Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 vs Malibu VLX 2010 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 and the Malibu VLX 2010 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 VLX 2010 tops out at 505 hp. Engine specs for the Malibu 21 vRIDE 2012 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 48 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 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Malibu VLX 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 VLX 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
Model Year2012
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam98 in. (2.49 m)
Beam100 in
Beam - Meters2.49
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches98
Beam - Inches1
Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Draft [max] - Detail24 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Inches24
Draft [max] - Inches24
Weight - Detail3,500 lbs. (1,588 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1587.57
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.35
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Feet21.5
Length - Feet21.5
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Inches258
Length overall - Inches258
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal. (182 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal46
Drive typeInboard
Drive typeV-drive
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMalibu 330 LCR - EFI-MPI
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower330 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine max505 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people13
Maximum people11
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,654 lbs