Reliability question. These new boats are so complex!

[R0CKETMAN]

Just do a google search on the "Malibu Touch Command" problems. You'll see the example of how, in 5 years, your $80-$100k plus boat isn't handling the touchscreen durability - AND you are S.O.L.. from both Malibu & Medallion (who made their touch screens). But what do you do - other an buy an entry level-ish boat with switches like an Axis or something? Even those are going to have the complex boxes running part of your show. So either way, eventually you're gonna pay. I'm here researching how Nautique is taking care of their customers & how they are dealing with technology failures before I jump ship from Malibu to Nautique. I'm hoping to find an answer, but I'm guessing that every manufacturer has its ups and downs. My '12 VLX has done good, but right after the end of my 5 year warranty, stuff is starting to fail - mostly electronics. So, I'm checking out the Correct Craft family....

The answer is simple. Buy a new boat every five years.

[Aebert2668]

Touch screens are so cool, but not in a boat! I've been around boats freshwater and salt my whole life and digital crap does not belong in a marine environment. Give me an analog gauge that will outlast the digital to begin with and when I breaks I can buy an off the shelf replacement or something close. The engines have never been better, but one touch screen to control the whole boat? How long does a well taken care of iPad that is not in the marine environment last. Nautiques are great boats, but I promise you they will not support these touch screens when the supplier changes models and they will. Then you have a perfectly good ski boat and you can't start or control it.

[functionoverfashion]

Touch screens are so cool, but not in a boat! I've been around boats freshwater and salt my whole life and digital crap does not belong in a marine environment. Give me an analog gauge that will outlast the digital to begin with and when I breaks I can buy an off the shelf replacement or something close. The engines have never been better, but one touch screen to control the whole boat? How long does a well taken care of iPad that is not in the marine environment last. Nautiques are great boats, but I promise you they will not support these touch screens when the supplier changes models and they will. Then you have a perfectly good ski boat and you can't start or control it.

While I agree with you, I think CC will have to support these boats in some way, as will others who have gone the route of a single touchscreen controlling nearly everything in the boat. While you could retrofit a keypad-equipped boat to start and control accessories, it's a lot harder where so much relies on the screen.

I'd be curious to hear from someone at Correct Craft what their thoughts are on the inevitable situation of a boat that was $100k+ new, being totally disabled by a failed screen that's now out of production just 5-10 years later. A solution will have to be developed.... meanwhile I'll be restoring my '03 and keeping it forever.

[Phil8uga]

What are the chances Nautique would mfg. a new boat with the modern day analog gauges? OR at least give the option when designing a new Nautique. I am sure you would loose some features/options, but it would still be nice to have an option. Has Nautique ever reached out to PN for feedback or surveys?


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[a0128]

What are the chances Nautique would mfg. a new boat with the modern day analog gauges? OR at least give the option when designing a new Nautique. I am sure you would loose some features/options, but it would still be nice to have an option. Has Nautique ever reached out to PN for feedback or surveys?

They did. Mission Bay Aquatic Center in San Diego was buying SAN Nautiques with analog gauges for their ski school. Must have been a special order package. I don't believe it is available any longer.

[DW SD]

Nautique should make a tow boat something between G and like these: http://heydaywakeboats.com

Nautique build quality, but without all of the cake icing (IE electronics failure points) would be a killer combination.

As mentioned, I plan to buy a G series when the prices come down. Buying one that has failed electronics and converting to old skool controls would be ideal.

Then again, the Nautique factory can't seem to keep up with demand, so who am I to suggest what they should do.

Doug

[a0128]

Nautique should make a tow boat something between G and like these: http://heydaywakeboats.com

Except for the fact that these boats are ugly as heck and I doubt they would sell any, but I get your point and totally agree. Problem with going simple is you would lose most of the functionality that makes the G-series so great.