Malibu vs Correct Craft

[Richard-Howell]

Some Malibu people are like soccer fans. It's not enough that they like what they have but they have to convince you that their brand/sport is better than yours.

I have nothing negative to say about Malibu (not that I couldn't nitpick) but chose Correct Craft without bashing their competition. Come to think of of it the Mallibu dealership I visited before consumating my CC deal was highly negative about Nautiques as well. Dear I say chip on shoulder!


Sorry for the rant but I just had a conversation with a Malibu person and bit my tongue while he pontificated.

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

I have to say that recently, my whole attitude towards Malibu as a company totally changed. The Malibu dealer in my area just recently is under new ownership, so there is now a new guy on the block. I met him at the boat show, and he is one of the coolest guys on the lake I know. Despite him selling the comp. he's the guy who I'll be hanging out w/ slaloming and boarding this summer. Not to mention he has a membership at my CC dealer ;-)... lol

So point is, I agree in that your local dealer sets the rep. for their company. And although I think their boats are sub-par still, at least I think high of their company and people, and that's half the battle in selling a boat...

[skinautique]

I will let this quote and the pictures attached speak for themselves as to why nautique beats malibu!

"You can put a silk robe on a pig, but the bottom line is… IT’S STILL A PIG!”

[M3Fan]

RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

Most Malibu guys that I talk to that are 100% sold on Malibu are very objective with their decision and are educated, rational individuals. The main points are:

1. They are cheaper than CC in price
2. They have way more room and better layout and storage
3. They have a great wake for everything
4. They are extremely versitile boats with great innovations

I agree on all points. They are awesome boats. I prefer CC for intangible reasons. I don't like the swoopy windshields on Bu's, or the interior styling for the most part. I like the gimmicks like the redux trans, the angled trans output, the hand laid floor, small windshield, built-in throttle handle (no morse box sticking out), and the snubby closed bow look that no other brand has. You couldn't make an OB boat out of a 196 without pushing the windshield back- like they did with the SNOBs. No other brand pushes the cockpit that far forward. Just that little crap is what I like. Objectively I cannot argue with a die hard malibu dude.

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

Hey Ski, you have any pics like that for MC too?

[Rhode]

RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

Diga, I'm almost sure that Ski's pictures depict a BU that had her "wedge" ripped off after hitting bottom or something else. MC doesn't peddle a wedge.

My dealer in Maryland, Chessie Marine, deals in both CC and BU. Because I have done so before on this board, I will not chronicle my brief 25 hour affair last year with Ms. '05 VLX. I do want to say that my dealer is awesome and represents both brands well, as they do Centurion. Chessie is great, plain and simple, and more important to me that the brand. I love my dealer and would buy anything they stood behind.

Rhode

[AbunDiga909]

Re: RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

Diga, I'm almost sure that Ski's pictures depict a BU that had her "wedge" ripped off after hitting bottom or something else. MC doesn't peddle a wedge.

Rhode

I was referring more to the engine-misalignment and vynal problems...

[Ryan_E]

Re: RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

My dealer in Maryland, Chessie Marine, deals in both CC and BU.
Rhode

I visited Chessie Marine the past year in November. My wifes parents live in Elkton,Maryland. I spoke with the gentlemans wife that owns the dealership. I will have to say she was very nice and she knew we were in from out of town just checking out the shop. I like the little pro shop they have in the small room down the stairs.

[Rhode]

RE: Re: RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

That was Melissa Buckland you met. Her husband's name is Bryan. They met behind a ski boat and got in the boat business for the love of each other and watersports generally. The whole sales and service staff at Chessie are top notch in every regard. To say they are a full service operation is an understatement. One of their mechanics once drove an hour and a half to deliver my boat and then pulled me for another hour the night before a wakeboard contest and then jumped into his truck and drove back to the shop another hour and half. Chessie rocks.

Rhode

[Rhode]

RE: Re: RE: Malibu vs Correct Craft

Sorry, Diga, of course you know all about the wedge (probably more than me) and I should have been looking harder at the other pictures (Wow!). That was like you telling me that many Washington, DC lobbyists are crooked as the day is long.

Rhode

[AbunDiga909]

lol, its all good... i know those wedge shots are pretty eye-grabbing, those aren't the first ones I've seen like that too...

[SGY]

Gotta agree with M3Fan. Several logical reasons to choose a Bu--price not being the least of which. BUT, I love my boat and love being a loyal CC customer. Some Malibu folks are chippy but I believe there a few Nautique snobs out there as well. CC fans are intensely loyal to say the least. Oftentimes such loyalty promotes the attitude that CC boats are the best, period. No facts, no logic, no reasoning, just "the best". The same attitude can be seen in some BU and MC owners. This comes across negatively. I'm lucky enough to know a few Bu owners that are happy to give me a ride or ski behind my boat. They love their rides and respect the fact that I love mine.

Like Richard Howell, I never bash another man's boat, his pride and joy. I just enjoy what I have and am happy when others have the confidence to enjoy what they have.

[Richard-Howell]

I never bash another man's boat, his pride and joy. I just enjoy what I have and am happy when others have the confidence to enjoy what they have.

Well said. The gentlemen Malibu owner knows I have a 206 on order but feels the need to sing the praises of Malibu and his perceived shortcomings of CC. Maybe he's looking for a debate but it's not forthcoming. I'm only a snob when it comes to to people in our lake association buying I/O's for their skiing families.

[skisix@38]

I will let this quote and the pictures attached speak for themselves as to why nautique beats malibu!

"You can put a silk robe on a pig, but the bottom line is… IT’S STILL A PIG!”

I wouldn't have to go very far back in the threads to see a discussion, Bi@ch session really, on some fit and finish problems on your beloved CC's. And please! You take any boat and run something over with and you going to have problems, don't blame the wedge it does great things for small boats when used properly. I wish as much as you loyal CC guys that Bu would get rid of Fibecs system. There are lots of things to "nitpick" at for all three big players when someone gets down to laying out 40-50K.

[NAUTI84]

Skisix has got it right.
Big price tags are the fuel for these type of debates.
Anyone dropping 40-50K (or even creeping into 6-digits per the boat buyers guide!) doesn't want to think his boat is inferior in anyway.
****, I started sking on a little 16' boat w/ a 50hp outboard. The first time I saw/heard an inboard go by I almost wet my pants & knew that would be the boat for me!
Really doesn't matter if carpet was worn, seats ripped, gelcoat faded (and of course never thought about stereos, lighting or towers!). If it had a V8, dual exhausts & a drive-on trailer - it was COOL!
Whether I'm talking w/ my group of friends (who have a varity of 80/90's Nautiques, 80's American Skier, 90's Malibu) or if I run into someone with an old mahogany or a new 100K wakeboard monster (any brand), we're all in the same club as far as I'm concerned!
Ok, Ok, I sound like my old man walking to school uphill both ways.
But, anyone who appreciates these inboards, is welcome on my boat anytime!