MBG acquired by Malibu Boat Group

[HoneyB]

Go look at old bayliner hulls. I bet you will not find as many spider cracks and void chips as in much more expensive boats. The interior was cheap and would rot out from under you but to be fair the ads for bayliner actually admitted they were the cheapest boat motor trailer combo in the industry. 

[fin-addict]

3 minutes ago, whichwaysup said:

My buddy's first boat was a (Bayliner) Trophy and a Force engine.    We spent a LOT of time vertical jigging off of that thing . . because we had no other choice while waiting for SeaTow.   I learned a lot from his mistake about doing some research before buying a brand.    

That was the first boat and motor when moved here back in 87. It was a year old and paid 5k. Bought it because my son missed boating as did I. Looked new with 50hrs on it. Kept it for four years till the right boat came along. First boat I let my son use by himself. 13 years old not counting my inflatable that was on my SF up north.

[Moderator]

2 hours ago, slyshon said:

Lots more to come in the next few weeks, we are all still here, no changes.  

Skip

Thanks Skip !  Calm some nerves here. 
Marc

[DonV]

32 minutes ago, whichwaysup said:

My buddy's first boat was a (Bayliner) Trophy and a Force engine.    We spent a LOT of time vertical jigging off of that thing . . because we had no other choice while waiting for SeaTow.   I learned a lot from his mistake about doing some research before buying a brand.    

That is so funny, but true. I still remember to this day my Dad trying to get that 105hp Force to run on his "pride and joy" boat. Came home from work one day and it was not on the boat's transom, was in the back of his pick-up heading to the scrap metal guy for it's final farewell!!! 

[FooFoo502]

Didn't see it coming but then again, it's what being a business is all about. As for the thought that changes or expanding a brand is a bad thing, Dana White would beg to differ. Don't blame the owners at all. Was already a cutthroat environment but with the COVID hype bs making production that much harder, more expensive and longer lead times, who wouldn't want to get out on top. Besides, my old '94 MA17 just shot up in value even if it looks like somebody else in here got the drill crazies with it also...no names...lol

[johnd]

Congratulations Scott - you and team built a great company.  I really hope Skip, Charlie and all the folks who make this work can stay (and that new ownership will listen to them).    Any chance they will bring back the Lappy? (just had to ask    

[blewbyu]

Skip, can you confirm that the MA hull is not part of the sale? If not will you and others split off and manufacture it as a single boat brand?

[SW Skif]

•Carpeted decks;
•“crappie skiff”
• return to wood

•“Freshwater versions “
•Bass Pro Shops will be the official dealers. 

~Yikes! 🤣

[smilemaker]

To get an idea of possible changes just look at Persuit down the road.

I believe that  Malibu owns them.

Consolidation among boat manufacturers  with other boat manufacturers worries me less than nonmanufactures or wall street hedge fund people getting involved.

like others have alluded to I  wonder about the economy and  timing. 

[Wanaflatsfish]

2 hours ago, FooFoo502 said:

Besides, my old '94 MA17 just shot up in value even if it looks like somebody else in here got the drill crazies with it also...no names...lol

Problem is....what do I buy ? that's better for the $$$ ?

DC

[RacerxV6]

I can see it now, the new 21MA will have an option for baffles.  Fishing in the morning and wakeboarding in the afternoon

[HoneyB]

Snap in carpet heck yeah Boy!

  Said only in jest!

[FROZEN]

Twenty plus years ago, when I owned a Florida prop shop, Brunswick bought Hatteras Yachts. The marine industry joke was “ What do you get when you cross a Hatteras with a Bayliner?.....A Bayliner!”

Lets hope history doesn’t repeat.

[Fish5]

Hello, new to the forum

2015 2400trs and 2008 malibu vlx. Kids used to compete in wakeboarding. A tremendous amount of research went into the wake boats. We chose  malibu because of there reputation in that field of boats, construction is top notch, as well as resale value. Same reasons we just recently purchased our pathfinder. I just hope that both brands keep up with what we expect.

[finbully]

Those dising the Malibu boat line have obviously never looked at a Cobalt. Not all mergers are a bad thing, but it is the change that is tough for many.

[MuddyBottomBluz]

  I have to say that what I know of Malibu, they are top tier boats for what they are built for. It is just a fact that many of us on this forum have no use for them. But if MBG starts a Malibu boats forum for wake boarding, hydrosliding (sorry old guy here) and slalem or competition skiing that forum would probably be just as popular as this forum. Just my 2 cents.

[RacerxV6]

Another positive point!!! Maverick Boat Group bought by Malibu Boat Group.  No need to change the URL for the Forum MBGForum.com 😁

[Capt. Troy]

Mailbu just recently purchased Tiarra/Pursuit. They have a huge facility in Ft Pierce as well. They must have some serious coin.

 

I hope they take care of the current MBG employees. A few of them have been there a long time and have hung in there through thick and slim.👍

[Limitless]

Wonder if we'll still have a forum and/or Owners' Tournament . . .

[smilemaker]

I  believe that the  purchase of  Pursuit is about 2 years now. I would look at changes over there and expect the same here. Contracts are often written for an orderly change and now is about the time that changes will have shown up at Pursuit if it has been 2 years.

[polliwog]

I have never had a Pursuit,but all reviews for their boats are  pretty good,so unless they downgrade the quality things should be fine, as they" time will tell". 

[SeaSerpent123]

42 minutes ago, Limitless said:

Wonder if we'll still have a forum and/or Owners' Tournament . . .

I know right?  I sure hope so!

[smilemaker]

As far as any offshoots from MBG contracts will usually not allow that but after the noncompete period who knows.

A good example is Roof selling I  think it was Sunbird and using his time to develop I think Sea Hunt. May take a few years but we will never know what  is in the contracts.

[Carolinadrifter]

Looks like Scott Deal will be retained as CEO so maybe there won’t be too many changes in quality. 

[Ron in Atlanta]

On 1/6/2021 at 8:01 AM, finbully said:

looked at a Cobalt

I’m sure everything will be fine - Remember when AMF bought Harley-Davidson, when Gulf & Western bought Paramount, when AOL bought Time Warner, when Ford bought Jaguar, ugg.

The old Jaguar XKE was one of the most beautiful cars on the road (still is).  After Ford bought them, the new Jaguar models bore a striking resemblance to Ford Escorts 😕 .

Any one still own an AMF Harley-Davidson?  Nothing quite like a motorcycle designed and built by a company known for its BOWLING BALLS!

I do not hesitate to take my Pathfinder out through the inlets and near shore or even off shore in good weather.  I’m not sure that I would venture outside in a boat built by a company that specializes in lake boats like the Cobalt bow rider.  You take two waves into the “bow riding” potion of the boat and you are ready to go swimming.  Some of us complain about “water intrusion” getting our feet wet in our Pathfinders but at least those same scuppers let water out - IN A HURRY.

If the same Maverick team remains in place AND they can resist “cost saving” and “higher volume” pressures from their new corporate overlords, er, management, we may have a chance.

Meanwhile, just in case, I’m going to put a few more coats of Zaino on my boat, it may have to last me a very long time.