Travis Edition

[R.A.D.man]

What is this, it's on my boat and I see it from time to time on others.
I'm not the original owner, so i don't know where the boat originated. Is it somehow related to Lake Travis in Austin, TX? This happens to be where I am?
1999 188dc.

[Tx Champ]

Travis Boating Centers, which eventually became Tracker Boating Centers (but that's a whole nother story) were big dealers out of the Austin area and had expanded over most of the gulf states. Pretty well all the brands they carried over the years, Cobra, Sprint, Cajun, etc. they offered as a Travis Edition which was nothing more than the options package (colors, trim, TM, Electronics etc) for the boat. I'm sure it was a situation that they could improve their price from the factory by ordering them all the same with the only variation being the limited base color & trim combos.

Around Texas the joke was the "Travis Edition" kinda meant the kiss of death to the boat company as all 3 of the ones I mentioned above went out of business while they were Travis' primary line.

They were Alan Warren Ooutdoors primary sponsor for a lot of years as well.

[MigAz]

First off, congrats!

Travis Marine used to exist at one time. They were a major retailer of boats. On occasion, they would negotiate w/ boat manufacturers to produce a hull to there requirements. Hence, the Travis Edition.

It's hearsay that it wasn't a good thing, either. I can't verify it, but every now and then one would read how the boats were made cheaply when they were ordered by Travis. Again, strictly hearsay and nothing else.

How is your boat? Post some pics!

[Tx Champ]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MigAz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's hearsay that it wasn't a good thing, either. I can't verify it, but every now and then one would read how the boats were made cheaply when they were ordered by Travis. Again, strictly hearsay and nothing else.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had a fiberglass guy here that did a lot of work for them and their customers tell me that the Travis Edition Cajun hulls were quite a bit lighter then the standard production, but like Miguel, I had no first hand knowledge.


Modified by Tx Champ at 12:07 PM 10/3/2008

[R.A.D.man]

Thanks for the answers.
My boats been great, I've had it for 2 years now.
I need to snap some pics, I've done lots of things to it along the way, can't just leave well enough alone, some might get an idea or 2 from it. I'll see if I can do it this weekend.

[Tx 201]

Mine has a "Mercury Performance Addition" Bull Shoal Marine. I called the Dealer to see if they ordered any special options on the motors for the performance additions, they said, "Nope, just a sticker we put on the boats!"

I was hoping for an extra "hot" model, I only got the sticker!

[R.A.D.man]

I'm sure it's the same for me, just a sticker. I might remove the Travis Edition part, does little more than cover up gel coat.

[AlanW]

I have heard the Travis Editions were made with cheaper accessories, fittings, gauges, etc...than the regular boats. I have no idea if that is really true.

IF we knew somebody that use to WORK AT THE FACTORY, maybe they could shed some light on this......but where would we find such a person?? Where.....

[Cleveland]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlanW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IF we knew somebody that use to WORK AT THE FACTORY, maybe they could shed some light on this......but where would we find such a person?? Where.....</TD></TR></TABLE>



To tell you the truth..... I don't know the answer to that question. Back in the days of "milk and honey" at the plant when we were making Travis Edition boats, I didn't pay that much attention to all of the accessories on the boats. We were putting 15 boats a week out the door. I didn't have time to pay that much attention to what was going on the boats. Guess I should have eh ?? I do know that we made a BUNCH OF TRAVIS EDITION boats though....

[K's_Canuck]

WOOHOO did she just say " EH " I guess the old CANUCK is rubbing off on her

[Backlash Ar]

Just as long as she doesn't start singing "Oh Canada" we can put up with an (eh) now and then.