Hello from Houston!!

[23Clubbing]

Not quite an owner yet.

My wife and I are looking at these two Cobalts. One a 97 200 series with the 210hp Volvo Chevy combo in beautiful condition(trailer is too, new tires, boards, brakes etc) with 200 hours for $16k

https://www.facebook.com/share/fAK5PJe6 ... tid=79PoIi

And the other with double the hours in really great shape too, 2004 226 series with the 280hp Volvo Chevy combo for $17k. The only issues is there seems to be some cracking in the gellcoat(I’ll take pics and send them later) about midship on the passenger side at the top.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1r4RqT6u ... tid=79PoIi

Any input is welcome and thank you already in advance!!

Chris

[NautiWeasel]

If it were my money, I'd go for the 226 over the 200. You get a little bigger boat, a little newer boat, and substantially more HP. I've never heard anyone say they wish they had less HP. I realize it has 450+ hours, but on that year of boat, that isn't considered high by any means. The engines are good for those hours for sure, if well maintained (standard small block GM engine, 350 cid). If you're concerned, you could always have a shop check out the mechanics, and make sure it appears well maintained. Even better if the current owner has any maintenance records, or receipts.

Good luck on your choice, and welcome.

[23Clubbing]

Well I never replied to this post. We bought the 226 and absolutely LOVE it!!

We spent some money addressing some things and a thorough cleaning and paid to have the hull detailed (I started putting some effort into it, and I need a bigger buffer, more aggressive stuff blah blah blah)

Anyway here are some pics. Get compliments on it all the time

[23Clubbing]

And a pic of our new steering wheel

Chris

[jhnmdahl]

That's a lot of boat for around $20k. Nice find, 23!

[23Clubbing]

That's a lot of boat for around $20k. Nice find, 23!

Thank you!

Chris

[Boardrunner]

Welcome

[Krob1114]

That's a lot of boat for around $20k. Nice find, 23!

+1

Way better than my first boat.

[kas232ca]

Looks like it cleaned up really well!

[groberts4]

Hey 23! Welcome to the site, and congrats on what may be the best boat for the money I've ever seen!
We're out here at Lake Conroe. We bought our 262 about 10 years ago with 410 hours on it for $70K. Like I said, yours was a total steal.
Also - I've spent too many hours trying to restore the chrome center ring on my OEM steering wheel. Since you just got a new one, do you want to sell your old one? I'd be interested if the center chrome ring and black Cobalt centerpiece are in good shape. Send me a note and let me know, and where you put your boat in while you're at it.
Thanks!

[23Clubbing]

Hey 23! Welcome to the site, and congrats on what may be the best boat for the money I've ever seen!
We're out here at Lake Conroe. We bought our 262 about 10 years ago with 410 hours on it for $70K. Like I said, yours was a total steal.
Also - I've spent too many hours trying to restore the chrome center ring on my OEM steering wheel. Since you just got a new one, do you want to sell your old one? I'd be interested if the center chrome ring and black Cobalt centerpiece are in good shape. Send me a note and let me know, and where you put your boat in while you're at it.
Thanks!

Thank you!! We were not sure about the price but after talking to many others, we do feel now that we got a good deal

My old one, looks awful and the chrome is flaking off and a mess. The steering wheel looks great, but trust me, you dont want my center and I would give it to you.

We live 5 minutes from lake Houston, and have been to Conroe one. We really like that lake so far and plan on going back up soon.

Chris

[groberts4]

Bummer, but I get it - that chrome was never intended to last 20 years (apparently). I used to boat Lake Houston but the iffy water quality drove me to find a cleaner playground. Lake Conroe actually has some of the highest water quality in the state, according to TP&W and other reliable sources. Of course, we're very busy on weekends, more of a party, but during the week it's quiet and serene. Send me a note if you ever decide to come up this way and I'll meet you out on the water, lead you on a tour if you want.
PS: In my note above I said our boat had 410 hours on it when we bought it - nope, that's how many it has now. It only had 20 hours when we bought it, and it was in 2008, so the boat was only 2 years old at the time. The $70K price tag makes a little more sense when I get my facts straight.

[23Clubbing]

Yeah it’s too bad you can’t just get that part.

That sounds great and will do when we head up there. I really appreciate that offer We are not a big fan of Lake Houston as it has MANY shallow spots and trees that were never cut down. But it’s 5 minutes from our home

Chris