Both the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 and the Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV 2011 are modified-V designs, both built in fibreglass, 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV 2011 measures 24,6 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 3,1 additional feet of deck space compared to the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 at 21,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV 2011 tips the scales at 4 000 lbs - 300 lbs less than the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 at 3 700 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling - 555 hp for the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 and 555 hp for the Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV 2011. 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. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV 2011 carries 84 gallons versus 41 gallons in the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013. 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 247 LSV 2011 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX 2013 caps at 14. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV 2011 could be the deciding factor.