Considering Cobalt

[TheScot]

As I wrote in Introductions, my wife and I are considering getting a boat, and my preference is Cobalt. I’d appreciate feedback on the match between the Cobalt line (or others, as appropriate) and our expected mission.
• Most use will be on Lake Champlain -- not a huge lake, but not small either, at around 100 miles in length.
• We’d like enough range and speed to efficiently get around Champlain.
• There will generally be two of us, sometimes four but seldom more than that, if ever. There are no children; we’re between generations.
• Water sports will be limited to a little skiing.
• Swim step is highly desirable.
• I’m not a speed freak; top speed isn’t much of a consideration.
• Like any larger lake, Champlain gets lively easily, so good seaworthiness matters. (Champlain being long and north-south, the south wind has quite a fetch.) We won’t set out in heavy weather, but I don’t mind some chop, and we know longer trips carry exposure.

We’re looking to buy used but clean. A new boat just doesn’t make sense at this time.

So, …
• We are considering a 2006 220 with a VP 5.0 GXiDP. Suitable for the mission? We are far from committed to this particular boat.
• Brand: I’m on this forum because I’m sold on Cobalt, based solely on reading over the years. (Unfortunately, we don’t know any boaters so have no recent experience to draw on.) My wife, however, is leery of paying the Cobalt premium. Surely there are threads about this situation; I’d welcome a link. If it were as simple as Cobalt riding better than the competition, that might be all I need.
• In a logical world (hah) this is the time of year to get a better deal, winter storage costs aside. Right or wrong?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Feel free to point out threads here and elsewhere I may have missed. I like the idea of the new thread on Buying a New Cobalt Boat and will be looking for new content there.

Rick

[tgrace98]

Hey Scot glad you found us!

First off you are making a wise decision by going with cobalt. I have owner 4 boats now. My current being my first Cobalt and I am absolutely blown away with the quality over the other brands I have owned (Crownline and Baja). You will not be disappointed! And the best part about buying a 10+ year old Cobalt is they hold their value like no other boat.

As far as your list. The Swim step was not offered in 2006. I believe you have to go to 2011 or newer to get the swim step. Personally if you get a boat with the extended swim platform and ladder you will be more than happy. My boat actually just has the regular swim platform and my 71 year old Mother n Law has no issues getting in and out of the boat.

Any Cobalt you look at will top out at 45+mph no matter the motor. Cobalt is very good at giving the boats enough power.

I don't know how Champlain is but the lake I boat on Table Rock can see 3-4ft waves and I tried out a 220s for a day and it handled table rock just fine. Only reason I went bigger is I wanted to have room for 8-10 adults to fit comfortably on my boat.

[TheScot]

Thanks for that info. I stand corrected: I thought the swim step and the swim platform were the same thing, but a quick visit to Google revealed my error. I meant the swim platform.

Thanks, too, for your thoughts on Cobalt quality. As a new boater, I don’t feel like fooling around with a brand I might not be satisfied with. I don’t want to spend the time on likely false starts.

Much appreciated,
Rick

[Big Block Power]

Ok I'm huge fan of the 220. Great size and performance and ride. Myself I wouldn't buy anything smaller than a 5.7. A Duoprop is a must. 5.0 will work but it will work everytime you give it gas. The ride is what will get you once you drive and ride in one. My last boat brute I switched to Cobalt was Crownline. It was a 202. It had a 16 degree dead rise which needn't it was a very flat bottom boat. It rode very rough and I got very wet in it. The 225 is better but only a 18 degree dead rise. The Cobalt will be a 20 degrees. Plenty of storage. My wife did like the storage better in crownline though. Just because they have storage in the gunnel area. I miss it too. But the rest of there storage was very shallow. The engine area in a Cobalt is huge. Great to work on if necessary. Crownline forget it. My wife had a Rinker. Good boat but it was a tank to get on plain. I had a 5.7 in a cobalt 200 and I thought that engine worked hard in that boat. It was a merc. For some reason that engine just didn't push that boat. I've had about 4 other 220's with Volvo 5.7 and they worked just fine. Run 54 no prob. The seat bottoms are not made out of wood, the engine cover isn't wood. Just less stuff to rot and get weak. The windshield doesn't rattle and creak and move while cruising like other manufactured do. The hull is just solid. Ask away.

[cmattj]

I’ll add to your timeline for best selection and location.

Location..

Stay away from used salt water used if possible. Although your in a coastal/ inland area search further inland and don’t hesitate to fly and touch etc.

Best time to buy or sell


Like a home , the season coming has less used private party offerings due to impulse buying is less in cold weather.

Also since this is when boats are getting shrink wrapped and winterized in your area the selection will be limited on people putting them up for sale.

Dealers with used inventory that didn’t move for what ever reason ( ugly. Low power. Low options etc) will be written back in cost and may be a good value.

Be patient... it will happen.

[ajcampen]

we can find you the boat, just give us perimeters

[TheScot]

Thank you all.

@BigBlock: This is probably a foolish question, but are there disadvantages to a 5.7 vs. 5.0? Less efficient fuel use, perhaps?

@ajcampen: I don’t know that I have any parameters besides what I put in the first post! What else should I be thinking about?

[tgrace98]

Thank you all.

@BigBlock: This is probably a foolish question, but are there disadvantages to a 5.7 vs. 5.0? Less efficient fuel use, perhaps?

@ajcampen: I don’t know that I have any parameters besides what I put in the first post! What else should I be thinking about?

Scot - one thing to consider is on a smaller engine you are going to be giving it more gas to plane out and for cruising. So often it ends up being a wash going with the smaller motor.

[ajcampen]

Thank you all.

@BigBlock: This is probably a foolish question, but are there disadvantages to a 5.7 vs. 5.0? Less efficient fuel use, perhaps?

@ajcampen: I don’t know that I have any parameters besides what I put in the first post! What else should I be thinking about?

Price range

[Big Block Power]

Thank you all.

@BigBlock: This is probably a foolish question, but are there disadvantages to a 5.7 vs. 5.0? Less efficient fuel use, perhaps?

@ajcampen: I don’t know that I have any parameters besides what I put in the first post! What else should I be thinking about?

Both engines very reliable. Not sure to many 5.0 will have a duo prop. Most have a sx drive. Or a alpha one drive on a merc. The 5.0 gxi is nice its equal to a old 5.7 carburated engine in power. The 5.0 will just work harder getting on plain and cruising. May use more gas believe it or not. I know you said mostly 2-4 people in the boat. With a full tank that 5.0 will still get a workout and be slower on plain. I personally think on your first boat you might be happy and think it has plenty of power but as you use the boat more and get used to it you may fill its not enough. The 220 is not a light boat. Power can be your friend. You really won't pay much more for a 220 with a 5.7. You must be in the 27-30k budget.
The other nice thing is like one other member said a Cobalt holds its value. I compare it to Harley Davidson in that respect. What you will pay for a 12 year old boat you can buy almost a new Crownline or Rinker. Crazy right but well worth it. My boat is 15 years old and will still bring 35k+ all day long. That's Crazy when you think about it.
Don't be afraid of a higher hour boat if it's been maintained. These engines will go 1000 hours plus with no issues. I have no issues helping you spend your money on a 220 and help you find one. I've shipped everyone of mine in from over a 1000 miles away don't be afraid of doing that.

[ajcampen]

Look at this beauty
https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2007 ... %20listing

[TheScot]

@ajcampen: Oh,that parameter: @bigblock had it about right — would like to stay under 30k including trailer. And that is a nice-looking 220 you spotted. I will be spending some quality time on BoatTrader learning about this market.

@bigblock: Thanks for the info on the larger engine. What you say makes sense. Re duo prop, the boat that’s coming on the market locally is a 5.0 GXI DP — DP=duo prop, right? What is the operational advantage of duo prop?

I’m surprised that shipping a boat is that routine. How does that work/how expensive is it?

[tgrace98]

@ajcampen: Oh,that parameter: @bigblock had it about right — would like to stay under 30k including trailer. And that is a nice-looking 220 you spotted. I will be spending some quality time on BoatTrader learning about this market.

@bigblock: Thanks for the info on the larger engine. What you say makes sense. Re duo prop, the boat that’s coming on the market locally is a 5.0 GXI DP — DP=duo prop, right? What is the operational advantage of duo prop?

I’m surprised that shipping a boat is that routine. How does that work/how expensive is it?

From my experience a duo prop is easier to dock and turn at slow speeds. My 262 is my first duo prop and I love it. My 27ft boat is about as easy to pull in a slip as my old 20fter was.

[TheScot]

Okay - I found an article (https://www.stingrayboats.com/products/ ... b05_11.pdf) that discusses the differences between single and dual prop. Thanks, @tgrace. Your experience matches what the article reports.

[nolaboater99]

I'll throw in something about the engine choice....

There are countless posts on many forums from people that bought a boat and now want it to go faster, or plane faster or just perform better but you NEVER see a post from someone stating their boat has too much power. Making a boat go faster is expensive....about $1000 for every mile per hour increase. The only economical way to make a boat go faster is to buy a faster boat.

My advice....find the boat brand you like, looking at layout, size and other features and then look for that boat with the biggest motor you can find. You said top speed is not important, but it might be to the next guy. Resale value. The larger motor will not work as hard as the smaller one doing the same job therefore, you will use less fuel and be easier on the equipment. It's nice to have that power at hand just in case you need it.
Shawn