Sales Domination

[skinautique]

Why is it that there are more Malibus and MasterCraft boats out there versus CC? Just kind of curious what others thoughts are.

[NautiqueJeff]

I've wondered about that too, and I can think of two possible causes. First, Correct Craft boats are more expensive. I'll admit though that the difference in price between our boats and others is decreasing. Second, and this might be isolated to my area, there aren't as many dealers around. There are ZERO dealers in my state (Virginia), and my closest dealer is over four hours away. Hmmm... Maybe I should open a dealership around here....

[Edwin]

More MC's and Malibu's

Agree with Jeff -
1) CC is more expensive than Malibu across the board, just a tad more expensive than MC. Everyone places a different value on what something's worth to them. I happen to put build quality very high in the list of priorities, not all buyers are willing to pay for the "above and beyond" build quality of a CC.

2) Dealer network, or lack there of, is a big part of it. It's been my experience over the years that the CC dealers were MUCH less willing to get creative to close a deal.

3) Styling / accessories - Malibu and MC seem to be kicking it up a notch with boat styling, flashy gadgets, etc. Notice the new billet steering wheel on the Malibu, X series MC's (personally wouldn't be seen in it).

When you get to the big three, everyone builds a good boat. It can be debated for ever who's boat is betther than the other, but you'd be incorrect to say they other's boats are not up to par.

I'm going to ski behind a 216 next week. I've ridden in and driven one so far, very impressed. We'll see what it's like behind the boat, then comes the hardest part of all. Is it worth approx $20k more than my paid for Malibu with 150hrs on it.

[Hollywood]

Use the auto industry as an example. High end automobiles don't dominate the market. I'd like to see some sales data as to who's buying Malibus, MCs and CCs. I'd be willing to bet CC has the lowest first inboard owner than the rest. Since wakeboarding has taken over the watersports scene, I've noticed more common boaters getting inboards. These people aren't looking at top-dollar, high-end boats, they just want something to board behind. Sales in general, most people aren't going to buy a top of the line model of something they're not familiar with.

[Edwin]

Well put, HWood. As wakeboarding continues to grow in popularity, v-drive sales in generaly have benefitted. As I/O owners migrate to inboards, they're normally blown away by the gains in performance. Once they get to the inboard level, it justs take time for them to appreciate the differences among brands.

Funny you mention cars - I've told the CC dealer many times that the build quality of the CC reminds me of my Benz. The Benz is as solid today as when I picked it up 3+ years ago.

[Hollywood]

I/O owners migrate to inboards, they're normally blown away by the gains in performance. Once they get to the inboard level, it justs take time for them to appreciate the differences among brands..

Totally what I was trying to say.

the build quality of the CC reminds me of my Benz. The Benz is as solid today as when I picked it up 3+ years ago.

Benz, Rover, and Malibu

What's that childhood song again? "one of these things just doesn't belong here, one of these things just isn't the same...." what happened with the Bu?

Just kidding. You obviously know enough to make an intelligent decision on boat buying. We'll see how that boat is holding up in 3 years. It will be a true test of it's build quality, since I'm sure you will keep it ship-shape.

[Edwin]

I've tried on more than a few occassions to become a CC owner, all been a matter of $$.

First boat - 1998. Drove MC Prostar 190 Sammy Duvall, Malibu Response LX, Tige something (no local CC dealer at the time). Came down to the MC and Malibu, got a deal on the MC as a dealer was losing his franchise, $7500 cheaper than the Malibu.

1999 - new local CC dealer opens, test drive 1999 SNOB. Really, really wanted the boat, dealer wanted $18k to upgrade, couldn't justify the difference.

Spring 2000, wife and I have a child, need more room. Test drive CC Sport Nautique, Malibu Sunsetter LXi, MC Prostar 205. MC was getting replaced by the 209 but wouldn't arrive until the end of the year...didn't want to squeeze in a small boat for the entire season. Sport Nautiqe was nice, but was getting dated. Performance was decent, but a departure from my MC. Skied the Malibu, better wakes than my MC. It clearly had the best interior layout of the 3, best trunk design. Wasn't too happy with the fit and finish of the Malibu, but the other factors were pretty strong.

Deal time - all costs close to equal, I'd go CC. Similarly equipped boats, CC was $44k, Malibu was $34.5k. Just had a kid, needed more room in the car too so had to figure in the upgrade cost from the BMW to the Benz. Malibu wins.

2003 - 3 seasons into the Malibu, few issues since the initial list of items at the time of delivery. Once the bugs were worked out, been a great boat.
Fortunate to be able to afford it, might as well spend some cash and upgrade the boat. Next Monday will be water testing the 216 against my LXi. I'll ski them back to back, same number of passengers, same water, etc.

[SGY]

216 v. Malibu

Edwin, good luck to you on your testing. I skied behind a 216 in June. Very nice boat with pretty good wake--about the same as my 99 SN Open Bow. I would say that the 216 wake was a little softer put perhaps a little bigger if that makes any sense. At the time, the 216 had two big guys in the boat and a couple kids. Also tha ballast tank was half full.

I myself am in a quandry. I really want the 206 but am struggling with upgrading and the cost $$$. Right now I'm looking at about $12,000 to go from my SNOB to a barely used 206. The SNOB is such a great boat and its in showroom condition with only 230 hours. It was alot easier to justify the expense in going from my 88 SN to the 99 SNOB. Now that was an upgrade in wake quality. Here I'm just getting a nicer and bigger boat for the family.

Good luck.

Steve.

[Edwin]

SGY - the first of the new generation CC's we tried was the 206. It skiied great, but we can't afford to lose the space. The rear trunk was the killer - since my 68" ski won't fit there, you start having to look elsewhere. 90% of the time we use our boat, we put in first thing in the am, don't take out until late afternoon. We do have a place in SW Missouri with a boat lift, more trips out on the lake of shorter duration with fewer people.

My upgrade is similar to yours - if I want the new boat it's gonna cost. I have a buyer for my boat at $28.5k, new one is gonna cost somewhere around $46k out the door. Kinda tough to swallow...

[Edwin]

more food for thought...

Based on Registration data from 42 states, representing 93 percent of the US market, as compiled and published by Statistical Surveys Inc., of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

2003 YTD Sales Market Share

Malibu 1355 24.9
Mastercraft 1301 23.9
Skiers Choice 790 14.5
Correct Craft 747 13.7
Centurion 401 7.4

[skinautique]

i think the hardest part is the money factor. I know that MC has told dealers to do whatever it takes to make a sale. If they lose money, MC will reimburse that lost money. They do this to gain market share. CC won't do this but they need to do something along these lines for a little while. Malibus are just less expensive due to components and construction techniques. If people had a better idea of how these boats are manufactured versus the others, I think they would be rather shocked. CC does a lot of behind the scenes things that others don't do but the consumer doesn't see that either. They just learn about it 10 and 15 years down the road.

[Edwin]

Malibus are just less expensive due to components and construction techniques.

I agree to a point, but there's more to the story. I toured the manufacturing facility in TN as my boat was being built and have watched the CC videos of their process. The techniques may differ some but the build process is not that different. Again, I'll agree that some of the components on a CC are a step above. That said, I strongly question if the components and construction techniques are the worth the entire added premium in the price.

When my dealer opened and picked up CC, they were offering a whopping $1500 off MSRP. It took a few years of slow sales to realize that they'd have to discount the boats to move units. They've since gotten much more aggressive in pricing and have reaped the benefits with a vast improvement in sales.

When I first looked at CC with them in 1999, they were over $18k higher than Malibu. That difference is now approx $7k, much more in line with what I'm willing to pay.

[skinautique]

http://www.moomba.com/images/subpages/03sales.gif

Just to back up my last comment about MC and them gaining market share.

[882001]

what is a skiers choice?

[MarkP]

That's Supra & Moomba!! What do you guys think about CC putting
territories on their dealers??