When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V 2009 and the Malibu Wakesetter VLX 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 Wakesetter VLX 2012 tops out at 350 hp. Engine specs for the Malibu Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Malibu Wakesetter VLX 2012 carries 41 gallons versus 37 gallons in the Malibu Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Wakesetter VLX 2012 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Malibu Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V 2009 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Wakesetter VLX 2012 could be the deciding factor.