Thanks to everyone.

[DRAGON88]

The boat insurance finally settled, and we now have a 2006 VLX sitting at the dock. Just couldn't find a palatable 2006 210, nor did CC do anything to make the boat better for 06. (IMO) I really wish that we could have gotten into a Nautique, but it just wasn't possible. We'll probably be shopping again in 3-4 years, so it will be interesting to see what CC is doing at that point.

Might I digress, I'm not a fan at all of people creating posts like this where the announce that they're leaving and make a big deal about it. I'm not leaving, I just probably won't be around as much. But even so I feel it important to thank some people who have always been the first to help me out, to offer advise, and to those who taught me something.

Luke, thanks for all the help, for keeping this forum going, and for always having an open ear to hear me complain about the 210 situation. Also thanks for all the advise about digital photography. I already feel myself slipping towards a 24-105 F4L...

Jeff, also thanks for all the help over the years, making this forum what it is, an amazing community.

BKH, get well soon. I always liked your posting, always very calm, collected and thorough, no matter what the context. For that I give you much respect.

Gotwake, thanks for all the help and insight with insurance companies. It really was extremely helpful to us.

Skinautique, what can I say. You have always been the first to help out ANYONE with technical problems. I learned tons from you over the years. I never figured out the mystery behind what your occupation is. But one thing is for sure you know how to give advise.

Mikeski, yet again another technical guru. Always willing to help out people, not to mention always searching for the next possible enhancement for the 211.

OldFart, thanks for all the laughs and help throughout the years.

Thanks to everyone else who I missed in this post, lord knows there's been a lot of you over the years. You guys all make this website great, and not to mention entertaining.

Take care all,
-Richard Williams

Some of you wanted to see the SAN, since it's all settled with the insurance company.









The new boat:

[bobchris]

RE: Thanks to everyone.

I'm betting that you well be looking for a nautique within two years once you've spent some time in the VLX you'll be begging for a real boat. Glad everthing work out with the insurane company and enjoy your time on the water with your new boat, I always liked the looks of the Malibu's especially the tower on yours.

[Flux]

RE: Thanks to everyone.

And there you have it, the 06's are so farking ugly people are buying Malibus. What a shame that the nicest looking wakeboard boats with such classic styling have been rendered unbuyable by folks ready to pay cash at the dealership.

[Hollywood]

Re: Thanks to everyone.

I really wish that we could have gotten into a Nautique, but it just wasn't possible. We'll probably be shopping again in 3-4 years, so it will be interesting to see what CC is doing at that point.

Again, not razzing you, but why was it not possible? What did Malibu do for you that CC wouldn't?

Thanks for the pictures.

[DRAGON88]

RE: Re: Thanks to everyone.

Why support CC for making a crappier product? I'm sure this will piss of some 06 owners, but what were they thinking?

Let's see changes for '06 inlcuded: New gearbox that is un proven, a balast system that STILL doesn't work right. A new tower that was built for the 220, but then just had 6 inches hacked out of the middle. Have you seen a '06 210 in person? That tower is massive for the 210. Or the new "Stylish look CC can look like every boat too" windsheild.

I personally have ridden behind many Bu's and I believe it to be not just a "real" boat but also a real competitor. If CC keeps going down the path they have been, then there's no doubt in my mind that my family will never own a CC again.

[Hollywood]

RE: Re: Thanks to everyone.

I also like the '05 better than the '06. Could you not find a leftover '05 you liked? You don't have to make excuses for liking the Malibu over a Nautique.

[DRAGON88]

RE: Re: Thanks to everyone.

****, we couldn't really even find any '06 210's in the PNW let alone any left over '05's.

I just think that in recent years Malibu has been progressing and doing some interesting things, while CC is unfortunately falling behind the times, and seems to be following trends instead of setting them. Don't get me wrong, I love CC and they make phenominal boats, but I think that they really need to step it up for '07 if they really want to contiunue to compete with MC and Bu.

[Onthewater]

RE: Re: Thanks to everyone.

enjoy the bu, atleast you won't go boatless for the remainder of the season.

DavidF could have fixed that thing Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[Deuce]

Glad things worked out with the insurance co.

Your new boat is beautiful, though I cannot get use to the towers......

I am not 100% sure if the same thing happened to me I would not follow your exact move. But I do know this, I don't like the '06 as much as my boat, wouldn't trade straight across(both new) for an '06 if given the chance.

I do know this, I would give another serious look at the VLX and X-1......

[AbunDiga909]

Richard-

Thanks for posting the pictures. Sorry you couldn't find the Nautique you wanted this year, but that is one of the nicest BU's I've seen. Black and white will always look nice... Have fun w/ it... 8-)

~Austin

[bobchris]

you guy's are forgetting one key piece of info, it's his Dad's not the sixteen yr old's boat, and I bet it's the Dad that made the decession to go with the malibu as well. I'm also betting that the reason that they went with a malibu is because the insurance company low balled them on the value and they would not give them enough cash to pay for a new Nautique and they would not accept a used model identical to what they had so they took what was offered and got what they could with the check from the insurance company. I'm sure we're not getting the complete story, just like it was out of line to see the pictures two monthes ago when everyone was asking, **** Dave you need to track down where the insurance sent the boat to be scraped and pick yourself up another bargain.

[Deuce]

Locally similarly equipped VLX or SAN(the real one, not 220) are pretty much even in price.

[DRAGON88]

Bobchris, why so hostile about my family's purchase? Why do you care, does it really insult you that much that someone could like a *gasp* Malibu over a Nautique? However it's none of your business how much insurance paid us. As Duce stated both boats were the same price. :idea:

Just enjoy your "real" boat and don't get so caught up in what other people are doing.

[Onthewater]

Bobchris, why so hostile about my family's purchase? Why do you care, does it really insult you that much that someone could like a *gasp* Malibu over a Nautique? However it's none of your business how much insurance paid us. As Duce stated both boats were the same price. :idea:

Just enjoy your "real" boat and don't get so caught up in what other people are doing.

still don't understand why people bust your balls?

you come out guns a blazin over nothing, he simply stated that you don't make the financial decisions. I didn't sense any hostility and nowhere did he inquire what the insurance paid you, RE effin LAX. Sure maybe he hit a nerve with you but you should learn to keep your cool. Maybe your dad just said he didn't want to travel or search for a nautique because he doesn't care and took what was easiest, not cheapest, chill.

[ag4ever]

Onthewater,

Yes he was hostile. I sensed it, and given past posts, his comments were not appropriate.

dragon,

I think the BU's are great and if I was buying today, I would be getting one of them instead of a CC. I just don't think CC is heading in the right direction. Especially with the 211 and 220 rear ends. Butt ugly.