What are some of your favorite specs about the Malibu M230 that make the boat extra lux?
The Malibu M230 is at the top end of towboats when it comes to performance and luxury. There are so many features and creature comforts on this boat. I always ask owners after a month or two of use what their favorite things are, and three things always stand out: First, the flip-down swim step makes it easy to get in and out of the water and gives you a cool seat for lounging in the water. Second, the cockpit heater–this feature helps you gain another two to four months of boating. Last, the performance. Everyone raves about the quality and ease of customization you get from the surf and wakeboard waves. It's as simple as loading a preset.
Performance-wise, why would someone choose Malibu over other towboats?
The Malibu wake is so unique because of its patented surf gate and power wedge system. It's unlike anything else out there. The power wedge gives you the ability to instantly adjust the height and length of the wave. All major manufacturers are forced to use a trim tab system to create their surf waves, which ultimately means you lean the boat to one side. The Malibu system relies on a delayed convergence of the wave, so the boat rides more level. This makes for a taller wake with a wider face that is much easier to transition up and down for beginners. There's even a surfband the rider can wear to take control of what the boat is doing, so no more signaling to your driver.
Beyond being a towboat, what features make the M230 an ideal option for social cruising on Beaver Lake?
The M230 offers a great ride; the size and weight eat up choppy water. The floor plan is spacious, accommodating up to 16 passengers, and the bow is noticeably wider than other boats. I would say Beaver Lake is definitely a surfer’s lake–you'll notice a ton of towboats, so you might as well be the top dog out there with an M-series Malibu.
What are some of the other boats Arrowhead offers for different lake-lifestyles?
We have five different new boat brands to pick from, and all are top brands within their respective market. Our best-selling brand happens to be Cobalt, which is a runabout bowrider style that has been around since 1968. These boats are produced only a short 2.5-hour drive from Northwest Arkansas. Barletta is another great company; their pontoons fit a more mellow lake lifestyle and have the smoothest ride in rough water with a nice stable platform and big, cozy loungers.
Share some of your favorite things about Beaver Lake's boating lifestyle.
Beaver Lake is one of the cleanest and clearest freshwater lakes in all of North America. One of my favorite things about our lake is its social environment. Just take a walk down any of the cruiser or houseboat docks on a Saturday evening, and you'll see people coming together to make meals, listen to music, watch sports, and have fun. Castle Cove or Pine Top are great spots to tie up and make new friends. There's also live music at either Prairie Creek Marina or Starkey Marina most weekends. The lake also has three big events throughout the season: Beaver Lake Pirate Poker Run–a fundraiser for the local fire departments, 4th of July, and Rock The Dock, which has grown to almost 200 boats.