With 54 years of tradition behind it, no other American icon represents "power", "prestige", and "performance" like Corvette. For many, it remains the epitome of automotive aspiration, drawing stares of mixed envy and admiration. And now Malibu Boats has created a new Corvette to desire. This one runs on water.

The new Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V bares more than a resemblance to its legendary landlocked brother. It exhibits strikingly precise styling cues. From the signature Corvette “Cove” tooled into the hull to the authentic Corvette emblems to the power wing windshield to the rear taillight design used for through-hull ventilation to the authentic Corvette rims on the custom Corvette trailer. This boat speaks to the storied traditions of Corvette with a tone of its own.

The Corvette boat from Malibu blurs the line between tradition and progression. No longer just a place on the lake where you hang out in your boat, the Corvette “Cove” is the at-a-glance characteristic that makes the Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V unmistakable. Taken from the C6 design, the cove is uniquely Corvette whether showcased on land or water. Malibu engineers paid homage to the thrill of the open road by incorporating windows that roll down into the power wing windshield. The Corvette-styled closed bow becomes impressively functional as the bow hood opens to reveal LED lighting, a dual subwoofer high powered stereo system and specific storage centers.

This is not the first time General Motors has enlisted the award winning manufacturer Malibu Boats to build the legendary Corvette Boat. When GM selected Malibu Boats in 1996 to design and produce the then (C4) Corvette Limited Edition Ski Boat they were as awed as any to see the precision to detail implemented by Malibu engineers.

 “It should have taken them years to execute something of that magnitude. Malibu did it in less than a year. Malibu has the most talented engineering team we found in the boating industry,” stated Gene Reamer, Director of Trademark and licensing for General Motors.

General Motors chose Malibu Boats to create the first Limited Edition Corvette boat more than a decade ago. Powered by the Le Mans race inspired Callaway Supernatural 383, the Corvette Limited Edition Ski Boat was the highest performing production direct drive ski boat ever introduced to the marine industry. Authentic Corvette rims and tires, genuine Corvette Collector's Emblems and styling cues associated with C4 Corvette were all offered on this Malibu model. The Malibu Corvette boat of the nineties was a breakthrough. The 2008 Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V is the breakout boat of the new millennium.

To maintain the legendary Corvette performance and renowned speed the Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V is available in both Z06 and Coupe packages. The Z06 delivers the same power as the car with 505 horse power and 470 lb.-ft. of torque from the exclusive LS7 Corvette engine. The powerful 400 horsepower Hammerhead 383 engine makes its home in the Coupe.

Malibu engineers understand that the heart and soul of any Corvette, land or water, is the engine. With a nod to its importance, they have incorporated a clear, Lexan door designed to showcase the LS7 engine, visible when you open the Corvette Z06 boat’s rear storage hatches. Twenty-four bright red LEDs showcase this powerful performer.

The moment you take your place in the authentic Corvette driver’s seat, you will be at command central of the Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V .Everything is at your fingertips, from the keyless start with security code activation to the Malibu in-dash LCD and two banks of multiplexed switches with built-in LCD screens. The servo-driven Medallion gauges peek out from the low-brow dash and can be dimmed to three different brightness settings. The feeling of fingertip control is as immediate as you put your hands on the sure-grip performance steering wheel.

Whether you are in the authentic Corvette driver’s seat, the passenger’s seat or the console-split rear lounge, you will feel the comfort of the plush, 38-ounce Duraguard vinyl seamed with French stitching. Anodized aluminum cup holders, carbon fiber accents, theater-style LED interior lighting are standards that enhance the luxury of this extraordinary boat. The 8-speaker Malibu-Rockford Fosgate Stereo System enables you to create the ultimate, heart pounding, Corvette experience.

When asked about the new Corvette boat, Reamer had this to say. “Once again Malibu Boats did an excellent job capturing Corvette styling cues and introducing innovative features, which is consistent with Corvette the sports car.” A big smile came over his face and he added, “…they made this boat go really fast, too!”

No Corvette boat would be complete without a perfectly matched trailer. Malibu engineers have designed this exclusive tandem axel trailer to incorporate all the special details that say Corvette including official Corvette or Z06 wheels, depending on the model. The trailer is just another flawless rendition of Corvette design elements that shows off this very special boat as only Malibu could.

"The Malibu Presets save my students and me time." Shapiro told us. "It may not sound like a big deal, but when I have four or five students in the boat and they each have a different riding level with varying speeds, ballast and Power Wedge settings, it takes time to get everything dialed in." Shapiro continued, "With the new Presets from Malibu, I select a student's Preset by name and engage. There's no time wasted trying to recall just where we had the Wedge or what speed I was pulling them at. It is automatic."  

For more detailed instruction on Malibu Presets visit these links...

Malibu Boats Owner's Manual: Preset Section

Malibu Boats YouTube channel: Rider Preset video instructional

The Malibu Boats mission statement begins with "Build the best boat..." and continues with "...for a fair price...". To fulfill this pledge Malibu builds innovation and technology into each boat, standard. This is how Malibu honors their commitment to excellence and their family of owners. In 2008 “the best boat for a fair price” pledge has been fulfilled with a long list of new standard features like customizable Rider Presets.

For 2008 Malibu has introduced a new Multiplexed Switching System, standard in almost all Malibu boats. This system has added technology to the boats to accommodate new standard features like Rider Presets. Presets add value to your Malibu boat, allowing you to create as many as ten customizable rider profiles that designate a specific speed, ballast levels and Power Wedge position when available.

The Malibu Boats Pro Team had a chance to try out the new Rider Preset system during several of the DVD shoots this past summer. They are hooked! Especially riders like Darin Shapiro, who teaches wakeboarding on a regular basis.

The Malibu Boats photo crew traveled to Florida to film Shapiro at his school, Ride the Spot. Having taken delivery of his 2008 Wakesetter 23 LSV earlier in the summer, Shapiro had a several months to put the new Rider Preset to the test. He was amazed at how much time the Presets saved him. "The Malibu Presets save my students and me time." Shapiro told us. "It may not sound like a big deal, but when I have four or five students in the boat and they each have a different riding level with varying speeds, ballast and Power Wedge settings, it takes time to get everything dialed in." Shapiro continued, "With the new Presets from Malibu, I select a student's Preset by name and engage. There's no time wasted trying to recall just where we had the Wedge or what speed I was pulling them at. It is automatic."

2008 Malibu boats, equip with Rider Presets, arrive from the factory with presets already configured for your water sports pleasure. These built-in profiles were set by the factory so you can launch your new Malibu and instantly be ready to launch yourself as well. You can choose among Factory Presets like Wakeboard Beginner. This novice wakeboard setting forgoes the Power Wedge and ballast settings and simply sets the speed control to 18 mph. The Wakeboard Intermediate setting weights the boat up with half ballast in the rear tanks, sets the Power Wedge to about 20% of maximum displacement and sets Precision Pro Speed Control to 19.4 mph. Wakeboard Advanced loads the boat up! This setting fills all available ballast tanks completely, sets the speed control to 22 mph and sets the Power Wedge, if installed, to 70% of maximum displacement. Surf Right and Surf Left get the boat ready to surf for right or left-foot-forward riders. The speed for this profile is set to 9.8 mph, either the right or left rear ballast tanks are filled, depending on the setting, the center ballast tank is filled to capacity and the Power Wedge is deployed to 100% displacement. The Ski preset sets Precision Pro Speed control to 32 mph. The Go Home Preset empties all ballast, directs the driver to stow the Wedge and sets the speed control to off.

If you have found that sweet riding spot behind your Malibu boat and you want to create your own preset. It's simple. With the speed control, ballast and Power Wedge set to your sweet spot, push the "cruise" button twice. Then scroll down to an empty Preset location and push the "E" button to edit this Preset and add your sweet spot setting. With "Name" highlight push the "E" button. Using the arrow buttons you will be able to name your Preset "MySweetSpot". Then scroll down to "Save Preset" and push the "E" button again. This will save your new Preset and take you back to the main Preset screen. Now anytime you want to recall those sweet spot settings for a riding session simply select "MySweetSpot" in your Preset menu.

You can overwrite any of the Factory Presets as well. Using the procedure outlined above, just highlight the factory Preset you wish to overwrite and push the “E” button. Then complete the rest of the steps.

If you find that you would like to restore your factory Presets at some point, Malibu has thought of that too. Go to the Setup menu, choose "Presets" and push the "E" button. Then push "E" again to reset and you are back to where you started.

For more detailed instruction on Malibu Presets download the Malibu Boats Owner's Manual: Preset Section, visit the Malibu Boats YouTube channel and view a short Rider Preset video instructional or visit the Malibu Boats blog entry for Rider Presets.

The new Malibu Boats Presets are just one more standard feature in a long list form Malibu. Advancements like this prove Malibu continues to strive to build you the best boat, for a fair price and fun doing it. That is their mission and they are continuing to push limits to achieve it.

Docking a Malibu boat is extremely simple. This common boating task is almost like parallel parking a car and we were all nervous the first time we tried that too. Just like your driver’s test, the key with docking your Malibu is not to panic.

Come in slowly with the dock on your right, turning the wheel counter-clockwise as you approach. When you are within approximately three feet of the dock, gently put the throttle in reverse while turning the wheel clock-wise and you will slowly drift toward the dock. Remember: Forward counter-clockwise and then reverse clockwise.

Visit the Malibu Boats YouTube Channel to learn more about docking.

In 2001 Malibu introduced Wakeboard Wally to the world on the annual Malibu Boats DVD. The Wakeboard Wally section of that year’s DVD was one of the most popular and it remains a Malibu faithful favorite today. As a tribute to Wally’s popularity Malibu brought him back for a command performance on YouTube.com. Check out the Malibu Boats video of the month, Wakeboard Wally II.

If you are interested in reliving Wally’s debut visit the original Wakeboard Wally video on YouTube.com.

Paul was around “back in the day”, when meals at boat tests consisted of boiled hot dogs or maybe tacos if they were lucky. And everyone brought sleeping bags, shared one room and snoozed on the floor, waiting for those early morning wake-up calls. Not only did Paul travel to the tests, in a lot of cases he was staying up until early morning making sure the boats were absolutely ready for the next day’s tests. He has a long history here and unique memories of Malibu in the early years.

Just like Gash, Paul is not afraid to get his hands dirty, in fact he prefers it. Paul works side-by-side with Malibu’s dedicated production staff to make sure every new model is introduced into production flawlessly. Paul designs many of the boats inner components. Once a boat design is roughed out Paul is called on to design the Fiberglass Engine Chassis System or FibECS. Paul is also in charge of designing the Mantex Flooring System for each new model as well as all fuel and ballast tanks. That sounds like enough to keep two people busy right there, but that is not where Paul’s expertise ends. He is also responsible for digitizing all interior designs for the CNC machines used to create seat bases, side panels and lean backs. Paul is an expert in converting 3D imagery to usable machine language. He also converts designs for billet interior emblems, gauge panels, and grab handles to CNC code for the Malibu machine shop.

Shane Stillman has been around Malibu Boats since its inception, but only began working for the World’s No. 1 selling Tow Boat Manufacturer in 1994. Shane comes from a water skiing family and he grew up skiing behind Malibu boats in Merced, California. Shane’s Malibu story began in 1982 as a young skier. The rest is history.

Shane skied competitively all through school, continued through college and as an open rated skier after that. As a result of a very competitive Malibu dodge ball tournament a couple of years ago, Shane is working on returning to the competitive circuit. He trains regularly behind his Response LXi with his wife Mickee and their two girls. 

It is his love for water sports and family that drives Shane to innovate where Malibu boats are concerned. Like Gash, Shane spends a lot of time in Malibu boats with his family testing new ideas and designing. Shane’s designs focus on interior components and usability on the water. He is responsible for everything from upholstery colors and designs to storage enclosures to driver’s seats to interior emblems to interior accessories. And he isn’t just designing for looks. Function is as much a part of Shane’s overall goal. Where a cup holder is placed in relation to the ice chest, dual fuels fills or the angle of a seat back are all items that Shane scrutinizes.

Shane’s designs have even gone so far as to reinvent the interior of a direct-drive tow boat. He came up with the popular XTi design in 2002. This boat interior took the advantages of a wrap-around lounge and tucked them into a direct-drive configuration. This groundbreaking concept spawned a series of models for Malibu in the XTi and RX designs.

Shane was originally hired in the Malibu rigging department 13 years ago. Since that time he has developed into one of the industry’s most talented boat designers. At 36 years of age, Shane is at the top of his game and continues to add to his book of accomplishments everyday. The latest model to prove this progression is the new Corvette Limited Edition Sport-V. The interior of this boat is a work of art.

Dan, Paul and Shane are three characters that stand out in the industry for the amazing work they do. Their talent and skill separate them from the pack. Their dedication and vision make them instrumental in the success of Malibu Boats. There are many more Malibu People stories that are as impactful as this one. These stories will be the subject of articles to come. Malibu Boats, pushing limits.

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