How is Skiers Choice doing??

[WaterBullDawg1980]

Anyone have any insight into how Skiers Choice the company is doing?

I just heard some very disturbing news from someone "in the know" with Malibu. He had said the company is really struggling right now. This person thinks the leadership at Malibu is very misguided right now. I could be wrong, but I believe he said they had a top level executive leave recently. His opinion is that he doesn't expect Malibu to survive this economic meltdown and will be out of business within 3-5 years.

He said that Skiers Choice seemed to be in a better position than Malibu (again, just his opinion) bc of their value proposition and target market. He went on to say that Malibu has made a mess in the way they went about their lineup of boats. Simply not enough distinction between all of them.

He said MC survives bc of years of branding and is falling back on their name now more than anytime in it's history. He said he doesn't have any real inside info into Correct Craft, but that he would make an educated guess they are probably in the same position as Malibu right now. He said their one saving grace may be the new 200.

Not trying to stir the pot really, but this just had me wondering. I would regard this persons opinion as one to be very respected. But I would also point out, that it is also just one persons opinion and I am not trying to spin it as fact. If you guys have time, go check out the Malibu forums and a few of the things this fella said are talked about in the forum over there as well.

I am sure Skiers Choice isn't making money hand over fist in this bear of an economy. But I really hope that things are not as bad as they are over at Malibu if that is indeed the case. I would actually hate to see any of the major boat manufacturers go under.

Geeze, when is this economy going to pick back up??

[kaneboats]

My understanding is that SC is not lighting it on fire but they are managing through the tough times as well as anyone.

[sandm]

I would suspect that these "tough times" are not going to end for a while if ever. it's a new reality for the usa..

that being said, I would think that value boats, such as the moomba and the axis will sell well, but the high $$ boats will be harder to sell due to the high price tags. I, personally, think malibu, correct craft, centurion, supra and the other high end boats will struggle with mastercraft being the one that will get by, as mentioned above, based solely on name..

interesting thing is tige. they have picked 2010 as the year to go after the premium boat builders and have stepped up their quality and offerings, but also price(shopped the sticker on a new rz2 lately??). wonder if that will end up being the end of them???

[viking]

My personal thought is the High-End boat manufacturer and the value Provider will do OK in today's economy. If you are anywhere in the middle then your are in trouble and "no man's land".

The people with money still have the money to buy whatever they want. They may be hurting from 5 yrs ago but their hurt is not the same as most. They can still afford the yatchs, vacation homes, and top of the line tow boat for sure. The question is what high end manufacturer will win out? Probably MC because of the longevity and name. There is a small market that will ALWAYS be there for this type of consumer - albiet a small niche.

The value provider (Moomba) will probably win out due to the function/features and price point of the boat. People in the middle that can't afford the high end will filter down to the value end of the spectrum and buy them up.

Anybody trying to compete in the middle is either going to have to go one way or the other and probably end up on the losing end either way. It's hard to change who you are that quick.

Just my .02.

[you da man]

When Axis debuts it's 20ft boat...everyone better watch out. So if Axis is truely part of Malibu, that will help some. I love my XLV...don't get me wrong but I would easily buy an Axis A22. I wouldn't be surprised to see CC coming out with a more price friendly boat seeing that their boats seem to start in the 65k+ range. I wonder how these times are effecting good small companies like MB and Sanger.

[ian ashton]

When Axis debuts it's 20ft boat...everyone better watch out. So if Axis is truely part of Malibu, that will help some. I love my XLV...don't get me wrong but I would easily buy an Axis A22. I wouldn't be surprised to see CC coming out with a more price friendly boat seeing that their boats seem to start in the 65k+ range. I wonder how these times are effecting good small companies like MB and Sanger.

Have you seen an Axis in person? The fit and finish is for crap on the interiors.

[mutau052]

Have you seen an Axis in person? The fit and finish is for crap on the interiors.

I wouldn't say its crap, but if you really look at them close it seems as though it is made up of a bunch of left over parts. But overall i like the A-22 it could just use a bit of refining. Remember other than Moomba the value line in top manufactures is quite new.

If you want crap i'll take you out on my 185 bayliner.

[you da man]

Have you seen an Axis in person? The fit and finish is for crap on the interiors.

I've seen the first few A22's and they were a little cheapy looking. There were some interior changes in late 09 and '10 and it's better.

[gus 08 mobius lsv]

i just don't see mastercraft having much of an issue. it is the most popular name boat among wake boats and the price range they are in will always fit into the higher income people. yeah there are a lot of people struggling in this economy but there are still a lot wealthy people out there spending money like nothing is wrong and those people that want the flash and the best of the best have the money to get what they want. i love the moomba line but have to be honest 2 years ago i had no idea what moomba was or even existed. but i'm glad to have a boat that will do everything i want it to do...looks good ...and best part is i can pay off in 3 years.

after seeing al's brothers boat yeah its pretty sick i'd take it in a heart beat but i couldn't see paying that much money for something i'm on 6 months a year when i can do without some of those fancy things it comes with or the name brand. i applaud skiers choice for having a great quality boat in the price range an average joe can afford and hope they never loose sight of that!
i get alot of compliments on my boat because she is a beauty not because i payed 80 grand for it.

[cbboarder]

I was at Atlanta Marine yesterday to pick-up the OBV after it's 20hr service. Basically, they were almostring out of Moomba's (from what I could tell) with a lot more Supra's parked. Maybe people have figured out, Moomba's are a damn good boat for the money.