Not a positive development for CC

[ScarletArrow]

I know it's all about $$...and MC's parent company has (seemingly) more cash to throw at these things...but losing one of its more recognizable names - and one that has had such a long history with the company - I just don't see how this can be good.

Thoughts?

Jaret Llewellyn Joins Mastercraft

http://waterskimag.com/features/2010...ercraft-boats/

[AirTool]

I know it's all about $$...and MC's parent company has (seemingly) more cash to throw at these things...but losing one of its more recognizable names - and one that has had such a long history with the company - I just don't see how this can be good.

Thoughts?

Jaret Llewellyn Joins Mastercraft

http://waterskimag.com/features/2010...ercraft-boats/

OMG - I can't believe what a mistake this is.

In the past, I've generally avoided these conversations because my comments are as effective as me writing a letter to Obama. Plus, everyone can argue what makes a difference and what doesn't...or can criticize every other brand e.g. the age old Ford vs. Chevy (Dodge also ran) and now Toyota, etc. Nobody is perfect and (often through advertising) people are guided to an answer by outside influences that may or may not be the best.

The following story is fact....not opinion.

Anyhoo, before I bought my 206, I had several boats from various brands on the "approved" list and was shopping coast to coast. As I kept track of various boats...and missed a few when they abruptly sold...I started to focus and narrowed down to three that were on the market.

Then, I coincidently ordered a kids training DVD produced by Jaret. In this "everything" video, he and others "did it all" behind a yellow 2005 206 team. One of the boats I was looking at was a near-identical yellow 2006 206 team. (timing was summer 2007). I knew CC made excellent boats...not sure they were worth the extra $$; not sure I cared which brand I owned; hadn't been drinking the CC punch. But I can remember like yesterday putting that DVD in the player...pausing it at a few key spots and telling the wife..."Check this one out honey, one boat I'm watching is exactly like Jaret's. Whatcha think?" ..... "Nice." BANG! trigger pulled. Bought it over the phone Friday afternoon. The next Thursday I made a 2100 mile round trip to get it.

Many of you know me through my posts. I don't think anyone on here knows me personally. If they do, I don't know of it. But my family and friends will tell you that I don't do or buy ANYTHING because someone else has it, uses it, stood next to it, or has their name on it. And truly, I didn't know who Jaret was...had to google him to figure it out. It was clear to me though, what they were doing with that boat is what I wanted my family doing with my boat and the problem was solved...done deal.

I checked on her last last week at the boat barn. What a boat. I'm sure their will be at least one person watching Jaret's replacement DVD that says..."Nice. That's the boat I want." And CC will lose a sale.

[TW]

Don't get too excited about MC buying the pro skier/boarder market. This has happened several times in the past, usually after a new owner aquires the company and decides the best way to dominate the tournament scene is to buy up the competitors. There is a poster from the mid 90s showing the MC team: Sammy and Camille, both LaPoints, Carl Roberge, Jennifer Leachman, the Larsons and probably a couple more I'm forgetting. What did it get MC? Not much as Meridian Sports went under and a new suitor bought them out at pennies for the dollar.

Why do I remember this so well? Because when I saw MC had all these HOF skiers on their team I knew the stock had to be a bargain at $14 a share. However, I held out and watched it fall to $1 a share at which time I bought 1000 shares only to see it drop to below .1 before the agreed purchase settlement bailed stockholders out and paid .75 a share. Sorry to have rambled but the long and short of it is buying up professional isn't necessarily a good thing. My opinion is I'd rather see CC spend their $ on product developement and I think that is exactly what they did.

Who cares if you've got the best skiers in the world if you don't have the best boat?

[DanielC]

It would be really interesting if MC introduced a true closed bow tournament ski boat, that could go 45 MPH+ with a 5.7 V8, kind of like CC used to.

[jaybird]

Its just a bidding war, has been going on for well over 30 years. Lets not forget that Rob Shirley who founded MC got his start with connections that had Correct Craft roots anyway.

[Nautiquehunter]

Professional athletes are like high priced whores. They will do and say anything for a price. I cant believe any one would spent 50k plus just because a pro endorses that brand. I can see them attracting attention but the proof is in the pudding. Its easy to see the differences between MC and CC . I bought CC strictly by comparing the boats, company and most important dealer. I wouldn't buy a MC today no matter who endorses it.

[teamseal]

I have known Jaret for over 25 years and he is a personal friend. Their is much more than anyone can understand being in his and CC shoes. Their is more to it than just being a professional high priced Whore!
Jaret is a very devoted father, husband and skierand he puts his family first in life. He also puts back into the sport in many ways that some of you have even benifitted from.
Having personally delt with being involved as a father of a Correct Craft sponsered skier and sitting in the team managers meeting room I vividly remember Larry Meddock looking at my son and myself telling us their WILL come a day when the sponsorship relationship is terminated and we hope that day is a very long day off. Now Jaret had a long sucessful long run with Correct Craft and he is also getting near the end of his carrere as a top level skier, I am sure that CC and Jaret parted in a fair and business like manor and I am sure Jaret did what he felt was in his family's best interest. I wish the best for Jaret and Brita and if you all knew them like I do you all would wish them the best also!

Jody And Michele Seal
Florida Inboards Inc.
Correct Craft Inc. / Field consultant
Panama City, Florida
www.floridainboards.com

[jmo]

Frankly, this is all marketing and has no impact on the quality of the boats being put out by either manufacturer. I would think in this economy slashing the budget for paying pro's to be part of the "Nautique Team" and pass that savings on to the folks that actually buy the boats, aka you and me, would be a good move. At the end of the day the consumers end up paying for the marketing budget through higher sticker prices.

[Nautiquehunter]

teamseal
Perhaps the word whore is a little strong. I was only pointing out that most celebrities will sponsor anything for the right price. It has nothing to do with them personally.
Making a buying decision based on who a skier is sponsored by is just silly. Especially when next year they may be with another brand. I doubt Jarret has changed his personal opinion about MC or CC just because his sponsor has changed.

[Oletimeskier]

Frankly, this is all marketing and has no impact on the quality of the boats being put out by either manufacturer. I would think in this economy slashing the budget for paying pro's to be part of the "Nautique Team" and pass that savings on to the folks that actually buy the boats, aka you and me, would be a good move. At the end of the day the consumers end up paying for the marketing budget through higher sticker prices.

Dont hold your breath on passing the savings on to you and me. Street price on a 2009 SN 196 in 2009 was about 50K and now the 2010 200 CB is well over 60K.....No savings there for the consumer.

[jmo]

Dont hold your breath on passing the savings on to you and me. Street price on a 2009 SN 196 in 2009 was about 50K and now the 2010 200 CB is well over 60K.....No savings there for the consumer.

I hear you, and thats exactly why I have yet to pull the trigger on trading mine in for a new one given the costs are just crazy, especially with the prices in the used boat market tanking compounding the problem.

[tdc_worm]

before you get excited you have to ask yourself a couple of questions:


#1 - are the people that can afford to buy these boats new rational? odds are, they likely are rational adults, and would not be in the position to buy these boats if they were not. they buy the cars they want because they like them, not because dale jarrett made left hand turns for 500 miles to validate their brand loyal purchase.

#2 - do people believe that usain bolt (or fill in the analogy w/ your athlete) is fast because he runs for Puma or do the believe that because Bolt is fast he runs for Puma?

while i do agree that effective marketing makes a difference, i firmly believe that person that has the finances to spend $60k+ on a toy is educated/experienced/mature enough to not fall victim to juvenile marketing...so, no, it doesnt make a difference whom sponsors rusty, murdog, fill in the blank w/ your favorite long or short liner. now if your talking about the marketing effect to get people to spend $150 on a new pair of kobes thats a different story hahahaha...

[ScarletArrow]

I just hate to see comments from JL - who by all accounts seems to be a straight up guy - saying that MC is taking the lead in waterskiing.

His word will not undermine the impact of the new 200 - when's the last time MC has reinvented its primary towboat BTW - but this isn't the first time MC has preyed on the ignorance of buyers in their marketing strategy.

Even though I can't help but feel betrayed a bit, I know JL is just doing what is best for he and his family - and I wish him well - I would probably make the same kind of choice if I were in his shoes.

[dip]

#1 - are the people that can afford to buy these boats new rational? odds are, they likely are rational adults, and would not be in the position to buy these boats if they were not.

This seems logical, until you factor in the well-to-do parents that will buy Junior whatever he wants to pacify him. And Junior is still knee deep in peer pressure and being influenced by marketing. Mom and dad wouldn't necessarily know a Correct Craft from a Crown Line.
I personally don't care who Nautique sponsors, I only hope they stay true to making the best boats possible so when I'm in the market again, my choice will remain simple.

[CradGen2]

JL was in the low % buying market, Jump and trick. Not that Pro athletes make a difference in the boat buying decisions. I will say they contribute to the development of new products. The 200 is out, so we already capitalized on his knowledge for that boat.

We still have Andy and a lot others...


Airtool