200 vs. carbon pro

[wskiboy]

Let's start by saying I own a 1996 ski nautique and wear a ' N' on my forehead. Today I got to ski behind my winter ski buddies carbon pro, He also owns a new 200. So let's compare. The wake's are very simmilar,at this point I can't say which is better. It sure is a good looking boat, especially when you are in the water getting ready to ski, I would even say it is close to looking better than the 200 (oops). The fit & finish between the 2 boats is definitely where the 2 boats stop being so comparable, with the faux teak, nothing seems to be as tight & tidy as the 200, both are very agile boats but I notice that the carbon pro pulls as the skier pulls out to the side while turning whereas the 200 doesn't (or at least isn't as noticeable). I sure liked the gauges in the carbon pro compared to the 200 (the digital readouts are hard to read unless you are driving the boat consistently). However let's end this brief discussion by saying that I will still take my '96 Nautique over both boats, but that is owner bias :0)

[east tx skier]

Kudos to Centurian for building a pure, no comprimise 3 event boat. I have not had a chance to ski either, but have drooled over a few pictures of the CP and the 200 (Closed bow). From the overhead shots I have seen, I have to say that the floor of the CP gives me a headache. I also am not a fan of the tip of the bow and how it tapers in. Yeah, I'm being picky. On the other hand, it has a mean looking profile and the wakes look superb.

As for the 200, the offset gauge set bugs me. The saddle bags have grown on me. The gel lines and graphics could stand some "classic" improvements a la 2006 retrographics.

I feel kind of like when I had my old 93 MC 205 and skied a 197. The wake was probably better, but, at that point, it wasn't $25K better. In this case, I don't doubt that the 200 has a nonexistent wake and drives like a dream. But I own a legend with a legendary power plant and both the boat and engine shine like there's no tomorrow.

[swc5150]

I think Doug hit on something... are new boats $25k+ nicer than some older boats we may own? At the rate these boat continue to increase in price, it's so hard to justify a new one, unless it's a total game changer I suppose? From the handle end, our old 190 holds its own quite well against the 200, and it was literally 10% the price. I think it's great that Centurion got into the 3 event market once again, and hope it's a success. If they open up the bow, I'm sure that will help sales in the non-tournament market. I haven't put pencil to paper on one, but I understand it's somewhat less expensive than a base 200, but perhaps not quite enough to really bite into sales? If they could produce it with an OB at around $40k, I think it could potentially be successful? I suppose the challenge for all boat manufacturers right now is simply the cost of the raw materials - basically those formulated from petroleum.

[Rick]

I bought my boat from a lake that held the Malibu Open. 3 months after the Open I bought the lake boat. I watched everyone but Andy Mapple practice behind the boat gong deep into 39 off. I'll never get even close. Would a new 200 be nice. Sure will it get me closer to 39 off???? I love my boat.

[MattieK27]

Centurion fit and finish is awful compared to Correct Craft. Nice to see anyone else trying to sell a dd ski boat though. Boat prices are the result of a number of things, but I have tracked them down to three key areas:

1. Material cost: almost all materials in boats are oil derived, and yea that pretty much explains itself

2. Process cost: building boats is very labor intensive, plus the government has cracked down on emission control creating a need for even more expensive (and more environmentally friendly) production techniques. The guy who ran and owned American Skier for years commented he couldn't even build his basic Response model in today's market for much less than 50k due to the new manufacturing standards. (and material cost) That was based on low production runs, but you get the point.

3. Me-too syndrome: Boat prices continue to spiral up, and once company A successfully sells at a higher price every other one follows suit. Look at the wakeboard boat market right now. Three years ago you could buy the bare bones A22 Axis for 39,999, now it goes for almost twice that. 39.9 was a "deal" and they sold every one they could build; they then realized they could increase the price without losing a single sale because of the price for comparable boats on the market. I love CCs, but the cost is more than I care to spend on a second boat. ****, the 21' Centurion vdrive I looked at the other day had a sticker over 70k. They are all too expensive at this point, mainly because the wakeboard market is hot. The bottom will drop out at some point...

Whatever company figures out how to successfully build their boats in a country that has cheaper labor and material costs is going to be the big winner. Those boats will cost a fraction of what the current fleet does. Unfortunately, that company will figure out they won't need to undercut the competition by much to make a dent in sales, and thus what could be huge consumer savings will end up as a slight discount. Whats the solution? If people stop buying, things will have to change.