Overview
With its wide, pickle-fork bow, the MXZ line from Malibu has long been one of the wakeboat builder’s most popular. For 2021, the 24 MXZ receives a hefty dose of updating—including a new interior layout, the latest Malibu tech, and even more wake-boosting potential.
Wakes and Waves
Built on Malibu Boats’ acclaimed Wake Plus hull, the 24 MXZ sits deeper in the water at board-riding speeds, boosting wake size, while keeping the wake faces both clean and consistent. Add 3,385 pounds of water ballast spread between Malibu’s Quad Hard Tanks and plug-and-play ballast, and that wake grows dramatically. The Power Wedge III hydrofoil mimics yet another 1,500 pounds of weight, and depending on the selected angle, shapes the wake face from steep to mellow. Advanced riders will simply fill the ballast, deploy the Power Wedge, and start riding. At level 1, the wake or wave lengthens out with a mellower face. The closer the Power Wedge gets to level 6, the steeper the face and bigger the wave. For endless wave surfing, Malibu’s Surf Gate—a set of transom-mounted vertical tabs—pivots outward to disrupt water flow coming off the hull sides, and instantly forms an ideally shaped wave on either side. The system’s audible beeps keep riders alert to help time with transferring from one wave side to the other.
Interior and Accessories
The bow cockpit is the most spacious to be found in the entire Malibu line. Equally plush seating wraps the entire perimeter of the main cockpit. Seats pivot up on articulating hinges to access the storage below. And thanks to the subfloor ballast system, that storage is some of the deepest in the market.
Read Next: 2021 Malibu M220
At the helm, the captain sits in a power chair that slides fore and aft, as well as up and down. All of the boat’s functions are controlled through Malibu’s Command Center, featuring two touchscreen displays and a rotary command dial. The dial is just forward of the throttle, so once underway, it’s easy for the captain to adjust the Power Wedge, Surf Gate, boat speed or audio system without taking eyes off the water.
How We Tested
- Engine: 430 hp Malibu Monsoon M6Di
- Drive/Prop: V-drive/Acme 3077 17″ x 15.5″ 4-blade nibral
- Gear Ratio: 2.00:1 Fuel Load: 45 gal. Crew Weight: 335 lb.
High Points
- Walk-through transom makes accessing the swim step easy, while also protecting the upholstery.
- Electric eMLS fast-fill ballast accelerates fill and drain times.
- G5 watersports tower lowers for bridge clearance and storage.
Low Points
- Wet storage at the transom seats don’t drain, which means they fill with water when the boat comes off plane.
Toughest Competitor
Shop the 24 MXZ against the Supra SE, which is also 24 feet, 5 inches, but it is rated for a crew of 18 and comes standard with a power folding tower.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | Not available at press time |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 24’5″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft (max): | 2’8″ |
| Displacement: | 6,000 lb. |
| Transom Deadrise: | NA |
| Bridge Clearance: | NA |
| Ballast: | 4,885 lb. (with Power Wedge III deployed) |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 17/2,397 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 82 gal. |
| Max Horsepower: | 607 hp |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
Malibu Boats – Loudon, Tennessee; 865-458-5478; malibuboats.com
