Sethro

I agree that the right gel color combinations really make or break that boat. This boat looks even better in person than the pictures. I pretty much agree with your assessment over the years of the cosmetics of the new TXi, but this gel pattern really hides the "ugliness" so to speak. :p It skis and drives phenomenally...I really like the boat and my opinion of the 17+ TXi in general has pretty much done a complete 180. I've learned the book most definitely can't be judged by the cover...and in my case just pictures of the cover, as I'd never even seen one in person. I unfortunately couldn't get myself to purchase his 2012 even though the price was right. Even had the green light from my wife, although the green light had a long list attached.

Not mine, but my friend’s new to him ‘19 TXi. Although it appears kind of white, it’s actually light grey.

I’ve driven a 2005 (I think) SN 196. Absolutely uncomfortable at 6’5” as the “firewall” doesn’t allow nearly enough leg room. Maybe things are different for different years of that model, but just wanted to throw that out there to be sure to test drive if you consider that model. But given wakeboarding as a high priority, you really can’t beat a Malibu with a wedge in that price range for its versatility. That Supra would actually make a very decent wakeboard boat.

Say hi to Bruce for me and wish him good luck! He’s my next door neighbor and main ski buddy. He will drop whatever he is doing to ski, or even just pull me if he’d already skied that day. Absolutely a physical freak of nature, too.

I agree, we need to learn from each other on this site. We all feel your pain.

Yes, the boat has ZO, and I do recall that boat last fall and also thought it was a great deal. I was ready to pounce on that but my wife had other ideas for the money. It also has a new touch screen this spring for the ignition/control center, but original MaliView screen.

Howdy, my main ski buddy is upgrading to a 2019 TXi, and I'd like to buy his 2012 TXi. What does everyone think a fair price would be here in the Midwest? 600 hours, very clean, MaliView dash, jump seat, bimini, Monsoon 350, no wedge, very nice single axle trailer. Thanks!

I also really like that boat! Congrats

I’ve always wanted a closed bow 99-04 SSLXi, so let’s make sure we talk them into that option too.

@skimtb I’ve skied a 97 Ski Nautique with the 5.0 liter 275hp engine before. 2000 foot long course at 34mph and no issues. And I’m a pretty big guy. I would sell my PRISTINE (as @bananaron would say) 98 echelon for considerably less than that. I just need to convince my wife to agree we need a new boat.

I used to think the big wakeboard/surf wakes wasn't that big of a deal, thinking folks were blowing things out of proportion a bit. Then I went to Norris Lake last summer and realized what everyone is talking about. Simply unreal the amount of big wake boats and accompanying wakes, and I was starting to understand. But then one day late last summer on the little Rock River here in NW Illinois it happened. Someone visiting from WI (according to the registration numbers) had a Malibu M235 on our little, narrow 12 mile section of the river. I was trick skiing and my driver literally had to take defensive action against that wake. Later in the day it cruised past the house several times....biggest wake of any boat that's ever gone past my house. Crashing over my dock and seawall (neighbors too) leaving me to think I'd have to do some reinforcing if that was a normal occurrence on any given day.

Doug at The Liquid Edge in Illinois got one in last night. https://www.facebook.com/THE-LIQUID-EDGE-28904193162

The running surface of the 95 Sunsetter and equivalent Response is essentially the same. There is an additional one foot in length mostly "out of the water" towards the front and the sides are flared to get the extra width leaving essentially the same footprint width wise as well. The difference is weight. It's about 500ish pounds heavier. I've skied that model quite a few times, and I'm happy to report the wake won't be your limiting factor. No, not quite as good as the Response, but more than adequate for an enjoyable experience.

I'm excited to see MC trying to make an already outstanding product even better. I can't imagine I'd ever buy a new one, but certainly a "few years old" boat to replace my 98 Echelon some day. But seriously, it already doesn't get much better behind my now 23 model year old boat. Yes, I've skied the newer ProStars for comparison, and a '15 or newer ProStar is on my short list. Features inside the boat/Zero Off/etc. certainly make for different/better experience, but the wake certainly hasn't been the limiting factor in our skiing for quite some time now.

I think that’s the Excalibur without the plastic shroud.

@Mick04 it’s a modified trailer converted to a dolly. There’s a winch in the boathouse that pulls it out of the water. Here’s another pic

1998 Echelon

I’m disturbed by local governments misuse of the term shelter in place. Someday we might need to actually shelter in place, which essentially means one finds a safe spot and stays there until an all clear or evacuation order is given, and citizens won’t understand due to past experiences. This is emergency management 101, and I don’t understand how mayors and other city/village leaders are issuing shelter in place orders followed by exception after exception after exception where one is allowed to leave. The only explanation is they aren’t consulting with someone who understands the concept. They should be ordering travel/movement restrictions whatever they choose to call it.

I agree it’s disappointing a modern boat doesn’t have a working gauge. A ProStar only has a 22 gal tank?????

@UWSkier what do you notice as different from the Vapor? I recall you having a 69.5” 2016 Vapor but I don’t know if that was your ski prior to getting the Senate. I’m considering a change from my 2016 69.5” Vapor and this is on the short list.

So what are the current thoughts/experiences on a bigger skier and the large at 34mph? I might be inclined to replace my '16 Vapor (69.5") this year...I'm 6'5" 230ish. What is the tallest and/or heaviest skier you believe the large C75 would be ideal for?

Made it out for some skiing yesterday here in NW Illinois...previous record for latest ski in the year was December 26, so we beat it by one day. Water was in the upper 30's but I was able to ski till I was tired vs. skiing till I was cold for both sets.

I think my wife needs this gift.

@BraceMaker Ahhhh, I see what you mean. I can easily clip it from my dock, and the dolly actually has a little step on the very end to help get into the boat. But that would be the ultimate in ease of access.

@BraceMaker I'm not sure what you mean? When the boat floats on the dolly, the bow eye is actually embedded in that bumper at the "v" of the trailer due to the angles involved with the rails. The nose of the boat slowly rises to the height you see it as the hull comes in contact with the bunks. Someday I will actually cut the front of the dolly off, and weld two uprights that will contact the rub rail on each side to facilitate placing the boat in the right spot front to back.