Since the beginning of 2020, Malibu customers have been offered the option to fit our groundbreaking Malibu Stern Turn technology to orders for certain models of Malibu Boats.
Malibu Stern Turn is a rear thruster that is integrated into the transom and which provides increased maneuverability that is especially useful in particular scenarios. In this article, we give you a brief overview of Malibu's Stern Turn technology and then we look at 4 scenarios in which having Stern Turn available to you makes all of the difference.
What is Malibu Stern Turn?
Malibu Stern Turn — available on select models — is a stern mounted thruster that gives the driver precise control over the boat's movements, especially in tight spaces and during quick maneuvers.
Stern Turn is integrated directly into the throttle via a special button, so you don't have to take your hand off the throttle to use it. The thruster itself consists of a water-cooled electric motor fitted to Power Wedge III, meaning Stern Turn comes out of the water and tucks away while the boat is up on the plane and therefore it has no negative impact on the boat's efficiency or overall performance. However, there are five specific scenarios where Malibu's Stern Turn delivers the ultimate control on the water — let's take a look.
1. Navigating Crowded Marinas and Busy Ramps
If you’ve ever launched your Malibu on a busy weekend, you know how quickly things can go from smooth to stressful. Lakes on summer mornings are a hive of activity, and trying to back off the trailer or line up properly while keeping your cool can feel like threading a needle in a hurricane.
Stern Turn gives you lateral control at the back of the boat, allowing you to align more precisely with the dock or trailer. Need to nudge sideways to adjust? Tap the thruster. Need to spin 180 degrees without drifting into someone else's fiberglass? Stern Turn makes it possible - even when you're doing everything single-handed.
At the marina, Stern Turn's pinpoint control eliminates the wide turning radius typically needed when departing a slip. Instead of the traditional "back out and turn" approach that requires considerable space, you can simply glide sideways away from the dock, then proceed forward when clear—all without risking contact with neighboring vessels.
Malibu's Stern Turn transform these and other close-quarters potentially stressful situations into smooth, controlled maneuvers
2. Faster, Safer Rider Retrievals
When a rider goes down, every second counts - not just for safety, but also for maximizing valuable time on the water. Traditional pickup maneuvers require wide, sweeping turns that can take precious time and disrupt the water surface. Malibu's Stern Turn technology revolutionizes this process, making rider retrievals as much as 30% faster than conventional methods.
Efficiently holds position
Stern Turn offers a game-changing solution. Instead of constantly adjusting throttle and steering to hold position, short bursts from the stern thruster can counteract drift, keeping your boat precisely where you want it. This means less fuel consumption from unnecessary idling and maneuvering, and more importantly, less wake disruption so the water surface can settle more quickly between runs.
Safer outings
The ability to hold position also enhances safety, allowing you to maintain a proper distance from the fallen rider while giving them a stable target to swim toward. For family outings with less experienced riders who may need more time between attempts, this capability transforms the experience from potentially frustrating to seamlessly enjoyable.
3. Navigating Narrow Passages and Channels
Many prime wakeboarding and wakesurfing locations are accessed through narrow channels, canals, or passages between islands. These areas often have restricted space for turning around or passing other vessels.
Precise Directional Changes
Malibu's stern turn thrusters excel in these scenarios, allowing for precise directional changes without the wide turning radius normally required. For those unexpected moments when you need to change direction in a confined space, the thruster provides immediate lateral movement options without having to execute a full turn. This capability is particularly valuable in unfamiliar waters where navigational challenges might arise unexpectedly.
5. Docking in Challenging Wind and Current Conditions
Perhaps the most impressive demonstration of Malibu's Stern Turn technology comes when docking in adverse conditions. Crosswinds and currents can push against your boat's profile, making conventional approaches difficult and stressful even for experienced captains. Consequently, docking becomes the part of boating that keeps many people from using their boat more often.
Overcome Wind and Currents
Helpfully, the Stern Turn provides counterforce exactly where you need it, allowing you to overcome natural forces like winds and currents, with precise application of lateral thrust. Rather than fighting the elements with main engine power and rudder - which can lead to excessive speed near docks and other boats - the Stern Turn allows for slow, controlled approaches regardless of conditions.
This capability is also valuable when docking alongside a beach or bank for swimming breaks, or tying up to a friend's boat for a mid-lake get-together. The confidence that comes from knowing you can maintain exact position control, transforms what might be a white-knuckle experience into a simple, routine maneuver.
Conclusion: Stern Turn Improves the Entire Boating Experience
Malibu's Stern Turn thruster technology isn't simply a luxury option. It's a comprehensive solution that addresses specific challenges faced by our customers and so many other boaters. By providing unprecedented, complete control in tight quarters, faster retrieval of riders and stability in challenging docking conditions, Stern Turn makes for even more perfect days.
The next time you find yourself executing a perfect docking maneuver in gusty conditions or holding the ideal position for your rider's best-ever wakesurfing run, you'll appreciate that the difference isn't just the boat. It's the innovative, industry-defining thinking within Malibu's stern thruster technology that puts total control at your fingertips.