Malibu Quality.
 

This gunnel dash seams like it was an after thought.

http://images6.boattrader.com/resize...=480&t=1170991

MY 2001 Sunsetter has the same layout. I hope that does not happen to mine^^ but the throttle is supported by plastic and it flexes, its not the most secure installation. I installed some blocking where the armrest connects to the dash area. The blocking was epoxied to the hull. Hope that helps. I also relocated the radio so that weight is gone as well.

I wonder if there is a replacement armrest available. The radio at the arm rest was an awful idea. I moved mine to the glove box after replacing it 3 times from water damage plus it was hard to operate. I installed perfect pass in the speedo hole and the large alpine remote in the tach hole. My revised setup is great from an informational and ability to control standpoint.

The cup holder below the throttle at the floor is also a bit flimsy and only had 1 cup opening. I installed a 2nd cup holder and a oval storage cup as well. Its a nice dry place to throw misc stuff.

Long term these fancy dashes may have some interesting retrofit issues. There is something nice about a clean cutout in fiberglass or aluminum. It can always be reworked. I would love to see some photos of reworked controls and dashes.

What is that, like a 10 year old vlx? Good grief.

Ha! Mine did the same thing, except it didn't tear the vinyl. I took the stereo out & I unbolted the side panel from the top, folded it over, used some light gauge angle iron that cut easy & filed smooth easy. I had to cut one about 4-5" long, then two other pieces about 2" long. I epoxyed them right at the broken area / part as shown in your pic, I bought some 3/4" #10 black counter sink bolts, washers for both sides so it couldn't fall through the larger holes on the angle iron & used lock washers & nuts on the back side angle iron. I then mixed up more epoxy & covered the cracked areas really well, stuff sets in 5 minutes & it was good as new. In fact much more sturdy then before. To finish I dabbed a little bit of plastidip over the exposed bolt heads, let it dry then my wife used one of those vinyl repair kits & covered them up, can't even tell they're there.

This...have you owned the boat it's whole life?

Is that quality, or lack of care?

Just not a fan of that new Malibu dash .....

I would say quality. Mine snapped when I slipped & my arm caught my fall on it. Not sure how you would care for thin plastic behind the vinyl?

I had a 2002 VLX which I bought new and had it for 9 years and never had an issue. Looked great the day I sold it.

Just got that rager for SC, that's all ;).

Love my 02, sometimes. In my case it was neither quality or care, it is simply not made to catch a man fall.

that'll do it alright. regardless of newer "nicer" vlx's I've had, I still miss my 2002.

My arm rest doesn't have any of the flex you talk about (I also have a SS VLX). As for the pic in question, the dash had a major redesign in 2001 and minor one in '03 or '04, which is what is pictured here.

I don't like the idea of the head unit in the glove box...even less accessible than the armrest, which was also an awful idea. Here is mine - I love the location and no one bumps it getting in/out of the driver seat (I'm 6'3" and another buddy is 6'5" - no issues):
http://imageshack.com/a/img34/8141/1wgn.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img590/5418/71bbdb.jpg

Not sure but its a 2006 V Ride:

http://images6.boattrader.com/resize...=480&t=1170991