New boat almost narrowed down

[Shockthis]

Here are the two options.

looking at a 2013 malibu vlx vs a 2013 natique 210
the malibu is a demo

80k for a 2013 210
86k for a 2013 vlx

The vlx has
heated seat
semi closed cooling
metal flake

other than that they are very similar for options
http://www.westhawkmarine.com/new-bo...sublime-green/
http://www.wpgsport.com/default.asp?...345883&p=1&%0b

I wake board, wife surfs , maybe ski 5%
boat lift holds 4600lbs
Is there something else I should be looking at?

[s_kelley2000]

Is the 210 a leftover or is that used? I'm surprised the VLX is $6K more. Do they have surfgate/NSS? For wakeboarding it comes down to what type of wake you prefer. If you like mellow and rampy then go VLX, if you like a steeper kick then go 210. I will let you decide on quality but if you get a chance go for a ride in a 10 year old Nautique and a 10 year old Bu.

[Shockthis]

The 210 is new. Yes it has nss. Does the 210 have a good surf wave or will I be regretting not getting a 23 ft?
It is usually only 2 to 4 Of us in our boat.

[dttheel]

Obviously, you've got to decide what you think is best. We just bought a similar 2013 210 a week ago. If it helps, the price you quoted is really close to what mine was (minus the NSS since mine didn't have that) and a second dealer confirmed the great price we were offered on a new boat. So, I think you are being offered a great deal on the Nautique.

[Nautiquehunter]

Go look at a 3-5 year old Malibu and Nautique . Then look at resale . The nauti is a better engineered boat . Ask around about how much extra weight the BU will need to make a good wake. Remember extra weight is extra gas. I personally would never own an Indmar equipped boat.

[cedarcreek216]

We just bought a 13 210 and test drove it twice and the surf wave is great with just stock ballast and NSS and even better after we plumbed some extra weight in.


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[cedarcreek216]

This was stock with only three people on board.



As usual, hard to get a good picture that shows the size, but you see how much clean wave there is and the distance the riding area is from the boat.


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[nyryan2001]

Here are the two options.

Is there something else I should be looking at?

Yep.

1. Resale. Go on boats.com or only inboards and check resale values on Malibu VLX vs Nautiques 210s. The 210 with NSS will trump every time.

2. Service and business ethics. Consider your local dealers very carefully.... which has a better reputation between the 2? WHICH BRAND HAS A BETTER REPUTATION FOR SERVICE AND QUALITY????? <---- my primary consideration for boat ownership. Malibu has some serious issues right now... owned by venture capitalists who are squeezing out profits over quality and ethics. Take a read over on the Malibu forum...search "Dealer problems" or "refused service". Who are your potential dealers?

3. PCM vs Indmar. Majority of folks would rather have PCM.

[jrz1]

I've owned both Malibu and Nautique. Loved certain aspects of the Malibu but the quality and design couldn't hold a candle to the Nautique. Only thing I miss from the Malibu was the handling which was night/day better than the Nautique. Sold a 2011 247 SC for a 2013 G25 with basically same motor. Never looked back.

[migs]

One of my best friends has a vlx. Guess who's boat he's always on? My 210.

[archcityblues]

210, without even blinking an eye and thats with an even price point. when you surf the 210nss you wont regret it.

[axeman]

I am shocked at the retail price listed for the VLX. 210 all the way...

[shag]

This is a no brainer..... Nautique .... For the reasons mentioned above..

[Shockthis]

Can I get a clean wake under 20 mph? I take lots of beginners out.

[HS]

Yes, this will be a function of
Adjusting ballast and line length for the speed...too much ballast at a slow speed, and the wake will crumble, but you can shorten the tow line so the rider is ahead of the crumble point. Of my two kids, I think my oldest rides at 19, and the 3 tanks are between half and 3/4 full at 60' line length.