No more Mid-Ohio Nautiques

[Quinner]

I would think the reason you see so many older Nautiques out there is a testament to the quality of the brand and that CC has been building Comp Ski boats for so long. I upgrade every 3-5yrs, My current Nautique is my fifth, with the exception of my current boat, every dealer I have bought from in the past is gone or no longer selling CC's? Every dealer I have dealt with has been great and have always shown a great deal of passion for the brand, it must be a tough business based on the turnover.

[scooby]

As a note, I don't think Rokford Marina closed their doors as much for financial reasons. If I'm correct I believe it was a life style change for the owner in terms of trying to have a life. Brian Huels the man behind Rockford Marina put in crazy hours to give the best Customer service I've ever heard of and decided not to keep that.

As far as the nearest Correct Craft dealers Lauderdale lake is the closest, and then Midwest Correct Craft and then Extreme. Although I know the guys at extreme also provide excellent customer service at least from their parts department.

As far as other Dealer for different manufacturers, Munson Ski does have a strong market hold up in the Northern Illinois/ Southern Wisconsin area but there are a few dealers that are stepping up and making a dent in that. Chicago Sea Ray who put a strong season in with the Skier Choice line and Chicago Mastercraft in Fox Lake.

[redelf75]

It was Brian Huels from Rockford that I nearly bought that leftover 2003 boat from. I talked to him several times on the phone and he offered me an excellent deal. Howver, when he learned of the whole selling out of territory issue, he became a little concerned, but worked with CC's distributers and tried very hard to make the deal work for everyone. I think he is a straight shooter and I wish him well.

[M3Fan]

I saw that 03 206. Great deal, hot boat.

[AbunDiga909]

It was a 216, and yes, it was a hot boat... even had the ZR6... someone got a great deal...

[83sn2001]

I'm thinking it may be the fact that they are selling the other 2 brands. The nautique dealer on lake norman in nc lost their dealership a few years back right after they started selling Mastercraft. I tend to think they don't want the competition in the same showroom. The dealer now is selling another inboard but it is not one of the big three.

[Hollywood]

What other inboard did he carry, I thought it was only CC and Centurion?

[M3Fan]

It was a 216, and yes, it was a hot boat... even had the ZR6... someone got a great deal...

They had a 206 also, brand new condition. Something like 33 k? It was on boattrader.

[redelf75]

He's got a couple of Calabria's on his website, maybe that's the brand. Brian also told me that his location didn't lend itself well to the higher priced boats, which is why he thought the ZR6 didn't sell. So Centurian and Calabria may be a better choice for him.

[Hollywood]

I think I might know who got the hot deal...

[Onthewater]

I think I might know who got the hot deal...

good job detective, i want to play too.

[AirNautique211]

Oever lunch with Greg Meloon once he told me too many CC dealers is no better than too few. Basically, there are only so many comp. boat sales out there and that too many dealers means less money per dealer - in general. I think the 211 and a few other boats have brought sales from other arenas - IO's & cruisers. However, even the final 211 numbers did not live up to the original thinking (at first 211 sales were strong as well as 210s & 216s. It was thought that 211's were creating a new market, not taking sales from the models. But year end numbers did not increase significantly.)

Hate to see dealers go,but we are the number makers and at $60k+ per boat, it's tough to get into a CC. Maybe the price of boats is starting to overwelm the market buyers, making it tough on dealers.

[AbunDiga909]

Wow that black boat looks real hot in those last two pics, esp. the third one... didn't even know it had a black platform...

[NautiqueJeff]

That's only the second black platform I've seen. The other one is on my boat!

[brianhuels]

Thanks for the thoughts on Rockford Marina (formerly B3 Marine). As Scooby said I decided to get out of the business as a lifestyle choice. Were we making money hand over fist . . . no . . . but was it something that you could provide for a family, etc. . . . yes. For me the choice was purely a way of life. I got into the boat business with a strong financial background (undergrad / masters, etc.) and thought it would be great to have a job that I loved.

Unfortunately, this was a wrong choice on my part. The sport that I loved (boats, wakeboarding, waterskiing, the hole ball of wax) became what I hated most. Everything around boats and watersports became WORK. Going to events, organizing events, talking with people at events was WORK and no longer fun. I am sure this isn't the case for everyone in the boat business but for me it was. Everytime out on the water some customer wants to talk about the new trick they are working on or what broke on there boat or something like that. Now don't get me wrong a lot of my customers were and are great (Scooby included) but like everything in life a few bad beans ruin it for everyone.

I wanted to enjoy being at events, being around boats, working on boats and all of that again. As my business plan lead us to an exit point I took advantage of this and choose to get out.

I would be happy to throw more comments out if people our interested in my experiences, etc.

Anyways, I appreciate those that supported us for four great years. I can know honestly say that I am enjoying being around the water again (started running the course again, getting out on the wakeboard, barefooting, etc.) and have now taken to restoring some older Nautiques (1979 Ski, 1978 Ski, and 1967 Mustang) (and actually enjoying it).

Not sure where life is going to take me but I can honestly say that no matter what $$$ you put on a salary I would not work on the retail end of boat sales again. Time spent with friends, family, new wife, etc. is definately where I put priority in my life.

Scobby - will get you your pad soon (same for FRG with his seat skin if you speak with him), been working on these all summer.

Brian

. . . we sold three with black platforms. . . looked good. . . but scratches really showed throw. . .