Will CC jump into the 20' V-drive market?

[efox]

Here's an interesting topic. We hashed this a bit down at Norris Lake this past weekend. I was with 2 guys with 205V's and one guy with a Mailbu LSV, so I didn't feel the need to bring my Nautique, though it would have made for an interesting picture!

Anyhoo, we were talking about how Tige has one, Mastercraft has the X2 and now for 2007, Malibu will be jumping into the market with the VTX. It supposedly is a 20' boat with a 100" beam (I think) and will be the baby brother to the VLX. My question is if all these manufacturers are seeing a growing market in smaller boats with bigger amenities, when will correct craft make that same association? I may finally be in the market for a new boat afterall, and would really like it to be a CC, but they don't make a boat to fit my needs. Am I alone?
I know....flame suit on!

Eric

[efox]

RE: Will CC jump into the 20

Hmmmm...nobody wants to chime in? I guess I am just thinking that a family oriented v-drive boat with not more than 20' of fiberglass and a nice wide beam would be a pretty big seller. Obviously if the production on the X2 can sell out, and Malibu feels the need to join the fun, what exactly will prompt the heads at CC to begin production in the similar mode? I mean, they only offer towers on the 206 ski and not on the 196.

I realize that perhaps this is a little close to the 211 at 20'9", but doesn't Mastercraft have a bunch of boats in this size range?

[nautiquelee]

I would have to agree. Recently I just sold my 93' 196. While looking for a boat for my future I must say I feel CC is lacking. (Before the bashing starts I just want to say my local dealer leaves much to be desired). Many boat manf. have a lot of models to cover a wider marker. CC needs to get it together in their thinking and customer service. I have email them many times with my concerns and never received a response, but when I looked into a new 60k boat I got a response right away.

As for the 20' boat, I think would be great. Gas hit an all time record yesterday in the market and the future shows not much promise. A smaller boat will cost less to tow (for those who tow) and less to operate. With gas pushing $3 a gallon it will push many younger boaters away from a ski boat and may settle on more efficent models. I think other manf. are addressing the needs of tomorrow. Smaller boat also fit into more garages. Now, I do understand that there is a big market for larger boats that many people can afford, but what is the harm in building a smaller boat and branding consumers earlier and wait for them to make the jump to a bigger boat.

Bottom line if I had to purchase another boat right now, it would be and x-2 due to cost and size. Hopefully, I can wait and find a good deal on a 210. Just my 2 cents and let the debate begin.

[Onthewater]

I agree. There is definitely a market for a 20' v drive. I don't see the need for a 216DD when you have the 206. Is there really that much of a difference? I also don't see the need for a 226 and a possible future 236. I think CC should trim the fleet a little and work harder on refining the models they have. I like towboats to be towboats, nimble, quick responding, quick out of the hole and not oversized so I can put an inflatable mattress on the floor. K I S S. I don't tow more than a half dozen times a year and I still prefer a smaller boat. If I have to have an open bow I'd like to find one that is cockpit forward, I dislike huge open bows where the windshield is about halfway in the boat. Open bows should hold 2-3 people, not 4-5. The 206 is a great boat, I wish the windshield was little more upright though, anybody else? Until then I'll stay with closed bows.

[ag4ever]

I disagree, CC has the 210, and a 200 is not that big a difference. The 206 is much different than a 216 (wake wise) and a person who needs an open bow and desires the 196 wake can get close with a 206, not with a 216. But some want the extra space of the 216, most notable a usable rear seat. The 206 is just too cramped.

Now for V-Drives, this market is dominated by boarders, and they want to take their friends, so a smaller boat will not make them happy. And a shorter, but wider boat will make the wake a LOT wider and less steep, two things most boarders hate. The trend in the V's is longer, not shorter. Both MC and BU have been introducing longer and longer models to chase the boarders who can't seem to get enough space for all their gear and buds.

I personally think a 20' V will only sell to those that live on a lake that has a 20' length limit.

[EagleJackson]

The trend in the V's is longer, not shorter. Both MC and BU have been introducing longer and longer models to chase the boarders who can't seem to get enough space for all their gear and buds.

Hmm, not sure I agree. The new MC 06 X-2 is 20'0" in length and 96" beam. The 05 X-2 (now X-1) is 20'7" length and 90" beam.

The new MC X-15 is 21'8" length and 100" beam.

The boats are definitely getting wider.

[efox]

I think that there are a lot more places with lake restrictions on size than everyone thinks. If there weren't why would so many manufacturers be getting into that game. I do agree, the trend seems to be going to the extremes. 2 years ago, most wake boats were 21-22 feet long. Today more manufacturers seem to be going 23 and up and also most (not nautiques though) 20 and down. BTW I saw more Bu 247's than I could count and sat in a Sunscape 247...hugenormous doesn't even begin to describe it!

I don't see these boats as price point boats. That is the X1 and Ride series boats, which are a little more bare bones than what most of us want. I don't think it makes a ton of sense to run a 220, a 226, or an X-Star on a 150 acre lake. I also think that the points about fuel consumption are valid too, both for towing and on the water. I mean with tow vehicles drinking it down at $3 and the boat getting $4+ at the marinas, thats a big deal. We personally went through $100 to get to the lake and home w/o a boat and We put $180 in the boat in 2 days.

[Mikeski]

Another reason to build one is so that it fits inside a standard garage. This is a major challenge in California where the standard garage is 20-22'. My 211 is close but no cigar... so it stays out on the side, luckily I have the rarity of a side yard big enough to handle the boat & trailer.

[OKWAKEBDR]

One of the biggest complains people have about the 210 is the lack of storage and lack of people room...a smaller boat would only be worse. I personally LOVE my 210. The wake is incredible, and the size of the boat is perfect for me. I'm pretty scared to see what changes are made to the 210 in '07 - especially if they make the boat wider, I love the narrow steep wake. Personally, I just don't see a smaller version of the 210 doing very well.

nautiquelee said "if I had to purchase another boat right now, it would be and x-2 due to cost and size"... obviously, we all know that the X-2 is wider and shorter than the 210, so I can't debate size. However, the cost is virtually the same. A smiliarly equiped 210 and X-2 are going to run about the same price, and as far as gas consumption...it's also going to be nearly the same.

[EarlyRiser]

Don't see it happening. Over 22/23' is the direction boaters seem to be going. ER

[efox]

Unfortunately, I think the market is growing once again in the smaller boat. I will be selling my ski this year I think, and hope that cc has something under wraps that they just haven't mentioned yet. Otherwise I may be going to the "dark side"...though not sure which one yet.

[nautiquelee]

I am in the same boat as efox. Not over size though. Just cost and to clear things up I am comparing 2002-2004 210 vs. x-2. In my area seems that I can get a lot newer boat for a lot less. If CC did make a smaller 210 I would buy one in a few years.

[ag4ever]

The reason you can get a MC for less than a CC is not due to original selling price, but resell.

CCs just hold their value better.

[INVNO1]

I heard they may be coming with a wider 210 for 07 as possibly a "price boat".Little more room,fewer options,less money.I personally love everything about my 210,and I'm not nearly a good enough rider to appreciate the wake or what it's capable of.I also have a place on the lake,so I don't need to carry a ton of stuff in the boat,but I know that's not an option for a lot of people and they need that extra space.I just hope if they make a boat like this,it doesn't kill the used value of mine.

[efox]

INVNO1,

I agree. We too have a place right on the water, however, having been in a number of V-drives this year I can honestly say I like the layout better than my direct drive. Room for us is better now with the tower, so arguably I have the best of all worlds...a moderate wakeboat with the ability to rip a ski session too. It's just nice, the ease of moving about the cockpit and the deeper sidewall of most V-drives. It's more "family" oriented than the competition inboard market.

I actually went to my local boardshop who also happens to be a BU dealer. They are saying the new 20 footer will fit pricewise between a V-ride and a VLX, so plan on somewhere in the mid 40's. Not sure I am in the market yet, but still wish the CC factory would make the ski's plus a 20', a 22', and perhaps a 24' v-drive. I would think that would have all the bases covered.