|
So you may remember a month or so back I was asking for opinions and help before heading to the boat show in deciding between the Malibu vRide, the Moomba Outback V and the Crownline 19SS. I’ve made a purchase, and I wanted to say thanks for all the info and share my research and learning for anyone else that might be interested in comparing contrasting the Outback V and the vRide.
Crownline 19SS
Because I want to wake surf, and the lack of ballast I excluded this boat early. It is a nice well-built boat in my opinion though. I would recommend one to my parents.
My Moomba Outback V Experience
A nice, entry level wakeboarding boat. This boat would get the job done, and if you never had a chance to see and sit in a Malibu vRide this would likely be the boat of your dreams.
After seeing the competition and looking at this boat again a number of things stood out. Firstly, the height of the gunnels is too low. This forces them to set the seating height too low so when you are sitting down your knees have to go somewhere, either stick up in air or forces you to push your feet out farther and stretch your legs. Awkward seating. The seats are also not as soft, supportive, or as thick vinyl material wise.
Technology. When compared to the competition the technology on the Outback V looks about a decade out of date. Now, there is nothing wrong with analog dials. But it is certainly not state of the art by any means.
The Tower. The tower is fine; in fact it’s just like everyone else’s and all the aftermarket ones. But it’s too heavy and too awkward for one person to take up and down without help in my opinion. Because I have a lift and a standard height dock roof I will be taking the tower up and down every time I come and go. That’s the only reason I took this so seriously. If you don’t have a dock and trailer your boat everywhere, this probably makes no difference, other than which one looks better to you.
The Ballast. This is fine, there are plenty of options. The bags are soft rubber/plastic bags, just like all the after market ones.
The Rear Storage Compartment. This is okay, and again just like most other boats you would see. Doesn’t lock.
Price. My idea going in was the Outback V was similar to the vRide, but thousands cheaper. That sounded very appealing to me. Going in I was leaning towards the vRide because I liked the tower, but I didn’t think I could get one for what I wanted to spend and would probably end up with the Outback V. Well to make a long story short, that was not what I experienced. I see the “best boat show incentives” post on the board here. Thought I’d point something out on the Moomba pick 4. I thought this was AWESOME. I used their website (which is very neat btw.) to build my own 2008 Outback V. Used the pick 4. Took that with me to the boat show. Well what you may not know is that if you build a boat, and use the pick 4 you are going to pay the MSRP on the build a boat from the site. Those 4 options are your negotiations. They quoted me exactly what the MSRP was on the boat, and wouldn’t come down off that if I used the pick 4. I don’t know anyone that pays MSRP for a new boat. So, just throwing this out there for your information. With or without the pick 4 you’d probably get about the same deal. Most people I know expect around 10% off the MSRP price or more on a new boat.
The Dealer. The salesman I worked with was nice enough, and very knowledgeable about the boat and about wakeboarding. When I was ready to start talking pricing, a sales manager basically took over. He was okay, but I kind of felt like he was treating me like a child that knew nothing. The way he answered my questions made me feel stupid. Well, I am not that young these days, 27. I have my Bachelor and Master’s degree in Computer Science. I do very well financially. Nuff said.
They also mentioned several times that the building they were in was for sale, and they’d be moving soon. Where? Well LIKELY out east of Kansas City. I know they were saying this to let me know they’d be closer to me. Which is cool. But honestly, it made me nervous. I don’t like instability in my boat dealer. I want to know the dealer is going to be around forever, and moving around, especially with no answers of exactly where your moving to makes me nervous. The other dealers in KC --Crownline, Malibu, Ebbtide all three of those dealers have been in the same place for like 30 or 40 years. Maybe it makes no difference to most people. But stability makes me feel good about the dealer.
Doug – I didn’t get to work with Rick, he wasn’t there the first time I was talking with them, I spoke with him briefly the second time I went to the boat show, but that was as after I’d shown my wife and our friends the Moomba, and we were walking away towards the Malibu booth. I’d already pretty much decided against the Moomba at this point.
Don’t take this post the wrong way. I’m Not saying that they aren’t a great dealership. I just didn’t get that far with them. That’s all.
My Malibu vRide Experience
The vRide is the other boat I was looking at. Another entry level wakeboarding boat. About the same length/size as the Moomba. In looking at the vRide after spending an hour or so sitting in the Outback V I believe it’s a superior boat, really a level higher than the Outback V. Here’s why.
Construction: All around better. Point to anything on the boat. Compare it to the Outback V, and it will be constructed better hands down. Seating is higher, more comfortable, and thicker/higher quality material.
Technology: Absolutely state of the art. Compare it to any other boat on the market, it’s as high tech as there is. Everything is computer controlled, computer controlled throttle, more advanced stereo with 1 gig memory, completely digital dash, with tons of computer options to view information about your boat.
Tower: It’s a very neat design, with counter-weighted pulley system. Pull two pins and it comes down. This can be taken up and down by one person. It’s not awkward, it’s weight is not unbearable because the pulleys bear much of the weight.
The Ballast: Completely automated just like the competitors. But the ballast is in hard heavy-duty tanks not plastic bags. Tanks have shutoff valves too. Very clean design. Looks professional because the tanks are all covered with carpet and concealed in the rear compartment.
Rear Storage Compartment: About the same as the Outback V. BUT more solid construction. Take a look at the big welded metal framework, it’s amazing when compared to the Outback V. The covers have an aluminum honeycomb core which gives them a much more solid feel. Also, the rear compartments LOCK. That is nice when I head into the Marina or Toad Cove to have a drink everything can be locked up.
The wedge: I got the backing plate, but not the actual wedge. It’s not allowed on my lake so it would only get me into trouble. If I want to use it when I head off to another lake I can buy the wedge part for $500 from the dealer, and it installs with 2 bolts. Easy on easy off. As someone with an engineering background I’m not a big fan of it though. I’m sure it works well, but I don’t like the idea of 1000+ lbs of stress on my fiberglass transom.
Price: Much more willing to negotiate price. In the end a vRide might only cost you a thousand or two more than the Outback V. It was worth it to me.
The Dealer: Of course it depends on where you live. In my situation (Kansas City, MO) the Malibu dealer has been in business and working in the same building for like 30 or 40 years. Throughout the transaction they always treated me with the up-most respect and like I was a part of the family. I can’t say too much more because our relationship is just starting but so far I have been impressed.
Anyways, wanted to provide an update, and hopefully help other newbies looking to get into an entry level wakeboarding boat.
(Message edited by tj_in_kc on January 27, 2008)
(Message edited by tj_in_kc on January 27, 2008)
|
Hybrid Mode
