Malibu M235...first impression

[OxDoc]

The helm display does seem intrusive. I like the easy of use, but its just in the way.

[nohlan_4]

http://s124.photobucket.com/user/IXF...wxs4o.png.html

Saw the wave and wake from wakeboarding magazine. Actually more impressed with the wake than the wave. Still doesn't look like anything ground breaking, maybe hull technology has kind of plateaued in a sense. I mean they are now splitting hairs.

[Laptom]

I know it is personal, but in Germany boat show the g23 and m235 were next each other. The m235 looks like it was designed by a 10yr old. Very weird and no clean lines. Crazy interior.
True, at first a thought the g23 was designed by an 18yr old, but the disappointment was much bigger with the m235. Always liked the exterior of the Bu's.

Hope the wake is good and easy to ride.

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[Miljack]

There is an 81 page thread on the malibu crew about this G killer and IXFE did a detailed comparison of prices at his local boat show. When you start to compare similarly equipped boats, the difference is no where near 50K. I think he exaggerated a little to say they were pretty much the same, but some of the options on the M boat add to its price tag, like a $2,000 powered pocket door. When optioned close, I think they are going to be within 10K of each other. But his particular dealer who carries both brands, may be more aggressive with Malibu and less with Nautique. But that is the only 'same area, same dealership, similarly equipped' thorough comparison I have seen. You can start with the fact that the M will only come with the supercharged engine. And clamping board racks are going to be a few K more as well if you wanted them on your G. Initial buzz was that you could not option the boat down, but that is not true.

This is the first review that I have seen who felt it was not all it was cracked up to be. But all of those others were on the Malibu forum, so what would I expect?

Tallredrider IXFE can be counted on for a total "homer" review/comparison. I did notice that his dealer ordered that boat in "his colors..."

Beg4wake I was going to post something with my observations of this boat as I saw the same boat at the Charlotte show, and I checked out the TMC thread, and 81(!) pages on the M235 so I had to skim. The main thing I see on that thread is how the boat is sooo much better "built" and "finished" than a G and that's what makes it a "G Killer."
I don't get it, to me the fit and finish were subpar to the G's, and that control screen arrangement screams "check me out!" I thought maybe it tilts so you could adjust it for glare? Doesn't appear to, Maybe it does, if so that would be a cool feature. Anyway, the interesting thing to me is how many on the TMC thread were commenting on how many really cool and fine details the 235 had and why that makes it a "G killer," LED's in the transom grab rail? Billet EVERYWHERE? (it looks like the Malibu designers said, "MC's have 100 LBS of billet on the Star, we need 250 LBS!") And before you accuse me of being a "bling hater," trust me, I CAN appreciate billet aluminum and how nicely machined it is, IT JUUST doesn't contribute to making the boat perform better! (I purchase ALOT of CNC machined bits for our company...)

My main point is this (and I COULDN'T read the whole 81 page thread), very little in the way of performance reviews, and maybe because Malibu has kept the development process very closed. Anyway to me it looks like Malibu built a Cadillac to take on the new 991 GT3...
Just my $0.02

[Beg4wake]

Saw the wave and wake from wakeboarding magazine. Actually more impressed with the wake than the wave. Still doesn't look like anything ground breaking, maybe hull technology has kind of plateaued in a sense. I mean they are now splitting hairs.

I highly agree with this. And even if they did come out with something that could make bigger and better, then the industry would just be further pushing more and more people into trying to ban wake boats from use in certain areas/lakes due to property damage. Our lake has already had a few people try to start a petition...granted it was just shot down...but I feel if things keep going the way they do with technology and hugely ballasted boats, it could definitely become very likely!

[Beg4wake]

The display of the G's is actually one reason I chose the G23! I love how it is ONE screen, and it sits off to the side. When I test drove the boat, there was absolutely nothing in the way of my view! And I agree that the helm looks cool on the new Malibus, but also looks very intrusive!

Miljack...it doesn't tilt?! Haha...I didn't try to move one but I also figured that was the whole reason to that type of display as well! Seems to be just a gimmick.

[thtrog]

The Malibu screen does tilt, but does not fold down. They are brackets are tight so it's not moving around, mine took two hands to move.That same M235 was in Raleigh and may be in the Greensboro show next week. It was fully optioned like all others across the country around $225k MSRP, you could another pair of PTM racks or cargo bimini. The list of options you can delete was just published a few weeks ago.

This build sheet has different gel colors, but you can see the specs.

[enzo thecat]

I'm sorry but Malibu has a loooong way to go until the fit and finish matches that of Nautique. I doubt this new boat is much different in that regard. We spent 2 days looking at the Malibu's because a good friend is a dealer. But the quality compared to the Nautique was something we just couldnt live with. So we ordered the Nautique. Innovation-wise, Malibu is on the cutting edge. They have a lot of excellent features that I'd love to have on a Nautique. I think Nautique is a lot like Apple; maybe not the first but the best.

[Beg4wake]

I'm sorry but Malibu has a loooong way to go until the fit and finish matches that of Nautique. I doubt this new boat is much different in that regard. We spent 2 days looking at the Malibu's because a good friend is a dealer. But the quality compared to the Nautique was something we just couldnt live with. So we ordered the Nautique. Innovation-wise, Malibu is on the cutting edge. They have a lot of excellent features that I'd love to have on a Nautique. I think Nautique is a lot like Apple; maybe not the first but the best.

I agree 100%!! I do have to admit...if Mastercraft could produce one boat that could put out as good a wake AND wave as the G...then Nautique would truly have some competition. And this is coming from a former Mastercraft enthusiast!

[Tallredrider]

The Malibu screen does tilt, but does not fold down. They are brackets are tight so it's not moving around, mine took two hands to move.That same M235 was in Raleigh and may be in the Greensboro show next week. It was fully optioned like all others across the country around $225k MSRP, you could another pair of PTM racks or cargo bimini. The list of options you can delete was just published a few weeks ago.

This build sheet has different gel colors, but you can see the specs.

I cannot beleive that hasn't been printed yet in the Malibu crew thread. Is there any way to get it just a tiny bit more clear? Some of the numbers are a little hard to read on my monitor.

Regarding IXFE being a homer for Malibu, I think that is true, but the numbers seemed to back him up some. The number that was most telling was that I think he was quoted a higher percentage off of the M235 than the G23. Whether or not that is nationwide remains to be seen.

[Bdillonwake]

After seeing this boat In person I find it comical that an unproven machine would be labeled as a "G killer". Wasn't even the best Malibu represented at the show. In my opinion the 25lsv (if my memory serves me well) was far ahead of the M235 in just about every aspect. Even as a G owner I personally like the shape and lines Malibu has had for a while now, but the M235 is just an eyesore to me. (Looks like a yacht from afar)


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[nohlan_4]

I cannot beleive that hasn't been printed yet in the Malibu crew thread. Is there any way to get it just a tiny bit more clear? Some of the numbers are a little hard to read on my monitor.

Regarding IXFE being a homer for Malibu, I think that is true, but the numbers seemed to back him up some. The number that was most telling was that I think he was quoted a higher percentage off of the M235 than the G23. Whether or not that is nationwide remains to be seen.

That was the exact flaw with his numbers. He said average deal for a Malibu is 25% off msrp and only 20% off for nautique.....wtf? Make them both 20 or 25 and see where the prices land. That's the only fair way to compare. With a fair discount on each boat the m235 is still higher by a good margin. I want some hard reviews from bias and unbiased people to really say if the m235 is worth it.

[Beg4wake]

I cannot beleive that hasn't been printed yet in the Malibu crew thread. Is there any way to get it just a tiny bit more clear? Some of the numbers are a little hard to read on my monitor.

Regarding IXFE being a homer for Malibu, I think that is true, but the numbers seemed to back him up some. The number that was most telling was that I think he was quoted a higher percentage off of the M235 than the G23. Whether or not that is nationwide remains to be seen.

If I am reading that right...the base MSRP of the M235 is $154,450? And that doesn't even include most of the "options" that are "standard" on this base boat...such as the tower, surf gate, wedge (granted the wedge does add extra ballast effect), surf pipe, board racks, base stereo (granted the bu has a little better set up with the 8" over the 6.5" in the Nautique), ballast system, soft grip flooring, wake view bench seat, pop up cleats, docking lights, etc (which just those "extra" items total up to another $34k or so)....which all of these are INCLUDED in the base price of a G23 (In some form or other) which is $136, 761. Throw in the 550 motor so that the G more matches the M235 and you're looking at about $147k (I believe), which is still a difference of about $40k or so for the same basic set up. From what I've seen, the M235 is being offered at about the same discount as most Nautiques (and pretty much most other boats as well), which is an average between 18-21% off MSRP. It's just when you take 20% off $225k, you get quite a bigger discount dollar wise compared to 20% off $172k (the MSRP of my fully loaded G23, sans the 550 motor, I got the 450).

I'm NOT saying that the M235 isn't a great boat, or even that the G is better (in my own opinion however it is, but that's just my own taste). What I am saying, is that there is in no way that this boat is worth $40-$50k over the price of a G23!! I honestly think that if Bu brought the price down to match the G's pricing, they would ultimately sell a ton more boats, thus making even more money! Just my 2 cents! Oh, and they really need to work on the ease of operation on the seat hinges etc. All of that in the MC's and the Nautiques worked flawlessly. The M235 was a nightmare just to get a seat to lift. IMO, for $180k out the door, the seats should be remote operated!

[OxDoc]

Don't get me wrong, I like the G way better and would have still ordered the G even if both boats were exactly rhe same price. My wife thought the M235 was fugly.

[Beg4wake]

Don't get me wrong, I like the G way better and would have still ordered the G even if both boats were exactly rhe same price. My wife thought the M235 was fugly.

Haha, I'm with you and I 100% agree with your wife! Although I do understand that looks are always subjective!