Boating USA — March 2018

• Pull tubes, wakeboarders, waterskiers— virtually all water toys.


• Corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel tow bar elevates the tow rope clear
  of the wake and prop wash


• Install it yourself in less than one hour or contact a local TurboSwing dealer


• Improves vessel stability, fuel economy and towing power


• TurboSwing tow bar can be quickly removed

TUBE RATED

Install it yourself in less than one hour or contact a local TurboSwing dealer

• Improves vessel stability, fuel economy and towing power


• TurboSwing tow bar can be quickly removed

TurboSwing is the Ultimate Solution for Watersports Towing with an Outboard Powered Boat

WE SAY The Malibu Wakesetter 21 VLX
is the only boat of any type that we’ve
tested that comes in your choice of two
different hulls. Those seeking to pursue
watersports at a higher level can choose
the Wake Plus hull. For our test, we
selected the Diamond Multisport hull,
which delivers performance tailored
to those seeking a more all-purpose
wake-sports experience. The wave was
impressive, especially for a shorter,
narrower boat, and the mellower hull
shape delivered waves of more power
than many might expect for a 21-foot
boat. (Most pro-level riders are running
24-foot boats.)
With Emily Dale from our sister
publication Wakeboarding doing the rid-
ing, we set our speed at 11 mph, filled the
ballast, engaged the Surf Gate, and set
the Power Wedge at 2 to get her surfing
the wave generated by the 21 VLX. Dale

MALIBU

Wakesetter 21 VLX

SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

rpm knots mph gph naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound

1000 5.13 5.90 0.80 6.41 7.38 277 319 0 73

1500 6.08 7.00 1.60 3.80 4.38 164 189 2 78

2000 7.73 8.90 2.80 2.76 3.18 119 137 4 82

2500 9.30 10.70 4.70 1.98 2.28 85 98 6 82

3000 17.99 20.70 5.90 3.05 3.51 132 152 7 89

3500 21.81 25.10 7.40 2.95 3.39 127 147 6 90

4000 26.16 30.10 9.20 2.84 3.27 123 141 4 92

4500 29.37 33.80 12.50 2.35 2.70 102 117 3 91

5000 31.28 36.00 15.60 2.01 2.31 87 100 2 92

5400 32.93 37.90 19.60 1.68 1.93 73 84 2 94

MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

·LOA: 21'0" ·BEAM: 8'2" ·DRAFT: 2'3" ·DISPLACEMENT:

4,000 lb.

HOW WE TESTED

ENGINE: SINGLE 410 HP INDMAR MONSOON 410 6.2L PROP:

15" X 13" 4-BLADE NIBRAL GEAR RATIO: 1.50:1 FUEL LOAD:

36 GAL. CREW WEIGHT: 380 LB.

reported the pocket is easy to find and

stay in. Further, she opined that the wave

produced has a moderate shape that can

accommodate a variety of riders. While

not as big as some larger watersports

boats, it still has plenty of power, which is

great for beginners and more-advanced

riders looking to progress.

Performance? The Wakesetter 21 VLX

topped out at 37.9 mph and nets better

than 3 gph at cruising speeds. The 12-inch

touchscreen command center

gives the skipper easy con-

trol over the Wakesetter

21 VLX’s wake, navigation

and audio systems.

—Boating Tech Team

WHO’D WANT ONE

Perfect for boaters seeking

great value in a do-it-all

watersports boat.

TESTS///#3062

ANOTHER CHOICE There are no

similar-size crossovers available at this

price. For example, a Nautique Super Air

210 runs $94,000.

BOTTOM LINE $79,995 (with test

power); malibuboats.com

PHOTO: COURTESY MALIBU BOATS