When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Malibu Response 2005 and the Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV 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?

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 555 hp, the Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV 2013 has a 155-hp advantage over the Malibu Response 2005's 400-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV 2013 carries 53 gallons versus 35 gallons in the Malibu Response 2005. 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 23 LSV 2013 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Malibu Response 2005 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV 2013 could be the deciding factor.