Correct Craft Pulling Ski Nautique Promo Program? (False Rumor)

303Skier · May 5, 2016

I've heard some rumors that Correct Craft is splitting up the ski and wake board boat divisions? I also heard this is the last year of the promo program and that Correct Craft hasn't made a profit on the 200/ski boat in years.

Is this true?

What does this mean for the sport and tournaments?

oldjeep · May 5, 2016

Why would they split up the divisions, so that they have a low volume marginally profitable division? Hard to believe you would do that and why would anyone want to run it? Pretty hard to believe they are not making money on them even if 50% of the boats sold are at a discounted (still huge) price.

Nando · May 5, 2016

To combine 200 and Carbon Pro production in a ski boat-only division with combined R & D? Might make sense... Might not make any money, though, then what?

303Skier · May 5, 2016

@Nando I have a feeling Nautique is reconsidering the ski boat market and I hope that doesn't mean the demise of the beloved Ski Nautique.

Horton · May 5, 2016

OK STOP

These are kind of radical rumors. I will get some kind of comment from Correct Craft. I am temporarily locking this thread.

303Skier · May 5, 2016

@Horton

Thanks!

Horton · May 5, 2016

I just talked to a Nautique team member. They had no idea what where this rumor started. I am waiting for a call back from someone at CC HQ to confirm or deny.

Horton · May 5, 2016

I just got off the phone with Scott Livingston the National Promotional Team Coordinator

He told me that there is NO change on the 3 event side. There is no change in commitment to water skiing and the 200.

There is some sort of change on the wakeboard side but this is BallOfSpray so I do not care.

303Skier · May 5, 2016

@Horton Thanks for clearing the air, I can't say where I heard it but it was good source but seems to be false. Did Scott have anything to say about 2017, 2018?

Sorry if I alarmed anyone :)

Horton · May 5, 2016

@303Skier the message I got from Scott is that they are committed for the foreseeable future. There's always crazy rumors and people misconstruing situations. It happens. There is actually some kind of divergence between the skiing and wakeboarding programs but their commitment to water skiing is unwavering

303Skier · May 5, 2016

@Horton I hope you didn't mind me posting this but I was very surprised to hear this, especially from someone connected and working with Nautique. But sounds the information was wrong and probably (like you said) misconstrued. Glad to put this one to bed!

rodltg2 · May 5, 2016

It doesn't make sense to cut the promo program. Unless they cut the 200 out entirely. It pretty much guarantees boat sales and people to promote it !

Jody_Seal · May 5, 2016

@Horton How come the original poster did not get a panda???

Horton · May 5, 2016

@Jody_Seal meh he was just repeating something he heard.

swc5150 · May 5, 2016

Just a comment on profitability... I don't 100% know how CC's program works, but when I worked with MC, the promo guys essentially paid dealer cost, so whether a boat was sold to our dealership or a promo member was irrelevant when it came to profit per unit for the factory.

gregy · May 5, 2016

Way back when I was in a promo program the local dealer hated it. I didn't get much cooperation from them. It wasn't nautique.

Horton · May 5, 2016

The crazy rumor that I heard was that they were going to make a special edition @Jody_Seal boat with wheelchair ramp, gigantic zero off display with magnifier and a special container just for Geritol

Jody_Seal · May 5, 2016

swc5150 · May 5, 2016

@gregy Our dealership owner wasn't happy about the promo guy we had either, as it meant we potentially lost out on selling a used or dealer demo unit from our inventory later. BUT, it was only one boat a year, so it didn't break the P&L.

Drago · May 6, 2016

Do the dealers not have a First Right of Refusal to buy back?

gregy · May 6, 2016

@drago Not sure how it works now. Back then I don't remember anything like that. I would ask them to sell it for me but they wouldn't as long as there was inventory in their lot.

LLUSA · May 6, 2016

Contrary to what you might think it appears Nautique has stepped up their support for 3 event skiing, production numbers are in the mid 400's as opposed to MC around 200 last year to mainly individuals. I have seen great support out of SN and MA and none out of MC. If I had to guess, and from what I'm hearing I would bet MC will be out of the tournament business in the next two years, no promo program to speak of, week long production shut down at the plant this time of year, it would have been nice to have had those promo orders, and it will be SN and Malibu's market with some going to Centurion.

skierjp · May 6, 2016

I work for Scott. I'm the Regional Promo Team Coordinator for the Southern and Eastern Region and I can assure you these rumors are false.

Horton · May 6, 2016

Makes me so happy when this site is the source of good information.

KRoundy · May 6, 2016

Is there any data publicly available about how many ski boats are sold each year - and how many wakeboard machines?

Gloersen · May 6, 2016

a bit off thread but further evidence of Correct Craft's; commitment to the water sports industry in general.

CORRECT CRAFT TO REPRESENT MARINE INDUSTRY AT NATIONAL PARTY CONVENTIONS

ORLANDO, FL (May 6, 2016) – Today Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin announced that Correct Craft will be partnering with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to represent both the marine industry and Correct Craft at this summer’s Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

During the conventions, the Correct Craft team will share both the significant impact of the marine industry on the U.S. economy and the unique Correct Craft story. At both conventions the Correct Craft team will have at least one boat on display in-water for convention attendees and press to enjoy.

Yeargin stated, “We look forward to working with the NMMA during both party conventions to share our Correct Craft story and educate attendees on the – often overlooked – impact of the marine industry on the U.S. economy.” “We believe that the numerous Governors, Legislators, elected officials, dignitaries, and press will enjoy learning about both our industry and Correct Craft. We know they will enjoy the boats!” added Yeargin.

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 91 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. The Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, and Yar-Craft boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, and Aktion Parks. For more information please visit Correct Craft

Gloersen · May 6, 2016

CORRECT CRAFT TO REPRESENT MARINE INDUSTRY AT NATIONAL PARTY CONVENTIONS

ORLANDO, FL (May 6, 2016) – Today Correct Craft CEO Bill Yeargin announced that Correct Craft will be partnering with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) to represent both the marine industry and Correct Craft at this summer’s Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

During the conventions, the Correct Craft team will share both the significant impact of the marine industry on the U.S. economy and the unique Correct Craft story. At both conventions the Correct Craft team will have at least one boat on display in-water for convention attendees and press to enjoy.

Yeargin stated, “We look forward to working with the NMMA during both party conventions to share our Correct Craft story and educate attendees on the – often overlooked – impact of the marine industry on the U.S. economy.” “We believe that the numerous Governors, Legislators, elected officials, dignitaries, and press will enjoy learning about both our industry and Correct Craft. We know they will enjoy the boats!” added Yeargin.

About Correct Craft: Celebrating 91 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a Florida-based company with global operations. The Correct Craft family includes Nautique, Centurion, Supreme, Bass Cat, and Yar-Craft boat companies, Pleasurecraft Marine Engine Group, and Aktion Parks.

swc5150 · May 6, 2016

Did I read that right that production numbers for the 200 are 400? That's quite a bump from late model 196 numbers.

Lars · May 6, 2016

@LLUSA you have a source on those numbers? Never heard any numbers on the prostar production numbers before.

Jody_Seal · May 7, 2016

Hard numbers from AWSA. Ski Nautique in the 2015 season pulled nearly 70% of all tournaments sanctioned.

Many times providing boats to tournament's when the other company's would not.

My hat's off to all the Promo Owners (of any manufacturer) who provide their boats to these tournaments. with out them at this point some tournaments might not exist.

Not Many MasterCrafts left here in the southern region. Mostly 200's and Malibu's. We see more Centurion's then MasterCraft. It is only a sign of the times.

And yes Nautique is on track to build over 400 of the 200's. Mostly due to the International contracts and exposure they have built up Nationally and world wide.

@Horton I prefer Boost over Geritol.

You can forward that Ex-lax order to that old dude in Coco Beach that now ski's jr girls speed! Get him an order of Depends also.

lpskier · May 7, 2016

If MC doesn't have a promo program, it's really not fair for them to be in the draw at Nationals.

Horton · May 7, 2016

Wait stop! @lpskier

MC no longer has a promo program or people have been saying that?

rodltg2 · May 7, 2016

Interesting , now that you mention it. I haven't seen any 2016 promos advertised on S I A

kfennell · May 7, 2016

@Horton as far as I know when I asked for a promo boat I was told that all they will do is 10% over invoice, no requirements to bring it to a tournament etc. I know of at least one person who claims to have a "promo" master craft as he has been in the system a long time, but I don't know him or the whole story. It would be interesting if you cleared the air here about them as well? Two new MC's on my lake now but they were both the ski fly boats (with the engines changed).

In summary (I think) no one has a MC promo boat at SMRR (two ambassador boats though) and I couldn't get one when I asked and had cash, but maybe thats just me not being known enough.

MISkier · May 7, 2016

There are MasterCraft promo boats in Michigan still. I personally know promo owners with 2016 boats. If it is a regional thing affecting the promo program, I have not heard anything about it.

lpskier · May 7, 2016

@Horton There are no MC promos in NY, I can only think of one in New England. The only tournaments I go to that are regularly pulled by MC are at Trophy or Florida. I have no inside info about the MC promo program.

skierjp · May 8, 2016

Nautique is actually looking for a few new Promo Team Members in the Eastern Region. Contact me if interested!

Gashley · May 8, 2016

I guess it depends on where you live. I live 14 miles from MC factory and 19 miles from MA. There are 2 active MC promo guys within 20 miles of me with new boats they picked up at the end of last year. 1 has already pulled a collegiate tournament and has several more tournaments on the schedule for this year. It is an expensive endeavor to be a promo guy for any manufacturer and even though they are dedicated to the sport I am not sure they would do it if they were not getting credit. Most of the tournaments I go to are not represented by Nautique or Centurion. Since I live so close to the factories and ski at the old MC factory lake maybe I live in a bubble.