I go to buy my next one it's either going to be a Supra 21v or a Malibu vlx. The Cally Pro V is 21'4" long. I would test drive a new Pro V2 tho and see how the wake is being in a shorter boat with a narrower beam. Their putting wake plates on the newer Cally's.

jfair 07-19-2006, 9:07 PM

How are the wakes on an MB? Are they rampy or vertical/peaky

(attila916) · (attila916) **Join Date: Oct 2005** 07-19-2006, 9:12 PM

Jesse, start your own thread...

jfair 07-19-2006, 9:36 PM

dude i started this thread

(ducttape) · (ducttape) **Join Date: May 2006** 07-19-2006, 9:45 PM

(Someone has to do this in every thread of this sort, so I'll be the guy, sorry in advance...)
GET A SANGER!

jfair 07-19-2006, 10:02 PM

im not a fan of the sanger. maybe just the looks and the draft looks a little too short

(brody) · (brody) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 07-20-2006, 7:58 PM

malibu all the way
best boat
i've got a vlx and its perfect

(dgarland0) · (dgarland0) **Join Date: Apr 2003** 07-21-2006, 11:02 AM

Jesse,

We bought a Calabria Cal-Air 2 years ago, and have been very happy with it. The quyality is very good, and I think Malibu's are great boatsI could not afford a new one, and we wanted a new boat. You wont be sorry with a Calabria, great boat, good price. I think you might be in Arizona, if so call Wake-N-Ski in Phoenix, JOhn will set you up with a demo ride!

dg