Wakeboard Boat Review
It’s hard for us to pick which Malibu is the premier wakeboarding boat. Like the Malibu Wakesetter VLX, this Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV is the wakeboard boat of choice for many pros, has had a lot of action at tournaments and churns out wakes we love. No matter what, the Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV is top-of-the-line.
Hull: This is Malibu Boats’ V25 Wake hull, shared with the Malibu Wakesetter VLX and the Malibu Wakesetter XTi models. The Malibu Boats design team tweaked it this year, mainly with changes in the bow, but otherwise it has the proven performance ridden in thousands of pro sessions.
Ballast: The LCD dash display keeps track of the ballast levels as spread out between the 500-pound center tank, dual 250-pound rear tanks and the optional 350-pound tank in the bow. With a boat this big, we recommend upgrading to that bow tank and inviting a bunch of friends.
Tower: The new cast aluminum Illusion XS wakeboard tower comes standard here. Its back edge looks like filed-down shark teeth. Nice. It’s especially sturdy, even when yanked on. Pull the quick-release pins and it folds down into the boat. You gotta opt for the swivel racks.
Wake shaper: You can get a manual Wedge but we strongly advise you to pay for the Power Wedge, since it changes wakes on the fly and is integrated into Malibu’s new rider presets. We kept that Wedge all the way down for our tests.
Highlight feature: Rider presets. This new feature is controlled through the LCD dash screen. Input your name, speed preference, Wedge setting and ballast configuration, and let the boat do the rest.
The wake: Super rampy with long transitions. One of our riders did a backside 180 and saw a landing ramp so big, it seemed like it had a target on it.
What We Dig
Very wide beam
Redesigned, cushy bow
Smooth shift-by-wire throttle
One of the best interiors
Optional passenger bucket seat
LED docking lights
Specs
Length w/o platform: 23’
Beam: 8’6”
People: 14
Dry weight: 3,900 lb.
Ballast: 1,350 lb. total (center tank: 500 lb.; two rear tanks: 250 lb. each; bow tank*: 350 lb.)
Tower: Illusion XS wakeboard tower
Racks*: Swivel
Wake shaper*: Power Wedge
Main lounge: 72 sq. ft.
Stereo*: Rockford Fosgate unit with USB port and 1-gig hard drive, 1-gig USB pocket drive, up to eight Rockford Fosgate speakers, amp, subwoofer, transom remote, swivel tower speakers, Sirius satellite radio-ready
Cooler: 60 qt.
Fuel: 55 gal.
Trailer*: Single or tandem axle
Base MSRP: $63,810
*Optional
Engine
Standard: Indmar Monsoon 5.7L, 340 hp
Test: Indmar Hammerhead 383 6.2L, 400 hp
Test prop: Acme 13.5 x 16 four-blade
Cruise: Malibu Precision Pro
