The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 247 LSV 2013 vs Malibu Sunscape 23 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 555 hp, the Malibu Sunscape 23 LSV 2011 has a 145-hp advantage over the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 247 LSV 2013's 410-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 Boats Wakesetter 247 LSV 2013 carries 87 gallons versus 56 gallons in the Malibu Sunscape 23 LSV 2011. 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 23 LSV 2011 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Malibu Boats Wakesetter 247 LSV 2013 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 23 LSV 2011 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Malibu Sunscape 23 LSV 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Malibu Boats Wakesetter 247 LSV 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.