The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV 2021 vs Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 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 23 LSV 2021 at 23,0 ft versus Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 at 24,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV 2021 tips the scales at 5 700 lbs — 5 661 lbs more than the Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 at 39 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 555 hp, the Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 has a 155-hp advantage over the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV 2021'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 Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 carries 87 gallons versus 65 gallons in the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV 2021. 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 Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV 2021 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Sunscape 247 LSV 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 17 passengers and at 24,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV 2021 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.