I haven't ever ridden the sv23 hull (pre 2005 VLX), but my dad owns an '05 VLX and as johnny_defacto said, it's a great hull. Even after riding the new Xstar and G23, people still get really stoked on our wake. We have the optional bow tank so are running the stock 1250, a 725# in the walk through, and About 400 along the back seat on the floor (I disagree that you need a bow sack if you run a sack in the walk through). With that ~2500 lbs and wedge, I really think it's as good as any wake even produced today, outside the G23 and Xstar.
The hull after the '05, I guess the 2009 hull...I didn't like as much. I only rode it once, but we had stock ballast plus 6+ people and maybe a sack, I cant remember, and the wake had the exact same shape as ours but it was smaller (less weight, but not by too much) and significantly wider. The boat is wider, so it makes sense that it takes more weight to sink it and that the wake would be slightly wider. Haven't ridden any VLX's newer than that.
Sure I'm biased, but I think the 05-08 VLX is going to be known as a classic. It has a great hull, excellent modern (fuel injected) engine options (our Monsoon 340 has never required significant maintenance and doesn't burn a drop of oil), and most importantly was about the end of the line before they turned rocker switches into computer screens that will inevitably break/freeze/crash long term.
Happy hunting
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