what do you think about where cc is headed?

[882001]

hey guys, i have been thinking since i went to the boat show on wed. this is the first year since 1997 that nautique wouldnt be on my list of a boat to buy. i personaly think they look terrible. and thats sad. cause i have been nautique guy since day one.

[skinautique]

RE: what do you think about where cc is headed?

What didn't you like? Do you have any pictures from the show?

[882001]

RE: what do you think about where cc is headed?

they dont make a wake boat that looks like a traditional ski boat anymore. not a fan of the i/o look.
i didnt take these pics but they are posted on ww http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/m...tml?1168665687

[Gizmo]

RE: what do you think about where cc is headed?

I attended a boat show this weekend also. I saw some things I liked and disliked.

I will start with the things I liked about the 07 line. The CC boats still have the best quality and craftsmanship of any boat on the market. CC is using the best materials and pay great attention to detail. The interiors have a lot more storage, which is greatly appreciated. Also the legroom at the helm is much improved. The new gauges are pretty slick. There are more cup holders which is good and the walkway on the sundeck is a great idea. The rotating board racks are also very convenient.

My dislikes mainly stem from the design lines, graphics, and wake. As I read through more and more forums and look at pictures of other boats I see a trend toward cleaner looking graphics and lines. There are many boat owners that are stripping their boats of the graphics and even going as far as painting them all one color with very little decals.

The design lines of the hull above the water line give off a more pleasure boat look rather than a competition sport look. In my opinion the lines around the stern area are what gives the boat an I/O look. The lines of the old SAN's have good timeless lines that could go for years without looking dated.

The lines of the interior also bother me. There are too many angles and elevation changes in the interior design which make the boat feel crowded. I hate to use this analogy but the interior looks to be inspired by a pontoon boat or Bayliner. Like I said before I like the extra storage but the boat doesn’t have that completion boat feel.

The towers are another item I didn’t care for. The 236 tower is the definitely the best of the 07 line. The other towers where to big and bulky and once again has too many lines. The 236 and Supra have the best looking towers this year. In my opinion the tribal and industrial design of towers of MC and MB are unnecessary and expensive to manufacture. I wont even go into my thoughts on the Malibu illusion towers but they are ugly.

Wakes are what have traditionally set CC apart from the rest. As a diehard wakeboarder I love the wake of the old SAN 210. Many hardcore wakeboarders also love the narrow beam of old 210's and the 2001's. The smaller wetted surface area of these boats makes them easy to weight and handle with at full capacity. In my opinion I would love to see CC contiue to offer the wake that built the sport.

Now I am not saying I want to see another pickle fork hull or anything resembling the looks of a Malibu. I think CC should go back to the cleaner timeless looking designs and bring back the best wakeboarding hull ever designed.

[DanielC]

RE: what do you think about where cc is headed?

I went to the Portland Boat show this last week, and sat in a 236, and a 220. They also had a new 210 there, and the Classic Super Air, up on a stand. I currently own a 1997 Ski Nautique. At this time, If I buy another new boat, I will probably buy another closed bow boat. CC is the only company actively making one. Thank you CC! The wide beam wakeboard party barges are where the profit is in manufacturing boats currently. At least CC is not making a center console tri hull, and passing that off as a wakeboard boat. I am more encouraged about this year than last, with CC talking about "family" boats in last years Waterski Mag. In my opinion, this is what CC needs to do.
1. Keep a closed bow ski boat. I believe they will, they pretty much got that market cornered, but do not get complacent with it.
2. Now that the new factory is open, start making more parts and upholestery available for the older boats. I know this is another low profit area, but it will have a positive influence on new boat sales, knowing I can still get parts for my TSC1 hull, a 2001 hull, or even an Atom skier.
3. Bring back the Classic Super Air hull. I believe there are a lot of people who still want that hull.
4. Since 1925. Who else can claim that in this market? Capitalize on that. Do not hide the Correct Craft name. Keep making boats, like the boats are intended to last a very long time.

[travisr]

RE: what do you think about where cc is headed?

Amen DannyC, The closed bows are true modern classics. I'd like to see one released with a full teak or mahogany trim out!!! the ss old school. it'd be in our fleet. time will tell if that new 210 hull matches up to the old one. I reaaly like that cc is putting boats out that you can use. we have a 2006 211te. my kids,wife, friends, guys that can ride and guys that cant love it. don't like the seats or 07 guages though. CC has to create their own identity and follow it, quit copying the other guys. how about no gauges. touch screen, heads up displays for everyone!!! Death to the picklefork!!!

[tski97]

RE: what do you think about where cc is headed?

I was at the Northern California show this weekend I thought all the boats looke great. I really liked the layout in the 236, 210, 211, and 220. I personally still like the direct drive boats however the rest are all very functional boats. As i see it CC is building boats that the entire family will use and enjoy. Most people that buy all these boats have a Mrs. that will appreciate many of the little things, like trash cans, and there for they will allow the Mr. to buy the boat. I also agrea that the old 210 should be brought back for the same reasons they still have the 196. All in all I think CC is still building great boats that will be around for a long time.

[Mikeski]

downswing?

I have been involved with correct craft boats since 1973. I have found that they go through a cycle where they push the envelope to see what works and keep pushing until they start to get negative feedback on the product direction then reel things back in. With the introduction of the 220 they started out in a certain direction that they followed with the new 210 and 236. There are actually elements in my 211, like the transom, that also show a bit of a different direction.

I am not a big fan of the new "modular" interiors, nor some of the design aspects like the side vents of the new boats. Some of the tower design elements also make me scratch my head, I would probably get a Titan tower if I were getting a new boat tomorrow.

On the positive note I think the lines of the recent Ski Nautiques are great. I really like the return of the big letter simple graphics on the SKI NAUTIQUES. I have always felt that boats should be pointy in the front and square in the back. A nice square transom with a pad on the top can't be beat in my book. Square rear corners are good too, traditional lines are sometimes best.

Anything that looks bolted on should be unbolted, ie the trim rings around the rear vent trim rings on the 220/210/236. Get a little creative hide the vents under the back or side corners, don't bring attention to them, or disguise them as chrome trim? Removable/optional pads over walk throughs would be great. The new dash layouts are different but I like them. Individual gauges should be a thing of the past, the gauges should reflect the technology in today's boats. The MC dashes look rediculous with those individual pods for the gauges.

I could go on but I won't. I trust the designers will have the new boats back to my liking by 2010.