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400 Pounds Rear Sub-floor Ballast

2009 21 vRide

The 21 vRide is a 21-foot by 8.2-foot wakeboard boat that offers pro-level wakeboarding accommodation without the high-flying price. Malibu’s Ride Series of boats features much of what you need to bolster your riding potential, but nothing you don’t. You’ll find some of the same core riding systems on the 21 vRide that you find in Malibu’s coveted Wakesetter Series. The 2009 Ride Series from Malibu Boats is redefining entry-level.

Training partner to the stars, the 21 vRide has been the difference in many professional wakeboarding careers. Dallas Friday, Phillip Soven, Randall Harris, Chad Sharpe, Brian Grubb and Kevin Henshaw have all trained behind this 21-footer at one time since its introduction as a Wakesetter in 2005. Before being dubbed the 2009 21 vRide this boat pulled Friday to an unprecedented string of wins in 2006, Soven to a Pro Tour title in ‘07 and the legendary Randall Harris back onto the wakeboard scene. You won’t find this caliber of credentials surrounding any other entry-level wakeboard boat. The same can be said for the vRide’s list of standard features.

The 21 vRide’s features-set reads like a professional wakeboarder’s survival kit; everything you need to go big. The 21 vRide is built on the, pros’ choice, V25 Wake hull that has been throwing riders to new heights for years. This amazing tow boat also sports a forward swept collapsible Illusion X tower made of cast aluminum for strength and easy accessorizing. The 21 vRide rivals the wake versatility of the industries top wakeboard boats with 400 pounds of tanked sub-floor ballast, filled and drained at the dash. You can even add another 500-pound mid-ship ballast tank for more pop. This Malibu wakeboard boat also comes standard with Precision Pro Speed Control that is controlled through the in-dash LCD for ease of use. And if a 21 vRide buyer is looking for additional wakeboarding performance and versatility there’s the available Patented Power Wedge that offers another 1200 pounds of displacement and customizable wake shape.

Aside from the powerful wakeboarding tools, the 21 vRide offers a surprising level of comfort and accommodation for a value-class model. The social wrap-around lounge will host a majority of the 11 people this boat is rated for. Overflow seating is located in the bow where a removable bow filler cushion toggles this space between lounge and playpen. During those chilly morning searches for smooth water, when the bow is not an attractive seating option, slide in the walk-through wind block and enjoy shelter from the cold.

The 21 vRide spoils the driver as much as the rider. The dash is hand-wrapped and fitted with a high-contrast LCD screen and 5.5” digital Medallion gauges framed in chromed billet. Almost all boat systems including Precision Pro Sped Control can be monitored through the in-dash LCD. The rocker switches are also framed by a billet piece on either side of the Dino Steering wheel. The driver’s seat comes standard with a filp-up bolster, automotive-style lumbar, 8-position adjustment and over 180 degrees of rotation toward the lounge. And because the audience deserves as much accommodation as the rider and driver, the 21 vRide is full of storage.

This wakeboard boat accommodates 11 people and 11 people’s stuff with LED lit, finished and carpeted storage centers. Rear locking storage can house more than 30 cubic feet of what ever you want to put in it; including boards, vests and big bags. The rear hatch door bins are specifically designed to welcome smaller items like cell phones, soap and gloves that can get lost in Malibu’s expansive storage areas. There is also storage located beneath every seat including a 60-quart self-draining ice chest with a removable insulated bag for easy loading and unloading. The 21 vRide offers even more secure storage with a 1.5 cubic foot locking glove box that houses a 12-volt power point and slip-less rubber tray for valuables. Everything has a safe place in a 21 vRide.

The 21 vRide shares much of the comfort, performance and features of the other models in Malibu’s line, but the 2009 Ride Series models have a look all their own. Malibu recognizes the need for boat owners to be distinct on the water and they are addressing that desire with a unique gel coat scheme and graphics on the 2009 Ride Series models. That and the new look is just tight! The main hull color on the 21 vRide is two-tone and sliced vertically right down the middle of the boat. The main color panel cut-a-way is stamped with “Ride” to broadcast your water sports inclination to anyone who hasn’t seen you going off behind the boat.

The Illusion Series of towers from Malibu Boats are so easy to collapse, even a 135-pound, 33-year old, mother of two can do it. Yep, that’s me Amy Mauzy, a member of the Malibu Marketing Team, and normally you wouldn’t see me in front of the camera, especially 3 months after having my second child, but I had to demonstrate just how easy the Illusion towers are to collapse for easy storage.

I will tell you that no matter who is collapsing these towers you will need the help of another person, not to support the weight, but to remove the pin. This help doesn’t have to be in the boat, just within reach of the Quick Pins.

This is how I did it… While standing in the walk-through with the windshield open, I pushed up slightly on the front of the tower. This took any pressure off of the pins allowing the first pin to be removed, by your helper, easily. I kept the same amount of upward pressure on the tower as the second pin was removed and then I lowered the tower until it stopped at its resting point. You can also use the optional tower rest to steady the tower.

I didn’t have to strain at all. Neither the Illusion X nor the Illusion XS was too heavy even with racks and speakers installed.

Once the towers are collapsed you’ll notice just how low they go in relation to me. I’m 5’6”. And the Illusion XS can go even lower if the rear hoop is removed. So these towers are easy to handle and they can make it into a tight spot.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at amym@malibuboats.com

Malibu's Tom King Flickr Gallery
Tom King Photography Web Site
Robert Snow Photo

At Malibu Boats relationships are as valuable as the boats we produce. This truth is visible in our unwavering customer service efforts as well as our endless innovations made possible through strong vendor ties. But the relationships further removed from the selling and production of the boats themselves are just as important.

This month we thought you might be interested to learn about the long standing friendship and business relationship we share with Tom King of Tom King Photography. Tom has been taking photos for Malibu Boats for 18 years. His images of Malibu boats have appeared in 19 brochures as well as countless Malibu Boats ads and other marketing materials.

We have augmented the Malibu Boats portfolio with other photographers over the years, when the need arises, but Tom has remained a constant. Why you ask? Simple... Tom has the vision and the "can do" attitude that we seek in our partners.

We dream big at Malibu and because of that we are always pushing limits. Tom is also a pusher of limits. He has captured scenes with a boat and/or a water sports athlete that defy comprehension. Tom doesn't see the reasons why something can't be done. He makes things happen and often times the result he captures is better than we could have imagined.

Tom's supporting cast also has a lot to do with his success as a photographer and the amazing images he captures for Malibu Boats. Tom's photo boat driver, T.,J. Beatty and his assistant Rob Snow of Robert Snow Photo are both part of Tom's winning team. T.J. drives the photo boat and builds the rigs, while Rob takes the role of digital tech, now that the industry has moved to digital photography, camera assistant and back-up photography. Thanks to the excellent relationship Tom shares with these two talented individuals, he can safely give total concentration to the vision by directing and focusing on boats and athletes in action on the water.

Tom has been in the industry for more than 30 years. Shuttering Tom said, “It’s scary to say out loud, but my first water ski photos were in the September 1977 issue of Spray Magazine. That was one of the forefathers of WaterSki Magazine.” Tom was also a tournament slalom skier back in the day. He admits, “…not a very good one.” He still skis and he loves to wakeboard and wakeskate.

Tom was one of the first professional water sports photographers. Yet he still manages to reinvent himself and hone his craft to remain competitive and sharp. Like Malibu Boats he is on top, but continues to push himself and others around him to be better.

Tom has finally gone digital. Tom freely admits he was one of the last hold outs. “Yes, I switched, finally!” He explained, “I’m a perfectionist and it wasn’t until a year or so ago that digital could give me as nice a result as film. I use whatever media does the best job for my clients and digital is there now.”

The 2008 Malibu Boats brochure was comprised almost entirely of digital photography and it could not have looked more beautiful or showcased the boats better. We just recently wrapped the 2009 brochure and Tom managed to out-do his 2008 performance. This guy never quits!

Tom is an integral part of the Malibu Team. His talent and the talent of the individuals supporting him help make us better. Having the power of his keen eye, imagination and follow-through, allows Malibu Boats to push limits even in the area of photography and marketing. We know no limits thanks to relationships like this one.

We have met a lot of cool people through our MySpace page. We have added the "MalibuSpace" section of our newsletter to introduce you to some of these friends.

We actually met "daltxsgurl" or Chrissie, as most know her, through our customer service department and our Dallas, TX dealer, Waterski America. She owns a 2003 Wakesetter 23 LSV. Chrissie has become our MySpace friend along with Todd and their dogs Cody and Sandi. She even took the time to write about her family and their boat.

Todd started to wakeboard 2 years ago when I met him, and I just started last year. Outside of training dogs and working with animals, I'd never really had a hobby. So I was VERY excited to pick up on wakeboarding. It gives us a chance to do something we love together, while being able to try new things out on the water.

The dogs love the boat too, but we usually only take our chocolate lab, Cody. Sandi, the little mutt, gets too anxious and won't sit still. It's just safer for us and her to not have that distraction. But Cody just hangs out and listens well on the boat. Even if it's just Todd and I, I know Cody will follow the "rules" and I don't have to worry about him while I'm pulling a skier.

Complete Malibu Open Results
Malibu Open Flickr Gallery
Malibu Open Bookmarks
Fox Sports Airdate List

Malibu Open Wakesetter VLX

Phillip Soven Malibu Open Men's Wakeboard Champion

Malibu Open Beach

Dano with the Monster Girls

Quake on the Lake Boat

The Grunge Tee is the perfect addition to your t-shirt collection. It displays a core center-chest "Pushing Limits" Malibu Boats logo to show the world you don't let anything get in the way of success. This heavy weight Beefy tee is made of 100% preshrunk cotton and demands to be in your Malibu Gear shopping cart.