February 17, 2006

Zane Schwenk and My Dad Discuss the MasterCraft CSX 220

I have to start by saying this: Getting to introduce my Dad and Brother to one of my longtime wakeboarding heroes, Zane Schwenk, goes down as being one of the coolest things I've done in a really long time.

When I broke my leg wakeboarding a few years ago, I got in contact with Zane and asked if I could talk to him about his rehab process. Zane suffered the exact same injury and still remains one of wakeboarding's top athletes. He unexpectedly called me at home shortly after my injury and gave me one of the best pep talks I have ever received. So I had always wanted to thank him in person and today I got the chance. He was at the Miami Boat Show discussing the MasterCraft CSX 220. He also got to experience the king of interviewers: my Dad, who is a classically trained and degree-carrying Naval Architect. It turns out Zane and my Dad hit it off, which was very entertaining.

Considering the fact that MasterCraft sees saltwater & bay boating to be a big part of their future, the CSX 220 actually does make good sense for them. They want this boat to appeal to people who need a saltwater boat that can do more than...well.... be a saltwater boat. And they want it to appeal to the wakeboard enthusiast that needs options.

So, you can fish on it. And dive off it. And ride behind it. And they've got Zane Schwenk promoting it... is this starting to make sense? The boat they are showing at this event is not even the final version - it is a prototype. Essentially is it an X-Star from the rubrail down, with an alternate stern. I told them it needs to have more freeboard if they expect people to believe that it is an ocean boat. They said they understand but that it wasn't meant to provide passage across the Atlantic. One of the spokespersons said it was going to be quite different when it is actually produced, and that this was simply a concept boat but, but that it will be built. People won't be going to Bermuda in just about any 22 footer, they said, and intend for this to be a lake boat, bay boat, and points in between. I believe this will be a successful venture for them, despite the fact that many MasterCraft and wake boat fans in general, will see this and dismiss it without hearing about their reasoning, or have no concept of expanding markets.

It was apparent in looking at the types of accessories they allotted for on this concept, that it isn't primarily for fishing. A wakeboard boat company's first foray into the center console market is admittedly going to evoke some unavoidable fishing comments, but those feelings need to be metered with an open mind and an understanding of where MasterCraft sees itself going. MasterCraft is most definitely spreading out to the ocean, but putting Zane on the project is going to help them position the CSX 220 as a wakeboarding boat first. What it is secondarily is up to you.

And my wife, reportedly, loves it...

(this entire post was done in the back of a Chevy Tahoe in thick Miami rush hour traffic on a Windows Mobile device so I apologize if there are spelling and formatting errors. I did my motion-sick best!

Posted by erik