What happened to cheetah boats

[FROGMAN524]

Dave, are you gonna pull down your review videos of the new cheetah boats with the new owners?

 

[old rigger]

Bahner?

Dan'l

yes.

 

[GreenEnergy28]

Shockwave

Big part of why we built a Shockwave.

 

[BHC Vic]

Cobra is still putting out nice boats and the new owners seem to be putting money into the company

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Cobra is still putting out nice boats and the new owners seem to be putting money into the company

I was there discussing a new build a few weeks ago. Having never been there before, I cannot compare, but I’ve been in WAY worse MFG facilities. New regime seems to have a focused plan.

 

[FROGMAN524]

ICB on the good company list? Product seems much better than it was when Andrew started.

 

[FreeBird236]

Magic
Kowchina
Laser

Isn't Laser still part of Essex and both doing okay?

 

[NicPaus]

Cobra is still putting out nice boats and the new owners seem to be putting money into the company

One huge factor is they have the capital available if needed to fund new boats. Most these other operations are robbing Peter to pay Paul. And one or 2 customers are late on progress payments and there in trouble. Or they snort it up there nose faster than they can build boats. So there snorting boat parts not profit.

 

[whiteworks]

Apparently for 500k you too can live the nightmare lol.

No thanks, I’ll stick to my quiet little life.

I do have one buddy who can afford to actually do cocaine and has for a few decades. Not running out of money seems to be the key to successfully living that life LOL on the daily he gets tuned up by putting down a $200 bottle of tequila, some blow, and some weed. It’s actually quite impressive and entertaining to see him maintain his sweet spot He’s quite functional all tuned up, I dunno, never seen anyone else maintain, best I can figure is all the money keeps him focused and the occasional trip to a resort/rehab to dry out.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

So the list of scammers

Wraith
Luxe
Cheetah
Ultra

Always had a bad feeling about wraith. Guys were shady imo

What happened to Luxe??

 

[BHC Vic]

What happened to Luxe??

There’s some threads on here. I’m really hoping Curt was able to turn it around but I haven’t asked anyone recently

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Good friend worked for Kevin there for several years now. He hasnt worked since August unfortunately (obviously). Damn shame, talented guy.. was doing all the rigging on the boats.

I just got off the phone with him after reading this.

The falling out with that asshole Gene (Wraith) went down more than a year ago it seems.. Kevin seemed to be doing ok in the aftermath, but WOW.. this is some crazy shit.

Sucks.. those new wildcats were pretty nice boats.

Jen and I went out with him and his GF one night and they brought Kevin and his girlfriend/wife.......I don't remember.

The whole time I literally kept saying there is no way this guy owns Cheetah.

What a shame how this all went down.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Isn't Laser still part of Essex and both doing okay?

I was wondering the same. Don’t think Essex is having any problems.

 

[dribble]

Isn't Laser still part of Essex and both doing okay?

I thought Essex dropped the Laser line years ago.

 

[Aces & Eights]

Eliminator
Nordic
Hallett
DCB
MTI

Howard?

 

[DRYHEAT]

I thought Essex dropped the Laser line years ago.

Just got off the phone with Essex, they never really dropped the laser line, but they just don’t produce it anymore.
The price differential didn’t make it feasible to have two lines anymore.

 

[JFMFG]

I have no idea.. he had a nut job girlfriend (wasn’t hard to look at). We hung out with them on the lake a few times. Then my friend got into it with Gene at the shop one day and everything went south after that.

That guy was supposed to be building a center console

 

[FreeBird236]

Just got off the phone with Essex, they never really dropped the laser line, but they just don’t produce it anymore.
The price differential didn’t make it feasible to have two lines anymore.

Good to know.

 

[MegansDad]

I thought one of the Cheetah owners was Greg. Have his number in my phone. I would call him when I need a new cover or part for my boat and he always seemed legit.

 

[RiverDave]

I thought one of the Cheetah owners was Greg. Have his number in my phone. I would call him when I need a new cover or part for my boat and he always seemed legit.

Greg is the only legit guy in this deal..

 

[mobldj]

cheetah bob rest his soul never didnt deliver

 

[Havasu blue label]

No thanks, I’ll stick to my quiet little life.

I do have one buddy who can afford to actually do cocaine and has for a few decades. Not running out of money seems to be the key to successfully living that life LOL on the daily he gets tuned up by putting down a $200 bottle of tequila, some blow, and some weed. It’s actually quite impressive and entertaining to see him maintain his sweet spot He’s quite functional all tuned up, I dunno, never seen anyone else maintain, best I can figure is all the money keeps him focused and the occasional trip to a resort/rehab to dry out.

Tuned up haven’t heard that in 20 years

 

[riverroyal]

I was wondering the same. Don’t think Essex is having any problems.

I don't think laser is essex???
Essex I've never heard anything bad ever. Always liked the deck boat.

 

[Dunerking]

Howard?

I was wondering the same.. I’d imagine Howard would’ve been one of the top name solid builders.

 

[Cooter01]

My oh my

 

[JFMFG]

I was wondering the same.. I’d imagine Howard would’ve been one of the top name solid builders.

I think Howard is solid.

 

[DRYHEAT]

I don't think laser is essex???
Essex I've never heard anything bad ever. Always liked the deck boat.

It was their economy line, same ownership, Laser was just down the street from the Essex shop, didn’t have all the bells and whistles of the “top-tier” boats of the time but we’re reasonably priced.

 

[AFTERSHOCK RACING+]

I think Howard is solid.

I wood agree

 

[ultra26shadow]

cheetah bob rest his soul never didnt deliver

In his black Cadi with gold trim. Was a true playa

 

[77charger]

Well I was wondering how long it was gonna be.

I had been keeping in touch with Kevin over the last six months and he was basically saying that he was way too trusting and the guy (Gene) from Wraith had swindled a little over 300k from them.. if he could get an investor for that much that could continue operations and pull it off. It was 500 to buy the whole company and they would either stay on as employees or whatever the new owner decided to do.

The story got a little stranger when he told me that in an act of depression him and his biz partner had gone to Vegas and gambled heavily and won a little then thought that was the way forward. You don’t need to see the future how that turned out. Apparently their was some cocaine involved there.. without getting to heavy into it, it kinda sounded like his biz partner and best friend ended up with his wife. How that shook out I dunno.. (but we will circle back to that)

I hadn’t heard from him for a bit and he basically told me he needed money by December or it’s over and he would be unable to complete orders..

I got a phone call right before I left from Mexico from a guy I think his name was Dan. He was explaining to me that Cheetah had taken large sums of money from people and they had very little if anything to show for it. Several boats fully funded by a financing company that had zero parts. He had an engine on order but it showed up in orange instead of blue with the intention of putting it in another boat. I believe he grabbed the engine and had something in writing that he would exchange it with the correct color engine when it came in? He would have to share the whole story on here I am sure I’d miss some key points.. Anyhow the picture he painted was one of wire fraud, taking people’s money spending it on cocaine and gambling and basically 400k embezzled.. . It sounded like him and at least three or four other people were going to the cops.

In the meantime Kevin Walton (circling back) has gotten into a whole different set of trouble when he picked up his kids (which he didn’t have custody of) and took off to California..

He has been arrested by the US Marshals and is being or has been extradited back to AZ. He is still in jail from what I heard at lunch today.

Havasu father arrested in California on kidnapping charges after taking children

A Lake Havasu City man was arrested in Southern California after allegedly kidnapping his two children in a custody dispute.

www.havasunews.com

This thing has gone from “well I hope they pull it off” to “well that doesn’t sound good” to “holy shit.. wtf!!”

I’m sorry to say but it sounds likely that Cheetah Boats is another defunct west coast boat mfg that left people holding the bag.

RD

Almost sounds like an early hotboat days description just add dogs and Beaumont especially the Vegas part.

 

[wishiknew]

cheetah bob god rest his soul had some shennigans during his time like stealing boats and using the motors and drives again in new builds but it was a sign of the times LOL

 

[76sanger]

Cobra is still putting out nice boats and the new owners seem to be putting money into the company

Sexiest boats out there right now!

 

[Justsomeguy]

So, who's mike and what's riverside performance marine? That's who was posting for cheetah. Same page on Instagram just different name.

 

[rrrr]

Let me get this straight...The company is struggling so the partners get hopped up on Tijuana nose nachos and divise a genius plan to "put it all on red" in hopes of saving their company? You literally can't make this shit up.

Netflix needs to make a documentary about the boating industry.

Why not? It worked for Fred Smith, the CEO of FedEx.

How Fred Smith rescued FedEx from bankruptcy by playing blackjack in Las Vegas

In its early years, FedEx was a success, but rising fuel costs led the company to go into debt quickly.

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[blueflaminhot]

@blueflaminhot how was your experience?

Wow! Honestly I have had nothing but good interactions with the Cheetah guys and Kevin. Obviously my build was way before all this stuff happened. Not sure what the future is here very sad I have been really happy with my 22.

 

[wishiknew]

Cobra is still putting out nice boats and the new owners seem to be putting money into the company

New Owners ????

 

[Badchoices03]

So, who's mike and what's riverside performance marine? That's who was posting for cheetah. Same page on Instagram just different name.

Riverside Performance Marine was Carrera Boats previously....

 

[Justsomeguy]

Riverside Performance Marine was Carrera Boats previously....

So they sold before all this? That's what I'm saying? How are they opening under new name? I'm genuinely trying to understand.

Never mind Carrera and cheetah. Got it. My bad. Carry on.

 

[BHC Vic]

New Owners ????

The Walter’s, I guess not that new. Nikki has posted on here recently @NIKKI WALTERS

 

[Roosky01]

Is it something in the fumes or what with these outfits/dudes?

Cheetah seemed to be making a good boat for a reasonable price comparatively? Maybe an opportunity for the right person to scoop it up cheap and run with it? If the 26 Wildcat interior was laid out like the 22 footer, that boat would be a perfect low entry cost West Coast boat I think? Current 26' interior is hideous and outdated, IMO.

 

[ChumpChange]

They swindled the flooring company (aka - banks).

Big time. I use that one as a case study.

 

[YeahYeah01]

Well I was wondering how long it was gonna be.

I had been keeping in touch with Kevin over the last six months and he was basically saying that he was way too trusting and the guy (Gene) from Wraith had swindled a little over 300k from them.. if he could get an investor for that much that could continue operations and pull it off. It was 500 to buy the whole company and they would either stay on as employees or whatever the new owner decided to do.

The story got a little stranger when he told me that in an act of depression him and his biz partner had gone to Vegas and gambled heavily and won a little then thought that was the way forward. You don’t need to see the future how that turned out. Apparently their was some cocaine involved there.. without getting to heavy into it, it kinda sounded like his biz partner and best friend ended up with his wife. How that shook out I dunno.. (but we will circle back to that)

I hadn’t heard from him for a bit and he basically told me he needed money by December or it’s over and he would be unable to complete orders..

I got a phone call right before I left from Mexico from a guy I think his name was Dan. He was explaining to me that Cheetah had taken large sums of money from people and they had very little if anything to show for it. Several boats fully funded by a financing company that had zero parts. He had an engine on order but it showed up in orange instead of blue with the intention of putting it in another boat. I believe he grabbed the engine and had something in writing that he would exchange it with the correct color engine when it came in? He would have to share the whole story on here I am sure I’d miss some key points.. Anyhow the picture he painted was one of wire fraud, taking people’s money spending it on cocaine and gambling and basically 400k embezzled.. . It sounded like him and at least three or four other people were going to the cops.

In the meantime Kevin Walton (circling back) has gotten into a whole different set of trouble when he picked up his kids (which he didn’t have custody of) and took off to California..

He has been arrested by the US Marshals and is being or has been extradited back to AZ. He is still in jail from what I heard at lunch today.

Havasu father arrested in California on kidnapping charges after taking children

A Lake Havasu City man was arrested in Southern California after allegedly kidnapping his two children in a custody dispute.

www.havasunews.com

This thing has gone from “well I hope they pull it off” to “well that doesn’t sound good” to “holy shit.. wtf!!”

I’m sorry to say but it sounds likely that Cheetah Boats is another defunct west coast boat mfg that left people holding the bag.

RD

Holy shit. I'm not as in tuned the Sags as some but this is a movie script.

Sad story for a ton of people.

 

[Tank]

Was this the deal you were referring to in the black diamond thread @RiverDave ?

 

[D19]

Eliminator
Nordic
Hallett
DCB
MTI

Tahiti.