Boat brand selection

[SGY]

Just for discussion, I'm constantly amazed at the polarization of opinions between Malibu owners and CC owners. If you read the posts on this site you would think that there is no question that the 206 or 196 are the best ski boats with the best wakes. On the other hand, look at the MBO web site. They would have you believe that the bump behind the 206 or 196 would launch you into orbit. Who is right? Is it possible both opinions are correct--but just governed or colored by a passionate perspective? Like other expensive toys one would buy, there is a great deal of passion and very little objectivity.

I think Edwin has come the closest so far with his review of the 216 in an earlier post. It was clear that he wanted to buy a 216 but just couldn't justify it in comparision to his Malibu. Even there, I wonder how much his impressions were governed by the fact that he was more used to his wake behind the Malibu? If familiarity is indeed also a factor, then can we ever get an objective analysis? We know that the magazines will never give us such an objective test.

Do people pick a brand more because of dealer or friend influence rather than performance or quality--and then blindly support such brand? I would hazard a guess that most people don't do the intensive research to discover which tow boat is really better--unlike Edwin. I know I didn't. I was influenced by a close friend who had been a CC customer for years. I am now a ardent CC supporter and have never given the other brands so much of a look. I would also hazard a guess that the big three are all good enough and have enough positive attributes to fuel an individual's belief that his or her boat is the best.

Agree or disagree?

[Hollywood]

Re: Boat brand selection

I wonder how much his impressions were governed by the fact that he was more used to his wake behind the Malibu?

I would also hazard a guess that the big three are all good enough and have enough positive attributes to fuel an individual's belief that his or her boat is the best.

Agree or disagree?

Gotta Agree with that.

[SprintCar39]

I would agree with that also to a point. We find that most people dont compare apples to apples. Now let me start by saying that not everyone does this, but we find it happens more often than not. People compare an older boat to a newer one to make a decision. We encourage our customers to test drive any boat they may be interested in. And when possible test both on their lake at the same time.

If you go to any clinic or tournament just ask the skiers which boat they wish to ski behind.... ( I know the answer because we are there and hear all the comments) Even friends on the same lake will use the Nautique to ski behind even if it is older than the other brands. Anyone that tells you that their boat skies better than the Nautique either has not been behind a newer one or just wont admit it. And that is fine too. There are two things that people should look for: what it is like to ski behind and how easy it is to drive and I dont mean for 5 minutes. Spend the day behind the wheel of each.

One other note, look at how many older nautiques are still being used and are in very good working condition. You dont see that with many of the competition....at least not around here.

The SKI 196 is the best ski boat...PERIOD. I know that I sell them and you would expect that, but I owned Nautiques many years before I started my business on Sept. 10, 2001 (notice the date). This is not my main business but one that I enjoy very much. I drive and ski behind all of them, and work on them.

[SGY]

Boat brand selection

Thanks for your replies.

Regarding the 196, even the Mastercraft dealer here is very hard pressed to find fault with it. His words were "very hard to beat". This guy, who until very recently, used to ba a Malibu dealer went so far as to say that the Response LXI skies as well, but not better than the 206. (He thinks the 206 is as good as the 196.) When I asked him why he didn't opt for CC when recently afforded the opportunity, he indicated that he can sell no more that 15 CC boats a year--while MC pricing allows him to double that number. I personally don't see it. I've never seen a new MC that wasn't very close in price to a comparable new CC model.

Back to the original topic. No question in my mind that CC is the best boat. But what do I base this upon? Nothing--other than my positive experience with CC. From your post, it seems as though many customers are like me.

One more thing. Take a look at Edwin's posting on the MBO site. He indicated that one major factor for him wanting to go to CC is the dealer in his area. I just hope that CC gets a good dealer in Colorado soon. You guys at Mid Ohio Nautiques are great to work with. I speak from first hand knowledge due to my recent converations with James at your shop. Maybe you should pull up roots and move to Colorado. It's nice here.

[MarkP]

.

Midohio wrote

The SKI 196 is the best ski boat...PERIOD

I agree also!! Theirs a particular dealer who sold nautiques for years and
one day started selling another brand and depending on whos side of the
story you believe and why they quit selling them!! Guess what their new
brand is the best and now their bashing nautiques, well isn't that hipacrital
last year buy a nautique this year buY a ?? Just because I'm selling them now!! I really don't believe in dealer bashing so that's why i'm not mentioning names!! Its about what suits us now what we can afford also for dealers what they can sell and make them the money!! Unless like Eric and you start selling something that you have owned yourself for years and your willing to stand behind!!

[skinautique]

It all depends on the customer. Take this example. Let's say that I love the Nautique but I can't afford it any way that I look at it but I want a new boat to stay current for skiing tournaments. I turned to Malibu because of the price. I know that there are issues with it that I don't like but it is a new boat. I am not going to turn around and say that it is a piece of junk.
Also, there are people that are very loyal to their dealers. If I were a dealer, I would like to have customers like that too. Even though they know they can get a boat that will do the job just as well or close to it for 8 grand less, they spend the extra money to be loyal to their dealer.
I remember in 1998 when the MC had a hull design that was a flop. Those that supported the company said that the boat was still great. All because of loyalty.
Flip it over to cars real quick: Sure a great majority of people would like to drive a Lexus or something of that status but it might not be practical for them. That is why there are many other models and brands out there. Same thing with the boats. Everyone builds something different because every customer has their own set of criteria that suits them. It also helps to push the manufacturers to keep pushing the envelope.

Hope this makes sense??

[SGY]

Boat brand selection

Yeah, what you say makes sense--especially the part about the 98 MC. Again, it depends on one's viewpoint. To a MC loyalist, the wake was fine with a bump that was not noticeable if you kept your ski on edge. Others who are not loyalists were a bit more critical.

[Hollywood]

One other note, look at how many older nautiques are still being used and are in very good working condition. You dont see that with many of the competition....at least not around here.

Very true. On my lake in southern Wisconsin (closest 3 dealers: Sanger, MC, Malibu, just had a weak CC dealer close) I can't find any inboard besides a CC older than 88. We even have 2 Mustangs, 2 Southwinds, A late 70s Ski Tique and Ski Nautique, an 81 Ski Nautique, then atleast a dozen 2001s. The rest are all 90s boats.

The inboard count on my lake is something like:
CC-22
MC-18
Malibu-12
Sanger-5
Hydrodyne-5
Moomba-4
Ski Supreme-1
Supra-1
Tige-1
MB-0
Calabria-0
Centurion-0

There is only one CC newer than 99 out there too, it's an '03 SANTE coincidentally owned by one of the the wealthiest families with kids all under 17. Correct Craft has definitely proven themselves in my area.

[Edwin]

Great topic. One item I feel matters a bunch is the dealers. In the last 10 years, I don't believe we had a local (within 150 miles) dealer for 5 or 6 of them. Makes it a pretty tough to compare with a MC or Malibu when you can't even look at one.

I happen to disagree with the comment about the 196 being the best slalom boat period. In the car business, they say "there's an *ss for every seat". Boats are no different. I can imagine that some people don't like the heavy steering feel of the CC. If I was in the market for a closed bow boat, the 196 would top the list. However, it's a pretty broad statement to claim that it's not even open for debate.

[NautiqueChick]

My dad bought our Nautique because he thought they were the best quality wise. He didn't want a boat that he was always going to have to fix and take into the shop and after a lot of research he decided that Nautiques were the best quality. I wanted a Nautique because they throw the best wakeboarding wake and they look good! Before the Nauti, we owned an American Skier, which my dad would argue that it has the best ski wake ever. Anyways we looked into Mastercrafts, but a lot of people we know have them and they are always breaking down or needing something repaired in them. So me, my mom, and dad all agreed on a Nautique and so far we haven't regretted our decision!

[M3Fan]

This is going to be a huge topic, as it always is. I think one look at older boats will tell the story. My 1990 is completely bad-a$$ still, and looks very modern. In addition to that, it is far more solidy constructed than any boat of that era. Look at a 90 Malibu Skier. Open the engine cover and take a peek. Notice the rusty plate on the floor that holds the pylon, and notice the engine mounts drilled right into the stringers. Also notice the steep angle of the engine, lack of water strainer, plastic impleller housing, etc. Then take a look at my CC- fully finished engine compartment fiberglass, full length aluminum plates on the stringers with about 40 bolts holding them in, etc. Then look at the hull. Spray relief pockets running underneath the hull on both sides, offset hull in the rear, fully padded keel, HUGE rudder. Notice the wrap-around cockpit with circut breakers, big ol wood throttle knob, and perfect driving position. Way ahead of it's time IMO. Malibu is building AWESOME boats now, but hey, it's about F'in time. They are playing catch up, and doing a good job of it, but CC has been here for a LONG TIME. I have given serious thought to getting a brand new Response LX because of the price, and because I like Malibu. However, The thought of getting a 2 year old SN completely trumps the new 'Bu. I don't know where I'm going with this. Malibu is good, and good for you if you get one, and I'll still say "Nice boat" if I see you, but don't ever criticize a SN- It is in a different league (martho's boat is excluded from this statement).

This is much like a common car argument: The Sports Sedan. BMW has been doing their thing with the 3 series for YEARS and YEARS. Now here springs up infiniti with their G35 and Lexus with their IS300. now, Sure, these are great cars for the money, but come ON. The 3 series has been here all along, when you guys were making front-wheel-drive POS cars, and now you want to jump on the bandwagon? BMW is king of sports sedans, period. Don't even try.

[882001]

there you go M3!!! we were @ a deal called waketober fest in austin a couple of weeks ago. i must have been on 20 different boats. by far the nicest was a sante. it made all the rest of those boats look stupid. even the bu owner i rode there with was like wow. not comparing wake, you cant compare fit and finish. oh yeah the wedge still SUCKS!!!!!!!!

[882001]

on second thought, we all oughta go buy a tige'with the awesome :roll: taps system. how about planet tige'?or planet glastron? what ever there the same, right?

[seven20]

i bought my nautique because i'm in college, and couldn't afford a new boat. the only older boat that i liked was the 2001. no matter what anyone says about how narrow these boats are, they still have more room than a late 80's mastercraft because the bow is much shorter, and the wake is no comparison. i like my wake better than many of the newer wake boats i have been behind (except the 03 SAN). The longer i have it, the less i think about buying another brand

[Wkerat]

I have had both brands and must say they are both great. When I had a Nautique I didn't think anything compared (ownership goggles), but then my dealer picked up Malibu since they had some problems with nautique (not the boat). My dealer is not large but stick by what they sell and use their brands themself so I know they only will sell a product they enjoy, since I have been there when they have tried other boats and heard the 2 in charge say thay can't pick up the line because they woudl not want to own it themselves. Anyway, this forced me to look at Malibu and since I love my dealership I figured I woudl see if they compared. I must say I have never been happier, but a lot of that is my dealer. Even they still say Nautique is a great boat and i have friends who have since bought boats from them who have heard the same thing (Nautique is a great boat and we can't fault it since if we were buying a boat we would look at it, but we are happy we had the problems since malibu fits us better). I like this and althoguh I sitll look at he nautiques when I am getting a new boat my dealer plays a huge role in my decission. I do ski on both Malibus and nautiques and must say the wakes are amazing on both. I don't have any experiance with the 206 but I have been behind the 196 and both the malibu response and response lxi and in all honesty they are all very close, it is just a matter of which boat fits your needs better. The quality is great in both and in all honesty you can't go wrong with either so the dealer is really the biggest factor. I personaly have a vlx since i board more than ski now-a-days and my main reasoning in that purchase was my dealer, followed by the fact that i personally liked the wake more for my style of riding.