2021 Malibu M220

Malibu’s 22-foot-5-inch M220 is a new iteration of last year’s M240, benefiting from the same innovative hull design and features introduced on that flagship model, but in a more compact size and affordable price point.

The M-Line hull is the deepest Malibu offers, with increased freeboard to accommodate more passengers, more ballast and increased stowage, and deliver a more secure ride, particularly in rough water. A shovel-nose bow increases the size of its bow cockpit. The main cockpit seating consists of a lengthy wraparound lounge, but includes several innovations focused on passengers taking in the action in the boat’s wake. To each side, a single cushion can be raised to serve as an aft-facing backrest. The Malibu Multi-View bench on the centerline functions like its name implies. In its normal position, it’s part of that social cockpit layout, but slide the bench forward on integrated tracks and pivot the backrest over, and it forms an aft-facing stadium seat. Or flip the backrest over to reveal a built-in table with cup holders.

All this attention focused aft is for a reason. The M220 builds impressive wakes for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. In addition to a 15-passenger capacity, a foursome of rigid tanks is built into the hull and capable of holding over 3,500 pounds of water ballast, filled (or drained) in surprisingly quick fashion by Malibu’s electric-fill pumps. The transom-mounted Power Wedge III hydrofoil pulls the stern deeper into the water, mimicking an additional 1,500 pounds of weight. For surf junkies, Malibu’s vertical Surf Gate plates pivot outward from aft transom corners when activated, disrupting water flow to build and shape mega-wakes on a surfer’s preferred side. With the wearable Surf Band, riders can control everything on their own, from the Power Wedge position to switching sides on the Surf Gate.

All that wake-boosting weight requires significant horsepower to get the boat up and out of the hole. Our test boat was equipped with Malibu’s Monsoon M6Di, a 430 hp direct-injection powerplant that, along with an assist from the Power Wedge, easily pushed the boat onto plane and up to 38 mph.

High Points

• Power Wedge III easily and quickly customizes the shape of the wakes.
• Standard G5 tower folds lower for improved clearance.
• Dual touchscreen Command Center at the helm offers intuitive control on all surf functions.

Specs

LOA: 23′0″

Beam: 8′6″

Draft (max): 2′8″

Dry Weight: 5,400 lb.

Ballast: 5,160 lb. (with Power Wedge III deployed)

Seat/Weight Capacity: 15/2,115 lb.

Fuel Capacity: 79 gal.

Price: $138,667 (starting)

How We Tested

Engine: Malibu Monsoon M6Di

Drive/Prop: V-drive/Acme 1773 17″ x 14″ 4-blade nibral

Gear Ratio: 2.00:1

Fuel Load: 45 gal.

Crew Weight: 360 lb.

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