When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu Response LX 2006 and the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Malibu Response LX 2006 at 2,0 ft versus Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 at 2,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Response LX 2006 tips the scales at 245 lbs — 210 lbs more than the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 at 35 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Malibu Response LX 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 — 35 gal and 38 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 is rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Response LX 2006 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 20 VTX 2013 could be the deciding factor.

At this size, power-to-weight ratio matters more than outright horsepower. The Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX 2013 comes in at 0 lbs per hp versus 1 lbs per hp for the Malibu Response LX 2006. The lower the ratio the more explosive the acceleration — meaningful on a short RIB where bursts of speed, quick planing, and agility in surf or tight waterways define the experience.