mb boats

corasky123 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 52

Do you guys know anything about MB Boats?

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

pretty broad question.

corasky123 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 52

well we are wanting to buy a malibu, but the place we get our boards at sells mb boats, the guys said theres only like either 300 or 800 made every year, they look like good boats, they are price like good boats, and he says they are the best wakeboard boats (of course, he's trying to sell them) but i had never heard of them until they tried selling us one

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

so it's between a Malibu, and an MB?

IMO, MB makes a good boat but, for the money that you are going to spend on one, i'd say you really need to look into the Malibu. If you can, you should test drive both of the boats back to back, and I can bet you'd be in the Malibu when all is said and done. MB's fit and finish is nowhere near what Bu' is putting out on the market.

Once again, for the amount of coin you'd be dropping on that MB, Malibu should be looked into, no doubt.

It say's something that you have never heard of them, until the salesman tried selling you one as the "best". If they were, you would have heard of them already.

Eric Zehner · Newbie Joined: 06 Jun 2006 Posts: 17 City: Salem

My last boat was an older MB direct drive and never had any problems with it. It ran great the gel coat was in flawless shape after 12 years. The seats held up very well. Of course you are going to have a ton of Malibu guys tell you that Malibu is better. As far as the wake goes you would have to drive both of them but I can tell you the fit and finnish on these boats is very good. They are expensive though...

corasky123 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 52

thanks guys i appreciate it....it will probably be malibu (money reasons)

JUST-IN-TIME · Posted: Jun 18, 2008 12:09 pm Post subject:

the MB are not even in the same category as Malibu

we used to sell them, just had way too many problems with them, from ballast pumps to their electrical

Rhawn · Posted: Jun 18, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject:

The reason most people haven't heard of MB is because they are significantly smaller, and true they produce far fewer boats per year than say Malibu, MC or CC. From what I understand, there is only 1 or 2 dealers East of the Mississippi.

I can't say I agree on the fit and finish between MB and Malibu. The quality of the gelcoat, carpet, seats, interior, etc was all very much in line with Malibu. And for us, boat to boat with the same features, MB had the better price.

Is it 'the best wakeboarding boat made"? Thats just a stupid statement, I would be more worried about the dealer than the boat. Is MB a solid, well built wake boat with a very versatile and good wake? Yes.

Can you make the ugliest boat alive with MB's color choices? Yes.

All IMO as well.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

corasky123 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 52

yeah he said there are only 3 dealers on the east coast, only 9 in the us that sell them (or something along those lines)

im not looking for the "best wakeboarding boat made"..thats a matter of opinion, but there are signifigant differences in each, and everyone has a different opinion on each, i am pretty new to wakeboarding and dont know much about any of them, hadnt heard of mb and really just trying to get the opinion of people who knew more than me i was told in his opinion they are the best, thats why that statement is out there, but i do appreciate everyones opinions and advice

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 18, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

I'm no scientist, but speaking as a scientist, MB = Barf.

Commodore · Ladies Man Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11636

corasky123, been around both. I know of two MBs that my friends own, and then of course a small fleet of Malibus.

I ridden behind both, driven both, seen the features of both. There isn't anything about the MB that Malibu doesn't have or hasn't improved on. The wakes differ from boat to boat, but I have to say the MB B-52 I rode behind was less than expected.

Me personally, no question, Malibu all the way. MB isn't even in my top 10 choices.

corasky123 · Criminal Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 52

thanks

Erik · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 6:20 am Post subject:

Meh - they're ok. They've never, every struck me in a positive or negative way.
Somewhere along the lines of Calabria. They're just not common where I am from and interest me very little. Like Haugy said there are no MB's in my top 10 dream boat list of NEW boats not old/retired ones. Which is...

1. Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 230 (been behind)
2. Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 220 (been behind)
3. Malibu Wakesetter 247 (been behind)
4. Master Craft CSX 265 (not been behind)
5. Master Craft 220 (been behind)
6. Master Craft X80 (not been behind)
7. Master Craft x45 (not been behind)
8. Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 210 (been behind)
9. Master Craft X1 (been behind)
10. Supra Launch 24SSV (been behind)

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 6:23 am Post subject:

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

Erik, have you driven an X45 yet?

onlyinboards · Criminal Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 84

I've had a Malibu and now have a Tomcat, to say the fit and finish on the Bu is far and away above the MB is hilarious IMO. My tomcat is the best boat i've had so far. I love everything about it, the wake is sick, the ride is smooth, the fit and finish is incredible. Again, this is my opinion but i'd love to get people into my boat and then have them tell me the fit and finish is sub par or that the boat is not as good as a Bu. 2400 lbs ballast, fills and drains in 60 seconds, easily surfable stock wake with only 2 people in teh boat, rough water ride is like an i/o, billet everywhere, tons of small added touches. If you can't tell, i really like my boat and anyone who has bee on it has had the same sentiment.

about to post some pics of the new MB

tonality · Soul Rider Joined: 20 Aug 2004 Posts: 435 City: DFW

Ex MB owner here, and i will also contend that fit/finish are most definitely on-par with Malibu, and have been that way for years...my 02 was put together more solidly and stayed that way than most of the Bu's i was on.

The decision to move away from MB was solely based on dealership (specifically, the lack thereof). Didn't want to drive to Austin every time i needed warranty work done.

As far as the company, they're a 'boutique' boat, so not as many made, but they're damn fine machines, and the reality is that they use the same stuff as everyone else (PCM motor the same as the CC's, Nautolex vinyl that just about everyone uses, standard (though heavier than most) marine carpet, etc etc). You will be happy with the boat itself as far as reliability, no doubt, but as has been stated, test the wakes and grill the dealers, because most boats out today are pretty much on par with each other. It's the rest of it that makes the difference.

Rhawn · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 7:44 am Post subject:

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

Yep...it's kind of disgusting how getting a free or heavily discounted boat automatically makes it the best out there. I think what's worse about 02Lightning is that he shopped around to see who would give him a free boat. Malibu? Nope! Try CC! Rolling Eyes

Which makes me wonder if onlyinboards paid regular price for his boat or if MB gave him a demo boat for the year. I'm guessing he got it free...

On the MB's that I've been on over the years (most recently Cobe's 23' Tomkat) I do have to say the interiors were always nice. No complaints there. I've just heard a few too many horror stories about the 2 speed transmissions and have never ever liked the wake they put out.

onlyinboards · Criminal Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 84

Yes, it is a demo boat. I didn't order the 2 speed. I have the beefed up 390hp in mine and it jumps out of the hole even when loaded. As I understand, Cobe always orders his boat with the 2 speed and loves it. To each his own, that is why it is an option.

Also, I never said that the Malibu was a bad boat at all or that MB was the best either. IMHO, I think a lot of the boat companies are putting out a very high quality product right now and when people come to my site and email or call and ask the question "what is the best boat" which happens all the time, i tell them that exactly.

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 11:06 am Post subject:

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 11:15 am Post subject:

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

I'm not disgusted that you would shop around. That part of it's cool and I'd do the same if I were in your shoes. The part that's rubbing people the wrong way is that you were ALL about your VLX last year and then all of a sudden...

Chattwake · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 12:27 pm Post subject:

scott a, I hear what you're saying. If you knew what I had to go through to get that 230, you'd probably have a better understanding of my appreciation for that boat and for CC.

Notably, I never said anything bad about CC other than that the old 210 had storage issues. My opinion of their products has always been very high, and I remain impressed now that I own one of their products. However, I still love Malibu's boats, and you won't hear me trashing them even though I don't own one now.

Erik · Posted: Jun 19, 2008 2:22 pm Post subject:

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

How many of those boats in your top 10 have you actually been out on, then? And what made you pick those boats into your top 10?

Go drive that 247LSV and tell me you don't care bout how a boat handles. I think it'd open your eyes a bit. But yes, that X-45 is a freakin tank. You turn the wheel left and the boat pitches way to the left and might turn if the wind hits it right. And the driver said that it wasn't tracking as straight as he thought it should for a 24 foot boat w/ rider behind it, and not nearly as well as the older 23LSV he had ridden around on the previous day. But you can take that with as much salt as you'd like given my employment.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

Erik, in a side to side comparison, he 247 will drive circles around the X45....just sayin'. I think you would be very shocked to see just how Tank-like the 45 really is. It's a scary boat to drive in tight waterways like the Delta out here. The X35 was a joke as well. X80 with the twin screws is a fun boat to drive...even more so at a crowded dock area. Kinda cool to be able to spin a wake boat around in a complete circle without moving off of one axis point.

disclaimer: Keep in mind my company (until very recently) sold both brands. I had many opportunities to drive them both back to back.

IMO, the 247 drives ALOT smaller than it is. Feels like a 22 foot boat when on plane.

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

one more thing about the 45....

It has a very nice wake with the factory weight and 1/2 dozen peeps in the boat.

Riddick · Outlaw Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Posts: 212 City: Knoxville

The tomcat has one of the best factory wakes ive ever ridden behind. I use to own a malibu 23 Lsv and now have a mc x-star. I would have thought about getting the MB tomcat if it wasnt for the 2 foot forks stick off the front.

boardordie · Posted: Jun 20, 2008 6:12 am Post subject:

K-dub, scott a, Erik, or anybody for that matter...

This thread has already been high jacked so I'll help keep it off track Very Happy

...

What's going on with Epic? A year or 2 ago they were all over the message boards during their launch of production boats. They sponsored the "chick flick" and then kinda fell off the internet. I haven't seen one good or bad thing about them in a long time. Did they have production problems? Dealership setup problems? To much hype and not enough delivery? Or am I just outta the loop being on the eastern half of the country?

K-dub · Ladies Man Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 14760

boardordie, I was actually wondering the same thing the other day.....I think scott or Erik might be more in the know than I am on this subject.

I did hear a rumor that their production is going to be done at Fineline Industries now, instead of up in Canada like it was.....FYI, Fineline is the Centurion/Supreme factory. Don't know how much weight that rumor holds, but you can take it for what it's worth.

boardordie · Posted: Jun 20, 2008 6:58 am Post subject:

K-dub, Thanks! Hopefully scott a will come out from under your desk long enough to post!

Maybe jumalian can offer some incite... I know he was/is affiliated with them to some degree.

onlyinboards · Criminal Joined: 21 Dec 2006 Posts: 84

here's a few pics of the Tomcat.

scott a · Ladies Man Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 9810

umm...last I heard Epic was in the process of bringing at least some of the production down to southern california so they could better oversee how progress is coming (they're from San Diego). Around boat show season they were up in the air on what engine they were going to use (Volvo vs Merc), and it sounds like they're still figuring out some of the finer points on the boat before it's "mass" produced. There are a few boats that have made their way to customers, however (the latest one being the spider web vinyl wrap they did for someone in the midwest).