Relocating to Florida with a Cobalt

[mtwbldr]

The wife and I are looking to relocate to Fort Lauderdale, and I'm trying to decide what to do with our A25. We absolutely love our A25 but not sure if it is the best move to begin using her in saltwater. Our boat does not have a saltwater package as it was purchased for freshwater lake boating, but we would continue to store the boat in dry storage and on the trailer so would be able to flush and maintain after every outing. For most "everyday" boating we would probably be in the intercostal areas but would love to take it out or even a weekend in the keys?. I know there are a few members here in saltwater and looking for your opinions. In the back of our minds we should probably sell now and purchase a boat better suited for ocean boating but as most members on here, not sure we can describe how we LOVE our Cobalt and would be very difficult to actually sell. Anyway advice or thoughts appreciated, and/or interest in a pristine A25 (if we go that route)

[Tuscany]

The Merc isn’t closed cooling, and that will be the biggest issue. Your obstacle is simple, can you get a good number for it now?
Resale will be killed if you run it in the salt.
Personally, if you are permanently moving, I’d sell it or trade it in.
Buy an outboard and your worries are far less.

[tgrace98]

I'd say that is pretty sound advice there T. If I lived somewhere that was all salt. I'd have a boat with 2 outboards.

[willyswagon]

Absolutely SELL IT!

Start fresh with an engine built for salt water use.VP 380 is a great spot to start.
Plus update to the newest screens, guages and designs. It's a WIN WIN

[mtwbldr]

The Merc isn’t closed cooling, and that will be the biggest issue. Your obstacle is simple, can you get a good number for it now?
Resale will be killed if you run it in the salt.
Personally, if you are permanently moving, I’d sell it or trade it in.
Buy an outboard and your worries are far less.

Yes this is pretty much the solution we came up with thinking about it more over the weekend. Its in immaculate condition now and I know we could get good use and maintain it properly, but will take a big hit on value used in saltwater. Should be able to get a good value selling now.

[Norris_Boating]

Ditto on the lost value selling after saltwater use. Get a whaler.

[Big Block Power]

Trade in on this baby!

[mtwbldr]

Trade in on this baby!

on the right track! Looking into these as we'd really like to stay with a Cobalt. Also considering the possibility of a cruiser like a used Sundancer 350

[tgrace98]

Trade in on this baby!

on the right track! Looking into these as we'd really like to stay with a Cobalt. Also considering the possibility of a cruiser like a used Sundancer 350

if you are thinking about a cruiser then go with Formula!

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2011 ... %20listing

[mtwbldr]

Trade in on this baby!

on the right track! Looking into these as we'd really like to stay with a Cobalt. Also considering the possibility of a cruiser like a used Sundancer 350

if you are thinking about a cruiser then go with Formula!

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2011 ... %20listing

Yes also on the short list as we begin narrowing down our search. Thanks for this link great looking Formula! Will be the closest to Cobalt quality for sure in a cruiser

[MnLakeBum]

We are buying a condo with a marina in Naples Florida and I now have to make the decision if I want to subject our R5 Surf to sitting in salt water for 6 months each year. It would stay in the water as a boat lift is not an option. The other option is shipping our Marker One pontoon that would be much easier to take care of in the salt water with its Verado 350 outboard. The downside is I can’t pull the Marker One so it would cost be about $3,500 each spring and fall to have it shipped back and forth from MN/FL. I’d really like to have the Cobalt down there for the winter but I will certainly be shortening its life.

[tgrace98]

We are buying a condo with a marina in Naples Florida and I now have to make the decision if I want to subject our R5 Surf to sitting in salt water for 6 months each year. It would stay in the water as a boat lift is not an option. The other option is shipping our Marker One pontoon that would be much easier to take care of in the salt water with its Verado 350 outboard. The downside is I can’t pull the Marker One so it would cost be about $3,500 each spring and fall to have it shipped back and forth from MN/FL. I’d really like to have the Cobalt down there for the winter but I will certainly be shortening its life.

I would for sure take the marker one down there over the r5. Don’t have to worry about salt water corrosion and worrying about it sitting in the water for 6 months.

If you plan to leave the R5 in the water that long you would have to get the bottom painted. And I am sure you do not want to see your beautiful R5 surf with bottom paint on it.

[Bobo87]

MT - happy for you to be moving to Florida. Hate to see a Texas leave the state but FL is a good one to go to. I would agree with the others on the saltwater. Better to sell or keep an use on the inland lakes in FL. They have quick a few nice ones. Then you can really enjoy the best of both words. If you do decide to help let me know and I will ask around since we are both in Houston.

[MnLakeBum]

We are buying a condo with a marina in Naples Florida and I now have to make the decision if I want to subject our R5 Surf to sitting in salt water for 6 months each year. It would stay in the water as a boat lift is not an option. The other option is shipping our Marker One pontoon that would be much easier to take care of in the salt water with its Verado 350 outboard. The downside is I can’t pull the Marker One so it would cost be about $3,500 each spring and fall to have it shipped back and forth from MN/FL. I’d really like to have the Cobalt down there for the winter but I will certainly be shortening its life.

I would for sure take the marker one down there over the r5. Don’t have to worry about salt water corrosion and worrying about it sitting in the water for 6 months.

If you plan to leave the R5 in the water that long you would have to get the bottom painted. And I am sure you do not want to see your beautiful R5 surf with bottom paint on it.

Your right, there is no way I want to paint the bottom of my R5. I’ve decided to ship the Marker One down there in the fall. Our good friends also have a condo in the same complex and they have agreed to split the transportation costs and the $750 annual fee for the boat slip with us. I’ll also save $1700 in winter storage fees by not having it stored in Minnesota. The Marker One is also more stable in 2-3 foot chop than the R5 and it’s obviously a great day boat for the inter-coastal.

[mtwbldr]

Agree with the above and making good choice with shipping the Marker down vs the R5 down to FL
Our plans have changed and are a little up in the air for now regarding relocating so for now will be staying in TX and a bit in NYC. Thanks bobo, will keep you posted if we need to make a permanent move and you can get one of your friends in a cobalt but for the meantime hope to see you on the water in either Conroe or Livingston