The Malibu XTi was meant to be a cross over boat for both skiing and Wake Boarding. A unique approach to the problems of direct drive boats but also the problems of V-Drive boats.
Specifications of a 2003 Malibu 21XTi
- Length w/o platform: 21’
- Beam: 7’9”
- People: 10
- Dry weight: 2,900 lb.
- Ballast: 500 lb. total (one center bag)
- Tower: Titan
- Racks*: Swivel
- Wake shaper: Power Wedge
- MLS: 500Lbs center Ballast
- Cooler: 27 qt.
- Fuel: 37 gal.
- Trailer*: Single or tandem axle
- Base MSRP: $29,000
Engine
- Standard: Indmar LCR 5.7L, 320 hp
- Test: Indmar Monsoon 5.7L, 335 hp
- Test prop: Acme 13×11.5 three-blade
- Cruise: Malibu Precision Pro; PerfectPass optional
Article Links
So you want to buy an XTi (or any Malibu Direct Drive)?
The HDS Box
Beware of the HDS Box, I did not know this was a thing until I learned about a leak in our boat. I have a separate article to identify if you have a boat with an HDS box, how to know it is leaking, and what to do if it is leaking. There used to be a lot of information regarding this repair but it is something, if you are buying an older Malibu Direct drive to be aware of. interestingly, the larger 23xti did not utilize this HDS box, rather used a traditional brass shaft-log to go through the hull.
How to identify it while in the water
Lift the engine cover and follow the drive shaft back to identify if there is a small bulkhead that the shaft goes into. The image to the side here has the floor panel removed as well and you can clearly see the box between the mufflers. For me to get to this point, I removed the seats, and the rear cooler/stereo panel to the pull up the floor panel. the leak will not be identified here, unless you are lucky and the top of the box is leaking. This can be solved with new RTV and perhaps some larger machine screws. You can see water in the bilge in this picture as we filled the boat with water to find our leak, more on this to come.
Identify an HDS box from underneath
Here is a simple method if the boat is out of the water and you can get under it. But where the prop shaft comes through the hole you can see into the cavity. I have a picture of inside the box that you can see straight through to the ground. If a shaft log is present, you will not be able to see this cavity. Shining a flashlight into it and perhaps some sort of physical feeler would be helpful as well.
HDS Box exists, now what?
You do have an HDS Box? Do not panic, if it doesn’t leak, you’re in great shape. Ask the seller about the box or any repairs that have been done to it, or even general knowledge of the system. When I opened the box on our boat, it had obviously been worked on and the leak was very well known. I didn’t know this to ask about though, and we were surprised the next day on the water when we got to our slip and the bilge pump was just on constantly, probably why they installed a second battery. This was a huge bummer and sparked a massive research project for yours truly.
If it has been repaired, ask how, there are viable long last repairs that you will not have to worry about. Fiber glassing the inside surrounds of the box is the best fix. If the Malibu factory repair was done, it will leak again if it isn’t already. This repair is done with some type of epoxy in the corners that eventually will separate again and makes fiber glassing more difficult.
The real bummer is Malibu defined this issue as separate from the hull so the lifetime warranty never applied. Also if this is not disclosed at the time of sale, there’s not much you can do legally to get back at the seller. Fiberglass guys are not that cheap, but fiber glass materials are cheap and the repair really isn’t difficult. The best part is that it doesn’t need to look pretty!
