New French Ski Boat

[Dacon62]

https://www.facebook.com/MethodWakeboards/videos/397300001187600/

 

Looks interesting?

[thager]

Bet it runs away from the competition. Won't hold a good line.

[ALPJr]

Good ad.

[ReallyGottaSki]

Cool

 

Why are it's lines and attitude so familiar?

Dunphy x55?

[BrennanKMN]

https://www.method-boats.com/

 

Interesting concept. Looks like it is the same deck and hull, but they move the engine to a DD or a VD position. When it is in the DD configuration they just convert the VD engine compartment into storage. When in the VD configuration they just remove the doghouse.

[mmskiboat]

The boat configurator is really nice but the last step does not load for me. I also like the looks of the boat but have no idea of pricing or performance.

[Shakeski]

Interesting - I think it is cool there is a new 3 event boat company trying to come in!

[disland]

Can I get a promo boat for my next tournament

[skimtb]

Looks heavy but just under 3000 lbs.

that’s a long video to only really show one wake crossing close up on the ski.

They kept cutting away from it and or only showing turns?

I like the higher bow that is less likely to dip.

[BraceMaker]

Volvo engines?

[ToddF]

@skimtb I noticed the lack of wake crossing video too almost like done on purpose

you would think if it was good you would want to highlight it.

[Jody_Seal]

A player? Doubtful but kinda cool looking.

Don't like the one part fits all deck idea.

Yet they maybe on to something. Probably won't see them in the US unless they are greatest thing since sliced wonder bread and can be a budget level tug.

[WBLskier]

Looks like a ton of wasted interior space.

[Clydesdale]

Just my opinion-Beauty may be only skin deep but ugly goes clear to the stringers! Having said that.... if it tracks well, has soft wakes, and I can get one for under $40k i’d buy one tomorrow.....

[BraceMaker]

@WBLskier might not matter to the right buyer. I for instance cannot stand rear seat bases. But also dislike sun decks. Make the whole rear a textured swim platform.

[andjules]

I think the front half of the boat is gorgeous! Nice design nods to classic 1940s-50s runabouts. That said, not sure how I feel about the rear cockpit layout.

Great to see the effort.

[mmskiboat]

@BraceMaker they do have a Ski Club option where the whole back of the boat is flat and covered in seadeck.

 

[ReallyGottaSki]

Yes, appears volvo marinization but LS based 5.3 GM

[Cnewbert]

Looks aren't everything, and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That being understood, I find it just plain ugly and would never buy one at any price. But that's just me.

[JaredSmith]

The only way it will sell in the US is if it has soft wakes, tracks well, and is priced $10K+ less then the big three.

[Horton]

@Clydesdale

 

 

[swc5150]

It would have to be at least $10k cheaper than a late model used big 3 to have a prayer. The Carbon Pro is no longer with us, and that boat was actually badass looking and skied great. This thing will never see US shores.

[Bill22]

@swc5150 exactly.

[Clydesdale]

@Horton I’ve done some digging and still not sure if a panda is good or bad. Based on the seniority/level of those with triple pandas I’m thinking good? So do I have a single panda? and if so do I need 2 more...or do I need to be 3 times more obnoxious in a single post? ?

[RAWSki]

Hey @Clydesdale how about just go for a panda full of hot air?

 

[LoopSki]

i really doubt the US market is in their business plan. Why would it be, enough swinging dix fighting for the wakeboard , waterski boat business here!

[rico]

I think it males sense for Europe where US boats are very expensive.

I don’t think this will ever compete with the big 3 but seems like a good alternative for the open water and big lakes

[DanE]

The dd looks more like a strictly 3 event club boat with room for a driver + one observer.

[Stefan]

New ski boats from US has an extra "Trump" tax of 25% into EU at the moment. That means that if this is a good boat at a resonable price it will be very interesting for us Europeans. I have configured a ski model and asked for a quote. Link for the configurator below;

https://config.method-boats.com/

[Clydesdale]

Good point @Stefan . Hadn’t really thought that through, but I’m guessing taxes and shipping probably leads to an enormous price difference between ski boats And EU-produced pleasure craft. Is this the case? And if so, I bet there are lots of inboard/outboard buyers that would prefer a ski (or wakeboard) boat but can’t justify the big price diff. Surprises me one of the big 3 haven’t started manufacturing or at least done a collaboration for manufacturing in Europe. I’m sure the cost spreadsheet for that investment is pretty staggering, but if they really want to own the global market long term then time to “nut up, or shut up”.....

[DanE]

Yea that tax is bringing it yo the EU.

Put another 25% Swedish sales tax on top then it's close to 150k USD out the door for a 2020 SN.

[FatPierre]

With the rising cost of good ski boats I'm starting to think that there's a market for cheaper boats that are built solely for the purpose of pulling a water skier. In Europe, most ski clubs would be interested.

 

Back in the 70s and 80s Club Med used to operate a fleet of purpose built outboards for water ski. They weren't fancy but they were practical and I bet they were cheap.

 

For a club all you really need is 2 rear facing seats (for judges), zero off, a great engine, good tracking and wake. There's no need for shiny paint, leather seats, etc.

 

I'm convinced that if such a boat existed it would sell well over here.

 

 

 

 

[ReallyGottaSki]

I hope they do well with their product

 

Heh, global ski boat domination is like saying jumbo shrimp.

 

 

[Stefan]

I will post rough price on the Frenchie when I have received a quote. I know one Swedish club that bought a new Malibu from the Australia factory to avoid the 25% "Trump" tax supposed to be good for American workers (not...)

 

[Luzz]

I knew this was going to happen after the Trump tax on US boats, and frankly I am super happy that a European company is making a ski boat. In our infinitesimally small market, a proof that these tax wars are total nonsense.

 

I hope they keep a reasonable price and kill it! If retail on ski boats keeps rising, it will make skiing even less accessible than it already is

[APB]

It’s no different in canada. Boats are ridiculous... there is def room for a 50k ski boat that has tournament specs. No team, no heavy advertising budget. The big 3 obviously have no interest in that biz. Hopefully someone else has the vision

[Clydesdale]

@DanE $150k is incredible. Looks like someone disagrees with my comment about EU manufacturing to support more reasonable prices in Europe. I certainly might be wrong and would be interested to hear their opinion....

[Horton]

@APB We had a cheap ski boat. It was the Centurion and it failed because they did not sell enough of them. If you want at sub 50K boat you need to buy used.

 

I just posted in another thread that there are 2019 ProStars promo boats out. These are going to be the best priced almost new boats on the market. Next year's promo are going to cost a bit more because these are the last ones with the 5.7.

[Clydesdale]

did the carbon pro fail, or was it dropped for strategic product portfolio reasons when centurion was purchased by correct craft? Seemed like a great boat. Never drove one, but they looked sharp and (in my novice opinion) skied well....

[dvskier]

An excellent boat. Many griped about the lack of an open bow. I doubt any of the big 3 ever take the econo route again. Skiers are so set in their ways.

[Brady]

Probably like dating a really fat lady or riding a moped. Lots of fun until your friends see you. With that said, why the hell would anyone own anything other than a ProStar????? Once you have the best, everything else is second rate... Yeah, you @A_B !!!

 

 

[Horton]

The CarbonPro did not sell well largely because the resale was terrible. There was an issue with an update to the boat and then it was just not worth the trouble for Centurion to restart it.

[Clydesdale]

@Brady I tried to give you an “awesome” and a “disagree” on that last one but I had to pick only one!

[swc5150]

Nautique has an "econo" ski boat in their lineup right now with the N200.

[Horton]

@swc5150 Sarcasm? Or do I owe you a Panda?

[Brady]

@Clydesdale either works great for me. The fortunate thing in Utah is that like boats, I can have a variety and multiple wives in my garage. I will still stick with my ProStar however. Are you sure Nautique and this new boat company aren't the same company?

[Clydesdale]

@Brady I envy the multiple boats. Multiple wives not so much. Although if you can keep them in the garage maybe OK. (JOKING before everyone jumps on me!) Maybe they are the same company. If the strategy is to diversify from making beautiful boats then they really nailed it. :D

[Wish]

? what about the qualification process to pull tournaments and its affect on any newcomer. Let's say another budget boat did try to capture the $50k price point but just wanted to be the "practice/club boat" that so many feel there is a market for. Would you in these clubs and else where really buy a boat that's not pulling tournaments? I'll bet not. As long as the big 3 have a monopoly on tournament rides (they pay to play), there will be no club budget minded boat. Carbon pro gave it a shot. The 200 is about the least expensive boat this industry see without change. I half blame the process for qualifying boats for tournament use.

[Horton]

@Brady

 

[BraceMaker]

Purpose built ski boat... Dyna-ski.

 

If you were to start today with the concept of waterskiing on private lakes as a sport and no history of the evolution of current tournament boats I think what you'd find would be the evolution of purpose built hulls that were run for thousands of hours and repowered as needed. For how boats are used the sport now relies on brand new high $ promo boats that have to be hauled to events then cleaned polished and cared for. Carefully refueled to not spill fuel on the hulls, where they avoid loading people into/out of the boat and try to keep it immaculate.