New Bu Brand???

[mtnsmith]

You-all seen the new brand of wakeboat that Malibu is going to build, Axis Wake Research. Kind of neat looking, I wonder what the production models will actually look like, all that is out there for now is CAD drawings.

http://www.boattest.com/Resources/vi...px?NewsID=3018

[chpthril]

Great move on Malibu's part and perfect timing . Just what we need, another entry-lever priced boat aimed at the avg working folks who are flat broke, loosing jobs left and right, and falling further behind on the necessities.

[mtnsmith]

I don't quite get them, with the ride series and all that already makes for a pretty nice entry level boat. Unless they plan to drop anything under $80k to force you to look at an axis.

[lightning59]

Let's define entry-level for any manufacturer..... that means USED in my book.....

[chpthril]

Let's define entry-level for any manufacturer..... that means USED in my book.....

Chevy Calalier would be an Entry-level sedan. Small, basic, inexpensive, gets the job done.

Moomba Outback V, Bu V-Ride, these are entry-level boats for buyers who can afford a new I/O, but cant drop a nut on blinged out, full on tow boat.

There's a butt for every seat, as a manufacturer/dealer, you need to have those seats, if not, someone else will.

[Jason B]

The decision to create a new line of boats was not made overnight. I'm sure it's been in the pipeline for a couple years at least--when the economy was much better. Maybe at this point they are fiscally committed to the brand launch--good or bad economy.

[jwanck11]

Great move on Malibu's part and perfect timing . Just what we need, another entry-lever priced boat aimed at the avg working folks who are flat broke, loosing jobs left and right, and falling further behind on the necessities.

It will be interesting to see if there is any market for this at all especially given the "premium" tow boats are dropping in price like a stone. The downturn is not over yet... not even close.

[MoneyPity]

Is this Malibu's way to compete with a price point lower than Moomba and other mid to entry level tow boats?

It is definitely not the optimum time to launch a new brand/ models of boats with the bottom falling out of new boat pricing. It is good market for buyers who do not turn over boats quickly but instead keep them for years.

A well built low frills tow boat could do well in the market. Will it try playing the multi-sport role or pick a role like wakeboarding/surf vs. skiing ? This may ope the market to more people who want to get out of I/O's into an inboard with out breaking the bank or college funds. If the price, performance and key features are there it may bring in people who have sat on the fringe of the I/O vs inboard market for years like I did. Low cost bling will help but again cost I would think is the objective to keep the prices as low as possible in this market where the bottom has fallen out of new boat pricing.

IMO it will need reasonable base options, a lower cost marinized Vortex block, reasonable fit and finish and some bling. If it be built for a low cost with better fit and finish than competition who knows.

To keep manufacturing costs down limit the color and interior choices so tooling is not repetitive and costly.

Since boat show season is around 45-60 days away or so I wonder if one will be available for viewing. I plan on looking at Inboards again this year but at a larger show than the Milwaukee show. We will hit the Chicago Show which is very large. Only concern is Tige most likely won't be there which is a mistake with the limited or non-existent market they have in Chicago.

I will bring a camera so I can meet publishing expectations.

[illiniboarder88]

I actually like this move. My guess is they are probably trying to structure their company like Skier's Choice has. It's not only the avg. worker who is feeling a pinch in the wallet. A number of higher paid people are losing jobs, and even those maintaining their high salaries have seen their life savings, retirement accounts, and home values drop.

[G-MONEY]

So what happens when they make a boat that puts down a sick wake for cheap and everyone is fighting to get one and no one wants to spend the coin on a new BU?

[NICKYPOO]

Day late, dollar short IMO. Beyond that, DAMN that thing is ugly.

[MoneyPity]

So what happens when they make a boat that puts down a sick wake for cheap and everyone is fighting to get one and no one wants to spend the coin on a new BU?

I would venture to say that it may be a good problem for Malibu to have based on how they structured the new and old companies and the margins on new verses Malibu boats it might be a good problem to have.

[chpthril]

a lower cost marinized Vortex block

Doesnt exist. Even when Ford was still building blocks, a 302V/P was more then a 5.0 Merc. # of units sold have a huge impact on cost of production

Since boat show season is around 45-60 days away or so I wonder if one will be available for viewing. I plan on looking at Inboards again this year but at a larger show than the Milwaukee show. We will hit the Chicago Show which is very large. Only concern is Tige most likely won't be there which is a mistake with the limited or non-existent market they have in Chicago

Is there a Tige dealer in the Windy City area now, last I heard, the closest one was a ways out of that market? I've heard that this show is one of the costliest for booth space ans well as set/tear down due to union help......you cant poop with out a union bathroom attendant doing it for you. If the market is limited or non-existent, then why bother? Shoes are long and costly, I know what my dealer spends for the week long show here in Feb. It's a big job to due a good, it's a huge undertaking to do a GREAT show. There's about 2 weeks, prep, another week setting up, manning the booth for a week of 12 hr days, then they expect you to be gone in 1 day after the show closes. It's a hellof a project, and we are only 20 mins from the show hall, cant imagine being 1-3 hours drive for a dealer. IMO, a dealer would be better off spending a fraction of the cost doing local stuff to draw in customers.

Unfortunately, the very people that these boats are targeting, have lost actual cash due to the economy (loss of job/hours/sales, increased living expense, adjusted mortgage, etc) and are tightening up the belt to in order to get by and not spending money on luxury type items. Now, some people that may have been looking at the $70k range boats last year, may be taking a real close look at these price point boats.

[Domsz06]

that boat is ugly and now is not the time to bring in a new line. everyone is saying my thoughts already so no need to preach more.

[zad0030]

First Model will be a Pickel fork.

Great move on Malibu's Part. If I remember correctly they should be priced in the $30ks.

The idea is a company similiar to Toyota-Lexus, Or Honda-Acura.
Unlike Skier's Choice.