Malibu VLX Boats For Sale

The Malibu VLX is a compact inboard tow boat built around watersports, available as the 21 VLX and the larger 22 VLX. The 21 VLX serves as one of the more affordable ways into Malibu's lineup, designed to land under $80,000 and listed at $79,900, while still carrying the brand's core systems. It suits recreational skiers wanting a solid slalom pull, families running any towed sport, and surfers who want a controllable wave, all from a 21-foot hull with a cockpit rated for up to 13 people.

Power comes from a 6.2L Monsoon engine rated at 410 lb-ft of torque, which matters most for pulling boards and surfers out of the hole with a full load of ballast. With the Power Wedge deployed, the 21 VLX climbed onto plane in 3.2 seconds; without it, bow rise increased and the time stretched to 3.9 seconds. It reached 25 mph in 5 seconds flat. The boat can carry close to 3,800 pounds of ballast including the Power Wedge.

Buyers choose between a wake hull and the crossover-friendly Diamond hull, which has a more versatile running surface that kicks up a wake or flattens out at faster speeds for slalom skiing. The 21 VLX skis comfortably at 28 off and 32 off from the rear pylon, with the bump becoming more noticeable at 28 off and the rear-pylon position sitting further back in the boat. For surfing, Surf Gate (a system Malibu introduced in 2012) and the Power Wedge shape a clean, long wave with a large sweet spot. On the 22 VLX, a wave of 10.8 mph was produced with the wedge at position one and Surf Gate deployed.

The helm runs on the Viper 2 Command Center with a 12-inch touchscreen for primary functions and a second touchscreen for deeper system adjustments. An optional rotating dial with hot keys gives hands-on, incremental control while running down the lake, and an optional sport dash lets the driver manage Surf Gate, stereo volume, and speed without reaching for the touchscreen. A rear-view camera is available, along with an adjustable cell phone holder. Surf Band, a wrist-worn control, lets the rider adjust speed, wave side, and Power Wedge from the water without shouting to the driver.

The deck uses high-density marine-grade foam flooring across the cockpit floor, transom steps, swim platform, and gunwale tops, improving durability and easing cleaning. The bow is cushioned all the way around with cup holders, stereo speakers, and grab rails so passengers can face forward or aft. A large stowage compartment hides under the console, accessed by lifting a hinged panel. The G3.5 tower comes standard with an ultra-rigid honeycomb interior, a cam-lock one-person fold for clearing bridges and garages, counterbalanced folding swivel board racks, and LED lighting.

Shoppers looking at a Malibu VLX boat for sale should note the model history: the 21 VLX was a strong all-around hull before being replaced by the beefier 22 VLX, then returned to the lineup by demand as a compact multisport boat. The standout value is that surf-ready hardware—Power Wedge, Surf Gate, the G3.5 tower, and the Command Center—comes within its price point rather than as costly add-ons, so the main decision is hull choice and which helm and dash options to add.