Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 or the Malibu VTX 2009?

The Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Malibu VTX 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 19,0 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 VTX 2009 has a documented max rating of 400 hp. Engine specifications for the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 is certified for 1. 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 share an 98 in. (2.49 m) 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 46 gallons and 46 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and the Malibu VTX 2009 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009

Malibu

Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008

2008

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Malibu

Malibu VTX 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and the Malibu VTX 2009 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 VTX 2009 tops out at 400 hp. Engine specs for the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 46 gal and 46 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 (2009) 2008 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu VTX 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMalibu

Model21 vRide (2009)

ModelVTX

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in. (2.49 m)

Beam98 in

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches98

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

Draft [max] - Detail22 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inches24

Draft [max] - Inches22

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

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.35

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Meters6.55

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet2

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal. (174 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal46

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard

Drive typeV-drive

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMalibu 320 LCR - EFI-MPI

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower320 hp

Engine maxnot available

Engine max400 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people11

Maximum people1

Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 or the Malibu VTX 2009?

The Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Malibu VTX 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 19,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Malibu VTX 2009 has a documented max rating of 400 hp. Engine specifications for the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 is certified for 1. 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 share an 98 in. (2.49 m) 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 46 gallons and 46 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Malibu 21 vRide (2009) 2008 and the Malibu VTX 2009 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 21 vRide (2009) 2008 full specs ← Malibu VTX 2009 full specs