X2 tower 07 onwards

[neallewis]

Originally Posted by Caios

I spent a week with a 08 VLX in Florida, loved it. The vride is apparently as good, slightly lower spec trim and smaller hull. Worth considering.

The Malibu vRide (and iRide) are the same SV23 wake hull (21ft) as my old (2000) Malibu Wakesetter. I'd have a new one in a flash funds permitting. We've been talking of trading up to a VLX for a while though, so we'll see. Not a lot of people have exposure to Malibu's in the UK as their aren't many over here, but they are the biggest selling wake and ski boats in the US, selling more than Mastercraft and Nautique, which both have a much bigger presence here in the UK.
The new Malibu's i've seen over in the US and at Hazelwoods (UK dealer) are amazing, a real quality high spec boat with an amazing wake.

[rich m]

Originally Posted by jcl4y

I'm looking at a couple of options for a new boat including x2.

I've no doubt it and other boats I'm looking at will be way better than I can do justice to, however heard a few negative comments about latest tower design, looks great but a few people say it flex's quite a bit.

Anyone out there got one and have first hand experience.

Have seen a couple of boats with braces on, are these standard or options, MC or supermarket. The fact they exist suggests standard tower might have issues.

We have got a 2006 X2 - it is an amazing bit of kit, 200 hours and has never had any problems, its still like new and the tower is solid and well built. The "fly by wire" throttle control had to be changed but that appears to have been a problem in the early boats, no issues otherwise. My advice would be to try and have a look at boats that are couple of years old that will give you a better indication of build quality which I think is a little bit suspect on the Malibu's. You can gladly have a crawl all over our boat to inspect at anytime.

[Tower_boy]

"My advice would be to try and have a look at boats that are couple of years old that will give you a better indication of build quality which I think is a little bit suspect on the Malibu's."

I absolutely could not disagree more. Nothing suspect about Malibu's build at all, I would categorically say that anyone who feels an MC is a superior boat needs to have a fresh look at a Malibu. Now show me a 3-4 year old Tige on the other hand...

There's a reason 'Bu sell so many boats, and if you believe its because they have more factories you need to go back to the basics of Supply and demand 101....

[PaulMc]

I agree with tower_boy, we switched to malibu's from MC a few years ago at our club. The malibus are brilliant build quality and the drive and responsivness is all there. If anything the drive better than any MC i've driven as i've noticed the steering on the malibu's is less prone to slacking that you get on a mastercraft overtime.

[jcl4y]

I imagine price is a big factor in Malibu's often quoted sales success in the States, which is not a criticism and lets face it not something many of us can ignore, the VL/TX certainly make the 210 and X2 look pricey.

Wakesetter styling not really my thing but not a show stopper if everything else is right, aiming to get a closer look at one, have been in touch with D2 Marine about a demo model they have for sale although not that forthcoming which is a surprise.

New shape X2 has been around for a couple of years so a few used ones around but given what a new one can be had for the used prices been asked seem unrealistic especially given how long some have been on the market for.

[Tower_boy]

Have you contacted Hazelwoods? They are another UK dealer and have more stock..