Prince Charming Proposes Malibu Boats Style

Tyler Prince "Charming" used Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) in his plan to propose to his girlfirend Nicole earlier this year. We saw some of the pics and heard bits and pieces of the story on Facebook from Tyler's coworkers at Malibu Boats Dealer Sundown Sport & Marine in Richland, WA. We wanted to know more so we went straight to the source for the whole story. Here are the details Tyler emailed us.

Nicole & I have been dating for 5 ½ years. We meet in summer, and enjoyed spending a lot of our time together on the water. Our relationship blossomed from there.

Nicole is a branch manager in the Tri-Cities for a local Credit Union (HAPO Credit Union), and I am the General Manager for Sundown Sport & Marine.

On the day of the proposal, I had a few of her girlfriends help. It was her birthday, so the girls wanted to treat her to lunch. So a limo picked her up from our home and took her with a dozen close friends to lunch, and then to a local winery for some wine tasting. After the wine tasting one of her friends told her they had one more treat for her but they would have to blind fold her. So they hopped back into the limo with Nicole blindfolded and made their way to Columbia Park, where I had an all white 2010 Malibu 23 LSV tied up to the dock. I had covered the dock in rose pedals, and had a bottle of champagne on ice sitting on the center table of the boat. I was dressed up in a suit, (with a set of sunglasses on – just in case) standing down on the dock. When then limo pulled up a friend escorted Nicole (still blindfolded) down to the dock then booked it back to the limo. Once Nicole removed the blindfold and saw me there, I think she started to put everything together. We had a few words on the dock, and then I proceeded to one knee and presented her the engagement ring and asked her if she would spend the rest of her life with me.

ONCE she said yes, we un-tied the boat, and cruised the Columbia in the new Malibu, celebrating with Champaign for about 3 miles down river until we reached a nice restaurant in our area, that had a dock. Once we got to the dock, the group from the limo was there to congratulate us. We had a few drinks and appetizers there, and began the celebrations.

Way to go Tyler! That was deffinately a special proposal, one we're sure Nicole will remember for the rest of her life. We are so proud that Malibu Boats was a part of it. Thank you for including us and good luck as you start your life together!

We're always looking for fun Malibu Boats stories, photos and video. Send any and all of these things to blog@malibuboats.com!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Tyler Prince | marriage proposal | wedding | Sundown Sport & Marine | Malibu Dealer | Wakesetter 247 LSV | boat cruise | proposal | surprise | wakeboard boat | prince charming

Malibu Family's New MMA Addition Dominates

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) MMA fighter Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) made his presence known on Saturday night at UFC 111 in Newark, New Jersey. Carwin faced Frank Mir in the Octagon for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship.

As the introductions started and the commentator chatter turned to a steady buzz the favorite was made clear. Mir had receive more air time leading up to the fight coupled with a more dramatic entrance. Add this to what seemed to be the confidence of most analysts and it seemed as though Mir had the fight all but won. Carwin however, did not get this memo. He walked out confident and took his place in front of his sponsor banner, which included Malibu Boats and Malibu Dealer Tommy's Slalom Shop, in Octagon waiting for the Mir show to end and the big show to be begin.

Carwin was introduced to the roar of Team Carwin (#TeamCarwin) while he paced with the Malibu Boats logo in the background. The rest of the Malibu Boats family cheered from a pay-per-view vantage points.

Carwin continued to show the past champ respect until the battle began. Then he morphed into the "Beast" that Team Carwin knows as their favorite fighter. And this guy is the reason #TeamCarwin is still one of the main trending MMA topics on Twitter this morning.

The two men started the first round measuring each other and tangling against the cage. Carwin passed his infamous 1:40 mark and did not turn to dust. They fought on and at 3:30 Carwin turned on the power that he is known for pummeling Mir with 22 unanswered shots to the head and shoulders. The battle was called at 3:48. Carwin was declared the winner by knockout.

Carwin's confidence was humbled as he took the mic after the fight and admitted he was speechless. It had been a year since he stepped into the Octagon. All of that preparation, hard work along with the "on again off again" fight dates had made the road long. But as good as this victory felt for Shane, he is the first to say it is only a short stop on the road to Brock Lesnar. His goal of toppling the UFC Heavyweight Champion has never changed. He is focused on that fight now and looking to drop the "Interim" from his title in early July against Lesnar.

Carwin said, "I am honored to represent Malibu Boats in and out of the Octagon. What Malibu Boats and Tommy's Slalom's has done is helped me reach my goals and provide a rewarding escape for my family and friends. After big wins you always hear the athlete saying they are going to Disneyland, for me I am going boating on my Wakesetter VLX."

Malibu Boats is so proud of you Shane! Your abilities in cage are only matched by your integrity and your drive. Keep pushing limits and the next belt will be yours. Congratulations Shane Carwin!

Related blog post Top Ranked MMA Fighter Chooses Malibu Boats.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Shane Carwin | Mixed Martial Arts | MMA | UFC | UFC 111 | Frank Mir | Brock Lesnar | UFC Heavyweight Title | Wakesetter VLX | wakeboard boat | Tommy's Slalom Shop

Clift Family Repeats with Malibu Boats

2nd-time Malibu boat (@MalibuBoats) owners Blake and Nicole Clift just took delivery of their 2010 Wakesetter VLX from Grandpa's Marine in Greensboro, NC.

Blake sent a great email to our own Kerri Johns in Customer Service this morning thanking her for a signature Malibu Boats effort that pushed the limits of typical customer care. This is some of what Blake had to say. "The time you invested and dedication to Nicole and I as customers is the exact reason we bought a Malibu the first and now second time. Thank you again for all that you did/do daily to satisfy us crazy Malibu owners. (Don’t forget you’re one too!!) Wear your [Malibu Boats] 10-year ring with pride, you clearly deserve it!"

Check out some hilarious pics of Blake surfing behind his previous Malibu boat on the Malibu Boats Flickr Channel.

Thanks for the photos and the email, Blake. Thanks for re-upping with the Malibu Difference. Finally thanks for the giving our girl Kerri the praise she deserves! We're so happy to have you Nicole, Carlie and Kasey as a part of our family!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Clift Family | Blake Clift | Grandpa's Marine | Malibu Dealer | Kerri Johns | Malibu Difference | Malibu Family | Wakesetter VLX

Malibu Boats Dealer Excellence in NC

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Dealer Grandpa's Marine in Greensboro, NC was recently recognized by a new Malibu boat owner as an outstanding boat dealer. Here's some of what Ralph Bentley had to say about his Malibu boat buying experience and his dealings with Grandpa's Marine.

I am send you this emailing to applaud your Malibu dealer “Grandpas Marine” located here in Greensboro North Carolina.

“Today my family and I are proud owners of a 247 LSV Malibu Boat and we are so glad to be an active part of your Malibu Boating Family.”

I am a Design/Development Engineer in Automotive Electronics. I am solely driven by superiority of mechanics and specifications, which are just plain part of my very nature. Details, details, details!

I became annually haunted by PowerBoat Magazine’s Award for Product Excellence consistently being awarded to Malibu Boats. Every year! But what really infatuated me was the innovative mechanics and awe-inspiring design details within the Malibu advertisements that became immediately imprinted deeply within my mind and inter-being; never letting my mind rest.

With that said; I decided to see for myself these manufactured miracles hence the beginning of my experience with your Malibu team of excellence in Greensboro.

Upon my initial phone call with Jimmy Holyfield and Mike Fahnestock every question and point of interest was thoroughly explained and defined fully satisfying my factual computing minds eye. We set up a meeting.

My first visit to Grandpas Marine was after hours and with Allen Brown. Upon meeting Allen it quickly became apparent that not only did Jimmy and Mike know their stuff but Allen was their equal. Allen’s personality quickly positioned him as the brother I’d never known; honest down to earth and extremely knowledgeable easily and seamlessly blending mine and Malibu’s best interest into one working reality.

I would have to say Allen is an invaluable asset to your organization and I credit my new boat ownership directly back to his incredible knowledge of these boats and their capabilities. The expertise of which Allen has handled himself thru-out this sale/acquisition could not have been bettered. Every request has been met with an intense drive to provide 110% customer satisfaction and if not possible Allen has diligently explained why and what other options exist. He has represented Malibu with a face of distinction solely upholding the honor and integrity that the Malibu nomenclature name plate demands.

Allen has supervised the rigging and installation of extra options we’ve had added to this boat package with the same critical watchful veracity I personally demand just as if this was his own boat.

The actual Malibu purchase is another historical first for me and my family actually being a pleasurable experience made so by Grandpas financial guy Mike Fahnestock. I have to say this is the first time I’ve completed a purchase of this magnitude and not afterwards had flash back moments of ice water rushing thru my veins every time the thought crossed my brain of “What Did I Just Do?” Mike diligently worked to assure we were given the best choices and coverage’s that met our family and boating needs.

Limited involvement with owner Jimmy Holyfield has revealed an owner/manager who truly knows how to manage his business and staff while encouraging Allen and Mike to uphold his personal values in symmetry with those of their customers.

Please accept our most heartfelt thank you for making this boat buying experience memorable as well as wonderful by having this caliber of preeminence represented by the Grandpas Marine Dealership handling your Malibu products.

Respectfully,
Ralph, Deb, John and James
The Bentley’s

Thank you so much for taking the time to write and send this great email, Ralph! We are extremely proud of Grandpa's Marine and the entire Malibu Boats Dealer Network for the high level of sales and service they practice. It's all in the Malibu Family! Have fun this summer in your Wakesetter 247 LSV and send us some pics!

Tags: Malibu Boats | Bentley Family | Ralph Bentley | Grandpa's Marine | Malibu Dealer | Jimmy Holyfield | Malibu Difference | Malibu Family | Wakesetter 247 LSV | Mike Fahnestock | Allen Brown | Greensboro NC

2010 Wakesetter VLX Schoolin' in the UK

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) is covering the world of water sports! Check out LDB Wakeboard School's new 2010 Wakesetter VLX featured by Alliance Wake Magazine UK.

It's the start of a new season, and for most clubs and wakeboard schools that means getting a new boat. Well today Mr. Lee Debuse met in Thorpe with David Webster from D2 Marine to receive the delivery of LDB Wake School's brand new Wakesetter VLX. The new boat in a tidy black, white and green colour scheme to match the LDB logo, is fresh from the states this week, and after some running in Lee had his first customers out on the boat. So I headed down to meet George Newell who was keen to test out the wake.

After 15 minutes in cold weather with a ripped wetsuit, George still had the same smile on his face that all Lee's customers have had today as the wake on the new VLX is top notch. LDB is taking bookings now for the 2010 season, and will have some special sessions like the up coming Chicks Day this Friday. For more info and to book a tow, check out the website.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Wakesetter VLX | UK | International | D2 Marine | LDB Wakeboard School | Malibu Dealer | Wakeboarding | Alliance Wake UK | wakeboard boat | Lee Debuse

Top Ranked MMA Fighter Chooses Malibu Boats

Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) welcomes the UFC’s No. 1 Heavyweight Contender, Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin), to the Malibu Boats family. A huge fan of Malibu Boats, Carwin is pumped to bring the Malibu brand of fun and performance to the Mixed Martial Arts Octagon. Malibu Boats reciprocates this admiration as fans of Carwin’s integrity and determination as much as his 11-0 record. Carwin is looking to punch-up his wakeboarding with his family this summer behind his new Wakesetter VLX. But, before that can happen Malibu Boats will be pulling for Carwin, in a different way, as he fights for the Interim Heavyweight Title against Frank Mir March 27th at UFC 111.

Additional Links
Shane Carwin’s Web Site
Follow Shane Carwin on Twitter
UFC 111

Wearing the Malibu Boats name, Carwin will enter the Octagon with Frank Mir on March 27th in Newark, New Jersey to decide the Interim Heavyweight Title at UFC 111. Carwin will draw on his 11 and 0 MMA career experience to defeat Mir, a 2-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. Success in that arena will pit Carwin against the UFC’s only other fighter to wear 4XL gloves, current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar.

When asked why he chose Malibu Boats, Carwin responded with this statement, “My family and I love being on the lake and spending time together. We all ski, wakeboard and just enjoy the water. When looking for a boat I wanted a brand that worked as hard as I do to be the best. Malibu is not only the best performing boat they are the only boats good enough for my family and me.”

Carwin’s record is extremely impressive, but not the only reason Malibu is so excited about this new relationship. Just like the other talented individuals that make-up the Malibu Boats Family, Carwin is as strong on character and determination as he is fierce in the Octagon.

Paul Singer, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Malibu Boats, had this to say about the addition of Carwin to the Malibu Crew. "Shane has a level of dedication that is impressive whether it revolves around his family, his sport or his fans so he made an immediate impression on us in the cage and out. Singer continued, "The fact that he has dreamed of owning a Malibu boat and wanted to bring us in the Octagon was icing on the cake. Both vessels of extreme performance, strength and precision, Shane and his new Wakesetter VLX create a strong team."

Carwin fulfilled his mother’s goal for he and his brother, two times over, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a second degree in Environmental Technology. Carwin was also National Runner-Up Heavyweight in NCAA Division II Wrestling two years running and NCAA II Wrestling Heavyweight National Champion in 1999. In his spare time he managed to become a two-time All-American in football. He was focused on family and driven then. He remains that way today.

Carwin works as an Engineer as he pursues his Mixed Martial Arts career with UFC, but his devotion still lies with family. Carwin’s wife Lani, his son Kamden and their new baby girl Alexia remain the priorities in his life. They are all looking forward to a fun summer in their 2010 Wakesetter VLX from Tommy’s Slalom Shop in Denver, Colorado. Malibu Boats will keep you updated on Carwin and his family as they wakeboard and have great times in their Malibu boat this summer.

Tags: Malibu Boats | Shane Carwin | Mixed Martial Arts | MMA | UFC | UFC 111 | Frank Mir | Brock Lesnar | UFC Heavyweight Title | Wakesetter VLX | wakeboard boat | Tommy's Slalom Shop

Winter Training Paying Off For Dallas Friday

Team Malibu Boats (@MalibuBoats) Dallas Friday never does anything halfway! Even now, in the off season, she is constantly pushing everyday to better herself and her sport. Check out this video shot and edited by TheWakePlace.com (@TheWakePlace) of Dallas landing some monstrous moves behind her Wakesetter VLX!

Jonathan Pears from TheWakePlace.com had this to say about Dallas and this latest video. "Dallas Friday works hard at her sport, she lives and breathes it as much as she physically can. It has been the coldest winter in Florida for something like 25yrs, and even as we approach April, we are still in wetsuits. But that isn’t stopping riders like Dallas, and as this footage shows - its paying off! This was shot this morning (Tuesday 23rd March) and in the short words from Mike Ferraro you can see how windy it was. The 2 lines that Dallas threw down are insane, a nice jump forward in the female side of the sport for sure!"

Great video, Jonathan! And keep up the hard work Dallas! Where can you possibly go from legendary status? Immortal? Malibu Boats will be pulling for you when you reach it!

Tags: Malibu Boats | TheWakePlace.com | Dallas Friday | wakeboard video | female wakeboarder | Wakesetter VLX | pink boat | Jonathan Pears | training | pro wakeboarding