Chicago Boat Show

[Hollywood]

Here are a few pictures. It was hard to get decent shots of whole boats because of all the people. I don't know where these salesmen were from, but they sure didn't know their *** from their elbow when it came down to Nautique specifics.

[skinautique]

I like the colors on the super air. very clean looking. What specifics do you want to know?

[Hollywood]

Nothing I didn't already know, but they just sucked.

"If you like wakeboarding the best wakeboarding boat is the 210." They obviously concentrated on sales pitches rather than actual boat knowledge.

[AbunDiga909]

Hollywood, in your last pic of the blue 210...theres a small portion of a black and white Nautique that looks like a 206 or even more like a 216. Do you remmeber off the top of your head what it is like? Or do you have any pics of that? I'd like to see a nice pic of that boat if you have one! Thanks.

[Frost]

The black one looks like a 216, it has a tower on it. I put my money on the 216

[AbunDiga909]

Thats what i thought...

[Onthewater]

Yes, it was a 216.

[M3Fan]

I have to agree with the salesmen not knowing anything. I asked one of them (a younger guy, blondish hair) a few questions about the 206 as if I was a prospective buyer and got totally generic answers. For example, I asked how he would compare it to an RLXi and his answer was "well, it's a better built boat, the windshield doesn't extend past the driver so you can still pick up skis and drive, and it rides way smoother". As a nautique owner and fan, his schtick was pretty dissappointing. Our local Malibu dealer has a salesman I have been talking to on and off and he knows EVERYTHING about inboards. He even knew all the stats on my 1990, including beam, draft, etc. I would almost buy a malibu as my next boat just because this guy is so super knowledgable and nice. Then again, my BMW dealer's salesmen are total morons/jerks, so maybe it goes with the territory- the top-of-the line boats should sell themselves. I will say that red 206 they had on the floor was the sexiest boat at the show. The bigger NAUTIQUE lettering on the side is awesome in person.

[skinautique]

Do you have a picture of that 206? Also, if you are looking for that comparison, let me know and I will fill you in.

[Onthewater]

M3Fan, I'll agree the 206 was the best looking inboard boat at the show, it almost made me want an open bow as my next boat. :P The sammy duvall MC was quite impressive as well.

These boats sell themselves.

[skinautique]

to an extent they sell themselves

[AbunDiga909]

to an extent they sell themselves

definately true...think about it, how many people actually go through every ski boat company to find out the REAL best boat for them? compared to how many people buy from the same company they just had a boat from, or company they just have heard the most about? I know there was a topic about this, but i cant find it now.

When you considered your current nautique...how many boat manufactors did you look at? (I'll admit, CC was my family's only boat company we considered...)

[Hollywood]

Since I can remember I was a CC fan. Onthewater used to be all about MC, but I helped him see the light. Yes, that black/gray white boat was an Air 216. I only have 2 pictures with it in them, so here ya go.

Also, just to clarify the fellow we talked to was NOT from Rockford Marine & Watersports. These jerk offs said they were from the Indiana/Michigan border. Oh, and the guy also said that if you wanted a tower on your boat you should get an "Air" version because if has ballast tanks. Gee, thanks for the insight....

[Onthewater]

to an extent they sell themselves

i'll elaborate, i firmly believe that most boat buyers in a niche market (inboard tow boat for example) educate themselves the most and listen to other owners rather than a sales pitch. They know what they want and look at the hard facts first, then the "fluff" from joe salesperson last. Atleast that is how I approach it and I hope most people do as well.

AbunDiga, I know when we were looking we knew our budget would only allow a mid to late 80s inboard. And from that "era" the only two worth looking at for us was MC and CC. Sure there were Malibus, Supras, and Centurions but they were primitive compared to Correct Craft. So far I have noticed most people stick with whatever they have, don't jump from manufacturer to manufacturer. I have no plans on changing, don't fix it if it isn't broken.

the folks from Rockford Marina very polite and honest, more knowledgable than the rest too.

[skinautique]

I have seen many people switch from one brand to another. I see people switching to Nautiques quite often from a Malibu, MC or even Tige. It just all depends on the situation.