Malibu Boats for Sale
Browse our 0 Malibu boats listings and learn more about Malibu, the company that built them
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Malibu Buyer's Guides
(1 guide)Updated 1 January 2025 · By Hulls.io Editorial
About Malibu
Malibu Boats is the largest publicly traded manufacturer of inboard wakesport boats in the world, and the company that arguably did more than any other to bring wakesurfing from a niche activity to a mainstream recreational sport. Founded in 1982 in Merced, California, Malibu spent its first three decades building premium ski boats and wakeboard boats before transforming the market with the introduction of Surf Gate in 2013 — a patented system of deployable gates mounted on either side of the transom that creates a rideable surf wave without requiring massive amounts of additional ballast.
Surf Gate was a watershed moment for the wakesport industry. Before its introduction, creating a quality surf wave behind a towboat required heavy ballast bags, careful speed management, and often a weighted crew sitting on one side of the boat. Surf Gate made wakesurfing accessible to recreational boaters by generating a clean, predictable surf wave at the push of a button. The technology was so successful that every major competitor — MasterCraft, Nautique, Tige, and Centurion — developed their own surf wave systems in response.
The company relocated from California to Loudon, Tennessee in the early 2000s, where it operates a large manufacturing facility on the banks of the Tennessee River. The Tennessee location provides access to a skilled manufacturing workforce, lower operating costs, and proximity to some of the best freshwater boating in the eastern United States.
Malibu went public on the NASDAQ in 2014 (ticker: MBUU), a move that provided capital for an aggressive acquisition strategy. The company acquired Cobalt Boats (premium sport boats), Pursuit Boats (saltwater fishing), and the Maverick Boat Group (Cobia, Maverick, Pathfinder, and Hewes — all saltwater fishing brands). These acquisitions transformed Malibu from a single-brand wakesport company into a diversified marine group with coverage across wakesport, luxury sport boats, and saltwater fishing.
The core Malibu wakesport range includes the Wakesetter series (the brand's premium line, including the 23 MXZ, 25 LSV, and 22 MXZ) and the entry-level M220. The 23 MXZ sits at the heart of the range as the brand's best-selling model — a 23-foot wakesport boat that competes directly with the MasterCraft X24, Nautique Super Air G23, Tige 23 RZX, and Centurion Fi23 in the most hotly contested segment of the wakesport market.
Malibu's build quality has improved significantly since the company's early days. Current-generation boats feature advanced composite construction, integrated ballast systems with rapid fill/drain capability, and Malibu's Command Center touchscreen interface for controlling all boat systems from the helm. The interior fit-and-finish is competitive with MasterCraft and Nautique, though each brand has its advocates.
The typical Malibu buyer is a wake-sport-focused family or enthusiast who values the Surf Gate technology, Malibu's dealer network (the largest in the wakesport segment), and the brand's strong resale values. Malibu boats hold their value well on the used market, benefiting from the brand's market leadership, publicly traded stability, and the ongoing relevance of Surf Gate technology.
On the used market, Malibu wakesport boats are among the easiest to buy and sell in the segment, owing to high production volumes, strong brand recognition, and a deep dealer network for service and parts support. Pre-2013 models (before Surf Gate) trade at a significant discount to current-generation boats, reflecting the technology gap.
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Brand Value & Market Position
Hulls.io tracks value retention data for 1 Malibu models based on 33 historical listings.
Market insight based on asking prices from 33 tracked listings analysed by Hulls.io (April 2026 data). Figures reflect asking prices, not final sale prices.
Retention curves are shown for models with sufficient year-over-year listing density in our dataset.
Malibu Models: Year-by-Year Market Data
Median asking prices by model year, based on 33 tracked listings. Data from April 2026.
| Model Year | Median Price | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | £86,359 | 6 |
| 2019 | £80,442 | 10 |
| 2013 | £47,103 | 8 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Malibu
Where are Malibu boats built?
Malibu boats are built at the company's manufacturing facility in Loudon, Tennessee. The company was originally founded in Merced, California in 1982 and relocated to Tennessee in the early 2000s. The Loudon facility is the primary production site for all Malibu-branded wakesport boats.
What is Surf Gate?
Surf Gate is Malibu's patented wave-shaping technology, introduced in 2013. It uses deployable gates mounted on either side of the transom that redirect the wake to create a rideable surf wave behind the boat. The system allows the driver to switch the wave from side to side at the push of a button, making wakesurfing accessible without heavy ballast loading. Surf Gate was the first integrated surf wave system in the industry and prompted all major competitors to develop their own wave systems.
How does Malibu compare to MasterCraft?
Both are premium American wakesport boat builders. Malibu is larger by revenue and market share, with Surf Gate technology and the broadest dealer network. MasterCraft has a longer heritage (founded 1968 vs 1982), stronger brand prestige in some markets, and a loyal following among competitive skiers. Malibu is publicly traded (NASDAQ: MBUU); MasterCraft is also publicly traded (NASDAQ: MCFT). The choice between them typically comes down to personal wake preference and dealer proximity.
Is Malibu Boats a public company?
Yes, Malibu Boats trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker MBUU. The company went public in 2014 and has since acquired Cobalt Boats, Pursuit Boats, and the Maverick Boat Group (Cobia, Maverick, Pathfinder, and Hewes). The company is one of the largest recreational boat manufacturers in the United States by market capitalisation.
Do Malibu boats hold their value?
Malibu boats hold their value well within the wakesport segment, typically retaining 70-80% of value after 3-5 years with reasonable hours. The brand's market leadership, Surf Gate technology, and strong dealer network support consistent resale values. Post-2013 models (with Surf Gate) hold their value significantly better than pre-Surf Gate boats.