Rob Shirley with Sfvara boats!

[André]

Just saw the add in WS mag. :eek:
Maybe he'll come up with a new slalom machine design.
Anyway,it give some credibility to the company...wich certainly needs it!
Let's wait and see... :popcorn: :popcorn:

[Cloaked]

Just saw the add in WS mag.
Maybe he'll come up with a new slalom machine design.
Anyway,it give some credibility to the company...wich certainly needs it!
Let's wait and see... What credibility? :confused:

I know what he has contributed to the industry but I don't see the current correlation. He can manage a company (of once) but the R&D for a great product has to come from other resources.

Not to dispute your good word of intent here Andr'e but remember Rob sold out a long time ago. :toast:

[André]

Still,he did start and managed a company call Mastercraft that he sold for a good amount of money(and failed with Infinity!) and was always involved with design and new ideas in those years.
As i said,let's wait and see but the Rob Shirley name is credible.In my mind! :toast:

[east tx skier]

I agree, Andre.

[Laurel_Lake_Skier]

Although I have never been in or skied behind one, the Infinity always looked like a good design. From photos, it looked like it gave a lot of interior room and as I recall from magazine tests had good acceleration and speed.

Anyone here ever seen/skied one in person?

[Ryan]

I saw one [edit - an Infinity] running on the lake nieghboring Betsy (aka David&BetsyHarrison). Looks pretty slick - she may have skied it, or LakeRelic.

[erkoehler]

I have seen them on boattrader, and the prices were definetly right.

[Jim@BAWS]

Svafara must have a "TON" of credibility. Heck all the did was
copy the mold on the Sporstar/ Prostar Series Hull...look closely

Rob does not have much credibilty... the 98 patch job was a disaster

All his "Intellectual Idea" where taken to Infinity and you see where
that is

[6ballsisall]

Some people are great businessmen, some people are great ideamen, some people are great designers/creators, but few people are all. Shirley obviously built a great company from its uproots to a maturing company. Perhaps some of his grassroots approach to business will do well at Svafara

[ski_king]

I think it is a good move for both of them.
I bet the first thing is a new model aka "Infinity"

[PendO]

http://www.svfara.com/

Not like I'm trading in my MC, but fun to look at everything else out there, especially with fall here and not much more on the water time:(

[rodltg2]

Svafara must have a "TON" of credibility. Heck all the did was
copy the mold on the Sporstar/ Prostar Series Hull...look closely

Rob does not have much credibilty... the 98 patch job was a disaster

All his "Intellectual Idea" where taken to Infinity and you see where
that is


it does look like a mc hull with a malibu windshield.

[PendO]

it does look like a mc hull with a malibu windshield.

And a Malibu tower;)

[rodltg2]

there website sucks by the way, isd it me or does it open too many windows and take forever to load.

[east tx skier]

Svafara must have a "TON" of credibility. Heck all the did was
copy the mold on the Sporstar/ Prostar Series Hull...look closely

Rob does not have much credibilty... the 98 patch job was a disaster

All his "Intellectual Idea" where taken to Infinity and you see where
that is

Jim, I'm really not familiar with the history. When did Rob leave MC? I though an investor group had taken over by 98? Was he still involved? As for infinity, how was the slalom wake/pull behind it? I don't equate the company's failure with a bad slalom boat. If MC only made slalom boats these days, well, I don't want to think about how that might affect its market share. The money's in wakeboarding afterall.

It's a little windy to slalom here today. I did get my new perfect
pass display installed last night. That's probably all boating related I'll get accomplished this weekend.

[erkoehler]

Horrible website :noface:

[Jim@BAWS]

All of them try to copy the leader.
Sportstar COPY pure and simple

[erkoehler]

All of them try to copy the leader.
Sportstar COPY pure and simple


Is that a headrest on the drivers seat?

[Hoosier Bob]

Obviously it is just a picture but man does that look like one of our hulls or what? I would think it is hard to just show up this late in the race and think you can command MC or CC prices. That being said there are plenty of lesser priced products that have a decent track record. If they go quality I doubt they will get the dollars and if the comprimise they won't be able to compete with the, excuse the expression, knockoffs. :twocents:

[Brent]

Rob Shirly is a Icon in the ski industry & it is great to see he still wants to contribute more , Sfvara has made a great move to bring him onboard (I think they bought the Infinity ZX-1 mold as well)!

The Infinity ZX-1 was & is a great no comprimise "Slolam Ski Boat" ! My ski club had them for a few years & I loved skiing behind them!Great wakes & amazing handling (V-drive which moved the prop forward 1' & the gas tank under hull to evenly distribute the weight)

Mastercraft has missed an chance to bring an industry innovator back into it's fould!

I think Infinity went under as result of a down turn in boat sales ( it was not established enough to wait out the hard times)after 9/11!! :(

[PendO]

Svfara... just seems like could have a better name;) At least easier to remember or spell.

[Hoosier Bob]

Nice boat but a better name and a nicer website would be cool. Is the name a group, initials or some animal or steller object I have not heard of?
PS. I wonder if Bret Favre drives a SVFARA?Svfara... just seems like could have a better name;) At least easier to remember or spell.

[Datdude]

All of them try to copy the leader.
Sportstar COPY pure and simple


Sportstars RULE :uglyhamme

[ski_king]

Jim, I'm really not familiar with the history. When did Rob leave MC? I though an investor group had taken over by 98? Was he still involved? As for infinity, how was the slalom wake/pull behind it? I don't equate the company's failure with a bad slalom boat. If MC only made slalom boats these days, well, I don't want to think about how that might affect its market share. The money's in wakeboarding afterall.

It's a little windy to slalom here today. I did get my new perfect
pass display installed last night. That's probably all boating related I'll get accomplished this weekend.

Not sure exact time he sold MC, but I believe it was mid to late 80's and I believe he sold to Coleman.
I understood he moved to Caymen Islands and was involved with dive boats for some time before Infinity.

[ski_king]

Svfara... just seems like could have a better name;) At least easier to remember or spell.
I think they need to spend $250 and buy a vowel.

[Ryan]

I like this discussion. I wish we could discuss all brands in a similar manner. You know a little banter, a little lambasting... a few competitor pics from 'the dealer'...

[east tx skier]

I think they need to spend $250 and buy a vowel.

Ski King wins!

[ski_patrol_72]

OK, Hold it. I live about, oh 20 paces from the Svafara factory. and I will admit, they have a great product. They make there own hulls, top decks, and do all the rigging inhouse. Sure they dont make 100 boats a week, but I have friends who run a ski/wakeboard school up here and they run 5 of them. Guess what. Not too many warrenty problems like other companies I know of. They are a great small company thats been in the biz a few years now and they do great for money they charge. Its nice to have a price point boat thats not over $80,000 canadain to get into. Tournament boat are all very simular, direct drive or v-drive, all companies borrow ideas from others, thats how you make a great boat. Same goes into the automotive biz, people use ideas from different cars all the time. And to me, since I have skied behind a Svafara and MC, they all pull 36 mph, in a straight line, with a small wake, and being outdoors with the family is what it comes down too. You can have a great time behind all boats, its a matter what a person is looking for, style and power, and options, everyone has thier own prference. As per the name, Svafara, well it sure sticks in this area for when people want to buy local and support their community.

[jpattigr]

Svfara-is based here in my hometown of Calgary, Alberta, the boats are built in British Columbia.
They have not been able to gain any marketshare here as yet, but the boats that i have looked at are very well made and nicely finished.
A guy that lives down the road from me has an Infinity and he loves it!
This could be a good marriage, without Rob being involved Svfara would not have this thread going and the publicity that theuy will get, good or bad.
Like someone else said, I am not trading in my MC but it's fun to see some new excitement once in awhile.
Good Luck to Rob in his new marriage :twocents: :rolleyes:

[Hoosier Bob]

How about a little help with the name. Where did it originate? Initials from kids names, previous boat companies, or is it a language I am unfamiliar with(pretty much anything non-Hoosier)? If their price point is as low as you say with MC/CC quality they should build a reputation quickly. I didn't and don't to this day know what Tige is and it is pronounced tyga? Go Canada! Maybe they can leverage some lower prices or even higher quality from all. :twocents: See what you started Andre! :D OK, Hold it. I live about, oh 20 paces from the Svafara factory. and I will admit, they have a great product. They make there own hulls, top decks, and do all the rigging inhouse. Sure they dont make 100 boats a week, but I have friends who run a ski/wakeboard school up here and they run 5 of them. Guess what. Not too many warrenty problems like other companies I know of. They are a great small company thats been in the biz a few years now and they do great for money they charge. Its nice to have a price point boat thats not over $80,000 canadain to get into. Tournament boat are all very simular, direct drive or v-drive, all companies borrow ideas from others, thats how you make a great boat. Same goes into the automotive biz, people use ideas from different cars all the time. And to me, since I have skied behind a Svafara and MC, they all pull 36 mph, in a straight line, with a small wake, and being outdoors with the family is what it comes down too. You can have a great time behind all boats, its a matter what a person is looking for, style and power, and options, everyone has thier own prference. As per the name, Svafara, well it sure sticks in this area for when people want to buy local and support their community.

[erkoehler]

How about a little help with the name. Where did it originate? Initials from kids names, previous boat companies, or is it a language I am unfamiliar with(pretty much anything non-Hoosier)? If their price point is as low as you say with MC/CC quality they should build a reputation quickly. I didn't and don't to this day know what Tige is and it is pronounced tyga? Go Canada! Maybe they can leverage some lower prices or even higher quality from all. :twocents: See what you started Andre! :D
Is there a price sheet somewhere on that website? How much is the sporster look-a-like going for?

[Ryan]

Isn't Tige french for "stem"? Andre?? I never took french, just ran an internet translator on it once.

[Farmer Ted]

How about a little help with the name. Where did it originate? Initials from kids names, previous boat companies, or is it a language I am unfamiliar with(pretty much anything non-Hoosier)? If their price point is as low as you say with MC/CC quality they should build a reputation quickly. I didn't and don't to this day know what Tige is and it is pronounced tyga? Go Canada! Maybe they can leverage some lower prices or even higher quality from all. :twocents: See what you started Andre! :D

But they're built in Texas.... must be a redneck thing.... :dance:

[east tx skier]

It's pronounced Tigah, right?

[André]

Hard to tell you guys how's it is pronounce but of course the first part is like a golf "Tee"
and the "gé" part is like...Well, if you know just a bit in French,to eat is "Manger" as some of you use the word garde manger for the pentry i think.
Not a real french word but if you take the accent of the "E",then it does translate as "stem".
I think Svfara is in some language from Sweden ,Finland or something like that...
I also think Rob was gone from MC way before 98 but ICBW as usual.
And i too like those discussions about other brands and what's happenning in the skiboat industry.
I think there is nothing wrong with using an old mold from another company(even less when it's a MC!) .It's a common thing in the "Regular" boat business.

[Hoosier Bob]

Good point Andre! Were'nt the old American Skiers Correct Craft hulls from the late 70's? Cut where you can as long as you don't compromise. I don't see much that MasterCraft has done as a compromise. :twocents: Hard to tell you guys how's it is pronounce but of course the first part is like a golf "Tee"
and the "gé" part is like...Well, if you know just a bit in French,to eat is "Manger" as some of you use the word garde manger for the pentry i think.
Not a real french word but if you take the accent of the "E",then it does translate as "stem".
I think Svfara is in some language from Sweden ,Finland or something like that...
I also think Rob was gone from MC way before 98 but ICBW as usual.
And i too like those discussions about other brands and what's happenning in the skiboat industry.
I think there is nothing wrong with using an old mold from another company(even less when it's a MC!) .It's a common thing in the "Regular" boat business.

[JDK]

How about a little help with the name.

Svfara is derived from the Italian word 'sfara' which, according to their website means "global".

I've seen a few of these boats at boatshows, and they are very nicely made. I wouldn't call them a price point boat though....they're a lot more expensive than Gekko's or Moomba's and from what I remember, they're about on par with Malibu's as far as price goes.
That website sure sucks though.

[Hoosier Bob]

Thanks for the answer. I have not seen any in my area as of yet. Nothing wrong with a little solid competition. Nice boat but very short history. Commanding that kind of price may prove difficult. :twocents: Svfara is derived from the Italian word 'sfara' which, according to their website means "global".

I've seen a few of these boats at boatshows, and they are very nicely made. I wouldn't call them a price point boat though....they're a lot more expensive than Gekko's or Moomba's and from what I remember, they're about on par with Malibu's as far as price goes.
That website sure sucks though.

[erkoehler]

Svfara is derived from the Italian word 'sfara' which, according to their website means "global".

I've seen a few of these boats at boatshows, and they are very nicely made. I wouldn't call them a price point boat though....they're a lot more expensive than Gekko's or Moomba's and from what I remember, they're about on par with Malibu's as far as price goes.
That website sure sucks though.


In order to get in to the "game" I think that they will need to work on there prices.

[erkoehler]

I did a quick search, and found that the svfara that is pictured in this thread that is being compared to the sportster has a msrp in the 40-50k range. Don't know about you, but I would rather have my MC for that price.

[Hoosier Bob]

That was kind of my point. If they are of extremely high quality and priced just shy maybe. Without the MC reputation getting the buyers will be tough. I will probably be in the used market for awhile (too many toys) and a used MC draws me more so than a used Svfara a a a. Every time I say or type that I think of Super Troopers! :banana: Meow I could be wrong!I did a quick search, and found that the svfara that is pictured in this thread that is being compared to the sportster has a msrp in the 40-50k range. Don't know about you, but I would rather have my MC for that price.

[ski_king]

I don't think Svfara is the first upstart boat company that copied an older MC hull. Look at the first Brendella's.

[Cloaked]

Ski Supremes were also challanged in court by MC for patent right infringement. That's for another thread.

[Wes]

Svfara's are made locally here in K-Town, they make a very nice boat. I have toured the factory and talked to some owners and they seem impressed with the boats. I have seen more of them out on the lake this year, although not in the same numbers as Mastercrafts. The rumour of Rob Shirley joining Svfara has been around town all summer, so I guess it happened. They need a couple more models and definitely a new web site. Competition is always good, keeps Mastercraft creating great boats.

[erkoehler]

I agree competition is good, but MC and Svfara are on two different playing fields.

[Wes]

True, definitely on two different playing fields.

[ski_patrol_72]

Hey Wes, good to see a couple of locals here. I will agree the there are more MC around here then Svfara, but for a local company and just starting out, my hats off to them. Nice pic of the MC and another local boat builder Campion, parked at your dock.

[Bert]

I don't think Svfara is the first upstart boat company that copied an older MC hull. Look at the first Brendella's.
Isn't the MB sport 190 a copy of the 91 -94 prostar hull as well or did they buy the mold from MC ?

[André]

Isn't the MB sport 190 a copy of the 91 -94 prostar hull as well or did they buy the mold from MC ?
I think so,Rod could tell ,he used to own one.I prefer my original ! :D
Ditto on the Svfara prices,needs to be lower then that...

[ski_king]

I think this thread is doomed and will disappear tomorrow.

[André]

I think this thread is doomed and will disappear tomorrow.
Maybe,but why ?
This is a good discussion with no name calling or such...Not many of us are gonna go running to the Svara dealers for trading ours MCs tomorrow morning. :twocents:

[ski_king]

If it wasn't for Rob Shirley and Leo Bentz, the ski boat industry might not exist.

[ski_king]

Another Rob Shirley designed boat. (http://www.skin-diver.com/departments/waterwork/RobShirleysPro48.asp?theID=788)

[Wes]

Thanks Ski Patrol,

It is my old 190, we purchased a 93 205 last year and have been really pleased with it. But today will be the last day out on the lake for us, getting too cold for the kids. Meeting up with some other Mastercraft owners for one last great day on the lake. Can't wait until next summer. As you mentioned we have a couple of great boat manufacturers based in Kelowna. It is a great place to boat.

[east tx skier]

Isn't the MB sport 190 a copy of the 91 -94 prostar hull as well or did they buy the mold from MC ?

I was under the impression that they actually purchased that mold from MC after the 95 prostar 190 change. ICBW.

[AirJunky]

And a Malibu tower;)
Notice their SV-696 boat that looks just like an XTI too? :cool:
The interesting feature is the guage package in the engine cover for the spotters. I'm not sure if that overkill or not...... something else to fail?

[AirJunky]

Isn't Tige french for "stem"? Andre?? I never took french, just ran an internet translator on it once.
HEhehehe, nice....... I'm not sure if the french infiltrated Texas or not. But I heard that "Tige" was the word that Charlie's youngest kid called the oldest kid. I guess the younder one was nicknamed "Tiger".

[roddydog]

MC is sorta like HD.
If you have to explain...you wouldn't understand.

[JDK]

MC is sorta like HD.
If you have to explain...you wouldn't understand.

Except most MC's don't have an oil slick around them after they've been sitting at the dock for a while.





........sorry Roddy, I just couldn't resist that one :D

[Diesel]

Maybe,but why ?
This is a good discussion with no name calling or such...Not many of us are gonna go running to the Svara dealers for trading ours MCs tomorrow morning. :twocents:

I figured it was going to be deleted by the mods since their is a competing brand picture. I thought the mods had made it clear this was not allowed on the TMC web site. I guess it just matters who posts the picture................. :rolleyes:

[Ryan]

I figured it was going to be deleted by the mods since their is a competing brand picture. I thought the mods had made it clear this was not allowed on the TMC web site. I guess it just matters who posts the picture................. :rolleyes:

Seriously!

Maybe, low volume production companies are less offensive. I am stoked to see this made it through Monday.

[TMC]

I figured it was going to be deleted by the mods since their is a competing brand picture. I thought the mods had made it clear this was not allowed on the TMC web site. I guess it just matters who posts the picture................. :rolleyes:

The reason it has not been deleted is because it is ultimately about Rob Shirley. I have no problem with you guys discussing what he has done and what he continues to do for the ski boat industry; as was appropriately pointed out, he did start the best boat company ever called MasterCraft. That is why no deletion from this post nazi.

Now as for the timeline of events you have been discussing, here is the situation. MasterCraft was sold to Coleman company in 1984. Mr. Shirley was a little exhausted and thought for the company to grow, it needed an infusion of capital from a larger organization. So he sold it to Coleman whose CEO at the time, according to legend, owned a MC. Mr. Shirley did "stay on" as an adviser for a time after that though. Well, in 1992 Coleman was bought out by an investment firm known as MacAndrews Forbes and they of course picked up MasterCraft in the deal. Interestingly, they also purchased Boston Whaler, Skeeter and O'Brien in 1993. They later divested all those properties except MC. Of course, Boston Whaler went to Brunswick, Skeeter to Yamaha and O'Brien to Earth and Ocean. In 1999, a group of MC managers saw their opportunity to get MC back. Since McAF had divested all the other marine properties, management felt they would let MC go for the right price as well. So with the help of an equity partner, MC's management ponied up the dough and took the company back. And it has remained privately held and operated ever since...

[east tx skier]

Thanks for the history, TMC. That's very informative.

[Scot]

I didn't and don't to this day know what Tige is and it is pronounced tyga? :D

I was at a boat show and asked the Tige rep how to pronounce it and he said " Tiga, like Tiga Woods" :cool:

[east tx skier]

That's what I was told, too.

[captkidd]

Svafara must have a "TON" of credibility. Heck all the did was
copy the mold on the Sporstar/ Prostar Series Hull...look closely

Rob does not have much credibilty... the 98 patch job was a disaster

All his "Intellectual Idea" where taken to Infinity and you see where
that is
Sorry Jim, but that wasn't very nice. Without Rob Shirley there would be no MC, so he deserves a lot of credit there.

Since I'm sure MC has never copied any other boat's designs (wink, wink), guess we need to be careful about casting any stones there too.

Not sure why you, an MC dealer, would try to blame him for the "98 patch job", since he was long gone by then.

I agree with several others that Infinity's demise wasn't due to it being a bad boat ("Intellectual Idea"). Their innovative design was pretty cutting edge, but it's obviously pretty tough for any new ski boat manufacturer to infiltrate the market. For proof, just look at Sea Ray (the Ski Ray), Toyota (the Epic), etc., top-notch companies that have failed to make it in the ski boat market.

[east tx skier]

A little off the subject, but if anyone out there knows someone with a Ski Ray, tell them not to bend their shaft. My local dealer who is doing the bottom job on my uncle's boat is having to do some fashioning on the new shaft. Sea Ray apparently did things a little differently in that respect.

[rodltg2]

the svfara sales guy at the boat show didnt even know about the svone. way to train your sales staff.

[rodltg2]

well now i am the local svfara dealer. i thought this pic maybe okay since TMC stated so .that being a Rob Shirly boat and all. Anyway thought it may interest some folks and give Jim something to rip on today.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

sweet looking boat Rod. you still got a fish on the hook over at the Darkside on that boat??

[trickskier]

What's up with the tiny platform??? Is there a shortage of Teak???

[Sodar]

Looks Good, Rodell!

What is the point of a v-drive with a mid engine?

[trickskier]

What is the point of a v-drive with a mid engine?
:uglyhamme :popcorn: :uglyhamme

[Ryan]

Looks Good, Rodell!

What is the point of a v-drive with a mid engine?

I think it's the same concept as a sportbike vs a harley in that a short wheel base yields a sportier, responsive ride. I have no idea if having the prop & rudder moved up 2' does much beside keeping the rooster tail down.

[Upper Michigan Prostar190]

maybe you guys need a refresher course. its all ball bearings nowadays.

[ridesdirt]

maybe you guys need a refresher course. its all ball bearings nowadays.

lol, Chevy Chase with the big teeth, right?