Malibu 22 MXZ (2012-)

Brief Summary

Malibu's new 22 MXZ is a hot new wakeboat designed for the elite corps of wake aficionados who like to do their tricks in front of a large, admiring audience. Malibu has pushed the helm back and put a pickle fork on the bow to maximize seating and sunning area for wake dudes' babes. Below, more V has been added to the boat's bottom to help create even more wake. If all of this isn't enough, then add the optional Power Wedge which drives down the transom farther, creating as much wake as 1200-lbs of ballast, according to the builder. The wake tower is standard and this boat is hot to tow.

Specifications

Length Overall	22' 3'' / 6.78 m
Beam	102'' 2.59 m
Dry Weight	4,000 lbs. 1814 kg
Draft	27'' 0.69 m
Deadrise/Transom	N/A
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	N/A
Fuel Capacity	50 gal. 189 L
Water Capacity	none

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	350-hp Malibu Monsoon 350
Opt. Power	410-hp Malibu L96 6.0L

Captain's Report Learn More
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Captain’s Report by Dan Armitage

Malibu 22M XZ Mission

Malibu tells us that the target audience for the new 22’ 3” Wakesetter model is “anyone who wants to enjoy time on water aboard a comfortable wakeboard-style boat." Further, she has been designed to offer "the best pull" in Malibu’s line-up of wakeboats. The MXZ is targeted "for high-level wake-boarders, or those who have aspirations of reaching that level.”
That is a pretty crisp, unambiguous, mission statement for the 22 MXZ and should put the usual suspects on notice that there is a new boat on the prowl.

What Malibu refers to as ”Gorilla Fins” are fitted to the Wakesetter’s hull to enhance the boat’s tracking and turning abilities and to help eliminate rolling and sliding in turns.

Performance Features

Built-in, hard-sided ballast tanks are offered in three locations aboard the MXZ model, and are quickly filled and drained with high-flow pumps controlled from the helm. These “Malibu Launch System” reservoirs are offered as standard equipment in the stern and mid-ships, and in the bow as an option, with the new Wakesetter 22 model.

The optional Power Wedge accessory functions as a reverse hydrofoil to direct water pressure from the boat’s forward progress to pull the stern deeper into the water to generate more wake. Offered in manual and automatic versions from Malibu, the auto system is controlled from the helm and can be set to almost any position between stowed and fully engaged to change wake size and shape while underway. When fully deployed the Power Wedge offers the equivalent of up to 1200 pounds of ballast, says the builder.

The Wakesetter employs a V-drive configuration to concentrate as much weight aft as possible to help generate wakes. An optional 410-hp Malibu L96 6.0L is offered as an upgrade, as are saltwater power packages that include a 330-hp model. Malibu tells us that the standard 350-hp package will allow the boat to reach speeds in the mid 40-mph range. The boat is rated to 555-hp.

High Tech Features

Malibu’s MaliView Dash System accessory increases the size of the standard in-dash LCD to 6.5 inches and transforms the display to high-resolution color and is designed to be visible in full sun. The MaliView offers control functions with ten-button navigation, including presets that control speed, ballast levels and Power Wedge position. The dash display also offers the ability to view video on the water from a variety of sources, live or recorded.

Seating Features

Observations

This boat seems to offer every performance and comfort option a serious wakeboarder could ask for, aboard a boat built by a manufacturer with a reputation for providing quality ski/wakeboard boats.
This boat is not cheap, but then good products never are. The 22 MXZ is designed for hard-core wakesters who want to bring a bevy of babes along to ogle the entertainment. There is nothing subtle about this boat, and that is the general idea. The MXZ is hot and proud of it.