How did you get into boating?

[TheScot]

I checked in here briefly last fall because of a newfound interest in boating. Since then, we’ve done nothing except maybe develop contradictory ideas about what we want (and what we want to pay to get it ). I think we’ll attend the New England Boat Show this weekend and see if that helps. It seems to be the closest show that Cobalt will be at.

I may be rushing things to even think about a boat, but I’m at an age where the pages tear off the calendar at an alarming rate...

However, all this got me thinking: We have no recent experience with boats, and I’m not sure how to get it. I don’t see much available to rent locally, and we do not know anybody who owns a boat. I wonder how you folks got involved with boating in the first place. Care to share?

Thanks in advance!

[tgrace98]

So here goes my story. When I was in my early 20’s me and a bunch of friends got Jetski’s. The fastest ones they made at the time and we use to race them up and down the Mississippi River. Then from there I bought a 20ft crownline and boated that on the river.

Then from there it was the standard 2footies. I upgraded to a 22ft crownline. Then after that a Baja 272 islander. All of those I boated on the river. But I’ve had a buddy since college that lived in Springfield and his parents had a place on Table Rock Lake. We’d go down there for all the major summer holidays and go out on his dad’s. 24ft rinker. I’d always see all these beautiful Cobalt’s on the lake and would always tell my friends. One day I will have the money to own a place here and have a Cobalt.

Well about 18 months ago I made that dream a reality and I cannot wait for Friday’s to come to make the trip down to the lake. Last year we made it to the lake 33 out of 52 weekends. And id expect this year to be about the same.

[Big Block Power]

Well my dad rented a cottage on a lake I was prob 12 years old. My step brother brought there 17 ft metal flaked Glastronon vac that week. I still remember it clear as day. I learned how to water ski that year and did the superman across the water when flying off the tube. That set the table. Then in my mid 20's my friends had boats. We went boating every weekend with them and we then purchased our own boat 19ft stingray. We rented a houseboat 3 years in a row down on table rock lake. I'll never forget those years either. I sold that boat and bought my first new boat 18 ft celebrity with a 4.3. That was the engine to have back then in that boat. Had it 1 year as it was a handful to control. Just a bad hull. It took the fun out of boating. I actually hated driving it. Then years later I went to the Chicago boat show and sat in a donzi z20 and said someday I'll have one. I took the brochure home with me and drewled over them for years. Oh I still have the brochure. It's at work. When something gets under my skin I just look at the brochure and the boats in it and it's all better. While I had my stingray, my now wife had a rinker. Just across the street. I knew one day I had to get together with that girl. Well we did get together and her boat got sold we bought the donzi of my dreams then. My roommate in college had one on his lot. It was fate as its the one in the brochure. Then 2008 came and the boat got sold. Then a few years later we bought my first Cobalt. Only had that boat a month only because it wasn't fuel injected. I then bought a Crownline 202 with a 350 mag. It was a blast to drive. Not as much fun as the donzi but close. Lessons learning from each boat though. The 202 was one rough ride and a wet one. After that we saw ok I found a Cobalt 200 that boat was what sold me on Cobalt. Great ride, great quality. Then it just became too small and the quest for the 220 with a bb started and came through. I learned early never go small get the largest engine you can get. So here we are today.

[Ytmsn]

My folks used to spend summer weekends at the lake with 2 other couples back in the day. I have pictures somewhere of my Mom slalom skiing while pregnant with me, so I guess I started pretty early.

When I was about five I remember my brother getting into bigtime trouble for swimming across the lake. I remember it so well because he never got in trouble. As I got older I realized it was because he always set up my sister and I to take the hit. But that's another story...

I got my first boat at 22 from a neighbor. It was an old 16' aluminum fishing boat with a shop built custom center console and a 40 hp Johnson on a trailer. And then when I got married in 86, I didn't have any money so we spent a long weekend at the lake with it for our honeymoon...That's when I discovered I enjoy riding around in the boat more than I do fishing.

Then I swapped for a 64 Evinrude Playmate tri-hull with a 90 hp in board. We had that one a long time. Then a 19' Four Wynns bow rider, then a 23' Galaxy cuddy.

All three of those boats rode like empty beet wagons. But I never knew just how bad they wers because I thought all boats rode like that until I bought a 2003 240 Cobalt. So, BC (before Cobalt) I got the opportunity to spend some time in my own boats as well as ride in lots of friends boats, and just assumed they all rode the same.

Now I have a 262 and there is a reason that the 260 series from 2000 to 2007 is so popular. It rides and handles better than my 240 did, hands down. And that boat rode like a Cadillac.

So, to TheScott, I would go ride in one. Go somewhere for a weekend and rent one if you can. The fit and finish are top notch, no doubt, but the handling and ride is what made me a believer.

Then come back here and let us know what you've found. And if you want to buy a Cobalt, we'll help you. It's what we do!

[NautiGirl]

Mrs. Nauti here...

I'm a July baby and my mom's 3rd child...I was born and back at the lake with the family when I was just weeks old. I grew up going to the lake my whole life. I remember our neighbors at my Grandma's lake house had a Cobalt...a black one! My brother and I drooled over it all the time...Cobalt, the Cadillac of boats...I wanted one! Started my boat fund when I was teenager and new one day I would have a boat of my own.

At 26, after finishing school and getting a big girl job, I bought the greatest boat ever made, a Cobalt 190! Nothing but the best! 10 years later and after bringing Mr. Nauti on board, we upgraded to the 222. As a non-boater, he has looked at other boats and he can see the Cobalt difference. Even at 11 years old now, our boat looked better than some at the boat show this year.

Just do what I did...Cobalt from the start...you won't regret it.

[akorcovelos]

I grew up on Lake Michigan, can't remember a time I wasn't on my parents 24' Wellcraft fishing, sking, tubing, etc...

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When I turned 15 my Grandfather gave his bought new 16' 1959 Mirrocraft with the original Mercury 40hp. Spent a couple months restoring it with him and my Dad and ran it through College.
Not in her glory days...

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After school I parked it as it was needing more love than I cared to give it and my then girlfriend, now Wife, and I bought a 18' 1969 Glastron Swinger tri-hull with a 55hp Evenrude. This boat is what brought us to want to live on the Chain O Lakes. We were trailering it 30-45 min each way every weekend, and were ready to buy our first house, so we bought a house a few hundred yards from the lake with a private launch and beach.

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cont...

[akorcovelos]

Moved from that to a 19.5' 1979 Glastron V-195 with a 150hp Johnson V6, fast boat.

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Then we went to two boats, with the Glastron for pleasure and a 16' Northwoods for fishing

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Then we moved up to a '21 WebbCraft Riviera which we loved, and still do, but will need to sell in the spring as we don't need two pleasure boats (going to buy another fishing boat.)

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So basically I've been boating since I was born, lol.

[akorcovelos]

Everyone knows my current boat, but I like whoring pics of it so here you go.

[Driller]

Grew up in West Texas where it is a 100+ mile tow to the closest lake of any size. My dad would take us fishing every chance he got and I liked it. My brother and I inherited his bass boat in '88 and we fished together for a lot of years. Then I moved to East Texas and lived on Lake Palestine for a while. Moved off the lake and sold the boat. Fast forward 15 years or so and I bought my retirement home on Lake Travis in Austin, TX. The home came with a slip in the HOA Marina. I looked at an empty slip for a couple of years and decided I was tired of it, but I wasn't so interested in fishing anymore. Did my research on depreciation and different boats. A friend of mine had bought a Cobalt a couple of years before and I was impressed. Decided a used 242 with a big block was my boat of choice. Searched about 6 months looking and testing them at various lakes. Finally found the boat I wanted on the lake I lived on with 220 hrs. Boat was in "like new" condition. Couldn't be happier, and I'm glad I now have a boat to enjoy.

On Lake Travis there are boat clubs you can join which allow you access to various boats to rent. My suggestion is to find a place close that rents boats (including Cobalts). I think once you see and feel the difference your decision will be made.

Most of them offer a boating course with an instructor which I would recommend if it has been a while since you've Captained one.

[TheScot]

Thanks, all. I love the stories (or should I say “loce?”). They make great reading as the rain falls and freezes outside...

I think we’ll know more than we do now once we go to Boston for the boat show this weekend. (Turns out my wife’s most important criterion is that the boat have a head.) However, I was disappointed that Cobalt doesn’t have a booth, just one of their dealers. Is that always the way? I found the show on Cobalt’s website so assumed they were exhibiting.

Driller, thanks for the info about clubs. I wasn’t aware of such. It has been just about 50 years since I “captained” a 16’ Boston Whaler, which I don’t consider much preparation for a Cobalt of any size, especially after this much time.

Thanks again. The stories are an inspiration. it’s hard to stay boat-motivated during a Vermont winter.

Rick

[Big Block Power]

Thanks, all. I love the stories (or should I say “loce?”). They make great reading as the rain falls and freezes outside...

I think we’ll know more than we do now once we go to Boston for the boat show this weekend. (Turns out my wife’s most important criterion is that the boat have a head.) However, I was disappointed that Cobalt doesn’t have a booth, just one of their dealers. Is that always the way? I found the show on Cobalt’s website so assumed they were exhibiting.

Driller, thanks for the info about clubs. I wasn’t aware of such. It has been just about 50 years since I “captained” a 16’ Boston Whaler, which I don’t consider much preparation for a Cobalt of any size, especially after this much time.

Thanks again. The stories are an inspiration. it’s hard to stay boat-motivated during a Vermont winter.

Rick

Is George's by you or should I say the lake your going to be on. It sounds like a 240 series. Or the 262. I drove a 240 this last summer and it's very smooth. Felt big and bulky to me though but I've only owned 22ft and under. I think you could find a used formula or a regal or chap but cobalt would be nice to get in and try it out. Going that big I wouldn't get anything under a 6.2 to a 8.1

[akorcovelos]

It will always be a dealer at the boat shows, I don't think any manufacturers have booths.

[TheScot]

Thanks, AK. Obviously my assumption was wrong.

BB, if by George’s you mean Boats by George, they’re a couple of hours away. They’re on Lake George, not Champlain, and they don’t have many used Cobalts. They have only two boats newer than the year 2000, and the older ones are pretty tired. I was also quite surprised when I was told up front that the price of used boats is non-negotiable (at least the 220 we looked at). I didn’t try making an offer, so maybe that wouldn’t stick.

I won’t hijack my own thread, but if we get beyond the tire-kicking stage, I might start a new thread on the search. Sure, there are plenty of boats besides Cobalts, but I hate buying and selling vehicles. I’d rather start with a boat I’m confident I’ll enjoy and plan to keep it awhile.

Thanks again.

[tgrace98]

Thanks, AK. Obviously my assumption was wrong.

BB, if by George’s you mean Boats by George, they’re a couple of hours away. They’re on Lake George, not Champlain, and they don’t have many used Cobalts. They have only two boats newer than the year 2000, and the older ones are pretty tired. I was also quite surprised when I was told up front that the price of used boats is non-negotiable (at least the 220 we looked at). I didn’t try making an offer, so maybe that wouldn’t stick.

I won’t hijack my own thread, but if we get beyond the tire-kicking stage, I might start a new thread on the search. Sure, there are plenty of boats besides Cobalts, but I hate buying and selling vehicles. I’d rather start with a boat I’m confident I’ll enjoy and plan to keep it awhile.

Thanks again.

that doesn't surprise me at all. I know Boats by George is on this site so I won't get to into the weeds. But they had a 2015 R7 that I was looking at and we were pretty far off in pricing.

[Tuscany]

I was always a motorcycle/truck guy. I’ve owned bikes since I was 10. Give me the sound of a punched Harley or 3406 Cat in a new Pete..

I didn’t grow up on a lake, and in fact I’ve never rode in a small boat until the day I picked up our first one. Never wanted one either..
And now I’m hooked..

I was getting the toy itch since I was toyless while starting a family and expanding our business. My wife thought a boat would be a great family thing to do, and made more sense to put a smile on my families face than replacing my motorcycle that I sold when we got married. You know, for fun stuff like living room furniture.

I looked online that night and found a repo that was a-year-old and less than half price and in excellent shape. I went and looked at it the next day and bought it. We enjoyed that chaparral 233 for 13 years.

Obviously we all like quality stuff, and when we were looking for something larger, we made the fateful error and stepped in our local Cobalt dealers R5.
We placed an order shortly after.