How do you know who makes the best boat?

Well, you made it pretty easy. I don't think
you'll find anyone who won't admit that
CC is at least in the top 2 or 3.

I think it's probably pretty undisputed that Correct Craft, Malibu, and Mastercraft are the top three. Doesn't mean there arent' other good boats out there, but these are the top of the line.

I'll give my unbiased opinion.

Mastercraft is usually the flashiest boat. It always looks slick and modern. In my opinion, Mastercraft's innovations usually have to do more with sex appeal than real functionality. But the boats do look sexy.

Malibu tries to build a solid, well performing boat. They are the last of these three to the party, and as late as 1990 were still making some pretty mediocre boats. They sell more units than the others, but they are also 5 to 10 thousand cheaper. Having the best is not for everyone. They make a very good boat now. Personally, I
believe there performance and quality are
just a shade below Craft.

Correct Craft has been in business for Seventy Five years. They are a family owned, and morally driven business. They aren't in the business of seeing how many boats they can put on the market. Rather, they limit production to about 2200 per year. They try to make those boats with the best quality in the industry. They will probably never be the flashiest, or have the latest gizmos. Instead CC focuses on true innovation like hulls that produce the best wakes for skiing, or wakeboarding. They were the first to introduce wakeboard towers, first to put water filters on their engines, etc. In the end, in my opinion, CC is the best where it counts, drivability and performance behind the boat. I've driven, skied and ridden behind all three, and for my money, CC wins hands down.

BKH

BTW, my neighbor just bought a 2004 SN206. Love that boat.

Hey Douge,
One more thing. Whatever choice you make, ultimatley, the best brand of boat is whatever boat you decide to buy. Have fun, enjoy the hell out of it; brag to your friends about it; go sit in the boat out in the garage in the middle of winter, and sign up for a website where you can bullsh** with a bunch of other guys or gals who also believe they bought the best brand of boat. It's a lot of fun!

Hey JBear, I always wonder, if the wife's opinion counts so big, how did you get away with trading in that boat?
   BKH

Douge wrote: I think I need to get them side by side at the lake.

I wonder if you could talk both dealers into it? ...If you do, we would all LOVE to hear the outcome!

Douge:

Get down to the knitty gritty to learn who builds the best boat. Compare things like gelcoat thickness, choice of fiberglass and resin materials, hardware, upholstery, carpet, and of course construction methods. I think you will then learn that CC makes the best and strongest boat period.

One thing has been over looked or not mentioned yet, but what about resale value? If you compare and god forbid if you have to sell the 206 but you are going to get more for a CC when it comes time to upgrade to a new CC.

Thanks fellow Zonie, yeah I talked to Stephanie I think was her name, the daughter if I am not mistaken. She really knew the boat but was also not really pushing the sales side to hard which I appreciate. The more salesy they get the less I actually buy.

Anyway, they seem like nice people. I suspect without going to the lake I would buy the CC, but admittedly I think the RXLi is nicer looking and from what I have gathered not quite as one dimensional as the CC. Correct me if I am wrong. I know neither is a particularly good for wakeboarding, but it sounds like the wedge system is better than nothing (ballast bag only on the CC).

Douge wrote: I know neither is a particularly good for wakeboarding, but it sounds like the wedge system is better than nothing (ballast bag only on the CC).

The wedge system is particularly good at ripping the rear end out of boats if you hit something. Obvioulsy malibu won't publicize, but if you do a search, you'll find photos on the net. Some of the wakeboard sites have photos.

206 is a world class ski boat, that will do some boarding. If you put a lot of weight in it, it will be fine. It will never be world class for boarding. IMO, the 206 will drive better than the BU.

216 is a very good ski boat, and a very good wakeboard boat. It will never be world class in either.

211 is a very good wakeboard boat. Properly weighted it is world class, or very close to it. If you run it light, 3 or 4 people, minimum gear, 1/2 tank of gas, it is an acceptable slalom boat, but it is a V-Drive. I know a guy who has no problem running 28 off behind his even with a full load.

BKH

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I am just saying, and I may be wrong but the Malibu has a small edge on the CC in this regard. Yes No?[/QUOTE]

I like Malibu boats a lot, but I've never never skied behind one...so I can't answer from experience.

I don't believe the internals on the Vortec are any different then those found in automotive applications and the Vortec 5.7 is definetly the most prolific motor being used today.

One more thing, I tend to really pay attention to detail. In almost every boat I looked at there was something not right, screws not in all the way, lose parts etc. nothing major just little stuff.

One boat "to remain nameless" even had an interior piece fall off while we were on the test drive.....

The 211 is flawless.

P.S.
Sorry for the double post on my first visit.

SV211, thank you very much for your opinion. The only boat I saw that had a visual defect while I was looking was the CC 206L, The carpet was coming away from the wall of the walkthrough. Minor, but it was there. I do believe they make an excpetional boat though, even compared to the Malibu. I would rank them in quality CC, Malibu and MC. Just my personal opinion.

If you HAVE to have a Chevy engine, I'd recommend the 400HP Aluminum Block 6.0L LS2 Corvette Engine That would rock!

Snowman,

The tower on the 211, is no more in your line of sight than the tower on the 22ssv, IMO.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the tower/window configuration on either. Specifically, they have a wraparound widshield configuration which holds the driver "inside" the boat. You must look through or over the windshield to talk with or reach out to a skier on the side of the boat. I prefer the more conventional windshield on other nautique models, and the tower which goes around the driver's line of reach (FCT on 210).

As I said above, the perfect boat is the one you love. I am not a fan of the play pen bow seating in the 22ssv. I also don't believe the quality of the Supra is as high as Correct Craft. You should also see less bow rise, a cleaner wakeboard wake, and a far superior waterski wake on the 211. However, the Supra is significantly lower cost than the Nautique.

I have an acquaintance who sold Nautiques for years. He moved to a Skier's choice dealership (Skier's choice makes both Supra and Moomba) a few years back. He'll candidly admit that Correct Craft is a far superior boat, but not everyone needs or can afford a Correct Craft. He made the move for a better commute, and more responsibility within the dealership.

Go to the boat show and check them all out. Narrow down your choices, and test drive the two or three you like before you buy. Don't be fooled by the salesman into believing you need to act right away at the boat show. There will be deals out there througout the year. Good luck and have fun.

BKH

I don't know much about the more modern Century's. The old woody's from 50's and 60s were quite beatiful. I see quite a few at the wooden boat show in Tahoe each year. BKH