Mastercraft to unvail new boat

Wow - I like it. A bit radical in design but it's cool to see something cutting edge every once in a while... I too wonder about the pounding seas on the blunt nose.
 
I've had a couple of Mastercraft project boats and have to wonder if this is going to be another case of us customers having to teach a small boat maker how to build big boats as we find the problems and try to fix them.

Anyone remember the PVC filled limber holes and unsealed plywood seat bases in the mid-80's Sea Rays as they used small boat construction techniques on larger boats?
 
I think getting outside of your core brand is dangerous here. There are so many express makers in the market. It would be like Sea Ray making houseboats or serious competition ski boats.
 
skolbe said:
I think getting outside of your core brand is dangerous here. There are so many express makers in the market. It would be like Sea Ray making houseboats or serious competition ski boats.
Click to expand...

true - especially in this market / economy.

Looks like an interesting design though. I wonder how the bow would handle big seas, or even how smooth over chop it would be. Looks like they really maximise the space in a 30 foot boat by having it so wide all the way to the front though. Kind of like what Boating Mag's 2008 boat of the year did.
 
I like it - I really like the hardtop with the tinted windows. I wonder if it's darker than a moonroof though - I normally have to keep the shade closed in my truck since the sun still is too bright most days. Definitely an interesting bow design - gives a wide step with the teak there. It doesn't appear you'd be able to reach the anchor though with it so low.
 
It could be that the marketing and management at Mastercraft decided to try to mine some of Sea Ray's talent and skill. They are located in Vonore TN, right down the road from one of Sea Ray's most skilled facilities.
 
Mastercraft are lakes boats primarily. I can see other lake boater jumping on this new express cruiser. The lake market is an entirely different animal than the coastal market.
 
Maybe they can borrow from Pontiac's 'Wide Track' - maybe change it to 'Wide Berth'.
 
My comments are not about the boat design. But more people looking for competition ski boats - are not express customers. I am sure they will sell some boats, but you may end up diluting the ski-boat loyalist - since it may not be seen as a pure ski boat mfg by the customer.
 
It's beautiful. Definately a niche market boat, not sure what niche though. No way there was Sea Ray help in any way with this boat.
 
Not just flat bottom ski boats any longer, Mastercraft also has a line of what they are calling saltwater boats. Dismiss them if you want, but they do have the right idea in that they are v-drive boats (no outdrives!) with a deep V entry.

But, I think they have the same problem selling them that Sea Ray did with the Laguna line (dealers are not fishboat dealers) and the Ski-Ray line (ski boat buyers don't go to Sea Ray dealers). Folks just don't go to Mastercraft dealers looking for a coastal cruiser even if they do have some very desirable features.
 
I don't like pickle fork designs. Chapparal just introduced a pickle fork express cruiser as well. It just serves no purpose as far as I am concerned (regardless of what they say it does by expanding the bow interior space). It's just another way to date a boat with a design that may look OK (to some people today) but in ten years will probably look totally dated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,248
Messages
1,429,275
Members
61,128
Latest member
greenworld
Back
Top