what to buy?

[snuffydog]

Hello out there. As you can probably guess, I'm a newbie to Cobalts but have been looking at them in awe for some time now. I am about to either trade my current boat or simply buy a used cobalt outright and thought I would ask a few questions:

I'm looking at mid-2000's and like the 210's, 220's and 240's and am curious as to what the general consensus us about which direction I should go? I frequently have 6+ on my 19.5 bowrider so I'm looking for more length and capacity.

I'm also curious about how which motor and how many HP I need with each respective model? Performance differences between those models?

How many hours is too many? Meaning when am I gonna start having problems?

Thanks in advance for your answers and any other tidbit you want to include. Joe

[akorcovelos]

‘90s 252 will give most bang for the buck. 9-12 passenger capacity depending on year, big blocks, captain call, dual props, usually for under $25k all in on a near mint example.

[Big Block Power]

I love our 220. Buy the most hp you can afford. Don't get anything under 5.7 or 350 mag. Get a dou prop. We have 8 on the boat most times and is fine for us. We are happy with ours. We went from the 200 and 220 and it made a huge diff. can get a mid 2000s for mid 20s.

[AsLan7]

.
Hey joe. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

You are right in the sweet spot of used Cobalt boat production with your quest....before cost cutting measures due to the Great Recession in 2008 and before the founder of Cobalt stepped down causing a change in direction.

Definitely go big block if you can afford it and you’ll love captains call switchable exhaust if it’s so equipped.

Be sure to inspect the trailer too. I’ve had more issues with used trailers than our boats.

The 220 is a nice size coming from a 19 footer. Easy to manage (docking, trailering, storing etc.) and will meet your guest requirements.

Plan on no more than 50 hours per year as a general guideline when looking at total hours. That being said, I’ve seen high time immaculate boats which have been meticulously cared for. A marine survey is always a good idea.


All we ask for are pics.

Others will chime in shortly. In the meantime, check out this recent post.

Again, welcome aboard mate!


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[tsouthard91]

Hey Joe,

I am about to sell my '03 220 if interested.

I'd wager its the cleanest cobalt on this forum

If you want pictures and details, let me know...

[Big Block Power]

Hey Joe,

I am about to sell my '03 220 if interested.

I'd wager its the cleanest cobalt on this forum

If you want pictures and details, let me know...

I'll take that wager
Did you find your 232 yet? Or Tow boat?

I'll sell mine to but It might blow your budget

[Photo_G]

You are right in the sweet spot of used Cobalt boat production with your quest....before cost cutting measures due to the Great Recession in 2008 and before the founder of Cobalt stepped down causing a change in direction.

Hi AsLan,

Our 2011 210 is pretty solid but, I'm curious, what kind of changes occurred in the Cobalt line after 2008? Maybe we'll need to consider a somewhat older used model when I (inevitably) get the itch for a few more feet of real estate...

Thanks in advance,
G

[Ytmsn]

Go with as big a boat as you can afford, tow, store. Eventually you will suffer from twofootittus anyway so go ahead and buy something 24 or 5 and it'll last longer. Dont go with anything smaller than a 5.7. Akor has 900 hours on his big block and members here have 500 plus without any problems. Find one that has been maintained and your golden.

Buy one with an extended swimdeck, and walk away from one that doesn't. You'll thank me later.

Check for an upgraded stereo, or you'll eventually be doing that too.

Make sure your trailer is road worthy, meaning the brake system, bearings and tires. When someone says the tires are brand new, ask when they were mounted.

Last night I talked with a guy with a trailer for sale, and he kept telling me the tires were "brand new." He said when he put them on, he unloaded the boat on a slip and they've been sitting ever since. That was in 2013, six years ago. Those tires are junk and need to be replaced because they dry rot and will blow. 3 to 4 years is maximum trailer life for tires, or you'll be replacing them out on the road with a trailer fender that is bent and curled up from the rubber flapping. He thought I was nuts..

[tsouthard91]

Here are a couple for you guys. Taken today..

21E2DA24-98F0-4266-9F99-95115BEBECF2.jpeg

A07980E1-9D18-46D2-AB11-43C8FDFD0CAC.jpeg

FDF13059-A455-4910-8113-989A68F33AE8.jpeg

[Big Block Power]

Here are a couple for you guys. Taken today..


21E2DA24-98F0-4266-9F99-95115BEBECF2.jpegA07980E1-9D18-46D2-AB11-43C8FDFD0CAC.jpegFDF13059-A455-4910-8113-989A68F33AE8.jpeg

Great looking boat. Supprised no walk through carpet. Just add marine mat. I happen to have them though.

[snuffydog]

tsouthard,

Please message me what you are asking and the hours, details etc... very interested and just so happen to be heading toward Fayetteville from Oxford, MS later this month. Thx in advance, Joe

[liquid]

Hey Joe,

I am about to sell my '03 220 if interested.

I'd wager its the cleanest cobalt on this forum

If you want pictures and details, let me know...

I'll take that wager
Did you find your 232 yet? Or Tow boat?

I'll sell mine to but It might blow your budget

I will also take that wager.

[tsouthard91]

tsouthard,

Please message me what you are asking and the hours, details etc... very interested and just so happen to be heading toward Fayetteville from Oxford, MS later this month. Thx in advance, Joe

Message sent!

[Ytmsn]

Hey Joe,

I am about to sell my '03 220 if interested.

I'd wager its the cleanest cobalt on this forum

If you want pictures and details, let me know...

I'll take that wager
Did you find your 232 yet? Or Tow boat?

I'll sell mine to but It might blow your budget

I will also take that wager.

Yeah, as long as we're wagering, I'm $500 on black. Tsouth, you have a beautiful boat that is extremely clean. Looking at the pictures it looks brand new. But..

BB is compulsive obsessive about cleaning his. Probably because he spends more time in the garage polishing than on the lake driving. He even put in night lights and never goes out at night. But they light up in the garage, so he gets extra points for that! Then he installed a new stereo system and completely rewired the entire boat, even though he lost several kitchen passes because his wife doesn't like it. She wont even let him turn it on. So he gets more points for that too. He doesn't have Captains Call, but if he did, he'd have to just sit in the garage and go Vroom Vroom.

Wait. He already does that. Nevermind

[tsouthard91]

I'll take that wager
Did you find your 232 yet? Or Tow boat?

I'll sell mine to but It might blow your budget

I will also take that wager.

Yeah, as long as we're wagering, I'm $500 on black. Tsouth, you have a beautiful boat that is extremely clean. Looking at the pictures it looks brand new. But..

BB is compulsive obsessive about cleaning his. Probably because he spends more time in the garage polishing than on the lake driving. He even put in night lights and never goes out at night. But they light up in the garage, so he gets extra points for that! Then he installed a new stereo system and completely rewired the entire boat, even though he lost several kitchen passes because his wife doesn't like it. She wont even let him turn it on. So he gets more points for that too. He doesn't have Captains Call, but if he did, he'd have to just sit in the garage and go Vroom Vroom.

Wait. He already does that. Nevermind

Haha probably some truth to that...however sounds like BB and I are a lot alike. Difference is, I actually use my boat