The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021 vs Malibu iRide 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021 at 21,0 ft versus Malibu iRide 2006 at 21,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021 tips the scales at 5 953 lbs — 5 924 lbs more than the Malibu iRide 2006 at 29 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 400 hp, the Malibu iRide 2006 has a 40-hp advantage over the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021's 360-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 48 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 Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021 is rated for 6 passengers, while the Malibu iRide 2006 caps at 1. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 21 VLX 2021 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu iRide 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 1 that costs less to run day-to-day.