Why buy a nautique instead of a Malibu?

[swc5150]

I respectfully disagree. I think there is a big 3 due to sales figures and the longevity of the companies, not because they're all in the same tier. Bu's are great boats, but they simply don't use the same quality materials as MC or CC. That's why they are less expensive. Nautiques are expensive because they're worth it. How does the saying go, "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand"?

[SkiTundra]

...but I just don't like that DMFREIER has decided to come on this board and air his laundry. His case is the exception to the norm.

It's EXTREMELY important to know the exceptions though. And MORE IMPORTANTLY, how the mfr handled it. If Bu has two or three times as many lemon boats per capita as CC that's important to know. However, if Bu handles those better than CC that's much more important to know. If you're the 1 in 50 or 1 in 500 stuck with a lemon (a sometimes extremely lonely place amidst the 50 or 500 who don't have a lemon and don't understand why you're complaining), the support you get from the mfr is critical.

[chris196]

but I just don't like that DMFREIER has decided to come on this board and air his laundry.

Well, I really don't care that you don't like it. What difference does it make to you?
And following someone around to try and explain or discredit them is creepy.
What are you the minister of information for Malibu?

[Flamingturbo]

I respectfully disagree. Bu's are great boats, but they simply don't use the same quality materials as MC or CC. That's why they are less expensive.

I can actually buy a US built SAN210 Team, with more options cheaper than an Aussie built Malibu VLX. Might be due to the exchange rate at th minute.

[swc5150]

Our dollar is suffering pretty bad right now, so I don't doubt it. In that aspect, I'm jealous!

[NCSteve]

Our dollar is suffering pretty bad right now, so I don't doubt it. In that aspect, I'm jealous!

It is a double edges sword though... With our Aussie $ doing so well against the USD it certainly helps when we bring in one of our boats and price it up against the locally manufactured Malibu. Our current retail prices for the Super Air Range give us a price advantage of $2-3k over the equivalent (or as close to the Equivalent Malibu) with identical specs and this certainly seems to be helping our cause from the intial point of enquiry.

On the other hand though with the USD so weak against most currencies, the factory's cost of buying the raw materials needed to make the boat is skyrocketing meaning that substantial price rises across the board of all manufacturers is only going to get worse.

You would need ot ask some of our owners why they have started to sway away form Malibu in QLD and NSW, but it seems their minds are made up pretty quickly once we get out onto the water. We offer a very unique styled boat that stands out form the crowd, performs exceptionally well on the water, requires a lot less owner maintenance to keep looking fresh and now has a dealer network (I am refering to Australia) that is capable of looking after it's owners and wants to look after them.

I think Malibu offer a worhty product here in Australia and we aren't here to try and take their number one spot, what we do want and are starting to make some serious in-roads on is getting a fair share of the market and educating people on their choices available. Obviously I love my Nautique's, but I fully respect my competition in MC & Mal...

Steve
Nautique Central

FYI - yes I am a Nautique Dealer just in case it wasn't clear from this post.

[bamabonners]

Bama,
Glad to see you decided on a boat that made you comfortable. I know you asked me quite a few questions about the 226 when you were shopping. Bronco...in my opinion, I don't think Malibu is second tier. Spent alot of years in and behind a 98 Sunsetter and this is one tight boat still in great shape and running strong. I look at it more like this. There is Ford, Chevy and Dodge....there is Mastercraft, Nautique and Malibu. Those tiers just change position based on the conversation and who owns what. We are lucky to have those three choices and a few others to pick from.

It was so hard to walk away from the 226. In the end, it was the size that made us back away, not the product. We didn't need a 22 1/2 foot boat for a family of three and storage was (still is) an issue. I think my wife still likes the 226 better. who knows, maybe next year I will trade for one.

Thanks for all the help Kenv. You and others like you are the reason I still come here and lurk.

ps - i don't know why it put up the angry face. I am not angry....

[DaveP]

Again, I looked closely at both Malibu and Nautique. Loved them both. Hate the tower on Mastercraft and something about them has always rubbed me wrong. The nautiques are more than the Malibu's but I plan to own this boat for a very long time and this is what sold me. On our lake, there are a LOT of older Nautiques, including a few from the 70's. The thing is they still look good and they are constantly running. How many older Malibu's do you see? Not many on our lake and the few there are have not aged as gracefully as the Nautiques.

[wawasee]

Nautique has a timeless look and feel to them. I would have friends get into our 91 Sport Nautique when it was 15 years old and ask me if it was brand new. I loved that question, granted these folks did not know much about boats but it still says something.

[BroncoSki]

comparing a Malibu to a CC is like comparing a new Hyundai sports car to a Porsche 911. Now, the Hyundai folks will tell you that they are the same but the rest of the world will know different.

CC started in 1925
Malibu in 1982
MC in 1968

Malibu needs to imitate for a lot longer before they are on the same level as CC or even MC.

[aarond0083]

I am diehard Nautique but your first statement is foolish.

Also, experience doesn't always translate to the best.

comparing a Malibu to a CC is like comparing a new Hyundai sports car to a Porsche 911. Now, the Hyundai folks will tell you that they are the same but the rest of the world will know different.

CC started in 1925
Malibu in 1982
MC in 1968

Malibu needs to imitate for a lot longer before they are on the same level as CC or even MC.

[sacramentia]

Nautiques are designed in Florida where there is a ton of water and most keep their boats on a dock while Malibu's are designed in CA where you typically drive to the lake and day boat.

Nautiques are have better design if you do watersports alot, are more durable if you are going to leave outside.

Malibus have trendier graphics, more open space for bringing all your friends, and don't hold up as well to daily use.

I'm in CA, most people go for the Malibu since it suits the lifestyle and costs a little less, but I like how a 2002 Nautique still looks good at the lake when everyone is wondering why the **** Malibu ever went for Tribal Graphics on a faded gel coat.

[sacramentia]

The **** in my post was for h e l l - who the **** is censoring this site

[case sensitive]

Again, I looked closely at both Malibu and Nautique. Loved them both. Hate the tower on Mastercraft and something about them has always rubbed me wrong. The nautiques are more than the Malibu's but I plan to own this boat for a very long time and this is what sold me. On our lake, there are a LOT of older Nautiques, including a few from the 70's. The thing is they still look good and they are constantly running. How many older Malibu's do you see? Not many on our lake and the few there are have not aged as gracefully as the Nautiques.

This is what has us sold on a Nautique also. There are a ton of older Nautiques on our lake. Occasionally, an older MC shows up and they just don't have that put together feel of the Nautiques. Sadly we're still waiting on ours to come into our dealer. We're buying a used camp boat and they just decided to change the specs for their new boats, so they haven't traded in the old boats yet. We're still trying to decide between a 206 and 210. I'm leaning towards the 210 as me and my kids are wakeboarders, my brother is a skier and isn't sure which to go for. We'll probably end up with the 210 as the v-drive has a bit more room and more amenities (ballast, etc). Both have towers so adding weight to the 206 for a better wake is possible, but not something we really want to do if we can grab a boat set up for it from the start.

[swc5150]

My brother and sister-in-law visited the CC factory yesterday, supposedly to see their new 200 having the interior installed. Instead, they had it built and and in the water, allowing them to ride along and drive it during the initial on-water test! From Mr. Yeargin, to the guys on shop floor, everyone at CC demonstrates the character of people you want to do business with. Plus, it just so happens they make the best slalom boat available:-)