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Author Topic:   Robalo Boats

hauptjm posted 07-15-2002 02:34 PM ET (US)
Although, they obviously are not Whalers, Robalo Boats were in fact owned by Brunswick at one point. My understanding is that Brunswick sold the Robalo line to US Marine(?), whereby USM ceased manufacturing them in January 2001.
I'm surprised that these decisions were made by Brunswick, in that Robalo was usually considered a premium CC. Now, according to a Florida Dealer's website, Robalos will/are being offered by Chaparral Boats. As of this writing Chaparral's website makes no mention of Robalo.
Anyone heard of what's going on?? I'd hate to see another premium brand go by the wayside.
Chaps posted 07-16-2002 12:01 AM ET (US)
I recall Robalo as being owned by AMF at one point, not Brunswick. I owned a 23' back in the late 70's - wonderful boat back then.
jbtaz posted 07-16-2002 09:09 AM ET (US)
Robalo was sold to Chapparal and they have begun production slowly only offering 3 models for 2002. You can see them on www.robalo.com. They are pretty much the same boat that US Marine built. They are not the Robalo's of old (Foam Filled) like Whaler, in fact they are the old Wahoo hulls rebaged as Robalo.
Bertramp posted 07-16-2002 10:42 AM ET (US)
I had the pleasure of owning a 1970 19' Robalo. When I owned it (late 70s) I constantly remarked to people that it was a better riding boat than the 17 Montauk. The 19 Robalo was gunnel to gunnel foam filled hull (sound familiar ?) that was designed by Ray Hunt (sounding more familiar ?) and had a completely self bailing cockpit. I considred it a cross between a Whaler and Bertram .... this was a great little boat and I still feel that in construction and design it could stand up VERY favorably to any other boat in it's class regardless of manufarturer!!
After that first 19' hull, the company got more "cost conscious" and got their own design team for subsequent hulls :( and ultimately sold to AMF :(( .... this was at a point when AMF went out and bought a lot of top line products (Harley Davidson Motorcyles, Hatteras Yachts) and through cost cutting, screwed up some of the best stuff out there.
As for the current stataus of Robalo, I don't know, but the original "Ray Hunt" boat was great !!
Robalo/Whaler/Bertram .... over the years, I've ownd Ray Hunt hulls from 3 different manufacturers .... the guy knew his _____ !!

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Author	Topic: Robalo Boats
hauptjm	posted 07-15-2002 02:34 PM ET (US) Although, they obviously are not Whalers, Robalo Boats were in fact owned by Brunswick at one point. My understanding is that Brunswick sold the Robalo line to US Marine(?), whereby USM ceased manufacturing them in January 2001. I'm surprised that these decisions were made by Brunswick, in that Robalo was usually considered a premium CC. Now, according to a Florida Dealer's website, Robalos will/are being offered by Chaparral Boats. As of this writing Chaparral's website makes no mention of Robalo. Anyone heard of what's going on?? I'd hate to see another premium brand go by the wayside.
Chaps	posted 07-16-2002 12:01 AM ET (US) I recall Robalo as being owned by AMF at one point, not Brunswick. I owned a 23' back in the late 70's - wonderful boat back then.
jbtaz	posted 07-16-2002 09:09 AM ET (US) Robalo was sold to Chapparal and they have begun production slowly only offering 3 models for 2002. You can see them on www.robalo.com. They are pretty much the same boat that US Marine built. They are not the Robalo's of old (Foam Filled) like Whaler, in fact they are the old Wahoo hulls rebaged as Robalo.
Bertramp	posted 07-16-2002 10:42 AM ET (US) I had the pleasure of owning a 1970 19' Robalo. When I owned it (late 70s) I constantly remarked to people that it was a better riding boat than the 17 Montauk. The 19 Robalo was gunnel to gunnel foam filled hull (sound familiar ?) that was designed by Ray Hunt (sounding more familiar ?) and had a completely self bailing cockpit. I considred it a cross between a Whaler and Bertram .... this was a great little boat and I still feel that in construction and design it could stand up VERY favorably to any other boat in it's class regardless of manufarturer!! After that first 19' hull, the company got more "cost conscious" and got their own design team for subsequent hulls :( and ultimately sold to AMF :(( .... this was at a point when AMF went out and bought a lot of top line products (Harley Davidson Motorcyles, Hatteras Yachts) and through cost cutting, screwed up some of the best stuff out there. As for the current stataus of Robalo, I don't know, but the original "Ray Hunt" boat was great !! Robalo/Whaler/Bertram .... over the years, I've ownd Ray Hunt hulls from 3 different manufacturers .... the guy knew his _____ !!