TO: Malibu

[hookblade]

Malibu,

The One big reason I bought one of your boats is because it was loaded, sick looking and not a picklefork bow. Please do not consider taking the picklefork design and useing it on our boats. As one of your recent customers, I think it would be best to stick with the slick setup of hulls you already have. The bow area is big enough for 3 chicks and a hamster so there is no need to even think of redesigning it. If I wanted a pickle fork bow boat I would of bought a Axis but instead I spent the extra 20 on the Wakesetter and truly love it. I will buy another Malibu in the future as long as the pickle stays in the jar.

[D-GOOSE]

[Ndawg12]

yes, keep the pickle in the jar, I never realized the versatility of that statement.

[CumminsBu]

I agree. Does the hamster wake board?

[WakingMeHappy]

Uhm, so what if they do. Let’s say they keep offering their existing line and also make a pickle bow. So what? That’s called capitalism in the form of opening up to new markets. And they need to keep appealing to a new market in order to remain in business for the long term. My guess is there are people who would buy a Malibu if a pickle bow was offered.

I also don’t think there is anyone at Malibu Corp reading this thread saying, “Ouch, we better listen or we’ll go out of business”. OK, maybe I’m being a little sarcastic here but it’s only to make a point. What if Malibu came out with a line of bass boats with a wedge? Let’em. Again, it’s all about opening to markets you don’t yet have and hope it sells.

[-BS-]

In case you haven't noticed, the newer Wakesetters' color schemes are made to look like a pickle fork from the front.

09 Wakesetter

I know this picture may not be the best example. When you are viewing this picture look at the thumbnails, they give a better idea of what I'm talking about. Every non-Malibu owner I boat with is always mistaking the new Wakesetters for a pickle fork, especially when they're coming right at you. I doubt this color scheme is unintentional.

All of that said: I think it would be cheesy of Malibu to incorporate a pickle fork design into the line up. I would say the same thing about MC trying to use a forward swept tower like the Illusion series. I have nothing against the pickle fork design. I think the X2 is one of the baddest boats on the water. I get to ride behind one quite a bit, and love every minute of it. Now the MB Tomcat is a different story.

[shade]

I agree. Don't like the pickle fork. In fact, if I were in the market for a MC I would buy the X-15 or X-30 over the X-2 or X-star just to avoid the pickle. I think its ugly. I thought it would grow on me like so many other new fads, but I still think that pickles are made for eating not boating. No body rides in the bow of my boat anyway.

[Sixball]

If you pickle a Bu just keep the cap on the bottle couse I wont want it.

[WakeGirl]

If they were going to do it, they should have done it years ago. At this point to introduce a PF wouldn't exactly be in keeping with Malibu's innovative spirit. At best it would look like a copycat, no matter how well it was done or how much better designed it was than any of the competitors'. Even if you put aside the reasons that the typical Malibu buyer purchases a Malibu over the competition, to do that now would be a hugely stoopid marketing blunder. JMO

[Sunsetter95]

You go girl!

You know, they could make the front look like one of those expensive pairs of Italian shoes with the squared off toe, but I would prefer to say it is more like a cowboy boot with the squared off toe! That is if they are hell bent on making a bit more room up in the bow.

Then again if it isn't broke, don't fix it!

[Bill_AirJunky]

Uhm, so what if they do.

Then I guess someone will be having his "Malibu" tramp stamp removed......

[WakingMeHappy]

Uhm, so what if they do.

Then I guess someone will be having his "Malibu" tramp stamp removed......

OK, I give in. Don't remove your tramp stamp.

[WakeGirl]

I'm not a fan of the PF, but the Axis really is one of the best looking of the lot. That is one well-sorted boat, IMO of course. I actually like the fact that they did that with Axis, it further differentiates the company from Malibu. And that would be one more reason to not introduce one, if they wanted to keep that separation between the 2 companies that is.

[Malibudude]

Uhm, so what if they do. Let's say they keep offering their existing line and also make a pickle bow. So what? That's called capitalism in the form of opening up to new markets. And they need to keep appealing to a new market in order to remain in business for the long term. My guess is there are people who would buy a Malibu if a pickle bow was offered.

I also don't think there is anyone at Malibu Corp reading this thread saying, "Ouch, we better listen or we'll go out of business". OK, maybe I'm being a little sarcastic here but it's only to make a point. What if Malibu came out with a line of bass boats with a wedge? Let'em. Again, it's all about opening to markets you don't yet have and hope it sells.

Actually they do and TMC has had some major influence on decisions being made, believe me. Case in point many have bugged Malibu about snap out carpet…now you have it.

Malibu knew the classic boat design that has been coveted for years would have run aground by going to a PF. To capture the PF market they formed another company under the Malibu umbrella. The AXIS isn’t actually a whole new boat but essentially a older vride hull wrapped in the PF. This boat accomplishes two things, goes after the younger age bracket and is cost conscious that appeals to those demographics. If you have the $$ available to simply load up the Axis w/ all the options and bling and you'll have a boat the is among the cool crowd if that is important.

[Stanley Wheelhouse]

focus on a surfing specific boat vs copying mastercraft or tige.

[LS-One]

Not a pickle fork fan but, after surfing behind an MC kosher dill I realized its almost impossible to do a chili dip.

Edited August 11, 2009 by LS-One

[WakeGirl]

focus on a surfing specific boat vs copying mastercraft or tige.

I think that would be a bad idea at this point in time. We need to see how things fall out in certain areas, since legislation in some areas has been introduced to control wake sizes. To invest R&D in a boat specifically built for this purpose right now would be a bad move. Right now I wouldn't be investing in surf wake technology or big sound for the water, legislation for both is coming (like it or not).

[justhrowit]

The bow area is big enough for 3 chicks

Lets see the pictures!!!!!!!!

[shade]

If they were going to do it, they should have done it years ago. At this point to introduce a PF wouldn't exactly be in keeping with Malibu's innovative spirit. At best it would look like a copycat, no matter how well it was done or how much better designed it was than any of the competitors'. Even if you put aside the reasons that the typical Malibu buyer purchases a Malibu over the competition, to do that now would be a hugely stoopid marketing blunder. JMO

Are you trying to say Malibu would be acting stupidly? Stupidly. That is a word isn't it? It must be because its used by some with Ivey League educations.

[WakeGirl]

I meant Stoopid, with a capital S. That's something that goes beyond mere stupidity. There isn't a word that exists in the English language to accurately describe how dumb it would be (IMO, from a marketing standpoint) for Malibu to launch a PF at this point in time. That window of opportunity closed a long time ago.

[RobSMalibu]

Im glad we're still beating this dead horse

[Chappy]

No PF's they are ugly as sin. I used to own a MC and liked it; the main reason I chose a Bu was because I do not like where MC has gone with their styling and hull design.