Would I consider a Mastercraft?

[Blue Ski]

I have a kid now and may move from the traditional closed bow Ski Nautique to an open bow 206 in the next few years. However, I have a couple of gripes with the design that would lead me to test drive a Mastercraft.

1. The narrow observer's seat. Mastercraft is smart enough to keep the seat full length and add a flip down back so you do not lose a seat for the open bow. Please don't give me the extra seat in the bow argument. No driver wants to go through the slalom course with a person in front of them. Water skiers are athletes and kids can climb too. If I can't climb over a seat with the back folded down, I belong in a Bayliner. If you keep the seat in front of the driver vacant, you paid the extra jack for no extra seats.

2. The rear seat sundeck option. Malibu and now Mastercraft have made the back seat worth keeping somewhere other than the garage. Being able to raise the couch to make a larger sundeck is a great idea that has been out for years. I hope Correct Craft has at least considered it.

3. The logo. Back in the mid-'90's the Ski Nautique logo looked sharp. I am willing to go on record as saying the new logo is soft. I think Correct Craft is still recovering from the giant N stripe. Mastercraft has a man's logo.

I love my Ski Nautique and don't see getting rid of it for a long time, but if I did, I plan to shop around. Wake, engine, and build will be the final factors, but my gripes are enough for me to check out the other guy's boat.

Are you listening in Orlando???

[ccskier16]

RE: Would I consider a Mastercraft?

If that's what you want, we are not going to stop you. It sounds like the Nautique lifestyle in not for you. If another boat is right for you, then so be it. There is no need to argue the "perfect boat" issue in yet another thread. In response to the gripes, try them on an MC site. You'll get a better response and the answers you will want to hear.

[clubmyke]

i really like the x-star.. it is one of my favorite boats handsdown ( though i cant afford it or store it...) needless to say i really like my 211..

nautique is coming out with a new 220 this summer.. i think it will be pretty interesting to see how it is..

[skinautique]

You can get a 206 with the same seat configuration as the MC (extendended with the flip down back). I can't help you with the graphics. I guess you could peel them off and put MC graphics on there if you want! As far as ride quality and construction are concerned, Nautique will win hands down. There is a trunk that also serves as a sundeck on the 206.

[Laptom]

Recovering from the giant N stripe? In my opinion this is the best looking stripe from all skiboats till date. I absoluty love it! This is of course again something like a personal preferences.
But I'm with you about the new logo's, I think the sport logo's are better looking then the Air logo's ...

[M3Fan]

Yeah, the clean N stripe without the swirly logos and whatnot is one of the coolest looking designs ever devised. The MC's look awesome from the outside- the giant MASTERCRAFT logo is really sharp and classic. The profile of the boat is fabulous. I would probably buy one if:

1. They went over 42 mph WOT
2. The interior quality was a little nicer - I was not impressed with the 05 197 at the boat show.
3. If anything other than the 190/197 had a decent slalom wake
4. If I thought they cared at all about slalom skiing boats

So, my next boat buying decision will be between CC and Malibu. Sorry MC!

[SGY]

Skinautique is right about the observer seat. Check it out online with correctcraft.com. I took the logos off my 206. Love the clean look. I agree with the 74skier, there is no perfect boat. I will say that the 206 is pretty dang close, however.

Not sure I know what 74skier means about "Nautique lifestyle". Being critical of things on a Nautique doesn't disqualify anyone from otherwise enjoying fun on the water with a Nautique or another manufacturer's product. Right now I'm a little disapointed in my 206, quite frankly. I've removed the coaming pads on the gunwals to replace them because they have warped and no longer fit flush. After getting those things off and seeing how they are attached and what I have to do to put the new ones on, I'm disapointed. I gotta tell you, we pay alot of money for these boats--more than your average motor vehicle. I know that boats, as opposed to cars, are hand built. But the build quality and fit and finish is below the quality of even the lowest rent Ford or Chev.

Blue ski, with all that said, I suggest you go and test drive the 197 and BuRLXI. They both are dang nice boats. But the 206, even with its few quirks wins out in my opinion.

[MARK-S]

Did I read that right, Blue ski wants to buy an open bow but does not want any one to sit in it. I would go with a Gecko or a Calabria.

[todda]

I have to agree with CC having a superior product vs. MC. Profile aside, which I love on the MC, having been in some friends' 190/197's, the interiors have broken down/worn down much faster, and then there is the whole thing of whether or not the MC is going to start. I kid you not, both of these MC's (maintained very well) have both had electrical problems, as well as engine issues, and the question always is amongst us: "should we use ours or Todd's SN? We know Todd's will start!" Design issues will always come into question or debate, but I think it is frosting. I would stick with the confidence I have in my SN by far.

Todd

[Blue Ski]

Thanks for the tip on the obsever's seat extension, that is my biggest gripe. It is also nice to hear some true complaints from SGY and Todda's experience's with MC's.

I know I am not alone in the logo realm by all of the posts discussing sticker removal. In a year or two, it will change again.

Lastly, Mark-S, you are correct I don't want anyone sitting in front of me while I am driving a shortline skier through the course or even a newbie in traffic. I would think a guy on a Monza would want a decent pull and I don't believe having someone in front of the driver aids the process.

[SGY]

Hey Mark, I have to admit I'm kinda the same way. When I had the 99 Snob, I rarely let anyone in the bow. But, now with the 206, I'm much better. I don't let anymore than two kids in the bow, though and make them duck down. When I grumble about the kids in the bow, my wife gives me the stink eye and lecture "why did you want an open bow so bad when you won't let anyone up there". With such therapy I'm getting better. And, its way better than a Response LXi which would submarine with two teenagers sitting up there.

Blueski, aside from visibility issues of folks sitting in the bow, "back in the day", I knew of some promo guys that would weigh down the bow area of a closed bow ski nautique to get a wake like the Snob. Alot of these guys would train behind the snob and find that the wake was a bit better. So, even with short line, I wonder how the wake would be affected with some weight in the bow of the 206. Mark, any clue?

Anyway. I agree with Todd. While I may have some of my own nit pics, I know that the quality is better with a CC. In the last five years I've never had a Nautique not start for me and not give me a good day.

[Blue Ski]

Completely agree on the quality. My 10 year-old ski nautique looks like it is two years old and it skis and drives like a dream. I just want CC to keep an eye on some of the ideas the others are using to compete, there are some good ideas.

[CHassmann]

Have any of you guys driven a Mastercraft? I've driven a couple and they have been much louder than a Nautique, vibrated and rattled a lot. Not near as solid as a Nautique. Wake is small but hard.

[SGY]

That's interesting you say that Chassmann. I've riden in a 05 197 and skied behind one as well. I agree about the wake. Small and hard--not as good as my 206. The boat seemed pretty quite and solid, though. Very similar to my 206.

[Mikeski]

I would consider MC and Malibu products. I almost bought a Malibu Sunscape but felt the 211 was a superior product so I stayed with CC. Buy what you like don't worry about the name on the side. While I feel CC is a superior product when you consider 10+ years of products, I feel both MC and Malibu have had single years where their products were clearly superior then CC's. Not considering other makes would be very narrow minded.