What do you do when you already have the world’s best-selling wakeboard boat? You make it even better. In the case of the 23 LSV, Malibu made the hull a little deeper, creating more displacement and increasing wave amplitude. This had the side benefit of increasing storage space too. Overall, the redesign will help keep the 23 LSV atop its lofty perch.
Where to start? Notice how the transom seats are deeper with more-comfortable backrests and hold larger storage tubs underneath. Also note how there’s now a walkway atop the aft sun-pad cushions for easier access to the cockpit, so you won’t scuff and dirty the vinyl every time you transit between the cockpit and the swim platform. Maybe the coolest thing is the foldout WakeView bench in the transom. When deployed, it creates a rear-facing love seat for an amazing view of the action behind the boat. New L-shaped ballast tanks, combined with the plug-and-play system at the dash, make filling and monitoring your tanks as easy as pie and create a better weight distribution. At the helm, the intuitive touchscreen monitors give the driver fingertip control of the boat’s functions and surf tools. The driver will love the powered captain’s chair, which raises and lowers at the push of a button.
Does the 23 LSV still perform at a high level? Yes, says our team of riders, who, after a session behind the boat, called it pro-level. Thanks to Malibu’s features and systems, the wake was highly customizable to each rider’s taste. With the Power Wedge at 3, our surf testers felt the wave had a good combo of steepness and length, allowing them to get farther back and drive forward with ease to work on big turns and airs. And for wakeboarding? Forget about it. That’s why this boat is a best-seller.
The boat does well when on plane and running at cruising speeds. Powered by an Indmar Monsoon 450 6.2L inboard, the 23 LSV hit a top speed of 38.4 mph with no ballast, just over a half-tank of fuel, and two crew members. That’s fast for this category. It climbed onto plane in 3.7 seconds and took 12.1 seconds to hit 20 mph. With the ballast tanks fully loaded, the 23 LSV climbed onto plane in 8.5 seconds.
High Points
* Power-actuated captain’s chair goes up and down with the push of a button.
* L-shaped ballast tanks fill to precise measurements with the plug-and-play system.
* Foldout WakeView transom bench creates a rear-facing viewing lounge for passengers to watch the riders.
* Increased storage means you can bring along more gear.
Price: Unavailable (at press time)
How We Tested
Engine: Indmar Monsoon 450 6.2L
Prop: 15″ x 16″ 4-blade Acme Nibral
Gear Ratio: 1.78:1
Fuel Load: 35 gal.
Crew Weight: 380 lb.
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