05 LSV vs. 03 226 Team vs. 04 X-30

Not looking for a spirited debate or slamming contest here - these three boats are in the running for me right now. I've ridden behind the 226, and I'll be riding behind the X-30 and LSV within a week or two. Based on looks alone, I like the LSV best. The 226 wake is awesome though, so I'm hoping the LSV compares. I just threw the X-30 in there because I can get a decent deal on a leftover 04 model right now. The LSV's styling is awesome and the thing has huge interior space - but then again, so do most 23' boats.

I don't need a big boat because I ride with 8 people every weekend, I need it because I'm on a massive lake that gets blown out and is like an ocean across the center, and if I ever want to do anything other than ride my spot, having the bigger boat will be a huge advantage. I know it will take more weight to make a great wake, and I'm sure I'll lose some extra gas to that end. Can the 23' beasts compare wake-wise to their 21' counterparts? (VLX, 210, X-2)

Anyways, do any of you own any of these three boats? Are you happy? Did you demo one and buy another? Would you buy the same boat again if you had it to do over? Has the boat given you any trouble? Just looking for opinions.

Thanks.

My dad owns a ws lsv, I love it to death. We were looking at that and the X-30. Both are awesome boats, awesome wakes. It comes down to personal prefrence. The malibu came out on top. The wakes are smaller than their smaller siblings, but the wakes are still nuts, just take a little more weight. It also comes down to what you want to do with the boat, what the dealers are like, and what has the extras you like. Witht he lsv and x-30 lots of room for people and gear.

Well, I had the opportunity to drive and ride behind an 04 LSV today and I have to say I was impressed. First off, the wake was massive. Firm and huge. We had the stock ballast (1250lbs), wedge, and 7 people. The cool part was there was plenty of room for all 7 people. I don't even think anyone say in the bow all day. The boat handled great, held speed even without PP, and turned on a dime. And I know I've said it, but the wake was really big. What a fun day and good "test drive."

I've been in the 226, guess the X-30 is next, although I'm pretty sold on the LSV.

Yeah the wake is huge when you start loading people in. The LSV really sells its self. Did you try the wedge? It really helps out when you have only 3-4 people in the boat.

Yes, we had the wedge down too. Everyone says that the wedge is a "shaper" as opposed to something that actually makes the wake bigger, but my opinion is that the wake was actually bigger with it down. I'm riding on a VLX next week sometime hopefully, so I'll be able to gauge the interior size/wake size/weight needed aspect of things between the two Malibus and go from there.

If I was looking for a monster boat the LSV & 24SSV would be top of my list. Love the looks of both of those boats.

I as well was torn between the X30 and the WS LSV. I needed a good wakeboarding boat as well as an all around boat that I could take for a small or a large lake. So, I decided to purchase the 2005 WS LSV. It's an awesome boat that is designed to create a huge wake (if you want). The LSV comes standard with a wedge and 4 ballast tanks - front, midship, and two rear. Additionally, I took my boat to the Famous lake tahoe last weekend and I felt very secure in the boat. The waves picked up and the boat overcame them great. In my opinion and experience, you got more for your buck with the malibu. Here is a pic of my boat..

A while ago, I was helping on a demo day at Elsinore, and it was very choppy out that day. Many of the customers had been on several boats that day. When they went out on the Malibu (VLX), they were amazed at how much better it handled the chop, compared to all of the other boats they were on that day. The same comments were coming from ones that rode on the LSV. If you can find a way to get a ride on all these, in similar choppy conditions, I am pretty confident you would like the ride of the Bu. All are great boats, but as far as handling chop, my bet goes for the Bu.