Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 or the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008?

The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 is certified for 10. 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 and Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 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 21 vRIDE 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008?

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 and Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 and the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 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 vs Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008

Malibu

Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009

2009

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Malibu

Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008

2008

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008: Same Brand, Different Boat

The spec sheets list the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 as modified vee and the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 as v25 wake (cut diamond optional), so check how each hull rides in the conditions you use before you decide.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 400 hp for the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 and 400 hp for the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. 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 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 caps at 10. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 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 Wakesetter VTX 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 10 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMalibu

Model21 vRIDE

ModelWakesetter VTX

Model Year2009

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in.

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches98

Draft [max] - Detail24 in.

Draft [max] - Detail22 in.

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inches24

Draft [max] - Inches22

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet20

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in.

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inches240

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail3,300 lbs.

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg1496.85

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.3300

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeV25 Wake (cut diamond optional)

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMalibu 320 LCR - EFI-MPI

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal46

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeV-drive

Horsepower320 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max400 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMalibu 320 LCR - 320 hp, EFI-MPI

Operational Info

Maximum people11

Maximum people10

Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 or the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008?

The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 comes in at 20,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 is certified for 10. 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 and Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 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 21 vRIDE 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008?

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 and Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2009 and the Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 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 full specs ← Malibu Wakesetter VTX 2008 full specs