Malibu VLX 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat - the Malibu VLX 2009 or the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006?

The Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Malibu VLX 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu VLX 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 is certified for 14. 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 VLX 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 share an 100 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 VLX 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 46 gallons and 47 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 VLX 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Malibu VLX 2009 and the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 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 VLX 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006

Malibu

Malibu VLX 2009

2009

View full specs →

Malibu

Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006

2006

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Malibu VLX 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006: A Close Look at Two Modified-V Boats

Both the Malibu VLX 2009 and the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 are modified-V designs, so 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?

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 400 hp for the Malibu VLX 2009 and 400 hp for the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006. 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 47 gal - so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Malibu VLX 2009 caps at 11. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 14 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu VLX 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 11 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeMalibu

ModelVLX

ModelWakesetter 23 XTi

Model Year2009

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam100 in.

Beam100 in. (2.54 m)

Beam - Meters2.54

Beam - Inches100

Draft [max] - Detail24 in.

Draft [max] - Detail27 in. (.69 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.61

Draft [max] - Meters0.69

Draft [max] - Inches24

Draft [max] - Inches27

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet23

Length - Inches6

Length - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 6 in.

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in. (7.01 m)

Length overall - Meters6.55

Length overall - Meters7.01

Length overall - Inches258

Length overall - Inches276

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - Detail3,700 lbs. (1,678 kg)

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - kg1678.29

Weight - lbs.not available

Weight - lbs.3700

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.01

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine makeMalibu 320 LCR - EFI-MPI

Engine makenot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail46 gal.

Fuel tank capacity - Detail47 gal. (178 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters174.13

Fuel tank capacity - Liters177.91

Fuel tank capacity - Gal46

Fuel tank capacity - Gal47

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typenot available

Drive typeV-drive

Drive typeI/O

Horsepower320 hp

Horsepowernot available

Engine max400 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardMalibu Monsoon 340 hp EFI-MPI

Operational Info

Maximum people11

Maximum people14

Malibu VLX 2009 vs Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 - Common Questions

Which is the larger boat - the Malibu VLX 2009 or the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006?

The Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The Malibu VLX 2009 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter - a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Malibu VLX 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 11 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 is certified for 14. 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 VLX 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 share an 100 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 VLX 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads - 46 gallons and 47 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 VLX 2009 and Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes - both the Malibu VLX 2009 and the Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 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 VLX 2009 full specs ← Malibu Wakesetter 23 XTi 2006 full specs