Why are there no boat tests on Nautique Boats?

[Noahsark]

In my quest to decide on which boat I wanted to upgrade to I have found plenty of boat tests on youtube done by boat magazine and an Alan Jones. I just wonder why they don't do any tests on Nautique boats?


Hasn't changed my opinion as I'm still looking to buy a Nautique, but they really brag up malibu's surf gate and MasterCraft's gen 2 surf system. The Malibu even claims they are the only one who can switch the surf wave back and forth swiftly.

[Bdwb]

You are going to get a MILLION opinions on which boat is better. The truth is that the 3 you mention above are all extremely good - and the average rider will never tap into the capabilities of the boat. I would prioritize - local dealer/service, deal on the boat (it is a great time to buy before spring) and which one you like the best based upon a test ride if possible. I just pulled the trigger on an X10 but know that any of these boats would have been fantastic for me. Also - all three can very effectively swtich the surf wave back and forth. You cant go wrong with a Nautique.

[SkiTower]

and don't forget, the reviews aren't exactly unbiased. MC spends a LOT of money on Marketing. If boating magazines, etc get free boats to test, they're going to test them. The one that sells the most boats is never the best, it's the one that does the most marketing. As you pay more attention to the market, you'll pick up on the tiny nuances that show Nautique dealers, reps, pros, etc. are a class above.


2007 SV211 SE

[Noahsark]

I'm sold on Nautiques, just looking and deciding which one will suit me best, so I'm in no way comparing or debating still. I just thought with the impressive things nautique has that somewhere you would see a test and comparison, or just a solid test like you can find on some of the other boats, just to get Nautique's name out there a little more.


I was just curious that's all !!

Hope everyone on here has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !!

[NautiqueJeff]

Maybe that's something that this site could do. I have talked about this with our local dealer. We may be doing some boat test videos late this winter or early in the spring.

[dttheel]

I'm sure there is nothing on youtube, as you describe. But, I did see numerous articles in boating magazines prior to purchasing my boat. They usually compared similar prices boats (ie. 210 to other 21 foot wakeboard boats).

[nyryan2001]

You need to look up N3 Boatworks on YouTube.

They by far have the most media available for Nautiques.... They do a 5-10min on water demo for many boats they get.

[Noahsark]

Yes I watched plenty of N3 Boatworks videos on youtube, but they mainly go over the features they have added, basic info on the boat, and then a short drive by. Not a real test like some of the other boat companys I have seen have done by Boating Magazine.

I think that would be a good idea NautiqueJeff if yoiu did some tests on the boats on this site

[swatguy]

Boating magazine really isn't a magazine to go to for reviews on comp boats. Malibu used to be the only company that would submit boats for reviews til MC joined the push. It costs the companies money to get those boats reviewed. Same for JD power and NMMA certification. Most of these awards are bought and paid for not earned. When u limit the companies involved it's easy for those other companies paying for reviews to win the awards and get positive reviews because there is not much competition. From my experiences Nautique spends the least amount on marketing of the big 3 and pretty much lets the boats sell themselves.

MC on the other hand pretty much sells boats by marketing alone. They spend a ton of money on marketing their boats as a "lifestyle". They have some great adds and for those people who are brand new to wakeboats and somewhat ignorant I think those adds really sway them. MC marketing is top notch. They have had some awesome awesome videos and speeches about their products. Zane could sell a Mastercraft to anyone......being from the industry tho I see right through all their marketing crap and can easily call their bluff and claims. However for those not in the know I think their marketing def sells boats for them. Nautique just doesn't do things that way. Just two comepletely opposite approaches which seem to be working great for each company.

The surf system marketing really stepped up hype in the wakeboat industry. if you don't have an add for a surfsystem your not even in the game any longer in most cases.

Waterski and Wakeboard magazine give reviews of most wakeboard and ski boats. I personally would never buy a boat based purely on an article because wake and performance are more personal preference characteristics in comp boats. Every mfg these days puts out a worthy product that will last for years. The arguments of build quality boil down to what makes the top 3 more money. The lesser boats won't disintegtate on you. The only way to really know what biat is right FOR YOU is to get behind the wheel and the wake. Ultimately the boat will tell you which one to pick.

[JoeA]

I like to set some requirements that are important to me, then find the boats that meet my requirements. Local dealer is a must as that relationship will be valuable for years. The top 3 make good boats so that's a given. I owned a new Malibu for two years prior to switching to Nautique. Yes, Malibu makes a nice boat BUT for me I wanted more storage and less trips to the dealer for warranty repairs. Nautique has built a great reputation as top quality on fit, finish and less repairs. Kind of like you get what you pay for.

Write down some requirements and head off to the dealers to learn everything you can.

Feel free to come back and ask questions here. That's what the forum is all about.

What models are you considering?

[Noahsark]

JoeA, I'm pretty set on either a Super Air 230. G21, or G23.

I think I misrepresented this post in a way?, as I'm not still deciding what I want to purchase, I was just saying through my previous searching I didn't see any boat tests done like other manufacturers do.

As far as not totally believing what a magazine or boat test says, I'm absolutely in agreement with that, as that is about with every kind of review of anything that you see in magazines. If that company has a pretty good size ad, then you can bet their product going to get a good review.

To be honest I was at first leaning towards a Malibu LSV23, but they didn't offer a "walk-through" on their boat, and the interior of the boat, the dash layout, etc. just didn't really impress me as much as Nautique does.

Nautique's...in my opinion..fit and finish is second to none. From the layout, to the clean dash, to the controls, it just seems to be a better "thought out" design.

This is a Great board and as soon as I make my purchase, I'm sure I'll have a few "owner" questions for you guys, as my previous experience has been with I/O boats

Again hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year !

[SkiTower]

I think we understand you're sold on Nautique, this is more of an explanation to answer your question of why Nautique doesn't have many test reports in boating magazines...it all comes down to how much you focus on marketing. Ever notice how Motortrend's Truck Of The Year is always the newest truck? Doesn't have anything to do with quality or performance. The reason I'm not driving a Dodge is quality. I love the "showroom" truck. As was previously stated: Nautique focuses on quality, MC focuses on marketing.


2007 SV211 SE

[KTM525]

"boat magazine and an Alan Jones", those reviews are worth nothing. All the time everything is good on those reviews. Its a waste of time. N3 Boatworks makes a great job to show the boat, i was missing something similar from a Malibu or Supra dealers.

But i agree, a real test and side by side comparison between different boats and manufacturer would be awesome. I promise, if i ever win the big lotterie, i will make such a comparison every year ;-)

[Tallredrider]

I think that I have never seen anything negative said in any of the Boating Magazine tests. So not a true comparison. If I were a boat maker and they said something bad about my boat, they would be on their own to find one to compare next year. It appears that Nautique just saves the money up front.

[nyryan2001]

I am no longer in a Malibu due to pi$$poor build quality and ridiculous QAQC fails, 40+ in a single year, and Malibu's nationwide dealer network is a farse, I was denied warranty service from a dealer cuz I didn't buy there. Fairly certain I will never go back, Nautique with it's current leadership is in a whole different league.

Swatguy is dead on about the industry hype.


MC has the build quality and QAQC to match Nautique but not the performance.

Malibu has 90% of the performance of the G line but the build quality and QAQC of a Kia.