Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Malibu iRide 2006 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 iRide 2006 and the Malibu VLX 2010 are modified vee designs with composite 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 505 hp, the Malibu VLX 2010 has a 105-hp advantage over the Malibu iRide 2006's 400-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. 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 VLX 2010 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu iRide 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu VLX 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu VLX 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 11 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu iRide 2006 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
Model Year2006
Model Year201
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam93.5 in. (2.37 m)
Beam100 in
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches93.5
Beam - Inches1
Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (.61 m)
Draft [max] - Detail24 in
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Inches24
Draft [max] - Inches24
Weight - Detail2,900 lbs. (1,315 kg)
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1315.42
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.29
Weight - lbs.not available
Length - Meters6.4
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet21.5
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in. (6.40 m)
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Inches252
Length overall - Inches258
Body / Hull
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardMalibu LCR 320 hp EFI-MPI
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal. (174 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13
Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal46
Fuel tank capacity - Gal46
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeV-drive
Engine max400 hp
Engine max505 hp
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMalibu 330 LCR - EFI-MPI
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower330 hp
Operational Info
Maximum people1
Maximum people11
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity1,654 lbs