2017 Malibu Boats Owners Manual
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Congratulations on your purchase of a new, high-performance recreational tow
boat. Your Malibu Boats, LLC (“Malibu”) boat has been constructed to meet and/or
exceed all U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and National Marine Manufacturers
Association (NMMA) requirements applicable at the time of its manufacture.
However, it is still your responsibility as the boat owner to ensure the boat is
operated in a safe manner and is properly maintained.
Before operating this vessel, please take the time to get
acquainted with the vessel and its various features and
controls. We recommend that you carefully read and
familiarize yourself with this Owner’s Manual and all on-product
safety labels prior to operating your new watercraft.
This manual contains important information on
Boating Safety, Boating Rules, Proper Operation and
Maintenance of your boat. This manual provides a
guideline for proper operation and maintenance
of your boat, and you should consider it a
permanent part of your vessel. In the event
that this boat is sold, this manual should be
included along with the boat to ensure that
it will provide the same important
information to the next owner.
ABOUT THIS OWNER’ S MANUAL
The recommended practices and warnings in this manual represent sound
advice for recreational boating and identify common risks encountered by
boaters engaging in towed watersport activities. Read and understand the
contents of this manual. Ask questions of a boating professional if anything
in this manual does not make sense to you. The manual does not cover all
instances of risk or danger, so please use common sense and good judgment
when boating. If you follow the advice provided in this manual you will
significantly reduce risk to yourself, your passengers, towed participants, and
other boaters.
This manual is not intended to be a substitute for taking a course on boating
safety nor is it a substitute for boating experience. It is recommended that if
you are unfamiliar with the use and operation of a boat you seek advice and
training from a qualified individual or organization. Check with your local marine
law enforcement agency or dealer for more information about boating safety
classes in your area.
The precautions listed in this manual and on the boat are not all-inclusive. If
a procedure or method is not specifically recommended, YOU must be satisfied
that it is safe for you and your passengers, and that the boat will not be damaged
or made unsafe as a result of your decision. Remember – always use caution
and common sense when operating and maintaining your boat!
2017 Malibu Owners Manual . . . Get Ready . . . Page 1-3
ABOUT YOUR NEW BOAT
Malibu is proud to provide you with the most exciting, cutting-edge technology available in the towing-boat
industry. The boat you have purchased represents the state of the art at the time of manufacture. As you may
expect from the industry’s leader since 1982, Malibu expands and innovates continually. As a result, updated
product or specifications may be introduced during any given model year. Malibu reserves the right to introduce
new product or changes to existing model lines without notification or incurring responsibility to make the same
changes to boats in the market completed prior to the date of change.
This Owner’s Manual has been compiled to address as many potential issues and questions as may arise in
addition to explaining how to operate the boat and its systems correctly and safely as possible to ensure long-
term and enjoyable use. However, Malibu cannot anticipate every potential situation that can arise, affecting the
care and protection of your boat, nor every circumstance that could arise in the operation or care of the boat
when not in use. Malibu strongly recommends reading any and all additional information provided by component
manufacturers’ and supplied with the boat at time of purchase. Also check out websites for Malibu and its
component manufacturers periodically to stay abreast of any changes, updates, service bulletins and general
information. Malibu will use these various methods of communication, from this Owner’s Manual and including,
but not limited to, direct mail contact and website updates, to make every reasonable effort to apprise you of the
information you will need to continue long-term and highly satisfactory use of your boat.
2017 Malibu Owners Manual . . . Get Ready . . . Page 1-4
2017 Malibu Owners Manual . . . Table of Contents . . . Page 6
SAFETY
Embracing Safety ........................................................................................................................... 14
Signal Words and Symbols Used in This Manual ................................................................................................................... 14
Basic Safety Rules ................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Pre-Operation Check List–Before Leaving the Dock.............................................................................................................. 14
Precautions While Underway ................................................................................................................................................. 15
Safety While Maintaining the Vessel ...................................................................................................................................... 16
Owner Responsibility and Boating Education.............................................................................. 17
Important Safety Information .................................................................................................................................................. 17
Responsibilities of Boat Owner and Operators....................................................................................................................... 17
Registration ............................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Insurance ................................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Boating Safety Education Opportunities................................................................................................................................. 18
Operation by Minors and Licensing ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Navigation Lights .................................................................................................................................................................... 19
Emergency Safety Stop Switch .............................................................................................................................................. 20
Personal Flotation Devices ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Fire Extinguisher..................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Horn or Whistle ....................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Bilge Pump(s) ......................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Visual Distress Signals ........................................................................................................................................................... 22
Recommended Safety Equipment .......................................................................................................................................... 22
General Boating Safety Topics ...................................................................................................... 22
Safe Speed ............................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Passenger Safety ................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Carbon Monoxide Safety ........................................................................................................................................................ 22
Proper Loading ....................................................................................................................................................................... 24
Weighting Your Boat During Watersport Activities .................................................................................................................. 24
Visibility of the Operator ......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Boating Under the Influence ................................................................................................................................................... 26
Product Misuse ....................................................................................................................................................................... 26
Reporting Accidents................................................................................................................................................................ 26
Rendering Assistance ............................................................................................................................................................. 26
Hazardous Conditions ............................................................................................................................................................ 26
Environmental Concerns ........................................................................................................................................................ 27
On Product Warning Labels .......................................................................................................... 28
Warning Labels and Locations ............................................................................................................................................... 28
Basic Rules of the Road ................................................................................................................... 32
Boating Regulations ............................................................................................................................................................... 32
Encountering Another Vessel ................................................................................................................................................. 32
Privileged Vessel .................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Burdened Vessel .................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Crossing ................................................................................................................................................................................. 32
Meeting Head-On ................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Overtaking .............................................................................................................................................................................. 33
The General Prudential Rule .................................................................................................................................................. 33
Other Rules of the Road......................................................................................................................................................... 33
Aids to Navigation ................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Night Running .......................................................................................................................................................................... 33
Watersports Safety ......................................................................................................................... 37
Hand Signals .......................................................................................................................................................................... 37
Towed Person Safety Responsibilities.................................................................................................................................... 37
Additional Precautions for Towed Skier/Rider......................................................................................................................... 39
Tow Line Guidelines ............................................................................................................................................................... 39
Fallen Skier or Rider ............................................................................................................................................................... 39
Develop Water Sense............................................................................................................................................................. 40
2017 Malibu Owners Manual . . . Table of Contents . . . Page 7
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Emergency Procedures .................................................................................................................. 41
Explosion and Fire .................................................................................................................................................................. 41
Swamping and Flooding ......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Capsizing................................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Staying Afloat.......................................................................................................................................................................... 42
Collisions ................................................................................................................................................................................ 42
Grounding ............................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Person Overboard .................................................................................................................................................................. 43
Drowning ................................................................................................................................................................................ 43
Medical Emergency ................................................................................................................................................................ 43
Operation Failure.................................................................................................................................................................... 43
Towing .................................................................................................................................................................................... 43
QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
20VTX........................................................................................................................................................................................ 46
21VLX........................................................................................................................................................................................ 48
23LSV........................................................................................................................................................................................ 50
25LSV........................................................................................................................................................................................ 52
22MXZ ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 54
24MXZ ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 56
M235.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 58
Recommended Seating ............................................................................................................................................................. 60
DASHES & VIDEO SCREENS
Command Center ........................................................................................................................... 64
Engine Starting Code ............................................................................................................................................................. 64
Optional Joystick Controller (Sport Dash) .............................................................................................................................. 64
System Overview.................................................................................................................................................................... 64
Depth Screen.......................................................................................................................................................................... 65
Ballast Screen ........................................................................................................................................................................ 65
Speed Control......................................................................................................................................................................... 66
Surf Gate Control.................................................................................................................................................................... 67
Power Wedge Control ............................................................................................................................................................ 67
Preset Screen ......................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Media Screen ......................................................................................................................................................................... 68
Stereo Screen......................................................................................................................................................................... 69
Controls Screen...................................................................................................................................................................... 69
Settings Screen ...................................................................................................................................................................... 69
Maps Screen .......................................................................................................................................................................... 72
Basic Electrical Components ......................................................................................................... 74
Battery Charger ...................................................................................................................................................................... 75
12-Volt Receptacle ................................................................................................................................................................. 75
Port Rear Breaker Box ........................................................................................................................................................... 75
Surf Band................................................................................................................................................................................ 75
Inverter ................................................................................................................................................................................... 76
Alarms..................................................................................................................................................................................... 76
HOW IT WORKS
Safety First ..................................................................................................................................... 80
Fire Extinguishing Equipment ................................................................................................................................................. 80
Emergency Engine Stop Switch ............................................................................................................................................. 80
Lighting ................................................................................................................................................................................... 81
Tie-Ups ................................................................................................................................................................................... 82
Anchor Locker......................................................................................................................................................................... 83
Horn ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 83
Mirror ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 83
Ladder .................................................................................................................................................................................... 83
Fuel Fill ................................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Interior Performance ..................................................................................................................... 84
Steering Wheel ....................................................................................................................................................................... 84
Shifter/Throttle ........................................................................................................................................................................ 85
Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) ........................................................................................................................................... 86
Pylon(s) .................................................................................................................................................................................. 86
Sports Dash............................................................................................................................................................................ 86
Back-Up Camera .................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Interior Luxury .............................................................................................................................. 88
Stereo Components................................................................................................................................................................ 87
Seating ................................................................................................................................................................................... 87
Heated and/or Powered Driver’s Seat .................................................................................................................................... 88
Armrests ................................................................................................................................................................................. 88
Glove box ............................................................................................................................................................................... 88
Storage Compartments .......................................................................................................................................................... 89
Removable Cooler .................................................................................................................................................................. 89
Cup Holders............................................................................................................................................................................ 89
Removable Trash Receptacle ................................................................................................................................................ 89
Carpets and Mats ................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Cockpit Table .......................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Grab Handles ......................................................................................................................................................................... 90
Heater ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 91
Tower, Canvas & Accessories ......................................................................................................... 91
G3.5 Tower ............................................................................................................................................................................. 91
G4 Tower ................................................................................................................................................................................ 92
Tower Accessories ........................................................................................................................... 93
Tower Lights ........................................................................................................................................................................... 93
Bimini Top ............................................................................................................................................................................... 93
Z5 Cargo Rack with Bimini ..................................................................................................................................................... 93
G-Force Icon 7 Tower Speakers or G-Force Rev 8 Speakers with Horn................................................................................ 93
G3.5 & G4 PTM Clamping Spinner Board Racks or Ski Rack ............................................................................................... 93
G3.5 Tower Mirror ................................................................................................................................................................... 94
On and Under the Water ............................................................................................................... 94
Blower System........................................................................................................................................................................ 94
Bilge System........................................................................................................................................................................... 95
Ballast System ........................................................................................................................................................................ 97
Power Wedge II ...................................................................................................................................................................... 98
Surf Gate ................................................................................................................................................................................ 98
Underwater Gear (Rudder, Fins, Strut, Propeller, Paddlewheel and Raw-Water Intake/Sea Strainer) .................................. 99
Shower/Wash Down ............................................................................................................................................................. 100
Swim Platform and Ladders ................................................................................................................................................. 100
Salt Water Series.................................................................................................................................................................. 101
TRAILERS
Reporting Safety Defects...................................................................................................................................................... 104
Legal Requirements for Towing ............................................................................................................................................ 104
Basic Safety Rules ............................................................................................................................................................... 104
Connections to the Tow Vehicle ................................................................................................... 104
Preparation ........................................................................................................................................................................... 104
Trailer Hitch .......................................................................................................................................................................... 105
Safety Cables ....................................................................................................................................................................... 105
Breakaway Cable ................................................................................................................................................................. 105
Weight Distribution ............................................................................................................................................................... 106
How to Connect to the Tow Vehicle ............................................................................................. 106
Attaching to the Tow Vehicle ................................................................................................................................................. 106
To Open the Coupler ............................................................................................................................................................ 107
To Close the Coupler ............................................................................................................................................................ 107
Hitching Up ........................................................................................................................................................................... 107
Connecting to the Boat ................................................................................................................ 107
Trailer Winch......................................................................................................................................................................... 107
Tie-Downs............................................................................................................................................................................. 108
Trailer Components and How They Function ............................................................................ 108
Trailer Jack ........................................................................................................................................................................... 108
Lights .................................................................................................................................................................................... 109
Axles ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 109
Wheels and Hubs ................................................................................................................................................................. 110
Lug Nuts ............................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Tires ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 110
Brakes ...................................................................................................................................................................................111
Towing Advice............................................................................................................................... 113
Prior to Towing ...................................................................................................................................................................... 113
Pre-Tow Check List............................................................................................................................................................... 113
Underway ............................................................................................................................................................................. 113
Launching and Re-Loading the Boat from the Trailer .............................................................. 114
2017 Malibu Owners Manual . . . Table of Contents . . . Page 9
When the Trailer Is Not in Use ................................................................................................... 115
GET READY
Get Ready ..................................................................................................................................... 118
Malibu Fuel System.............................................................................................................................................................. 118
Final Checks Before Starting................................................................................................................................................ 118
Starting and Operation ......................................................................................................................................................... 119
Starting the Engine ............................................................................................................................................................... 119
To Turn Off ............................................................................................................................................................................ 120
Break-In Period..................................................................................................................................................................... 120
Smart Operations ................................................................................................................................................................. 120
Stopping ............................................................................................................................................................................... 121
High Speed Maneuvers ........................................................................................................................................................ 121
Special Conditions ................................................................................................................................................................ 122
Towing and Interaction.......................................................................................................................................................... 122
Anchoring.............................................................................................................................................................................. 122
Docking and Tie-Up .............................................................................................................................................................. 123
CARE & MAINTENANCE
On-Going Care ............................................................................................................................. 126
General Cleaning.................................................................................................................................................................. 126
Canvas ................................................................................................................................................................................. 126
Upholstery ............................................................................................................................................................................ 128
Approved Cleaners for Malibu Upholstery ............................................................................................................................ 129
Carpets and Mats ................................................................................................................................................................. 130
Swim Platforms..................................................................................................................................................................... 130
Hull and Deck Finishes ......................................................................................................................................................... 130
Stainless Steel, Chrome and Aluminum Components.......................................................................................................... 130
Routine Maintenance................................................................................................................... 132
Before Starting the Engine ................................................................................................................................................... 132
After Starting the Engine....................................................................................................................................................... 132
After the Outing..................................................................................................................................................................... 132
After 50 Hours on the Hourmeter.......................................................................................................................................... 132
After 100 Hours or Annually .................................................................................................................................................. 132
Storage and Winterization .................................................................................................................................................... 132
Before Starting the Engine.......................................................................................................... 133
Inspect the Sea Strainer ....................................................................................................................................................... 133
Check the Battery Holders and the Connections.................................................................................................................. 133
Check for Odors ................................................................................................................................................................... 134
After Starting the Engine ............................................................................................................ 134
Check for Odors, Particularly From Exhaust Emissions ....................................................................................................... 134
Be Certain that the Battery Registers as Fully Charged and That There Is Sufficient Fuel for the Outing .......................... 134
After the Outing ........................................................................................................................... 135
Give the Engine Compartment a General Inspection ........................................................................................................... 135
Check the Other Components .............................................................................................................................................. 135
Note How Much Fuel and Battery Charge Were Used ......................................................................................................... 135
Give the Boat a Good General Cleaning as Outlined in the On-Going Care Information that Precedes This Section......... 135
After 50 Hours on the Hourmeter ............................................................................................... 136
Check the Safety Equipment ................................................................................................................................................ 136
Have the Oil Changed by Your Authorized Malibu Dealer .................................................................................................... 136
2017 Malibu Owners Manual . . . Table of Contents . . . Page 10
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What's Included?
Lifetime Access
Fast Download Speeds
Online & Offline Access
Access PDF Contents & Bookmarks
Full Search Facility
Print one or all pages of your manual
$26.99
$35.99
2017 Malibu Boats Owner's Manual
Models Covered:
- 21VLX
- 23LSV
- 24MXZ
- 25LSV
- 22MXZ
- M235
The 2017 Malibu Boats Owner's Manual is the official, factory-issued guide that was originally supplied with every new 2017 model. This is the definitive resource for any owner, providing the manufacturer's approved procedures for the safe operation, routine care, and proper maintenance of your high-performance tow boat.
This is not a detailed service manual for engine overhauls, but rather the essential handbook for understanding and using all of your boat's advanced features, including the Command Center, Surf Gate, and Power Wedge systems. It contains the critical information needed to ensure safety on the water and protect your investment.
What’s Inside the 2017 Malibu Boats Owner's Manual
Safety, Rules & On-Water Operation
Provides essential information on boating safety, rules of the road, pre-operation checklists, and proper operating procedures. Covers everything from starting and stopping the engine to high-speed maneuvers and watersports safety.
Malibu-Specific Systems & Features
Learn to master your boat's technology. This section provides detailed instructions on using the Dash Command Center, operating the Ballast system, and dialing in your perfect wave with the Surf Gate and Power Wedge controls.
Care & Routine Maintenance
Contains the complete factory-recommended maintenance schedules. Includes procedures for on-going care like cleaning the upholstery and hull, as well as routine maintenance for after 50 hours, after 100 hours, and annual service requirements.
Storage & Winterization
Includes the official factory procedures for preparing your boat for extended non-use and for proper winterization to protect the engine, ballast, and hull during the off-season.
Trailer & Towing
Provides complete instructions for your Malibu trailer. Covers legal requirements, connecting the boat to the tow vehicle, trailering components, and procedures for launching and re-loading the boat from the water.
Troubleshooting & Emergency Procedures
Features a basic troubleshooting guide for both the boat and trailer to help you resolve common issues. Also includes critical information on how to handle on-water emergencies like fire, flooding, or collisions.
Why Choose This Owner's Manual?
If you've purchased a used Malibu, this is the essential document you are missing. It is the only source for manufacturer-specific information on how to properly operate and maintain the complex, integrated systems on your boat. Understanding the correct procedures for the Surf Gate, Power Wedge, and ballast systems is critical for performance and preventing damage.
Digital Format & Compatibility
Delivered as a high-resolution, fully searchable PDF, this manual works seamlessly on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux systems. It is ideal for keeping on a tablet or phone for quick reference right on the water.
Get Your 2017 Malibu Owner's Manual Today
Equip yourself with the official factory documentation for your vessel. From understanding safety protocols to performing correct pre-season maintenance, this manual is the ultimate resource for any 2017 Malibu boat owner.
Printable: Yes
Language: English
Compatibility: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Requirements: PDF Reader (e.g., Adobe Reader)
