211 for an old slalom skier?

[SkiTower]

The Malibu VTX is supposed to be the mack daddy of ski-Vdrives. I just worry about the quality (hence why I drive CC)

[RLS]

Look close at the Malibu before you buy. I am not sure the fit and finish is as good as CC. I too went through the same decision and ended up with a 211. I had a 98 Sunsetter LX. It was a great ski boat but no room for sacks. I have not skied behind my boat yet but did ski behind a test boat. It was not bad. I have a friend that has a Malibu 23 XTI. That is a big direct drive. I thing the 211 is a little better. The room converted me. I am also in the Bay Area if you want a test ride when it gets warmer.

[sfjakey]

Mikeski, we need to hook up. I am in Bel Marin Keys, so I live on the water. I looked at Malibu today. I wouldn't buy one at half the price of a Nautique. I remember why I hated my 2001 response. Anyway, I'm looking at a 07 team loaded with a zr6. We'll see what pricepoint can be achieved. I am not paying too much in today's economy, so we'll see what happens. My 18 year old neighbor is in full support, if that matters. I'm thinking I can learn to ski the wake, we'll see.

[Noelb]

I hear you. Tough choice! We're in the same boat! I'm turning 40 soon and got a 211 in October last year. First, I can confirm that prop rotation is the same as other brands on the 211 from model year 2007 and on.

I am coming from a Moomba LS 04, which I think handled slalom very well (although some of the hard-core skiers on the lake didn't want to admit it because it had a tower on it!). For wakeboarding it was ok, but after 4 years, I reached the wake's limit.

Last year I was doing say 25% slalom and 75% skiing. I figured the 211 was perfect. I found an amazing deal on a new 211 in October. Where I live, that gave me only gave me 2 weeks to try it out.

Indeed, it is a very very sweet family boat. I never thought I would hear Myself say this, but it is so much fun to drive. The wakeboarding wake is amazing. It can be custom-tailored to suit any rider's preference, and I'm not just talking size, but also steepnees and shape thanks to the hydrogate. I'm not big on surfing, but I can say that it will do the job. Not like the bigger boats, butit does work well even without adding anything more that factory ballast.

However, when it gets to slalom, it is quite a workout. Mind you, I'm only doing 15 off at 30mph. I did try the kiddy course at 32 and 34 mph and at 15 off it was better. Then I tried 22 off - forget it!, unless you are planning to do aerials! I also tried 28 off, and it seemed fine to me at that point, as I was passed that terrible rooster tail at 22 (but I am no reference).

Now I am facing a tough decision, as you are. I got an injury recently which probably means that I'll have to calm down on wakeboarding; but I should still be able to do slalom without any problems (in case you want to know, my shoulder keeps dislocating, making rope tricks quite dangerous). I may either: keep the 211, or trade the 211 for a 216.

In your case, I would either look at getting a 216, or a 211 plus a used closed bow ski boat. If you buy the 211 with the intention of doing some serious skiing, I believe you will be disappointed. Skiing on a buddy's boat can only work for so long. Eventually, you'll want to go when they can't, or you'll get more and more shy to ask.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

[Mikeski]

The wake on the 211 is downright ugly at 220ff/34mph likewise the wake on a 216 is not so great at 28off/34mph. When I ski behind the 216 I ski at 22, behind my 211 I ski at 28.

The 211 can be detrimental to your skiing, I tend to ride my back foot now after skiing behind the 211 for 3 years. When I get behind a boat with a flat wake I need to force myself to get back on top of the ski.

BelMarinKeys... Learned to jump there with Carl Bovie in 1971. Good times.