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Malibu M235 (2019-)
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Brief Summary
The builders of the M235, Malibu’s flagship performance towboat, claim that it is the world’s best and most luxurious wave creator – and she is certainly one of the most expensive tow boats we have seen. The walkthrough design that the boat is equipped with is an advanced lighting and audio system, versatile seating, deep storage, and a user-friendly command center. She is able to create and fine tune waves and wakes through a combination of the deep hull, ballast, and integrated swim platform. For the 2019 model, Malibu made upgrades to an assortment of systems, including the sport tower and hydrofoils. The wake surfer can control the boat’s speed and wake setting from a wrist band, and aboard there is rated capacity for 17 people.
Key Features
- The Surf Band wearable remotely controls the wake and wave generating systems as well as the sound and boat speed
- Power helm seat raises, lowers, and swivels
- Back up camera located on the transom grab handle
- Automatic sport tower
- 5-year factory warranty. See Malibu or a Malibu dealer for details.
- Custom factory trailer included
Specifications
Length Overall | 23' 5'' / 7.14 m |
---|---|
Beam |
102'' 2.59 m |
Dry Weight |
6,200 lbs. 2,812 kg |
Draft |
32'' 0.81 m |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance | N/A |
Person Capacity | 17 |
Fuel Capacity | N/A |
Water Capacity | N/A |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
Currently no test numbers |
---|---|
Std. Power |
Not Available |
Opt. Power |
Not Available |
Captain's Report
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Contents of Report
Mission
The Malibu M235 is engineered to be a luxurious, durable tow-sport powerhouse. The 2019 model comes standard with the Monsoon 6.0L supercharged engine, which is capable of producing 555 pound feet of torque which creates faster acceleration which all surfers will appreciate. Wake creation starts with the deep Wake Plus hull, which shapes displaced water into sizeable surfaces, while the Quad Hard Tank Ballast and the Plug’n’Play soft-bag systems add more weight to create steep and heavy wakes and waves.
Major Features
• Rated for a capacity of 17 people
• The Surf Band wearable remotely controls the wake and wave generating systems as well as the sound and boat speed.
• The Gx tower comes with RGB lighting and Rev 10 speakers, as well as integrated clamping racks and Bimini options.
• High definition Wakeview Back-up camera offers viewable live video on the MaliView screen.
• Sport Dash analog control dial operates the Surf Gate, Power Wedge, stereo, and speed.
• Deep stowage in the bow and under the cockpit seating.
• The high-resolution 12” MaliView touchscreen command center controls the ballast, Power Wedge III, and Surf Gate.
• 5-year factory warranty. Sea Malibu or a Malibu dealer for details.
• Custom factory trailer built by Malibu to match vessel dimensions.
• SeaDek track decking has been installed on all walkways, in storage compartments, and on the gunnels.
Features Inspection
The Malibu M235 has a length overall of 23’5” (7.14 m), a beam of 102”(2.59 m), and an approximate dry weight of 6,200 lbs. (2,812 kg). The price starts in the low $200,000 range.
BoatTEST.com has not tested the M235, but, it is our experience and opinion that Malibu has an excellent track record for developing and building tow-sport boats with exceptional performance, ride, and handling. Given the boat’s asking price, she is leaving nothing to the ultimate wake surfer’s imagination.
Wake Making Devices
The Integrated Surf Platform (I.S.P.) allows users to tailor the size and shape of the wake and waves. Those systems include –
Quad Ballast System which adds up to 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) of water ballast into Quad Hard-Tank Ballast containers to help shape the perfect wake. Any amount of ballast can be added into any of the four tanks from the helm with the touch of a finger.
Plug n’ Play is an auxiliary ballast system that has two bags that rest on top of the two aft hard ballast tanks and can hold up to 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) of added ballast, bringing the total ballast possible to 6,500 lbs. (2,948 kg).
The Power Wedge III – which is new for 2019 – a hydraulically-actuated hydrofoil which brings an extra 5-degrees of lift over the previous Power Wedge II, and adds up to 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) of simulated ballast.
Surf Gate allows the driver to adjust settings on the port and starboard hydraulic tabs for wave creation, and the high visibility Surf Band wearable control allows a rider on the water to adjust the Power Wedge, Surf Gate, music volume, and the boat speed.
Quad Ballast System
Plug ‘n Play
Power Wedge III
Surf Gate
Malibu Surf Band
Performance
We have not tested the Malibu M235 so can offer no opinion on how she handles or on how all of the boat’s wonderful technology and innovations work in reality. Nevertheless, the pictures and video that Malibu provides has convinced us that she produced remarkable wake. The boat is powered by V-drive engines up to 510-hp. Because most of this boat’s work is at relatively low speeds requiring high torque, Malibu can dial-in the optimum performance in the GM blocks it uses.
The Helm – The Malibu “Command Center”
The M235’s systems are controlled by the Malibu Command Center with the Viper II operating system. The 12” high-definition MaliView touchscreen is an easy-to-read display for the depth gauge, navigation systems, boat speed, engine RPM, oil pressure, engine temperature, and fuel level.
The display also allows the helmsman control over the ballast, Power Wedge, and Surf Gate. The wheel has buttons for the cruise control, Power Wedge, steering, and music volume. To the left of the wheel is a smartphone cradle and the Sport Dash, an analog dial for the ISP, Surf Gate, Power Wedge, speed, and stereo.
Dry boxes are located immediately to starboard and at the base of the seat. The electrical panel can be accessed on the port side of the companionway, while on the starboard side is another storage box.
Bow
From the cockpit, passengers can pass through the billet wind-block door to access the bow. Alternatively, a retractable ladder in the bow provides an entry point for beach boarding or for those stepping up from the trailer. The pickle-fork bow design permits ample seating for several passengers, as well as armrests, cup holders, charging station and audio controls, while the aft seat cushions lift up to reveal plenty of storage. An optional filler cushion in the bow converts the entire space into a massive sun pad.
Sport Tower
New for 2019 is the Gx (pronounced “G ten”) Tower, replacing the G4 tower found in 2018 models. Built with aircraft aluminum, this fully automatic-collapsible tower comes with RGB lighting and Rev 10 speakers, as well as integrated clamping racks and Bimini options. The MultiZone RGB Lighting Controller provides control over the tower and interior speakers as well as the cup holder lights and more. The system also syncs the lights to the music tempo on the Wet Sounds audio system: coordinating color, brightness, and strobe to the beat of the music.
The Cockpit
The M235 is not just designed for towing, the walkthrough cockpit is designed for comfort and convenience, with space for up to 17 passengers. Passengers will find easy to access cup holders, 12-volt charging stations, a dry storage glove box and the pass-through trash container.
The wrap around seating begins on the port side with an aft-facing seat, continues with a forward-facing aft bench and ends just aft of the helm seat. Bench seats to port and starboard lift up for deep stowage, while the flip-up the backrests of the inboard-facing bench seats can convert them into aft-facing lounges.
Available on select Wake Setter models is the WakeView aft bench seat, which can be reversed from forward- facing to rider-facing with minimal effort. The 2019 model has premium touch vinyl on all of the seating for durability and comfort.
Transom
The stern features two seats, with adjacent cup holders and audio controls, and a walkway made with SeaDek track material, which is also installed on the swim platform. The seats lift up to reveal storage compartments for lines, fenders and towing equipment. The transom grab handle houses the WakeView back up camera, with the video viewable live on the MaliVew touchscreen. An optional filler cushion placed on the aft walkway converts the space into another large sun pad.
Trailer
The standard triple axle trailer comes with an assortment of options, including two-tone paint, Rockstar wheels, stainless steel fenders, runway lighting, and more.
Options to Consider
As Malibu’s flagship offering, this boat comes standard with top trim level equipment. There are some options, however.
• Customizable paint scheme
• Speed prop
• High Altitude Torque Prop
• 12” Wet Sounds Subwoofer (with amp)
• Boat cover
• Tower Bimini
• SRP Saltwater package
• CE Package
Warranty
Five years on the powertrain, five years on the interior and upholstery, five years on the audio components and one year on gel coat.
Price
Malibu says the price is in the low $200,000 range, making this possibly the most expensive wakeboat on the market in the world.
Observations
Clearly, Malibu has pulled out all of the stops to build what it considers the ultimate wake boat. They call it the “Alpha” and this is an apt description where cost was no object, and the team at Malibu let their imaginations run wild.
Certainly, the M235 is not for everyone – and, that is the general idea. For those fortunate enough to be able to pay for it (or have parents or grandparents who will) this appears to be the ultimate status symbol in the wake surfing world – and one with 5-star functionality. All that she needs is a bow thruster to make docking easier.
is worth the 200k.