Meridian Training and tour

[Tedster]

Ok guys just got back from two days of Meridian factory training and plant tour. Any questions out there I can answer. Yes I was aboard the new 391, a real beauty indeed! :D

[Go Aweigh2452]

give me one for a year and I'll provide a nice looong report on her... she's a beaut!

[pkrogh]

Ted,
Where on line can I see one!!

Pete

[bradvo]

Ted, since the 391 is replacing the successful Merdian 38 what is the difference between the two in lay out and cost?
Brad

[SomeSailor]

No pictures?

I hear they've got a slick new 2400 and 197 out too?

Rumor about a bigger 30+ ft 2452 style hull in the works for a couple years down the road as well.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Rumor about a bigger 30+ ft 2452 style hull

I don't understand the diff between a 30 and the 2852... I would think it would be too much competition between both boats... Going that big, I'd opt for the ole 32.. series MY which is no more... :cry:

[SomeSailor]

Just talking to a kid who works in the prototype mold shop about it. I don't know the marketing ideas behind it, but adding a couple of feet and beam to a 289 would be nice. Not sure what you'd call it though. Would it be a 302 or a 309?

I think the differences would be in the marketing. With no flybridge, it'd be competing with a whole different crowd than the MYs, and be more utilitarian.

He was involved with prototyping and tooling the 197 and he was pretty proud of that. Looks like a cool deckboat for on the lakes. Haven't seen any pics of the 2400, but I guess its much like it? (Ted?)

He said we might see the 309/302 (whatever) hull here on Lake Stevens soon. They're finally getting back to tooling next years stuff.

He gets to travel to all these different plants and set their tooling up for them on these new hulls. Sounds like a fun job for a kid.

[Tedster]

Ok lets see here www.meridian-yachts.com is the site, no pic's on there yet, but when it is ready thats where to go.
If they do build a bigger 289 it will be called a 309 the 9 means the style the 30 means the size.
I haven't seen the 197 down here in big boat land yet, but I hear it is a really cool boat for just about anything. The 249 deckboat is not new that I know of and we don't stock it, only the 219 and that boat has everything for a lake boat.

Any more questions I forgot?

[Tedster]

Brad at this point I don't know what the price will be yet, but believe me the layout on the bridge is fantastic, the layout inside is fantastic, the cockpit is fantastic, in other words this all new boat is not a 3788 carry over Bayliner. It is wider now 13' 11" longer 40' 11" compared to 381 at 13' 7" and 38' 6". Two level side windows like the new 341 and two island bed staterooms.

[Stompor]

Give me full specs.
Engines ?
Dinnette or Inside helm, or is inslide helm/dinnette ala 411?
1 head or 2?
Do you have any pics?
Will they have one at the Boat show?
Will it take a year and a half to get a bedspread?

ok found the specs at BoatTest
http://www.boattest.com/boats/1086/overview.aspx

[Tedster]

Cummins, and the new QSB (Quantum Series) engines will be available. I would expect the 330's standard and the 380's optional.
The dinette is an elevated wrap around type that will make into a berth for a single or two kido's. Not a 411 convertable type, rather an either or.
There is a head and sink/vanity on the port side with a shower stall on the starboard side. Two rooms but only one head.
I have some training pic's, but not give aways yet.
Our boatshow boat is being built right now and will be at the show for sure.
Are you trying to tell me that you don't have your bedspread exchanged yet? Why don't I know that?

[SomeSailor]

The 249 deckboat is not new that I know of and we don't stock it, only the 219 and that boat has everything for a lake boat.

Any more questions I forgot?

I'll ask him but he called it a 2400. He said it's a lake boat sort, but differnt hull and seating setup than the 197. He was grinnin' ear to ear when talking about it so I guess it's a nice one.

Looking forward to seeing some of these at the show this year.

[Tedster]

Must be a new model that they are looking at for next year or mid-year. Not aware of anything like you are discribing and I have the full 2006 line-up already. The 197 would be a hoot to own though. :D

[SomeSailor]

It's not a 2006 if he's working on it. He does prototyping hulls and then production molds as they are designed (once they're going to market). Didn't know if you'd heard of it.

I'll take some pictures of the hull here on the Lake. There are two of them out here right now. Pretty cool trying to figure out what they're gonna be. :)

[Tedster]

Ya I'm quite sure it is not a this year boat, the funny thing is when they test the hulls it is hard to tell what the deck is going to be, could be a Bay a Max a Trophy when it is done. :D

[SomeSailor]

You can tell on some of these that they're definitley cruisers (big wide flat hulls), but you're right... they do look silly at times with a redneck looking plywood helm on them.

You'll see some nice Trophys out here too. When I was out on the lake last year Bob and I drove up behind a row of them. Pretty neat seeing the small changes.