Considering Cobalt

[vans]

I purchased a used 220 with Mercruiser 350 mag/Bravo 3, we boat bigger water including Lake Michigan a few times a year, I am impressed with the ride, also with the 350/5.7 the boat does well on fuel. We use our boat in the same manner you do, I like to cruise around 30 mph, seems to be the sweet spot.

We had 8 adults on the 220 this summer, my buddies couldn't believe how easily boat came on plane with all of us aboard.

Of course bigger is always better but the 220 5.7 gets the job done

[NautiGirl]

I'll chime in on the part about convincing your wife cobalt is worth the premium price tag. I grew up around boats and my husband did not... I was lucky that my firsr boat was a Cobalt and I knew the reputation it had. My husband thought I was crazy only wanting to look at Cobalt when it was time to upgrade. One trip to the boat show was all he needed to know Cobalt is just better. Take your wife out and let her look at other boats and make take a rough ride on something else so she appreciates that Cobalt Quality!


Did you really think we would say anything negative about Cobalt here?!? Good luck with the search, fun times ahead!

[Patriot 8713]

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

Welcome from a new member.

My brother in law bought a SeaRay 290 SLX with a 454 7.4L (310HP) Mercruiser and dry weight of 7,250 lbs. He had never owned a boat and had very little time operating one. When he test drove it there were only 3 people in the boat and perfect conditions on a weekday. It seemed to run fine, got up on plane a little slow, but it showed on the speedometer that it ran around 41 mph. He did not verify this with GPS. Now after owning it for a while and being in other more powerful boats, he realized how under powered it really was.

They always seem to have at least 6 adults on their boat and wide open would only run about 36 mph with GPS. It sucked fuel like crazy and took way too long to get on plane. It is now at the shop getting a stock 502 (414HP) Mercruiser put in it. This is expensive (7 grand) and they will never recover that money when they sell, but at least he will finally be happy with it and use less fuel now!

I know you say speed isn't important to you, but it is to many boaters. Just something to consider.

I know when I was looking for my Cobalt 282, there was only one engine (496HO) I really wanted. This was a personal preference, but there were a lot of nice boats that I would have bought if they had this engine.

[tgrace98]

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

Welcome from a new member.

My brother in law bought a SeaRay 290 SLX with a 454 7.4L (310HP) Mercruiser and dry weight of 7,250 lbs. He had never owned a boat and had very little time operating one. When he test drove it there were only 3 people in the boat and perfect conditions on a weekday. It seemed to run fine, got up on plane a little slow, but it showed on the speedometer that it ran around 41 mph. He did not verify this with GPS. Now after owning it for a while and being in other more powerful boats, he realized how under powered it really was.

They always seem to have at least 6 adults on their boat and wide open would only run about 36 mph with GPS. It sucked fuel like crazy and took way too long to get on plane. It is now at the shop getting a stock 502 (414HP) Mercruiser put in it. This is expensive (7 grand) and they will never recover that money when they sell, but at least he will finally be happy with it and use less fuel now!

I know you say speed isn't important to you, but it is to many boaters. Just something to consider.



I know when I was looking for my Cobalt 282, there was only one engine (496HO) I really wanted. This was a personal preference, but there were a lot of nice boats that I would have bought if they had this engine.

I know exactly how your Brother in law feels. I had a 272 Baja islander with a 454 and it was a slug. Would take forever to get on plane. Even with the tabs all the way down and the throttle to the sticks if I had more than 4 adults in the back I would have to ask the 2 biggest guys to go sit in the bow so it would plane. And it sucked fuel like crazy.

My 262 cobalt with a 496... I can drop the tabs and it will plane at 10mph lol

[tgrace98]

This one looks really clean as well...

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing

[Ytmsn]

Welcome from Oklahoma Rick! Glad your considering a Cobalt, and you wont regret it. On on my 2nd one and from a lifetime of boating, nothing compares.

3 things... Get a big motor, get one with an extended swimdeck, and get as big of a boat as you can afford. It doesn't matter if you get a 20 foot, 22 or 24, its highly likely you will get "two footitis" and you'll be looking for a bigger one. I had a 240 and sold it for a 262, and discovered my bigger boat out handles the smaller one. The 240 had a 5.7 GXI and my 262 has a 502. I dont spend anymore on gas with the big motor and it rides and drives like a dream.

Nothing rides like a Cobalt. Matt always says, boats get much smaller once they are in the water. So dont rule out a 24' or 26' model.

Keep after it and keep us in the loop!

[cmattj]

Great idea YT let’s skip the wanna sell my 220 next September.

Here’s a great 262 with a 496HO. (425 HP)

Add CC ( captains Call exhaust)and you’ll have a Cobalt that’s towable... Great power.. and a great family lay out. Not to mention great fast cruising speed with a 60 mph + top end Mph.

Very nice looking and easy color to maintain with the classic stripes.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing


.

[sailor55330]

So here’s my .02 fwiw. First, I am cynical and have very high standards beyond belief

There are a lot of good boats, some really good boats and only a few great boats. Cobalt is in the last category at the top. Their build quality is phenomenal. Find me another bow rider with hand laid fiberglass and a Kevlar reinforced hull—you probably won’t. The ride is truly legendary and compares to nothing. They talk about the ride of a cobalt and it has to be experienced to be believed—I didn’t but now I do

Regarding the duo prop. Here’s my best analogy—take a sports car with a six speed and do a 1/4 mile starting in second gear every time and then start it in first gear—-that’s the difference in acceleration between single and duo prop. I have the 5.3 in an r3 and it’ll put you on your butt if you aren’t holding on when I crack it, especially at 15mph-ish. It bites incredibly hard and low speed handling is greatly improved

As mentioned the fit and finish are second to none and quality drips out everywhere. They seem to hold value very well. They are literally the equivalent of a bmw/Audi/merc in a boat

Oh yeah, they turn heads too

But remember, I’m cynical with ridiculously high standards so you may have different expectations than me

Good luck and feel free to ask away

[Table Rockin]

Great idea YT let’s skip the wanna sell my 220 next September.

Here’s a great 262 with a 496HO. (425 HP)

Add CC ( captains Call exhaust)and you’ll have a Cobalt that’s towable... Great power.. and a great family lay out. Not to mention great fast cruising speed with a 60 mph + top end Mph.

Very nice looking and easy color to maintain with the classic stripes.

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing


.

I endorse this message.

[NautiGirl]

So here’s my .02 fwiw. First, I am cynical and have very high standards beyond belief

There are a lot of good boats, some really good boats and only a few great boats. Cobalt is in the last category at the top. Their build quality is phenomenal. Find me another bow rider with hand laid fiberglass and a Kevlar reinforced hull—you probably won’t. The ride is truly legendary and compares to nothing. They talk about the ride of a cobalt and it has to be experienced to be believed—I didn’t but now I do

Regarding the duo prop. Here’s my best analogy—take a sports car with a six speed and do a 1/4 mile starting in second gear every time and then start it in first gear—-that’s the difference in acceleration between single and duo prop. I have the 5.3 in an r3 and it’ll put you on your butt if you aren’t holding on when I crack it, especially at 15mph-ish. It bites incredibly hard and low speed handling is greatly improved

As mentioned the fit and finish are second to none and quality drips out everywhere. They seem to hold value very well. They are literally the equivalent of a bmw/Audi/merc in a boat

Oh yeah, they turn heads too

But remember, I’m cynical with ridiculously high standards so you may have different expectations than me

Good luck and feel free to ask away

Don't forget that resale value... BB has to pay that premium when you sell to him!

[Big Block Power]

This one looks really clean as well...

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2005 ... %20listing

Offer 27 and your set.
I'm looking at a 220 right now to flip. If I buy it is right up your alley. Just saying

[Big Block Power]

So here’s my .02 fwiw. First, I am cynical and have very high standards beyond belief

There are a lot of good boats, some really good boats and only a few great boats. Cobalt is in the last category at the top. Their build quality is phenomenal. Find me another bow rider with hand laid fiberglass and a Kevlar reinforced hull—you probably won’t. The ride is truly legendary and compares to nothing. They talk about the ride of a cobalt and it has to be experienced to be believed—I didn’t but now I do

Regarding the duo prop. Here’s my best analogy—take a sports car with a six speed and do a 1/4 mile starting in second gear every time and then start it in first gear—-that’s the difference in acceleration between single and duo prop. I have the 5.3 in an r3 and it’ll put you on your butt if you aren’t holding on when I crack it, especially at 15mph-ish. It bites incredibly hard and low speed handling is greatly improved

As mentioned the fit and finish are second to none and quality drips out everywhere. They seem to hold value very well. They are literally the equivalent of a bmw/Audi/merc in a boat

Oh yeah, they turn heads too

But remember, I’m cynical with ridiculously high standards so you may have different expectations than me

Good luck and feel free to ask away

Don't forget that resale value... BB has to pay that premium when you sell to him!

Lmao I pay wholesale just like a dealer. Lol
I can't believe that boat wasn't in my driveway this year. Lol

[TheScot]

Thanks, all — all info is appreciated. You are all making a convincing case for more HP.

Nautigirl: I did not expect unbiased advice on this forum. That’s why I came here!

Sailor: How did you know my daily driver is a BMW? Seriously, at this point in my life, I’d rather have something of quality than not.

Matt: I’m confused by “Add CC ( captains Call exhaust)and you’ll have a Cobalt that’s towable.” I thought I knew (roughly) what CC was but don’t see how that connects to being towable. Explain, please?

I’d like to know more about the mechanics of ordering a boat from far away. I’ll Google that next.

Thanks again.

[Big Block Power]

I've shipped prob at least 5 boats most of them over a 1000 miles away. Cost 700-950 I used uship. Then I recalled the drivers a few times outside of uship.
Its a gamble to buy a boat unseen but it takes alot of trust and many phone calls and internet searching the buyer out. It's nice to know other boat owners around the country and get them to look at them for you if they can. I've had them take vids for me. And lots of pictures. I know what to look for on the 220 so I can spot issues. The engines and drives are pretty reliable these days.

[sailor55330]

I had no clue you drove a bmw

BBP—thenyears not over yet....then again you pay wholesale....so your safe