Tweet
It is hard to compare prices on old vs new on anything, particularly with cars or boats. That old Camero didn't have the safety equipment, like air bags, side impact protection, crumple zones, etc. and the engines were nothing like you get today- EFI, low emissions, computer controls, adjustments and safeties. The same comparisons can be made to the boats- engine improvements, better materials such as gel coat and vinyl, Zero Off vs PP, better ballast systems, better stereo systems, etc. You can debate all day about if all of these are improvements, steps forward or backwards, or even if you reallly want them but they cost more. And competition really forces manufacturers to add them.
I had an I/O for 18 years and in 2001 the "ski boats" caught my eye and I checked them out. I immediately fell in love with the 210 but money caused me to buy another brand DD model. I refuesed to finance any of the purchase. In 2004 I was ready for a V-drive and was familiar with all of them as I had gone to the boat show every year and had taken a few demo rides. The 210 was still my favorite, but the wife wouldn't even get in one as she felt it was too small and shallow. I had an excellent relationship with the dealer from my last boat, so I bought their 22' model. It was a good boat and everyone loved it. But I kept drooling over the 210 and had also kept on a first name basis friendship with the Nautique dealer. When the '07 210 came out I didn't like the rear seating arrangment, but was excited that it felt bigger and deeper. In '08 the seating got fixed, but I wasn't ready to buy. So this year was the time to buy and there were a lot of choices that got serious consideration. The poor economy created a buyers market, making it an even harder decision. This time I bought with my mind and my heart and got a new 210. Special ordered as I have all my boats, and I couldn't be happier.
I think that the old style 210 is and will always be the best looking boat ever made. For serious wakeboarders it is the perfect boat. If you are taking a few more people, small kids or boat in bigger lakes with rougher water, the new 210 has advantages. What I like is that it still handles like a sports car, has great power and throttle response, but has the finish, detail, and design that I have admired about Nautique for years.
My point in all this rambling? Don't try to do the cheap price point boat like others have done. It just cheapens your reputation, and probably doesn't add that many buyers as many will just move from buying a different Nautique instead of from other brands. And will they then be disappointed that it isn't the same as their other Nautuque. But if there is a market for it (like it seems there is), reintroduce the old 210 hull in a modern version. Keep it nice but with an existing hull there is no R&D to recover and maybe there are ways to offer it cheaper. It is interesting that even as expensive as they have gotten, how many are sold that are not Team Editions? Very, very few.
And I will post pics of the new one soon.
I had an I/O for 18 years and in 2001 the "ski boats" caught my eye and I checked them out. I immediately fell in love with the 210 but money caused me to buy another brand DD model. I refuesed to finance any of the purchase. In 2004 I was ready for a V-drive and was familiar with all of them as I had gone to the boat show every year and had taken a few demo rides. The 210 was still my favorite, but the wife wouldn't even get in one as she felt it was too small and shallow. I had an excellent relationship with the dealer from my last boat, so I bought their 22' model. It was a good boat and everyone loved it. But I kept drooling over the 210 and had also kept on a first name basis friendship with the Nautique dealer. When the '07 210 came out I didn't like the rear seating arrangment, but was excited that it felt bigger and deeper. In '08 the seating got fixed, but I wasn't ready to buy. So this year was the time to buy and there were a lot of choices that got serious consideration. The poor economy created a buyers market, making it an even harder decision. This time I bought with my mind and my heart and got a new 210. Special ordered as I have all my boats, and I couldn't be happier.
I think that the old style 210 is and will always be the best looking boat ever made. For serious wakeboarders it is the perfect boat. If you are taking a few more people, small kids or boat in bigger lakes with rougher water, the new 210 has advantages. What I like is that it still handles like a sports car, has great power and throttle response, but has the finish, detail, and design that I have admired about Nautique for years.
My point in all this rambling? Don't try to do the cheap price point boat like others have done. It just cheapens your reputation, and probably doesn't add that many buyers as many will just move from buying a different Nautique instead of from other brands. And will they then be disappointed that it isn't the same as their other Nautuque. But if there is a market for it (like it seems there is), reintroduce the old 210 hull in a modern version. Keep it nice but with an existing hull there is no R&D to recover and maybe there are ways to offer it cheaper. It is interesting that even as expensive as they have gotten, how many are sold that are not Team Editions? Very, very few.
And I will post pics of the new one soon.
Comment