Malibu 20 LSV 2010 vs Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 or the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012?

The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 is the longer of the two at 21,5 feet overall. The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 19,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 has a documented max rating of 505 hp. Engine specifications for the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 share an 98 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 46 gallons and 48 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 are built by Malibu. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Malibu 20 LSV 2010 vs Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012

Malibu

Malibu 20 LSV 2010

2010

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Malibu

Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Malibu 20 LSV 2010 vs Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 are modified vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 carries a rated maximum of 505 hp. Engine data for the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 46 gal and 48 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMalibu

Model20 LSV

Model21 vRIDE

Model Year201

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in

Beam98 in. (2.49 m)

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches98

Draft [max] - Detail22 in

Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Inches22

Draft [max] - Inches24

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet21.5

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Inches24

Length overall - Inches258

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.35

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMalibu 330 LCR - EFI-MPI

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal. (182 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal46

Fuel tank capacity - Gal48

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeV-drive

Drive typeInboard

Horsepower330 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max505 hp

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacity1,450 lbs

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum people11

Maximum people13

Malibu 20 LSV 2010 vs Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 or the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012?

The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 is the longer of the two at 21,5 feet overall. The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 19,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 has a documented max rating of 505 hp. Engine specifications for the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu 20 LSV 2010 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 share an 98 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 46 gallons and 48 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Malibu 20 LSV 2010 and the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 are built by Malibu. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Malibu 20 LSV 2010 full specs ← Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 full specs