The Wakeboard Report: New Models & Rumors Archives

May 20, 2008

Semi-Exclusive Photos of the Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 210 Icon Edition

Please enjoy these moderately exclusive photos of the Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 210 Icon Edition, Scott Byerly's new pro model courtesy of Correct Craft's marketing department. We were sent these last week and thought they were exclusive, promptly added our watermark, then found them elsewhere. No worries! Thank you to Correct Craft all the same.

Dash Pod

Custom Upholstery

Spinner Racks
correct_craft_scott_byerly_icon_edition_spinner_racks.jpg

Hydrogate

Posted by erik at 06:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 13, 2008

Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 210 Icon Edition: Scott Byerly Pro Model

The image to your right is of a Super Air Nautique 210, branded as an Icon Edition, honoring Mr. Scott Byerly. When I was at Correct Craft headquarters last month for a very behind the scenes tour and series of interviews (details to come, and on many fronts regarding my trip, I can not yet speak), I did not see this boat did nor did the issue of pro models come up.

Here's another instance where I, as a member of the emerging enthusiast press in wakeboarding, have to be careful with the hyperbole and just report the facts though I do reserve the right to gush over a few things. If you're familiar with this site you know we tend to gush a little about Liquid Force, Helium Wake products, big wakeboard boats and Correct Craft in general. So before we get into anything overtly subjective let's start with what Correct Craft has to say on the matter. From the official press release I received today:

Byerly's custom-designed Super Air Nautique 210 - Icon Edition is decked out with a variety of features that can only be found on this particular boat. Byerly's very own signature Byerly logo is located throughout this 210 including the teak platform and the windshield header. It also sports detailed pieces in metallic fury red and jet black along with the unique Byerly logo embroidered on the upholstery. This 210 even includes LED cup holders and LED grab rails that illuminate fury red. Additionally, Byerly's personal signature is inlaid on the back of his 210 - Icon Edition in fury red which truly places this boat in an exclusive class all its own.

True. And now off comes the "press" hat and on comes the "enthusiast" hat.

Yes. From my perspective Correct Craft has parked it yet again ('parked it' is the newfangled way of saying knocked it out of the park) with this boat and the concept of doing a pro model for such a loyal and deserving athlete. Yes to the powder coated tower. Yes to the skull graphic. Yes to the black deck (good God is that a black deck... does that mean...) Yes to the font used for the Byerly text. Yes to how understated the whole composition is while still making a huge statement. That sounds familiar doesn't it? Good because this is exactly the same reputation that Scott Byerly himself has earned and his likeness is quite well represented with the Icon Edition - Correct Craft has done a superb job of capturing the understated domination for which Byerly is known. I don't know how many of these Correct Craft is making but if you're in the market for a 210 and you don't seriously consider this thing, you're a madman or madwoman.

A big congratulations to Scott Byerly for this much-deserved nod from his long-time sponsor Correct Craft. The press release mentions that this may not be the last Icon Edition we'll see, but we're glad this is the first.

Exclusive photos inbound thanks to our friends at Correct Craft. Please stay tuned.

Posted by erik at 12:54 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 06, 2007

Larger MasterCraft CSX Confirmed - The MasterCraft CSX 265

Rumors have circulated, starting from here and elsewhere, that a larger MasterCraft CSX model was in development. It seems that these rumors have been confirmed. While still not in production officially yet, there are several that have already been built. Most importantly there are photos of the boat, and we've got them.

We're not sure when the cat was officially let out of the bag on this, or if MasterCraft by allowing photos to be leaked out is considering this a "soft launch" (it is not yet listed or featured on their Web site). We not only expected a larger version of the CSX, we were nearly positive it was going to happen the moment we saw the MasterCraft CSX 220. It looks like we're actually late to the game on this, as the datestamp on these photos indicates they were shot quite awhile ago. Still it is the first we've seen of the boat, and given our prior enthusiasm for the CSX line, we're delivering what we know about the boat at this time, as well as some images.

We're hoping for comments from MasterCraft's Zane Schwenk, if he can provide additional information. If not, since it is not a production model yet, additional details may not be ready for prime time (which we fully understand). In his stead, here is what we do know.

-It has twin engines (direct drive we believe)

-It is/will be a MasterCraft Saltwater Series branded boat

-It is not in production officially yet

-Like the 220, it will be offered with a standard tower or center console style t-top

-It is huge, with very high freeboard, so this may not be the "bay boat" that the MasterCraft CSX 220 is. It would appear that this larger model could handle some real Oceanic action.

We speculated on this twice, and are glad to see it is coming together.

Images found on/courtesy of Bennet's Water Ski and Wakeboard School's Web site.

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July 17, 2007

Photos of the New Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 230

Readers! Fans! Correct Craft searchers inbound from Google - below are the first photos to surface of the Super Air Nautique 230. Shown below, this first set of photos of the Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 230 depicts the boat outfitted in the new graphic we previously posted about and it is garnished with a somewhat unfortunately chosen Titan tower (we can fix that in PhotoShop). In addition to gushing about the 236 in general, we've also taken the opportunity to also gush about the tower which was designed perfectly to accentuate its lines. We can only expect that the next few photos we see of the 230 will display the boat how it was meant to be seen - with the tower found on the 236.

More to come, for sure. Clarification at the very least. But this is causing a stir so I wanted to put these photos in front of all of you. Can't wait to see the 230 with the 236 tower - and as soon as we get those photos, you'll get them too. My take on it, in case you were wondering, is that I smell another hit for Correct Craft with the Super Air Nautique 230.

Click to enlarge this first photo

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July 13, 2007

Larger MasterCraft CSX Model Almost Certian for 2008

Once again filed under the rumor category we're reporting on new information that has surfaced which indicates that a 24 to 28 foot CSX is ready to be announced by MasterCraft. Several weeks ago we reported on a rumor that had surfaced and we've received new information that indicates this to be accurate.

Please stay tuned!

We Write A Lot About the MasterCraft CSX:

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July 11, 2007

Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 230 Inbound

Following on a very warm reception of the Correct Craft Crossover 236, Correct Craft will soon be officially announcing a 236-based Air model - dubbed the "Super Air Nautique 230", or "Correct Craft 230".

At the Masters Tournament in May, one of the 236's that was pulling riders was wearing full Correct Craft wakeboard branding elements - which came as a surprise to some but not to me personally (some felt that the 210 should have been doing this job). The boat that many are now calling Correct Craft's flagship from a wake athlete's standpoint has always seemed to be a wakeboard boat, but it looks like 2008 will officially push a version of it to Correct Craft's "Air" lineup. The 236 Crossover has been available in an Air model since its release, but it still officially falls under their Crossover category. We're still not sure if the 230 is exactly a rebranded and rebadged 236, but we expect the two boats to be very similar, and we don't expect the 236 Crossover to disappear from Correct Craft's lineup.

Of course, pictures are coming soon. Correct Craft has been very careful about how they communicate this sort of thing - and the images associated with the announcements. When the Correct Craft 236 Crossover was released, the photos were not spy shots or candid boat show images - they were high quality shots taken in what appeared to have been an official photo shoot. We expect the same process to be followed for the 230.

Additionally, new graphics have been leaked and Correct Craft has appeared to have stepped back from the tribal, buzzsaw blade graphic (Yay! - Ed.).They'll be employing this as the new Super Air Nautique logo and this as the option for crossover models that are ordered in an Air packages.

Please stay tuned for more updates about this boat.

Posted by erik at 12:55 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 25, 2007

The MasterCraft Concept X-Trek = The MasterCraft CSX? (o_O)

We came across this photo of the "MasterCraft X-Trek", which was originally reported to be a design exercise performed at MasterCraft for unknown purposes. Was this sketch done purely for Popular Science Magazine, where it was originally unveiled, or if it was part of a MasterCraft skunk works project that evolved into the CSX line of boats? And if it is part of that same exercise, what in sam hell is this?

There is no doubt that every significant player in this market has some type of skunk works department with all sorts of crazy ideas (looking at you, MB Sports Tomcat designers) floating around and perhaps scale model prototypes that the design engineers get to play with in the pool. But rarely do we get to see a far-off bit of concept art actually see the light of day - not to mention that it seems that this concept art actually became the CSX Series. In fact, in terms of big departures from the norm, we can't think of a single other instance of anything like this happening. Maybe that is because our boats don't make their way into mainstream publications like Popular Science very often, or the big wake boat manufacturers don't release concept art. Or both.

When we toured the Correct Craft factory a few months ago, we imagined that there was some sort of skunk works facility nestled in the back of the factory where we were not permitted to go much less blog about. I can only hope that my 25 foot long, Classic 210-based hull is back there being worked on; getting clay models built against the crude CAD models and concept art sketches with which I've been spamming Correct Craft management for the past 2 years.

Posted by erik at 02:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 22, 2007

Rumor Mill: Larger MasterCraft CSX in Development?

It would not be surprising to see a 25 foot version of the MasterCraft CSX 220. We've not received anything concrete as yet - but it has been whispered, and from a reasonably reliable yet unnamed source. This would surprise us approximately 0%. In various conversations, people have mentioned a that MasterCraft should make a smaller one - now that would surprise me, and we don't think there is a need for one. But a larger CSX would seem to be a no brainier.

If we were to apply a guesstimate as to the likelihood that there will be a larger version of the CSX announced in the next 12 months - it would be 75%. We're basing that on the buzz around the current MasterCraft CSX, the new information that hit our office today, the trend for larger MasterCraft Saltwater Series boats (and wake boats in general), and the fact that a larger one made sense from the get-go.

Remember you read it here first.

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February 21, 2007

Up Close and Personal with The Correct Craft 236 Crossover

I can't think of an instance where the term "photos do not do it justice" has ever come into my mind as strongly as when I saw the Correct Craft 236 Crossover in person. I saw a few on my tour of the new Correct Craft headquarters in various stages of construction, and due to Correct Craft's rules I was not able to photograph them. But this weekend I had the opportunity to experience one at the New England Boat Show, and this time I have pictures. Good ones too - as we just acquired a Canon Digital Rebel XT. Anyway, along with a few pictures I have a few thoughts.

Point! It is big. But we already know that, don't we? However it isn't so big that you'll feel like a charter captain with acres of boat beneath you. I have heard that some dealerships have been finding that the market for large wake boats is an extraordinarily niche one. This boat just seems to be a phenomenal middle ground for someone looking for a roomy and functional wake boat, but would prefer to not drive a Maine lobster boat. The storage compartments in the stern are considerably roomy, even on a Team Edition with rear tanks installed but I am pretty sure I could fit inside the storage compartment under the passenger seat. It is enormous. I debated crawling in there to prove the point, but at the last minute decided against this juvenile maneuver. I took a picture instead.

Point! The seating system is brilliant. Employing some of the new seating features found in the Super Air Nautique 220 and 2007 Super Air Nautique 210, the interior makes more sense than pictures can demonstrate. When I spoke to Correct Craft's Lead Designer Steve Carlton about the interior of the Super Air Nautique 220, my motivations were somewhat selfish; I needed to learn more about the interior. After speaking with him I understood the approach, but after playing with this system myself, I am sold, so to speak. For some reason I expected the hardware that facilitates the leanback portions of the seats to be structurally capable of supporting someone's torso, but not much more. I was wrong. You could stand on the leanbacks if you wanted to. Large, stainless fittings, hinges and posts comprise this system and it appeared to be rattle-free and unyielding.

Point! Oh, gosh did they get that tower right (image courtesy of Correct Craft Inc.). Overall the fit & finish on the Correct Craft Crossover 236 are typical of Correct Craft; superb. But the tower that is on this boat feels, looks, and belongs, like it was meant to be on this boat and exclusive to it. I'm an old-fashioned Flight Control Tower kind of guy, but the tower on the 236 is the best next-generation Flight Control Tower that Correct Craft has created to date.

Point! Its design is going to hold up very well over time. From several different perspectives, the boat is not one that captures a super current design component and forcibly expresses it through every badge, rack, speaker grille or other marginally significant item on the boat. It carries a design that is as classic, familiar and stable as some of their previous mega-hits. One comment I have heard a few times is that the dashboard is too old-fashioned. Anyone who takes a look at the dash and says it is boring needs to consider the alternative. The dashboards that some manufacturers are putting out right now are downright goofy today, and you can only go downhill from goofy; trust me. And adding the top stripe back to the 2007 gelcoat pattern was a great move on Correct Craft's part - and the Correct Craft 236 Crossover looks great with a top stripe that matches the hull color. So does the 220, and the 211, and the 210; you get my point.

There was a Correct Craft Mustang 16 in my life when I was born, and there is a Super Air Nautique in it now. Between those 2 boats, a 1986 Ski Nautique 2001 spent almost 20 years in my family as a slalom boat, a kneeboarding boat, a trick ski boat, a barefoot boat, a skiboarding boat, and finally a wakeboarding, wakeskating, and wakesurfing boat. That Ski Nautique's crossover capability, despite being somewhat accidental in nature with regard to its prowess as a phenomenal wakeboarding platform, extended its life and worth to my family and kept it relevant for far longer than we could have anticipated. So from that standpoint I have accepted the concept of a boat that has crossover potential.

In the past, we've been somewhat critical of wakeboard boats that are marketed as crossover platforms. We've maintained that the boats that we're most interested in are purpose built and with the Correct Craft 236, we'd like to allow ourselves a little bit of wiggle room with that stance. Crossover boats can come in many shapes and sizes - and as the editors of this site enjoy the trend toward larger boats, we can't help but like what we see in terms of potential in the Correct Craft 236 Crossover. With the expanded use of the term "Super Air Nautique", we were surprised that this wasn't given that name as well. We'd order ours without any graphics anyway - so this boat could be called the Correct Craft 236 Popsicle and we'd still want one. My wife (who also acts as a grammar editor, censor and sounding board for this site) also loves this boat and we even agree on the color scheme with which we'd need Correct Craft to build our 236! That makes things so much easier for everyone involved.

In closing, special thanks goes out to New England Correct Craft for assisting us with press entry to this event. That is a responsibility which should fall on the shoulders of the promoters of such an event - and in this case the promoter didn't return our phone calls. Regardless, back to the 236 itself - we've heard very good things about the wake but need to verify this for ourselves; thus this article is not a full review quite yet. We're on New England Correct Craft's radar and have arranged for some time behind one as soon as Mother Nature loosens her ice claw grip and gives us northerners a break.

Posted by erik at 01:08 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

February 14, 2007

Utah Boat Show Coverage: The MasterCraft CSX 220: Part 2

Simply put, the boat just gets into your mind and doesn't leave.

I am sitting in front of a folder full of photos, but feel compelled to post yet another entry about the MasterCraft CSX 220. There are three boats that The Wakeboard Report can't get enough of, and this is one of them.

Outside, looking toward the bow:

Open stern, ready for diver/rider exit/entry:

Dash pod:

Center seat and rear of center console:

Hey! My fins again!

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February 10, 2007

Utah Boat Show Coverage: Crazy Wrapped 2007 Super Air Nautique 210

Check out these photos of a 2007 Super Air Nautique 210, garnished with a custom wrap.

Hmm.

Hmm, again... scratching chin:

Interesting indeed. Pics courtesy of E.J..

Posted by erik at 11:15 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

Utah Boat Show Coverage: The MasterCraft CSX 220: Part 1

Thanks to reader and photography phenom E.J. (despite those initials, I am referring to another person, and not referring to myself in the third person), The Wakeboard Report has coverage of the Utah Boat Show. So the photos you'll be seeing in this series of posts from the Utah Boat Show are going to be considerably nicer than anything else I ever post. Ever.

Beginning with one of the boats that provides The Wakeboard Report with so many daydreams and phenomenal Google results, let's take a look at the MasterCraft CSX 220. The one shown at the Utah Boat Show was slightly different than what I have seen before; this one was outfitted with a Zero Flex Flyer, and a few additional electronic components that we didn't see on the prototype. But we are tickled to see that dive tanks are still being shown with this boat. After all, it is the dive/ride potential with this boat that partially drives the cross-purpose functionality home for many, including me.

From the stern, looking forward:

Dashboard Detail:

Engine cover/hatch cracked - Indmar powerplant peeking out:

Topside: I have those same fins!

Don't Cry. Just work really hard, and maybe someday...

Regarding that "Boat Show No Haggle Price": The boat can be had for less than what is shown there. The price listed includes a bevy of electronics and components that you may want to install yourself, or not have on the boat at all. Remember, the customization potential is one of the MasterCraft CSX 220's strongest selling points.

Thanks very much E.J.!. And thanks to Greenband Enterprises who were very accommodating regarding our press credentials & entry to this show.

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November 20, 2006

Correct Craft Mothballs the Super Sport Hull for 2007

Correct Craft has taken what many consider to be one of the best wakeboarding hulls ever made, and set it next to the 80's era Ski Nautique hull. In back, somewhere in their bin full of storied, yet peculiarly discontinued hulls.

I will be referring to the Super Sport/210/Super Air Nautique hull as the SS/210 Classic during this article, and the one that was announced recently as the New SS/210.

I find the fact that they set the 12 year old Super Sport hull aside more interesting than the news of the redesigned 2007 Super Air Nautique 210 and that is not a reaction of which I am proud. Many people knew the change was coming and photos of the new boat had been circling the Web for almost a month prior to the formal announcement of its release. So what's a hardcore wakeboarder to do, assuming they want to stay in the Correct Craft world? Well for now, buy a 220 -- but we'll get to that later.

Criticisms of the SS/210 Classic
My personal riding style has developed around wakes that carry a rider straight up and back down onto the second wake. I also ride boards with steep rocker that facilitate this style. So while the wake made by the SS/210 Classic and its Great-Grandfather the 82-98 Ski Nautique 2001, is ideal for me and is phenomenal for many, it is not perfect for everyone and many beginners find it incredibly intimidating. In any case, it is not without its problems.

Some report that the wake is too vertical, and that it can feel like hitting a wall instead of a ramp.

It has been said that other hulls take weight better, and that the wakes of other boats scale better when more weight is added, whereas the SS/210 Classic has a solid upper limit above which additional weight only makes the wake retain its shape at longer line lengths but does not improve the experience otherwise.

The wake shines at 22-25mph while running average or above average ballast (1000lbs, for purposes of this discussion), but at speeds below 20, the wake has a tendency to be somewhat washy or curled.

There is a 4-6 foot wide and perhaps 3-6 inch deep trough immediately outside of the wake. Some like it, some find that it causes the rider to impact harder if they take a trick past the second wake and happen to land in it.

It needs about 500-1000lbs of ballast to produce a world class wake (which is still very much on the light side, considering what most wakeboarding-branded boats need to create one).

The boat is extremely sensitive to uneven lateral weight placement. A difference of 80lbs too much on either side is enough to cause a lot of trouble for a rider who favors one side over the other. The boat is also sensitive, although to a lesser extent, of its foreword and aft placed ballast placement. In addition to 300lbs on either side of the engine, I run 600 lbs in the belly tank and about 200 in the bow, and I could probably double what is in the bow and add 100lbs to the belly if there was room. Long gone are the days when all we needed to do was throw a 600lb ballast sack behind the engine and call it a day.

Some believe that the 210 Classic is not big enough and does not have enough storage space and lockers. Now, while I have trouble agreeing with that completely, I do believe that Correct Craft still has a gaping hole where the extended, elongated version of the SS/210 Classic; the non-crossover wakeboard platform built for hardcore wakeboarders, should be.

Now, about that new Super Air Nautique 210
Early photos are not showing a wake that simply keeps all the good parts of the SS/210 Classic's wake, but removes the trough and some of the vertical characteristics. The photos we've seen indicate that the wake is mellow, at best. But the boat is beautiful, and Correct Craft is doing a good job of creating a family lineage that is felt across their entire product line.

The interior of the New SS/210 is a careful balance between the forward-thinking 220 and the standard wraparound configuration. It is also available in both the conventional layout and the new modular layout.

The 220 was initally met with a cool reception and saw a somewhat shaky release, but a year later it can only be descibed as a hit. Among other issues, people are getting used to the fact that big boats require big ballast, and the 220 appears to be here to stay. The New 210 will likely see the same positive long term reaction.

What really suprised me was the fact that the SS/210 Classic wasn't available in 2007 even if an individual ordered a 2007 Super Sport Nautique in an Air package. The Super Sport just isn't being offered this year at all. That is quite a committment from Correct Craft and we won't know if this was a good move until about 6 months from now. Until then I expect the New 210 to be a success just like every other Correct Craft boat has been. I am just suprised at this development, and I hope it works out for them. I know it will work out for those interested in selling their 1995-2006 Super Sport/Super Air Nautiques this year - as their resale value just went into low-Earth orbit.

Conclusion
In many people's eyes, keeping the SS/210 Classic in their lineup afforded Correct Craft a right to dabble in areas of development that strayed from their top-class tournament inboard heritage. They were able to then innovate and iterate on hulls without the risk of being criticized by overly enthusiastic fans of the status-quo. After all, this heritage has afforded them a reputation for being responsible for several of the best and most aggressive ski and wakeboard platforms in existence.

Simply put, the Super Air Nautique 220 is the new Belle of the Ball from a wakeboarder's standpoint. If I were in the market, it would be the Correct Craft offering in which I would be most interested. The completely redesigned Super Air Nautique 210 falls into place neatly alongside the 226 and 211, and despite its name, will suit customers in need of a very high-end pleasure boat. The company is clearly forging ahead on their crossover front, and is profiting as a result. While it is still kind of a nuanced message, it is clear that Correct Craft is treating crossover and family oriented boats as their primary market right now, whether a boat wears Super Air Nautique badging or not.

Posted by erik at 01:28 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

August 31, 2006

An Updated Master Craft CSX 220 Will Be at the Tampa Boat Show

The Wakeboard Report was recently in touch with Zane Schwenk to see if any additional details about the Master Craft CSX 220 were ready. We are still working out permission to post what he said, but we do know that the boat is going to be shown again from October 12-15 at the Tampa Boat Show proving that the concept shown in Miami earlier this year will indeed be produced.

Previous Master Craft CSX 220 entries:
» The Master Craft 220 CSX!
» Zane Schwenk and My Dad Discuss the MasterCraft CSX 220

Posted by erik at 03:14 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

August 09, 2006

The Correct Craft 236 Crossover

In a far more clandestine, tight-lipped and careful run-up to its release, Correct Craft formally announced the 236 Crossover today. In doing so, they very much surprised me by addressing the need for a large Correct Craft, and did so in far less time than I would have expected. And, to a lesser extent they surprised me by telling me nothing whatsoever about it. Not even a hint. Not that I deserve a scoop on this any more than the next professional, trustworthy, wakeboarding and wake boat blogger that totally would have been willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement so that he could at least write something better than this post, but damn. I don't sign this site "wakeguy_761265128715" - I sign it with my own name, and expect to be held accountable if I was ever given information and misused it. I'm not mad - I'm just saying.

So what does this mean? It means that Correct Craft at least now has something to compete with the Malibu 247, my other, other, other, other, OTHER favorite boat - something I was very interested in seeing them provide. It is not the hardcore wake boat that I was interested in seeing, but it is a start. Also it appears that this will function well as a wake boat, offering a huge amount of stock ballast and once again it was built to be extremely comfortable and accomodating for large crews. But to my readers and to the Google, Bloglines and Yahoo robots that crawl this site and improve Correct Craft's own organic search results (that, I might add, are alsmost always point to positive comments about their products..), I apologize for not having a much better pre-written post about the boat which I really would have loved to have been able to provide. It is kind of my 'thing'. I am particularly fond of Correct Craft, but since the press release was all I got, it is unfortunately all that you get right now. So, here is the Press Release and the 2 standard photos which accompanied it. My apologies.

ORLANDO, FLA. (August 8, 2006) - Correct Craft's new 236 Crossover was specifically designed for people who enjoy a wide array of water sports activities. With seating for 14, optional ballast tanks adding up to 1056 pounds of wake generating weight and carrying capacity for up to nine wakeboards; it's a formidable wakeboarding platform. With a standard retractable aft ski pylon, cavernous ski locker and patented Hydro-Gate wake shaping mechanism, it converts to a recreational water ski boat. Or boaters can opt simply to stock the removable 50-quart cooler and the built-in 30-quart stern cooler, turn up the tunes on the standard Clarion CD/AM/FM stereo (with four Polk MoMo speakers) and take to the water for a relaxing cruise.

At 25'5" in length (includes platform), the 236 Crossover is the largest boat in Correct Craft's 2007 model line. It features comfortable open bow seating, an L-shaped settee to port of the adjustable helm seat and a large stern seat forward of the engine compartment. Another unique seating option includes a pair of removable seat backs that converts the L-shaped settee into individual aft facing seats.

For unobstructed access to the boarding platform, the boat features a convenient recessed walkthrough. With the addition of an optional filler cushion for the walkthrough, the area becomes a spacious sun lounge for resting between sets.

"The 236 Crossover facilitates everything you would like to do on the water with family and friends," said Correct Craft's vice president of sales Gary Meloon. "Granted, because of its size, you probably won't run a slalom course but it is fine for recreational skiing, wakeboarding, tubing or any other water related activity.

Other notable options include a Flight Control Tower, a rigid air dam with a latchable door for cooler climates, a removable/ reversible bench seat and a removable side mount table with a designated storage location under the loveseat.

Celebrating more than 80 years of excellence in the marine industry, Correct Craft is a family-owned manufacturer of internationally acclaimed competition caliber water ski and wakeboard boats and boats for recreational enjoyment. Correct Craft, Inc. is known for superior quality product, cutting-edge technology and innovative hull designs. To see the complete line of Correct Craft boats, visit www.correctcraft.com.

That's it. I do not like posting press releases directly but I dont have much information on this boat yet. And I am in kind of in a cranky and overly cynical mood tonight so under the reccomendation of my cheif editor (my wife), I edited parts of this post that were overly cranky. But there you have it: The Correct Craft 236. 25 overall feet of typical Correct Craft goodness.

Posted by erik at 01:05 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

July 10, 2006

Tower Design Innovation Finally Jumps the Shark

When I finally had the opportunity to meet some real, established industry people at the Miami International Boat show, I asked a lot of questions about the compulsion to change proven items on already-established models. I then was given a much appreciated industry lesson - one that I probably should not have needed - but did. I was told that despite the fanboy mentality that some of us carry around (me, for starters), companies don't sell new products by keeping them unchanged, exactly the same, year after year. And despite the fact that everyone loves everything about <<insert pet boat, hull, or part name here>>, the fact remains that wake/ski boat companies have to introduce new products to remain at the top of the pile, and to push innovation. That was a good enough answer for me. And I agree with the assertion. I remember thinking that the Super Sport Nautique looked like a big, goofy bathtub the first time I saw it in 1995. The joke is on me - as I now own one.

But I can't swallow this thing mounted to the top of the new MB Boats F23 Tomcat. Going on appearance alone, it looks structurally weak. I'm sure that it was put through extensive structural and thermal tests before MB went to full production, and their engineers will surely say that it is plenty strong, but it does not inspire confidence. Even if hundreds of tests proved that they could get away with a tower that dosen't appear to have a real centered loading point - does that mean that they should produce it? Of course, the forward-swept Illusion tower on certian Malibus have a similarly sized, singular mounting plate, but it is not known as an overly sturdy attach point. So - will it last? Even towers with 4 mounting feet still loosen up over time and need attention.

MB has been around for a while, making tournament-class slalom boats since 1993, and impressed many later with the release of the all-black, Pleasurecraft Marine powered v-drive B-52. The large, stock, high capacity ballast systems of the MB models have always been impressive. However, in recent years, MB Sports has been producing wake boats that cosmeticly, have not been very classic or timeless - employing checker flags, flames, tattoo art and other tacky design elements about which I have whined on here in the past. Conversely, MB Sports' boats have a very good reputation in terms of reliability, and consistently receive strong marks in the wake department. Why they would produce something that is going to be a tough sell in a matter of years, let alone decades, is a mystery. This boat also sports a pitchfork-inspired "picklefork" bow - a bow that Tige is also rumored (rumor confirmed: The RZ2) to be producing for 2007, and a bow that MasterCraft has now been in production with for 4 years. It is said that this design allows for more seating and storage space in the bow. Fair enough.

So far, the reception of this boat has been quite cold, bordering on anrgy among folks trying to figure it out. The wake will be what ultimately makes or breaks this things chances at success - but the Tomcat is one of the more awkward, angular and gangly looking wake boats that I have ever seen. There is plenty of room for innovation, but if it dosen't already exist, room must be made for the pursuit of classic, timeless-looking boats. I wish good companies like MB Boats would focus on those pursuits, instead of things like the F23 Tomcat and it's tower.

I am just left wondering... why? And I hope that this is as "extreme" as we're ever expected to accept. I hope things go in a different, more subtle direction after this release. I hope this is a much needed turning point.

Posted by erik at 07:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

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 at 08:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

February 16, 2006

The Master Craft 220 CSX!

Awesome moment. This made me glad I attended the Miami Boat Show. I was standing in the crowd when they dropped the cloth from a vertically mounted, spinning, shrouded secret: The Master Craft 220 CSX.

How to describe it... It is a center console, pickle-forked wakeboarding boat. It looks like my sort of boat and my brother the fisherman's sort of boat had a fiberglass baby. I stood and watched part of the presentation and this is definitely aimed at the saltwater/closed cooling system set. The model they had on display had a full Yakima rack and a mountain bike mounted alongside the wakeboards. The presentation drew a good deal of attention from the showgoers.

I could see this working out pretty well for them - the concept of a very open direct-drive inboard model is worth considering. In my opinion, wake boats need more interior room in general. This one certianly does. It kind of reminded me of the Fish Nautique. Not in appearance but in concept.

Here are some photos:
The Master Craft 220 CSX
» Straight above
» Side detail
» Bottom detail
» Side and some dude's head
» Side with some other dude's back Hey. Stop walking in front of me. GOD!!
» Best one

Also....the Best Boat Show quote so far is this.
(from a guy lovingly slapping the side of a 7ft inflatable Zodiac raft)
"This is a Rolls Royce"
WOW. Really!!??

My feet are pounding. The crappy work shoes that I bought so I wouldn't look like a crouton at the boat show are squeezing the life out of me - not just my feet. I checked in with a friend and he reccomended that I pick up some isotoner slippers for the next show I attend. It is solid advice. I may even don the isotoners as soon as tomorrow.

More later.

Posted by erik at 06:42 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

February 15, 2006

Updated: Master Craft Luminaries say 2006 NOT the last year for the X1

EDIT:This one definitely fits into the rumor category. And after speaking with representantives at the Miami Boat Show, it turns out that this appears to have been just Internet speculation and rumor.

I'd had it on pretty good word that the famed Master Craft platform that provided us the ProStar 205, the V205 and the first-run X-Star was being retired. I rode behind an early X-Star at a Pro/Am demo a few years ago and it remains, to this day, one of the best wakes I have ever ridden. Never to disappoint, I am sure that Master Craft has a replacement in mind...someday but in a world rife with pretender wake boats, that are really just tower-equipped bowrider versions of slalom boats, the 205 and 205v is a true wakeboarders boat. It takes weight like a champ, has a reliable Indmar power plant, and is known for providing many years of enjoyment to its owners.

If this retirement rumor is ultimately true, I never would have predicted it. This year Master Craft followed Malibu's brilliant idea of offering price-point boats, that were actually just stripped-down versions of their high-end wake boats. I actually expected other manufacturers to follow suit and certainly the Correct Craft Super Sport/210 and Master Craft's 205 and V205 would be perfect candidates for this sort of bargain (HA!!) re-release program.

So unless the X-1 is just going to get another name change and be known as the X-Porkchop or something else, and the actual 205/V205 hull will actually stay and just get rebranded, I am issuing a gigantic UPGRADE on all Master Craft 205 and V205-based boats that have been built. It sounds like they won't be making any more of them, and they remain at the very top of most people's lists of best wake boat hulls ever built.

I hope to edit this entry at a later date and tell you this was all just an Internet rumor.
EDIT: I did get that opportunity! Sweet!

Posted by erik at 02:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

December 16, 2005

Master Craft X-15: Their Finest Wake Boat for 2006?

I am trying so hard to give you the no-spin opinion here on the release of the Master Craft X15. But I'm having trouble. Look at the thing! Master Craft is listening to what wakeboarders want, it would appear, and they did so many things right with the X-15. It is almost a little bit scary to see because I wonder what is next except a bigger model. It is almost as if they looked at every other large V-Drive wake boat, superimposed each image on top of each other, normalized the views, and crafted the design to be a nearly perfectly apportioned wakeboard boat based exclusively on current designs. It dosen't reinvent the wheel or try to make us change how we interact with the boats. It is just a big, well-designed craft. I can't confirm this but I think it is is 22 feet, but 25 overall with the teak platform and has a 100 inch beam. It is WIDE. And with the engine pushed that far back, the interior opens up quite a bit despite losing some storage space in the rear lockers.

My initial impression: What is this thing?
I'm pretty familiar with Master Craft's product line and always have been. I consider the ProStar 205, which became the fist-gen X-Star to be still one of the best hulls ever made for wakeboarding. Everything has gotten completely confusing and even now I am not sure that I fully understand where this boat is supposed to fit in their lineup, what it replaces, what if anything is still bigger (aside from the X-80) and so on. When I saw the changes for 2006, I said "Eehhh?". Is that the old X-2 (v-drive ProStar 205) hull? Is it a non-picklefork X-45? I thought... wait is it a modified X-10 or X-30? They confused a lot of people with that whole numbering/renaming scheme, not only because it made absolutely NO sense, but specifically because the X-2 becoming the X-Star and then the X-2 becoming a pickle-forked new model confused people about what really was their true top wakeboarding boat. The X-Star is not it, and stopped being it when the new pickle-forked bow/hull was introduced in 2003. So, trying to see through their Marketing is difficult and leads me to believe that they must not care much about model recognition, and work solely on brand recognition. MasterCraft makes one of the best wake boats available today - lately it is just hard to figure out which one it is! There really is no other way to look at this boat; it is their top wake boat, for hardcore riders.

Interior
Huge, open and simple. Do you need to know anything more? True wraparound seating. Simple gorgeous tower. It is both spartan and amazing at the same time. All the things one would expect to see on a wake boat are here, minus the hinges, gates, garbage bins *cough*, aluminum armband tatoo-inspired flipup items, chrome, billet plates, 1200 watt tower speakers and other unneeded things. They made the cockpit about as clean as that of the Correct Craft Super Sport's - and they made it bigger.

Gunwales/Freeboard
This deserves to be pointed out. Weighted with 3000 lbs I bet this thing still won't take water over the bow when turning around to pick up a fallen rider. Awesome. Look at it running at speed. She looks so proud!

Graphics
No batman symbol. No tribal tattoo. No razor blade. No hurricane. No techno font. Do you want me to stop? Did anyone even like that crap anyway? I can not wait to see the end of the "Xtreme!" era of wake boat graphics, and MasterCraft is ushering in a great trend with this boat and the rest of their 2006 line. And yet some 2006 model year boats, even from them, are rolling out of their factory emblemed with foolish, forced, and dated graphics. Let us not forget that it was indeed Master Craft that produced this absolute abomination not very long ago. I think the industry is now, almost, finally, over the flashy boat thing. I know consumers are.

Conclusion
Nice boat.

more pictures here

Posted by erik at 02:43 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

November 16, 2005

Another Camo Boat? Super Air Nautique 210 Swift Boat Edition!

Far from me to say that the market is getting saturated with camoflage wakeboard boats, because I have even thought about doing a custom wrap on mine. Maybe not now that they are rolling out of the factory in fatigues. When Correct Craft jumps on a bandwagon, it certianly means something and whether that is good or bad, I can not say.

Just when we're almost out of the era of a blade/saw/tribal tattoo on the side every wake boat - in marches (HA! HA! PUN!) the camo-themed Epic and now a legitimate, factory produced 2006 Super Air Nautique 210 outfitted in desert storm camo. I am assuming it is legitimate, because as far as I know, only very few have been delivered their 2006 210's and 220's. So this is likely real, factory, and may be gelcoat. Correct Craft's N stripes are gelcoat so I assume if they did a camoflage Super Air, it would be gelcoat too and not cheap vinyl.

Camo is a difficult thing to do well. Technically speaking, this boat and the Epic do not employ very good camo designs. Chris Wynn's boat, on the other hand, does. The camo pattern on the Correct Craft has hard edges and borders on "digital camo" and not the standard camoflage pattern. Regardless, I thought you folks should see it.

Posted by erik at 02:28 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

October 27, 2005

2006 Calabria Pro-V2 Spotted

Calabria is one of those boat companies that dosen't seem to work very hard. They aren't in every Wakeboarding magazine inside cover, and truth be told I have never even seen one in real life. It is one of those situations where I feel like I WOULD buy a Calabria, though I know I won't have the opportunity since they are beyond rare (yet not priced as such).

To get a proper amount of market penetration, boat companies tend to work much harder. They sponsor tours and pay their way onto television. But Calabria, along with Sanger, tend to keep quiet and silently build a nice loyal customer base and in small markets kick big butt. Recently released photos from FMC Watersports show the new 2006 ProV2, featuring many of the same items in the Pro-V, just smaller and with a very trick swim platform.

Posted by erik at 12:02 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

August 27, 2005

Super Air Nautique 220 Update

Now that I've digested my Kool-Aid and slept on the issue for a few nights, I'd like to share some new thoughts on this boat. Hopefully you've had a chance to read my previous gushing entry on this topic. I want to be clear; I am a fan of just about anything Correct Craft produces. I am not, however, a fan of their marketing style or approach. I still believe that this will be a very successful boat for Correct Craft, because they all sort of are; but it was not quite what I was expecting and here is why:

Correct Craft offers two boats that are still kind of trying to find a niche, though they sold well last year to family-oriented boaters. The 211 and 226, both phenomenally designed boats; were pushed pretty hard by a dealer I spoke with a few years ago. And both, at their inception, were said to be the new wakeboarding flagship from Nautique. It was reported that high-profile professional riders such as Shaun Murray and Shawn Watson were delivered spanky new 211's and 226's to play with. However with the release of the Super Air Nautique 220, this same effort isn't apparent, as the 210 brochure seems to still infer that the Super Air Nautique 210 (now, oddly enough, badged as the Air 210) is still the Mommy of the fleet. The important, wakeboarding boat of record, and the boat that many serious riders appreciate as the one that creates the best vert wake available, short of a 70foot sportfishing yacht.

So I am perplexed. Why would Correct Craft build yet another boat with no clear market? Why push it so hard as the new Super Air Nautique? That term 'Super Air Nautique' was/is approaching the same reputation level and word-of-mouth power of MasterCrafts's ProStar 205, Malibu's Sunsetter and Correct Craft's famed Ski Nautique 2001. Why would they choose to use the hull of the 226 and 211, with Hydrogate (hydrogate is a hydraulic wake adjustment plate meant to make a large wakeboarding wake more palletable for leisure skiers and barefooters) as the basis of this boat? The 210, the 226 and the 211 each have a wakeboarding-specific option set, and a family oriented option set. The 220 does not - it is being offered in an Air Nautique model only. So from that standpoint it is a wakeboarding boat since it has no family level analog. That is odd to me.

It is atypical of Correct Craft in general and potentially a purposeful and shady marketing push to try to convince buyers that it really is a wakeboarding dream boat, when it isn't; and the Air 210 aka Super Sport aka Super Air Nautique 210 still is. Straight from Correct Craft's press release for the 210 is the following statement, "With 850 pounds of ballast for peaky wakes with lips that kick and an optional 375 horsepower PCM® engine that jumps you up on plane, this boat is the single-best wakeboard boat on the planet."

Really? Still? Even though you have one called the 220? A higher number equals a more awesome boat right?

Not necessarily. The interior is going to take some getting used to but may be a step in the right direction for watersport/wakeboarding boats, but appears to contain a lot of proprietary, one-off hinges, latches, panels, and hydraulic lift arms - for which Correct Craft is known to charge an arm and a leg, and are known to break. Often. And I could swear that it has less room inside than my 210, but I have not seen it in person so I can not make this assertion yet (and after this blog I'm not sure they'll let me near a dealership).

I've always thought that the 210 had plenty of seating space but if they felt like changing the interior mold, could use more open space in the middle for gearing up and moving about the boat. The 220 appears to have gone in the opposite direction I had hoped, adding more seating and less open space. Again, this is only from boat show photos I have seen, but most of them were high-res thanks to Jeff from PlanetNautique, and thus a good enough representation for me to form an opinion - right or wrong.

So the marketing team behind the Super Air Nautique 220 has some work to complete. They need to release photos of the wake weighted and unweighted. They need to prove that the wake is different, steeper, and more vertical than any Correct Craft boat's has hull previously created. They need to NEVER speak about the boat as a crossover boat - 'good for slalom AND wakeboarding' (because such a boat does not exist; the very concept a total contradiction of the purposes of each boat respectively). I still would be happy to water test the boat for a few years, should Correct Craft read my blog. But this soft launch of the boat is not quite what people were expecting.

Correct Craft's Web site still makes no mention of the boat. I bet they spent a lot of money on that Flash though! Cool mouseover sound effects! Very 1997!

Posted by erik at 06:21 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

August 19, 2005

Photographic Evidence that the Correct Craft Super Air Nautique 220 is Real

Updated, 4:00pmEST
Picture 1 - angle shot from front, in water, courtesy of PlanetNautique.
Picture 2 - side view, no author information provided.

You're thinking, 'it is a little big goofy' huh? It is the tower isn't it? I understand. Don't forget that Correct Craft listens to its' customers. When enough people whine, they'll revert back to the original Flight Control Tower. Please note this when making your judgement on the boat. I honestly don't know what they were up to regarding that lengthened tower, but the details will be worked out, I assure you.

The original blog went something like...

I hate reading about, much less posting, forward-looking statements on the Web. The sayings "Coming Soon!" and "Stay Tuned" really annoy me, but I need to break the rule this one time. My favorite boat company and manufacturer of every lake boat I or my family has ever owned is releasing pictures of their much rumored Super Air Nautique 220 today. Today! Holy Crap! Months ago, rumors began on PlanetNautique.com and Wakeboarder.com about an upgraded, larger version of my boat, a Super Air Nautique 210/Super Sport; at first these rumors were dismissed but some industry insiders have now confirmed that the boat is in fact real, is based on the Super Sport hull, but with 2 feet more length and 5-10 additional inches of width. It should come as no suprise to many, that Correct Craft would iterate on a proven design. The mold & design of the 80's era Ski Nautique 2001 went on to inspire the Nautique Excel, Sport Nautique, Air Nautique, Pro Air Nautique and Super Sport Nautique (which is the SAN/210 hull). It has remained almost completely unchanged since 1995, save for spray relief pockets added in 2000. Well that popular hull has finally been changed ladies and gentleman, for 2 weekends ago somewhere in the Pacific Northwest, it had its' final catalog photo shoot.

Correct Craft has been extra tight-lipped on this issue, says PlanetNautique's Jeff Carroll; "The pictures will be posted Friday, as soon as the boat makes its world premiere at the Raleigh Boat Show. Correct Craft has done a really good job of keeping pictures under wraps. I know I don't have any pictures yet". If he doesn't have them, they aren't on the Web. So we wait...

I will post the pictures as soon as I get some. As Carroll says, the boat is being shown at a North Carolina boat show and pictures are expected within hours. As is usually the case, Correct Craft's fully-flashed-thus-fully-hard-to-update Web site makes no mention of the boat, has not breathed a word of it to me or anyone else but dealers and promotional team members.

With Master Craft's extended versions of its popular X-Star line, a 28 foot Maristar and 24 foot versions of Tige and Malibu wakeboard boats, the 220 is another entry in a fleet of larger wakeboard boats. If I had my way I would wakeboard behind a PT boat or a lobster troller, so I am personally very excited about this new big boat. Again, pictures will be here, immediately after they are released. All I will need to do first is clean up the drool, then sign on and post. Easy as that!

FADE TO DREAM SEQUENCE...
p.s. Dear Meloon Family, Warner Family and Correct Craft Marketing Team; I hereby authorize you to use this text as your official press release. I suggest you add some technical details and photos but those are of course optional. This at least gets us started. All I want in return is 1 white hull/white tower/white deck/white primary stripe/blue accent tape fully-loaded Super Air Nautique 220 Team Edition. Please remove all standard graphics, and leave only the "Nautiques" silver cloud drip mold graphic at the location where the SAN logo normally is (third stripe, formerly) and flatbed the boat to me on a dual axle trailer with surge brakes. Please ensure that the boat is waxed and broken in, and has been through its seatrials, pay special attention to the ballast fill & empty procedures and Perfet Pass Wakeboard Pro calibration. I would be very appreciative if this could be done on or before May 15, 2006. Thank You! I'll take care of the rest. Love you folks!
...FADE OUT OF DREAM SEQUENCE