So, should I buy a Cobalt?

[psoundboater]

Yes, I realise that I am on a Cobalt Forum! I am reaching out as I am new to this range of boat - have generally driven smaller runabouts on inland lakes. I am now on Georgian Bay (Lake Huron) so much bigger water and therefore a different boat. A friend recommended Cobalt and I have been looking for a couple of months. Not much available in the 'newer used' category but a local dealer has a couple of 2019 models for sale - new but a year old. So full warranty but you get what you get. I have been looking at the CS22 and 220S. Both have the VP 280 HP DP. Neither have the arch, which is my preference anyway. So far, I have only seen pictures but have made an arrangement to see these boats and test drive at least one of them on Friday this week. Options as follows, all in CAN$ and basically the same for both models:
VOLVO V-8 280 HP DP upgrade - $5,974
Fender Clips with Lines - $747
Seagrass carpet upgrade –$1,824
Bimini Top - $2,690
Bow Tonneau Cover - $510
Cockpit Tonneau Cover - $1,099
3-colour custom graphics - $1,354
Cobalt oval logo - $258
Aft walk-thru cushions - $489
Compass - $252

So I am looking for some advice on both selecting between these two models as well as how negotiable the price might be. The dealer has sent me the standard breakdown sheet and indicated a discount of about 26% from list due to the fact the boats are 2019 models. In CAN$, they are both around $80-81k. No trailer. This would be $58k US. Note that I do not need a trailer - the boat will be stored on a lift all summer. I would only need a trailer if I want to store the boat myself. The local marina is only 2 mi away so will likely keep it there for the winter. Has anyone bought a one year old but still new Cobalt and what is your advice? Help appreciated!

[Big Block Power]

Welcome and good luck on the new to you boat!!
Both great boats. I think both will ride very simular. The layout is the big diff. So to me that's going to be your decision to make.

[AsLan7]

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

Cobalt boats are the best runabouts on the planet based upon ride, quality and resale value. Excellent choice my friend.

Big question is how will you be using her? That will help others chime in with suggestions.

Any pics of your prior boats?

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[BobRae99]

Hi PS,

As a fellow Canadian boater and on my second Cobalt, I can tell you that as a first time boat owner in 2018, I bought a new leftover Cobalt 2016 210 with a VP280DP and couldn't believe the quality and ride of the boat. I don't think you'll find better. The VP280 has excellent acceleration and mid range power and although more is always better, it is more than adequate for the boat.

I crossed shopped the 210 and the 220s in 2018 and I found the bow seat back to be a bit too upright in the 220 while the cockpit was noticeably larger. The salesman told me Cobalt pushed the cockpit and windshield forward a bit on the 220s which made the cockpit roomier. I didn't look at the CS series at the time. I think it is a bit of a more "classic" boat look, but I'm not sure of the hull differences. It doesn't seem as "premium" though.

In the end, I went with the 210 because as you've discovered, with our miserable exchange rate a lightly equipped 2020 220s is $86,000 after a Cobalt discount of 26%. This is Cobalt's "dealer net" pricing program and my dealer wasn't able to discount much form there. Expect freight/PDI to add about $3,000CAD. You should ask the dealer whether they have any Cobalt past model allowance dollars they can add to the deal. Perhaps you can push the discount to 30% our better.

I think in your area, Walkers Point is your new boat dealer, so if you are buying new, you'll have to deal with them (you'd want to anyway) but you can go anywhere for a used boat. You might check with Paris Marine in London, ON to see what they want for their used 2018 CS23 though. At 2 years old it has 125 hours on it which makes me wonder whether it is a rental boat?

Let us know how the test drive goes.

Good luck!

[XLI]

Hello. I had a 2015 200s and recently purchased a cs22. Of course my 200 was 2 ft. shorter and I think 2" narrower than the 200s. I just drove my cs22 for the first time today. In my opinion the 200 series feels a bit more plush. If you loo at the bow seating you can see the sets wrap around and much more curved than the cs models. The cs series is more angular. You could say it feels a little more utilitarian and that is something I find appealing as we usually went out with 4 - 6 adults. I know my new cs is 2" wider than my old 200, but it feels much bigger than that. I'm not sur if that translates to the 220 though.
I do know there is more storage in the cockpit in the cs vs 220 as there is storage under the passenger console and helm in addition to the under sear storage. There is also a dedicated anchor locker. The 220 has a larger sun pad but the cs has a larger platform in the back.

When I drove the cs today it flat handled better than my 200. I hooked up and turned like it was on rails. There wasn't much traffic on the lake but it handled it's own wake and that of a few bass boats very well (not much of a test for a Lake Huron bound boat I know). I belive the cs series has a higher freeboard but you may want to confirm that with your dealer. I would want the highest I could get for a great lake for sure and if it doesn't need to be trailered I would at least investigate a used R series boat to see if any are in your price range.

Good luck! The good folks on this site will help you out for sure. I'm still new here but the secret to the best advice is to post pictures . . . of anything really but it seems that boats, lakes, children, dogs, engines and sound systems are best. If you can combine them all in one shot I think you get a free boat.

[CaptBob]

I'm still new here but the secret to the best advice is to post pictures . . . of anything really but it seems that boats, lakes, children, dogs, engines and sound systems are best. If you can combine them all in one shot I think you get a free boat.

There has to be an award around (besides the free boat) for this statement!

[AsLan7]

I'm still new here but the secret to the best advice is to post pictures . . . of anything really but it seems that boats, lakes, children, dogs, engines and sound systems are best. If you can combine them all in one shot I think you get a free boat.

There has to be an award around (besides the free boat) for this statement!

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Loce it!

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[Big Block Power]

Right.
We will give him 1 free post!!

[psoundboater]

Wow - only posted today and already several replies! Thank you! I acknowledge the request for past boat pics but sadly have none on me. I can tell you that the boat I drove the most was a Vanguard Banshee MkII. Now that was a boat! We towed three skiers behind it with a 70 hp Evinrude. Actually, we started with a 50 because my parents were pretty budget conscious and the sales guy convinced them a 50 was fine. Blew it the first summer! Upgraded to a 70 which was passable. Boat was rated for a 90 and that would have been ideal. Ran that thing into the ground. I am sure the engine had at least 2000 hours on it. Ran almost every day for about 10 summers. Must have taught 100 people to ski behind the thing. I found one on the net and have posted it here. Hope you enjoy it - the flat tire on the trailer is a nice touch. Exactly the same boat but ours was grey, not red. I am in Parry Sound right now escaping the city (don't tell anyone) so no access to my very old pics. We were on a small lake so this kind of boat was ideal.

I appreciate all of the feedback so far. The freight and PDI is almost $6kCAN on top of the price so maybe I can talk them down on that and get closer to a total 30% reduction. I am following the advice I have read in this forum and bringing my wife to frown. A lot. She is not that keen on the whole boating idea anyway so it should come naturally. Still taking all advice!

[psoundboater]

Forgot to add that the boat will be mainly used for touring around the 30,000 islands near Parry Sound. I would not expect we will have more than 6 in the boat that often. The islands provide decent protection from larger waves but there are always exposed areas. I am long past my skiing days but the kids might want to tube or wakeboard now and then. Hoping to do maybe one longer trip of a few hours one way at least once a summer.

[AsLan7]

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Awesome PsB. A diamond in the rough. Thanks for posting that. Great history too.

My wife rolled her eyes at our first boat purchase. ...and second...and third...and fourth. ..,Enjoyed(s) all of them. No regrets.

[psoundboater]

Thanks, Aslan7. I hear you. Pretty sure she will enjoy the boat but never admit it.

[Big Block Power]

Reminds me of the old Glastrons!!
Is amazing and think we all skied behind that hp and now 430 isn't enough at least for me

[AsLan7]

Reminds me of the old Glastrons!!
Is amazing and think we all skied behind that hp and now 430 isn't enough at least for me

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So true bbp! My brother and I would take my grandfather’s John Dory Out with it’s 25hp motor and illegally (without spotter) ski behind it. I would stand in the bow facing backwards pulling the throttle and holding the steering wheel to get her up on plane with my brother being pulled by the ski rope. I was the driver, spotter, and front ballast all in one. 25hp!

Then I would find schools of jellyfish in the ocean city bay and start to cut the throttle lowering him into them. I never liked when he returned the favor.


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[Big Block Power]

Reminds me of the old Glastrons!!
Is amazing and think we all skied behind that hp and now 430 isn't enough at least for me

.
So true bbp! My brother and I would take my grandfather’s John Dory Out with it’s 25hp motor and illegally (without spotter) ski behind it. I would stand in the bow facing backwards pulling the throttle and holding the steering wheel to get her up on plane with my brother being pulled by the ski rope. I was the driver, spotter, and front ballast all in one. 25hp!

Then I would find schools of jellyfish in the ocean city bay and start to cut the throttle lowering him into them. I never liked when he returned the favor.


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No way that's cruel