Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 or the Malibu VTX 2009?

The Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Malibu VTX 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 19,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 is certified for 1. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 share an 98 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 46 gallons and 46 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and the Malibu VTX 2009 are built by Malibu. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009

Malibu

Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008

2008

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Malibu

Malibu VTX 2009

2009

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a v25 diamond Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 against a modified vee Malibu VTX 2009 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 400 hp for the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and 400 hp for the Malibu VTX 2009. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. 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 Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 is rated for 12 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 12 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu VTX 2009 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

MakeMalibu

ModelSunscape 21 LSV

ModelVTX

Model Year2008

Model Year2009

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam98 in

Beam - Meters2.49

Beam - Inches98

Draft [max] - Detail24 in

Draft [max] - Detail22 in

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Meters0.56

Draft [max] - Inches24

Draft [max] - Inches22

Weight - Detail3,500 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg1587.57

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.35

Weight - lbs.not available

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet2

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeV25 Diamond

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardMalibu 320 LCR - 320 hp, EFI-MPI

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13

Fuel tank capacity - Gal46

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeV-drive

Engine max400 hp

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMalibu 320 LCR - EFI-MPI

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower320 hp

Operational Info

Maximum people12

Maximum people1

Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 vs Malibu VTX 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 or the Malibu VTX 2009?

The Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The Malibu VTX 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 19,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Malibu VTX 2009 is certified for 1. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 share an 98 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 46 gallons and 46 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and Malibu VTX 2009 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 and the Malibu VTX 2009 are built by Malibu. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Malibu Sunscape 21 LSV 2008 full specs ← Malibu VTX 2009 full specs