Better Get Mako (and SeaCraft)

[Ed]

My issue with Mako is not the guys who are running it now, its with the folks that ran the company from 1992-2003. The problem with Tracker in my opinion is that it is a publicly owned company and as a result always has to post profits for its shareholders. In order to make these profits, boats are rushed into production, built quickly and poorly, and as a result the brand declines.

I just think that if you are going to build a high quality boat, you need to own to be independently wealthy, own the company outright, keep the production numbers low and the per boat cost high. You're not going to make a ton of money (you might even loose money) but you are going to make a helluva boat!

[Scott]

No wonder their products have tubed in the last couple of years. Curt Jason, Director of Sales has been there 11 weeks. Dean Jarvis, the Plant Manager - 7 weeks. Victor Schmidt, Operations Manager - 1 year. John Bower, Head of Engineering and Marketing, the only veteran of Mako has been back 5 weeks having had quit after 7 years.

At least they have a new team and a new effort.

Otto …
They apparently had people in there that were only looking at bottom line …didn’t give a crap about the prowess of the hull, ultimately in the quality of what was manufactured. I don’t care if the guys have been there a month or 10 years …their backgrounds are what will make or break the re-org. They need Operations and Plant managers along with Engineers that can redesign and build boats right…Now that’s not “rocket science”.

To follow somewhat as Bill and Ed said ….
I don’t care for companies with such broad spectrums in their lines … You need really REALLY good people to manage such diversity. I personally feel they really need to be separately managed entities. So many boat lines have suffered when they have lost focus and expanded their lines ….

Just look at these two lines Mako and SeaCraft. Both once very proud lines …. But with somewhat different target audiences. Mako is gearing more towards the all around line …boats from 17’ to 31’ including center consoles, bay boats, walk-arounds, cabin boats etc etc …. With more boats becoming much more “Family Friendly”

SeaCraft ….Hard core sportfish boat …one style being center console and what …five boats in the line 20,21,23,25,32. Several other high end lines follow this plan …Regulator is almost a twin with its lineup 21,23,24,26,32…small line some may say but who do most others almost always get compared against?? A seemingly narrow focus has certainly worked well for them...

These names need to break away from the Tracker stigma …. I mean come on …Saltwater center consoles, that share bloodlines with freshwater Bass Boats …I even think they (tracker) has a houseboat line ….GET REAL !!! I can just see Regulator, Contender, SeaVee etc etc doing something like that ……

He is trying to build a boat empire riding coat tails of two once very prestigious names … but until he gets the right people, which these guys may be those people, in there … and starts to build quality stuff and STAND BEHIND IT …Its going to be awhile before one is “ able to get in it and run it 50 miles offshore and not be concerned. It’s about confidence in the product.” …Sorry, but me personally, I have little “confidence” in Tracker based on recent press.

Lots of work ahead for this new crew... I hope they can do it…. It would be a sad day to see SeaCraft dissolve

[Miles Offshore]

Regulator Party Barge!!!!!! LOL- Ed- thats probably why Buddy davis goes out of business and starts a new company every 2 or 3 years,lol. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Captn C]

I have posted before somewhere on this topic.....

My bigest concern is that the same people are still in the front offices of Tracker Marine. The same people who I have been fighting for the last year. The same people who are handling the USCG recall for the Mako line. From what I can see on the recall they are still trying to avoid having to stand behind there product.

It too big of a gamble to hope you get a boat that is built right so you don't have to deal with them....because if you get one that is not built right, as I did...the nightmare will seem never ending.

I can't speak for the Mako line, but the SeaCraft design is one of the best there is. The ride is outstanding! But having to deal with Trackers front office I couldn't recommend there boats to anyone....not new anyway.

[Briguy]

Would you buy a Regulator if it was made in the same plant as a Cape Horn? NOT! SeaCraft will never be the same as long as it's owned my Mako. Look what they did to the 32. As I posted 2 weeks ago, I looked at one and was sad and ashamed. I thought Palmetto Custom was a really nice custom boat, until I heard they were made next to sea pro's. There are now so many choices, If I won the lotto tomorrow I honestly don't know which new 27-34cc I would buy. (Maybe just upgrade to twin 200 suzi's on my 23)

[Captn C]

Brian,
Mako and SeaCraft are owned by Tracker Marine. Mako doesn't own SeaCraft. Tracker bought SeaCraft before they bought Mako. It really doesn't matter who ownes who because Tracker is still the one you will deal with no matter which line you had. And that is something I wouldn't wish on any one.....even my worst enemy!

[Rich]

Looks like Briguy got busted for his "multiple chick theory" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]