Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Malibu LXi 2010 vs Malibu Wakesetter VLX 2012 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu LXi 2010 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 505 hp, the Malibu LXi 2010 has a 155-hp advantage over the Malibu Wakesetter VLX 2012's 350-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 41 gal and 41 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
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 LXi 2010 caps at 9. 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.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Wakesetter VLX 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 21,5 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu LXi 2010 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 9 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
ModelLXi
ModelWakesetter VLX
Model Year201
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam93.5 in
Beam100 in. (2.54 m)
Beam - Meters2.39
Beam - Meters2.54
Beam - Inches93.5
Beam - Inches1
Draft [max] - Detail22 in
Draft [max] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)
Draft [max] - Meters0.56
Draft [max] - Meters0.61
Draft [max] - Inches22
Draft [max] - Inches24
Length - Feet20.5
Length - Feet21.5
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 6 in
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in. (6.55 m)
Length overall - Meters6.25
Length overall - Meters6.55
Length overall - Inches246
Length overall - Inches258
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail3,700 lbs. (1,678 kg)
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1678.29
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.37
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMalibu 330 LCR - EFI-MPI
Engine makenot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail41 gal. (155 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2
Fuel tank capacity - Liters155.2
Fuel tank capacity - Gal41
Fuel tank capacity - Gal41
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeV-drive
Horsepower330 hp
Horsepower350 hp
Engine max505 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine modelnot available
Engine modelMalibu Monsoon 35
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,265 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people9
Maximum people14