Malibu Lxi: A Worthy Boat?

The Malibu Response LXi is a cutting-edge tow boat and a comfortable family cruiser. It is a powerboat built by Malibu and is typically used for day cruising and water sports. It is a ski and wakeboard vessel with a fiberglass modified-vee and is available with an inboard and gas. The Malibu Response LXi has been described as a superior tow boat, with state-of-the-art design and manufacturing technology. It has a spacious interior, a full-width bench seat, and a ski tow pylon. The boat's performance and handling have been described as outstanding, with a custom-marinized, 375-horsepower Corvette engine.

Malibu LXi's performance as a ski boat

The Malibu LXi is a powerboat built by Malibu and is considered both a cutting-edge tow boat and a comfortable family cruiser. It is a ski and wakeboard vessel, typically used for day cruising and watersports.

The Malibu LXi has exceptional performance as a ski boat. The Malibu ski team considers this "family" boat to be as good a towboat as its sibling, the Response LX, which has won numerous awards and towed many world records.

The LXi's performance and handling are outstanding. Its custom-marinized, 375-horsepower Corvette engine can bring the boat up to plane in just 2.4 seconds, with its bow barely rising while planing. The boat reaches 30 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 49 miles per hour at 5100 RPM. The rack-and-pinion steering system is responsive, and the boat tracks well while running through other boats' wakes.

The LXi's modified-V hull, with a twenty-three-degree entry forward and a ten-degree deadrise at the stern, can handle choppy water comfortably. The boat's design and construction techniques allow for a responsive small boat feel while accommodating the desired interior elements.

The LXi has a ski tow pylon with a stainless steel shaft that swivels on three needle bearings. It also has a transom-mounted grab rail that forms an additional attachment for a tow rope. For wakeboarders, Malibu's patented Wedge and MLS systems allow for a smooth-waked slalom boat that can be reconfigured instantly into a wake-churning air rider's dream.

The LXi's ski and wakeboard capabilities are further enhanced by its spacious interior, which can accommodate up to ten passengers. The passenger seat faces the rear for spotting boarders and skiers, and cup holders and storage spaces are conveniently located throughout the cockpit and bow seating areas.

Overall, the Malibu LXi offers exceptional performance as a ski boat, combining cutting-edge technology, responsive handling, and a comfortable interior to provide a superior experience for both competitive skiers and family cruisers.

Malibu LXi's comfort as a family cruiser

The Malibu Response LXi is a cutting-edge tow boat and a comfortable family cruiser. The boat is 20-and-a-half feet long and has a beam of 102 inches, providing ample room for a family to cruise comfortably.

The LXi's bow seating area is accessed via a deck-level walk-through with room to sit or stand. A filler cushion is included to cover the footwell, creating a comfortable lounge area. The boat's added width also provides more room to walk around the engine box, and there is a slight increase in storage space. Behind the windshield on the port side, a rear-facing seat accommodates two observers and lifts to reveal a large storage compartment for skis and wakeboards. The helm chair is adjustable and includes lumbar support. At the stern, a full-width bench seat lifts for additional storage.

The LXi's wrap-around windshield is fabricated in three sections: one hinged centre panel with curved glass sections on either side, eliminating the typical corner post that can obstruct the helmsman's view. The boat also features a large, convex rear-view mirror, ensuring the driver has excellent visibility.

Overall, the Malibu Response LXi offers a high level of comfort and convenience for families, with well-designed seating and storage options, as well as excellent visibility for the driver.

Malibu LXi's design and manufacturing technology

Malibu Boats is a US-based engineering, design, and manufacturing company in Southeastern Michigan. The company leverages technology in all operational facets to satisfy its customers' needs. Malibu offers a comprehensive set of services, from product development to mass production.

The Malibu Response LXi is a cutting-edge tow boat and a comfortable family cruiser. State-of-the-art design and manufacturing technology has enabled Malibu to tweak their S23 hull design into what some might consider a superior tow boat. The Malibu Response LXi evolved from the company's twenty-foot Response hull. By increasing the length by just six inches and the beam by three and a half inches, Malibu was able to incorporate the desired interior elements while retaining the responsiveness of a small boat.

Malibu is currently building the SV23 Diamond hull design in four sizes, from twenty feet to twenty-one feet and eight inches. All thirteen 2003 models are built upon some variation of this design, which the company originated in 1993. With that much experience with one hull design, subtle modifications can be made to produce very specific, predictable results.

Historically, getting a new boat from the drawing board to a finished hull was a painstaking, three-month process. The design would be drawn to full scale on plywood sheets, then each part would be individually cut and fitted to create a prototype. Further adjustments were required until the exact hull form was reached, from which a mould would be made to produce actual boat hulls. An error in this laborious process of even a quarter of an inch could mean the difference between a gem of a boat or a disappointment.

Through the latest CAD/CAM technology, Malibu avoided this whole process, having the "plug" machined by a giant computer-controlled router system directly from their precise three-dimensional computer design. The whole process from computer to plug took about three hours, with reported tolerances of five thousandths of an inch. While this technology seems complex, its effect for the consumer is simple: the design team can piece together the entire boat, and then quickly and accurately produce their exact vision. Every minor design alteration, whether for performance or passenger comfort, can be incorporated into this new hull.

The LX series brings all the wake performance of the higher-end Malibus to a clean, sleek look and feel that delivers exceptional value. Available in a 21-foot Hybrid Bow design, the Wakesetter 21 LX showcases how the LX series is the most economical way to enter the Malibu family.

Malibu LXi's engine and horsepower

The Malibu Response LXi is a versatile boat that can be used for both serious competition and family fun. It is a cutting-edge tow boat that can also function as a comfortable family cruiser.

The LXi's engine and horsepower have been described as "state-of-the-art" and a serious competition-level ski boat. The boat is powered by a custom-marinized, 375-horsepower Corvette engine, which can bring the boat up to plane in 2.4 seconds with minimal bow rise. The boat reaches 30 miles per hour in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 49 miles per hour at 5100 RPM.

The Malibu 320hp EFI-MPI engine is manufactured by Indmar and is through-bolted to a fibreglass engine chassis system, which reduces vibration and noise. This results in sound dampening and a more comfortable ride. The engine is also designed to optimise the flow of water, displace less water, and create a softer, flatter wake.

The LXi's throttle is smooth and effortless to control, complemented by responsive rack-and-pinion steering. The boat handles well and maintains its grip even when cornering tightly. Overall, the Malibu Response LXi offers a powerful and responsive driving experience, making it a top choice for both competitive and recreational boaters.

Malibu LXi's price range

The Malibu LXi is a high-performance boat that is both a cutting-edge tow boat and a comfortable family cruiser. The price of a Malibu LXi varies depending on the model year and its condition (new or used).

For example, a used 2006 21' Malibu Response LXi deck boat was listed for sale for $28,350 in Hailey, Idaho. A used 2007 21' Malibu Response LXi SE ski and wakeboard boat was also listed as being available in an inactive sales listing.

A 2002 Malibu Sunsetter LXI with 280 hours on the engine was priced at $27,250 in West Bloomfield, Michigan. This boat is described as being in good condition and comes equipped with an Indmar engine.

A 2010 Malibu Response LXi with 95.5 hours on the engine and several optional features, such as a driver's seat heater, insulated motor box, dual-battery system, and a stainless pylon, was listed for sale in Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, but the price was not disclosed.

A 2011 Malibu Response LXi with 330 hours on the engine, a V8 Corvette 330 HP engine, and features such as cruise control, keyless start, and a custom canvas cover, was available for sale, with the price being negotiable.

A 2003 Malibu Response LXi with 550 hours on a 335 HP Monsoon engine, a stereo AM/FM/CD/USB system, a heater, a barefoot international boom, and a trailer, was listed for sale in Harwinton, Connecticut, for $35,000.

A 2007 Malibu 21 LXi with a red and black paint job, a chrome wakeboard tower with a pylon and stereo speakers, a fiberglass swim platform, and a custom galvanized tandem trailer, was listed for sale in Coos Bay for $35,000.

A 2003 Malibu Sunsetter LXi with 579.9 hours on the engine, an 18-cubic-foot locking trunk, a swivelling driver's seat, and mechanical lumbar support, was listed for sale in Middleton, Massachusetts, but the price was not disclosed.

A 2010 Malibu Response LXi with a Monsoon 350 HP engine and Zero Off was available for sale, but the price was not mentioned.

The wide range of prices for the Malibu LXi boats listed above can be attributed to various factors, including the model year, engine specifications, hours of usage, additional features, and the boat's overall condition.

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