24 MXZ vs Nautique G23 - A surf comparison video

[SoCal G-Man]

I have to agree on calling BS on this comparison. I am in marketing, so I see through this stuff pretty quick. More importantly, I have hands-on experience testing these boats...

I recently found myself with the opportunity to get into a new boat, so I did a ton of research and testing, as I always do. My kids didn't want to trade their dirt bike time for wetsuits, so I only surfed - no wakeboarding. I tested the Malubu 24 MXZ, Malibu 23 LSV and the Mastercraft X24. The LSV surf wave was better than the 24 MXZ for me, even with less people in the LSV. I played with additional ballast (2 400# bags) and placed them in different areas in each boat. The LSV still surfed better. I also jumped into the X24 for a day. The Mastercraft is nice and the wave was tall, but the Malibu 23 LSV with 400# bags under the side seating are compartments had a better surf wave than the X24 for me. I played with the bags in the MC, but the compartments were too small to get the bags full, so we left them on the seats. Still not as good as the 23 LSV. It is great bang for the buck. The 24 MXZ can't be compared. The X24 interior is very nice, but the rear storage compartments fall short, and the rear transom seats are a waste. Plus, the tower was cheesy to me. The G23 simply has a better surf wave, especially with my bags under the side seat compartments. Plus, the rear storage is ideal, the taller tower is solid, and board storage is better. The sub-floor cooler and transom cooler are better-designed, as well. Another important benefit is that the G23 bow rise while surfing is minimal even with the extra bags.

In mid-March, after all of the testing and research, I pulled the trigger and ordered a 2019 G23. I believe it arrived at my dealer last week, so I am excited to see it. I do not even consider the 24 MXZ a competitor to the G23. The 23 LSV is more formidable. Just my $.02.....

[Jordan23]

SoCal G-Man- Glad to read your write up. I just left Malibu (247 LSV) and bought a 2019 G 23. I like both boats waves, but the G just gave me more in fit & finish. Ours gets delivered on May 30th. Can't wait.....

[wakerider107]

The "independent 3rd party" they hired to do this science experiment just happens to be the exact same company Malibu hires for all their marketing. Every forum this has been posted on, including The Malibu Crew, have all laughed at this video - even TMC knows it's a joke. BUT, new customers fall for it. I wouldn't be surprised if this helped closed dozens of Malibu deals over the winter boat shows.

Regarding wave - all boats surf well now. It's all preference and will be a never ending debate.

[cptotr]

I do not even consider the 24 MXZ a competitor to the G23

That’s an overstatement! I too have hands on experience and I feel exactly the opposite. I could’ve bought either one just as you did and without question went the other direction. I owned a G23 and just upgraded to a 2019 24mxz. I’m not going to come to a Nautique forum and bash Nautique, but I have a couple dealers equidistant from me and visited and demoed both. One sells both Malibu and Nautique, so it was nice to see both boats back to back. They without hesitation push the Malibu and unless their margins are that much better from Malibu, they would have no reason to do so. I even went into the process almost dead set on getting another G, and after talking with them and demoing did a complete 180. I still like the G23 and think it’s a great boat. I’ll even miss a few things about the G23. However I personally think the wave/wake is better on the 24 mxz. I also like the ability to have a nice clean wake at slow speeds for teaching kids and beginners to wakeboard. One thing completely unrelated to the wave/wake I’m excited to have is a tower that holds more than 4 boards. Seemed like we had boards all over the G23. Either way, we’ll both have good summers and have no regrets about the boats we chose because those are the boats we chose.


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[nyryan2001]

Wait till you try to sell or trade in your $135k 24MXZ in a couple years. It’s going to be ugly.

[SoCal G-Man]

SoCal G-Man- Glad to read your write up. I just left Malibu (247 LSV) and bought a 2019 G 23. I like both boats waves, but the G just gave me more in fit & finish. Ours gets delivered on May 30th. Can't wait.....

The LSV is a great hull, and it makes better boarding and surfing wakes wake than the MXZ. I like the MXZ design better, though. I had a hard time leaving Malibu, especially with so many friends working for the factory and being able to test pre-pro Wakesetters over the years.

[Mahnal]

That wave does not look like the wave my 2014 G25 produces

[Gregs2222]

24mxz is much bigger boat , I wish to see G25 vs 24MXz vsZX5 vs Fi25(Ri257), I’m also surprised there is so many 23LSV owners here trying prof there boat is the best. 24 MXZ is designed to make huge waves, have different hull and is differently balanced . Currently owned Tige R20 can’t compare to any of this boat, I tested 24mxz , 23lsv , 25LSV, x23 I have no chance to test Tige ZX5 and G 23/25 , Tige will be difficult but G23 May happen soon with my dealer. After all test 24mxz wins - design ( is huge boat ) handling, wake is huge ( at max 5/6 feet high)is like mustang GT , I like x24/x23 less performance and wake you can’t complete but is like Mercedes ( vinyl , all finishes)

[doug69]

24mxz is much bigger boat , I wish to see G25 vs 24MXz vsZX5 vs Fi25(Ri257), I’m also surprised there is so many 23LSV owners here trying prof there boat is the best. 24 MXZ is designed to make huge waves, have different hull and is differently balanced . Currently owned Tige R20 can’t compare to any of this boat, I tested 24mxz , 23lsv , 25LSV, x23 I have no chance to test Tige ZX5 and G 23/25 , Tige will be difficult but G23 May happen soon with my dealer. After all test 24mxz wins - design ( is huge boat ) handling, wake is huge ( at max 5/6 feet high)is like mustang GT , I like x24/x23 less performance and wake you can’t complete but is like Mercedes ( vinyl , all finishes)

6’ high wake.... i’m pretty sure you are not supposed to drive a boat while on acid.


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[Gregs2222]

5 or 6 whatever, it was more then twice bigger then my current boat.

[Sailfun]

I owned 5 Malibu’s over the last 25 years. The last two were junk. The construction quality since the mergers and changes is nothing like the older Malibu’s. I had a new 2016 that spent so much time in the shop Malibu made me a great deal on a 2017. It followed the 2016 in spending all its time being repaired. Went over to a 2018 G23 and have not looked back. Simply no comparison in overall quality and the hardware used in construction.

[cptotr]

I owned 5 Malibu’s over the last 25 years. The last two were junk. The construction quality since the mergers and changes is nothing like the older Malibu’s. I had a new 2016 that spent so much time in the shop Malibu made me a great deal on a 2017. It followed the 2016 in spending all its time being repaired. Went over to a 2018 G23 and have not looked back. Simply no comparison in overall quality and the hardware used in construction.

Sorry, but I have to agree with greggs on the wake/wave of the 24 mxz. I like it better in every way. Can’t comment quite yet on the quality since I haven’t put enough time on it, but so far so good. I did think my G23 had a very high quality build, but can’t say it’s any better than the Malibu up to this point. If it does not hold up, I will be brutally honest though and not defend it just because I spent my money on it. It is nice to not have to wonder when my prop shaft is going to fall off though.


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