Anyone else think this is a good idea?

LFADAM

This idea has floated around but never really been posted. Wakeboat manufacturers have started to make their stripped down economy models. (Tige switch, Malibu ride) so why dont they take it further? Most people on these forums would agree with me in saying the SN 2001 with a tower and weight makes a superb wakeboat. Everyone wants fuel injection and warranty these days so they want to buy new. Not everyone has 11 people in their crew and with gas so pricey, why dont wakeboat manufacturers create a small boat; something along these lines.

DD or Vdrive, just make 2 diff models depending on budget
17-18' closed bow
Standard EFI smaller v8 (like the LCR 320, Monsoon 340, etc.)
1,000 lbs of ballast. (small boat needs less weight. No need for sacks everywhere. 1k may be equivalent to like 1.5k or 2k in a 21 footer. Not bad)
Standard tower
Standard 4 speaker stereo
Cut way down on the logos everywhere and the "stainless throttle knobs and exhaust tips, etc.)

I think they could sell EXTREMELY well. Just think. There are tons of guys out here trying to convince their parents to buy a wake boat. 21-25 feet seems impractical and uneconomical (gas wise) If this boat went for under, lets say, 25000 dollars, that would throw the door open to the people who want a good boat for less than 30k. Try a NEW boat with warranty that is quality hardcore wakeboard machine for 25.
Sounds good to me, who wants to send the idea to Epic Boats?

wtbamoomba · Addict Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 808 City: raleigh

reaaall good idea... kind of like epics idea, on a smaller scale

LFADAM · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 6:57 pm Post subject:

Something like this...
forgot to mention...high freeboard! Nobody wants to swamp it. (It appears to me that could be an issue with the SN 2001s)

elyse · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject:

LFADAM, I think it is an awesome idea and I still don't understand why companies aren't doing it yet. Neutral

DavidHoff · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject:

I like the idea, except for the closed bow part. I'm sure someone wouldn't mind spending the extra money for the open bow, it's so much more seating.

But when you think about it, thats basically the same as the V-Ride, Switch, etc...They get expensive because people add every option. But If you just add a tower and maybe a few more here and there, you can keep the price pretty low.

Maybe some company guy will read this though and use your idea...

LoudonTN · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 7:53 pm Post subject:

Eh, from an economics point of view, you're lowering that price alot and taking away certain commodities. If you lower that price a certain amount, the substitutability of the good increases. People who aren't in the market for a "wakeboard boat", just a cheaper boat, will see the closed bow and the obvious "stripped down" look (as compared to the mfg's other goods) and then they'll see the "top of the line Bayliner" (kind of an oxymoron, eh?) with all the features missing from this wake-specific boat and not purchase it. I guess what I'm saying is, the wakeboard market isn't macro enough to compete at the lower end of the price scale and make a significant-enough-to-change profit. There is also significant other factors which I won't get into yet. Eh, I'm thinking aloud...well, there is an economists point of view.

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

i wish people would do it. i think 17-18 is way small tho i say a min of 19 with like 95 in beam.

Bowen · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 8:58 pm Post subject:

Yup, I thought it was a good idea when I first heard Wakebrad talking about it early in the summer.

DRAGON88 · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 9:12 pm Post subject:

It's been quite a few people's idea for years... I guess CC destroyed the 2001 molds though.... Although they could easily make a new female mold if they could find a mint 2001 which they could...

I think with CC the point is: We're selling out of boats every year, why bother making a 20k boat and make 5k on it when you can sell a 50k boat and make 15k off of it...

wake_quake · Posted: Oct 12, 2005 9:33 pm Post subject:

yeah that wud be awsum!! cause here in aus new wake boats are about 60-120 $$ depending on what extras you get

LFADAM · Posted: Oct 13, 2005 5:19 am Post subject:

DavidHoff, I wouldnt mind if someone used to idea. If it makes it to pruduction, great!

The reason why I say closed bow is because then you can move the cockpit up further giving you more space in the back where people can see the rider. Then you get a nice big storage area up front. (Have the ballast tank under the floor or raise it maybe 6-12" (Still leaves you a big compartment) Lastly, on a boat of that size with all of that weight, an open bow would get wet a lot and maybe even be a concern for sinking. With a closed bow the weight distribution would be more rearward biased and the water could flow over it and out the sides without doing any harm.

buckshot · Outlaw Joined: 22 Apr 2005 Posts: 213 City: Charlotte, NC

Good idea. As a consumer, I think the more choices you have, the better.

However, I think Dragon88 has it right. If the manufacturers are selling every boat they're making already, there's no need to make less expensive models. Also, I think the financing has a lot to do with why people are willing to purchase $50,000+ boats. I believe you would see a much larger market for $25,000 boats if the only loans available were over 5 years instead of 12 or 15.

QNev · Posted: Oct 13, 2005 8:19 am Post subject:

LFADAM, touché. Very Happy

I like that idea. The V-Drive with wrap-around seating is great, but I'd agree, a closed bow would be cheaper, but many people are looking for open-bow boats. Maybe 2 options Razz

. I'd like to hear what Epic says about your idea. Keep up the good work!

Brit Rider · Posted: Oct 13, 2005 8:32 am Post subject:

someones already doing it here...

http://sportiqueboats.co.uk/

They do a 16ft inboard. Drives like its on rails and has more power than should be legal!

With weight its not so bad either.

They go for £15k loaded out the door (5.7 litre mercruiser power plant, thick vinyl, trailer, tax etc...). and unlike some cheaper boats the hulls are hand laid and built strong!

For comparison, 15k over here buys you one of those Bayliner 175XT's with 135HP and a tower.

In answer to the original question. Theres a simple answer for the US market. Companies can only make so many boats, MC basically runs at capacity, as do all the other big brands. Now when you have limited "boat slots" you want to maximise your profit to keep that business out of the red. Anyone can tell you, theres more profit for dealers and builders in a Tige 20v than a Switch V.

Simple answer then... Profit maximisation per unit. There is definitly HUGE demand for quality hulls with basic packages (Switch series sold out in the first year didn't it??? Someone correct me if i'm wrong. I'm also sure the X1 will follow).

In the meantime.. We have a handful of smalll independant companies.. like sportique still trying to bring value to the little guy... but in the same sentance I guess every chairman has to do what is best for their company... or they ain't gonna be chairman for very long!

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

Bowen, haha thanks for the recognition. I'm sitting here thinking "I just posted this a couple months ago." Didn't start a new thread though.

IMO this is a real wakeboarders boat. The big wakeboats now are combination wake/party boat. If you just want to wakeboard you don't want a 7-8 man rotation. A small closed bow boat with great gas mileage, minimal weight that would throw a wake to rival the best. You could sell it in the $20-$25k range with tower, ballast, and PP. If I ever get a couple hundred million bucks I'll make it happen Laughing

. It really wouldn't be hard for CC. Pull out the old 2001 or Excel hull and line it with new stuff. Maybe when their new factory is built they'll have capacity for it.

LFADAM · Posted: Oct 13, 2005 9:06 am Post subject:

Wakebrad, my bad. Didnt know you posted the idea. Dont mean to take credit or anything.

jon4pres · Addict Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 589 City: Fort Scott

I really wish that this would happen but I dont think it ever will from one of our big boat companies. A company like Epic maybe but right now they have alot on their table to be trying to produce another boat. Hopefully when the big epic gets going the little epic will follow. Come on make it happen. I ride with 3 or 4 other guys. I want a killer wake and the convienences of a new boat but dont need a 20 footer.

junior · Newbie Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 20 City: wagga wagga

if they DID make something like that, i would be one of the first people to buy it

buckthis · Posted: Oct 16, 2005 8:52 am Post subject:

brit rider, WHERE'S THE WAKE?

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

The 16ft inboard made by sportique is for skiing. There is a 20ft inboard for wakeboarding though.

The nice thing with a smaller boat would be you could keep the beam narrow for a narrower wake but carry the beam really far foward to maximise interior space.
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Chad H · Posted: Oct 16, 2005 9:35 am Post subject:

I agree with this idea. I think it could EASILY be done for the amount of money specified. One question though. Being that short, Why not make it aluminum or some kind of metal? It would be cheaper.

ballywho · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 05 Feb 2005 Posts: 1725

Electrolosis. (sp?). Alu inboards never worked out too well. I know that if you were to drop a penny in the bilge that by the end of the season you would have a hole in your boat (i've seen it happen). Also weight issues. Fiberglass today is BARLEY more expensive than high end aluminum.
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Chad H · Posted: Oct 16, 2005 9:57 am Post subject:

ballywho,
ok. Didn't know that.

LFADAM · Posted: Oct 16, 2005 10:04 am Post subject:

Wakeboarddrumma, yea also who wants a boat that when you tap it it clangs? Not me. Also it would get really dented up.

Chad H · Posted: Oct 16, 2005 10:35 am Post subject:

LFADAM,
We have a 5 year old Starcraft aluminum baot, that has been through hell, and only has a couple of dents.. I would say denting depends on your treatment of the boat.

LFADAM · Posted: Oct 16, 2005 10:40 am Post subject:

Wakeboarddrumma, yea it does. Even still I try REALLY REALLY hard to never touch my malibu with a wakeboard, cooler, dock, etc but it happens. I also have an aluminum boat with a few dents. Its unavoidable. I also think that nobody would take an aluminum wakeboard boat seriously just because they are all fiberglass now and that would look cheap. (As in quality)

Hollywood · Posted: Oct 17, 2005 7:06 pm Post subject:

For all of you that think it's such a good idea, why can't this guy unload his boat that fits your description to a "T".

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/3183/249659.html?1124902725

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

good question. i would buy it if i had the money. probably doesnt have good enough advertising. did you notice how everyone in that thread loved the boat?

Hollywood · Posted: Oct 17, 2005 8:40 pm Post subject:

You answered my question. Those with the money will go make the downpayment on a new boat from the dealer and finance the rest.

tinymonkey · Outlaw Joined: 11 Aug 2003 Posts: 162

i have a SN 2001 and i absolutley love it, ive rode behind a wakesetter a few times and that is quite a difference, but for my $7,000 2001 and the $2,000 i put in to for the $$$ it puts out a wake worth much more than the boat...