Current generation Malibu Response

[Wal]

Now that we are a few years down the track interested in getting some feedback on the current generation of the Malibu Response.

 

Our current boat is a 2016 Response and to be honest it has been a huge disappointment in terms of build quality. Very happy with the support from our dealer, service is not the issue. Just seems like the basic components are of inferior quality. Lots of failures from components that you dont expect to fail. This is our 3rd Malibu - the previous 2 were great. This one feels like a Monday morning model that was rushed out the door.

 

Any thoughts on the current generation?

 

We are club focused mostly on Jump and Slalom.

[LeonL]

No thoughts, but questions. What specifically can you point out that are inferior quality and components that failed? Just curious. I have observed some problems with the boats that the promo in our state has exhibited. Won't go into details as I don't want to rub any fur the wrong way, since I just observed some and heard some problems second hand.

[DW]

You might also post your question on the Malibu Crew website and do a search here and on that site - a few posts on the new boat for you to review.

[mlange]

I've had the opposite experience. My 2016 has been my best of four yet. Would be interested to hear what issues you've had.

 

Mike

[Jody_Seal]

Have now driven and spent some quality time at the last three tournaments in one particular 2018 Malibu. I found it to drive very nice, track very nice and the overall experience for me has been very positive. my only input is that a 6 liter should have a bit more grunt out of the hole. from talking to other 18 owners there seems to be a deficient of power on the lower end in some boats ( a trend), I think there was a ECM calibration change from 17 to 18, but after the boat gets up in the power band it seems to work pretty well.

[Wal]

Thanks to all for the feedback.

 

The list of issues is comprehensive and ranges from minor stuff (seat adjustment mechanism) to serious showstoppers like the starter motor dying completely. Lots of other annoying stuff like plastic bits falling off, the fittings for the bimini top are cheap plastic. Zero off also died although i appreciate we cant blame that one on Malibu. But you get the picture. Just an overall sense of really poor components and poor build. Not what you expect from a major player in the industry. Strange because the two previous boats were absolutely bullet proof.

 

Prior to our switch to Malibu we had a Nautuque. Before that a succession of 3 or 4 Mastercrafts. No product is perfect and they all had their imperfections (some more than others). But this latest Malibu is on a whole new level. And to be clear, we bought it new so we know the full history. Our dealer has been very helpful - no issues there. They didn't build the boat!

 

But to perfectly honest that is more or less irellevant now - our focus is on the next choice. The best deal financially will be a Malibu upgrade. But is the new generation boat more robust than our current one?

 

Will have a look at the Malibu Crew site as suggested.

 

Enjoy the rest of your season.

[jhughes]

Our club gets a new TXi every year. 2015 was the best boat we have had as far as fit and finish. Second place would be our current 2018 which is a fine machine. So, if you wanted to stick with Malibu strictly, the 18 would probably be a fine choice. All of these boats are low-volume, hand-made items so I'd expect variances from one to the next across the board.

[gregy]

Starter motor wouldn't be Malibu either.

[Zman]

Also have a 2016 Txi. It has been a great boat, with just a few issues which were not Malibu components, but Malibu was very helpful with getting me the support I needed from PCM and others.

I have skied behind and driven the 2018 and second all the positive comments already mentioned above.

[Stevie Boy]

Super nice looking boat, whats the general difference in price with other boats ?