Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

[TorchedGT]

I'm familiar with most of the manufacturer stereotypes at this point (I mean hey, we all talk ***** and buy into cliches and such - most companies these days make a good boat though )

BUT if you saw a Cobalt cruising by (nothing over the top, just a 20-24' bowrider or something) what would you think?

A local broker has one and I wasn't really considering them as an option (hell, I priced this 24' boat new and it's over $102,000!!!!) the one I'm looking at is less than 1/4 that - so I've gotta consider it. They seem to have great attention to detail, and an amazing 10 year hull/deck and 5 year powertrain warranty - which makes me think there aren't any "hidden" or unknown issues I might come across, but you never know!

...yes if I get it, I'll have her looked over, but I just want to know if there were some other owners on here.

I read some reviews and guys were getting 50mph w/ a 280hp volvo, 59mph w/ a 6.2 merc. The hulls seem very efficient, with a respectable weight of 4100lbs given the fittings and options. This boat has a 496 (non-HO) in it, so I might see mid-60s.

I was also impressed to hear back from their VP of marketing / sales immediately regarding props and gearing for that boat which is over 10 years old now. He stated that he's glad I'm considering the boat whether it be new or used and would do his best to help me out.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Pretty simple, Cobalt is the mark everyone uses to compare, they have long been considered the best built fit and finish boat on the market. I don't know how to say it any better then that, they are tops in the market.

What do I think when I see one? Depends....

For me personally I looked at a bunch of Cobalts and they were not for me, I prefer smoother lines and a sportier look, have you ever noticed the difference between the 67-68 Camaro and the 69? The 67-68 have smoother lines where as the 69s lines are more defined and that's what I'm saying. I think that if you can get a smoking deal on a Quality Cobalt then I would jump on it but remember, when looking to purchase used the Care the boat has had over its life is much more important then the manufacturer, even a Cobalt that has been abused and not maintained isn't worth anything more then any other unmaintained boat on the market.

When I see a beautiful Cobalt its just that a beautiful Cobalt, a boat to be admired like any other beautiful boat. The speed ratings you see with a Cobalt are relative to where you live, if your at sea level then you will likely see those numbers, if you live in Colorado look for a 10%-15% drop in those numbers, nothing in this world can make up for a loss of Oxygen. Also you can look for a nice ride, high end boats are heavier and handle chop much better then lighter boats, the Hull as you stated can be very efficient but that depends on which model your looking at.

All things considered I think you would be crazy not to give this boat a serious once over, any high end boat that is maintained properly will give you the greatest return on your investment, where as a mid level boat typically will not.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Getting prompt and informative feedback from the company is always a good sign. Whether that filters down to the dealer level, time will tell. Myself, I've always liked the look of Colbalts and considered them a little classier than average. That's with zero research mind you but I checked a couple out at a marina I used to frequent and my initial impression was that they are very nice boats.

(for an I/O, mind you... )

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Before I purchased my current boat, I was considering Cobalt, Regal and Chaparral. I was very impressed with apparent build quality and reputation of Cobalt, as well as Regal and Chap. While I came close to getting the Cobalt (and would have been happy with any one of the 3) I eventually decided on the Chap. I was not only looking for quality, reputation and what best suited my needs, but was also looking for the best "bang for the buck"; best "deal"; closest dealer for service needs and, as a result, chose the Chap for those 3 reasons. While I am pleased with my decision (and the quality of the Chap), IMHO Cobalt is indeed the "top of the line". Good luck.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

I've operated a few Cobalts. They are top-notch boats. Tons of attention to detail and excellent real-world performance for a given HP. I spent some time at the helm of a brand new, 8.1 VP-DP equipped, 262 last Summer and it was simply superb. Jumped on-plane like a ski boat, even with 8 people aboard, took chop nicely, and just oozed comfort and quality. I came away impressed.

Cobalts are hugely popular on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH (where I boat often) and I don't think there's much of a stereotype with them. They are pretty common.

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Cobalt boats are dime a dozen on Lake Tahoe. They are so common that you have to be very careful you do not board somebody else's boat in a restaurant buoy field!

When my brother was boats shopping he looked at Cobalts and bought a Chris Craft Launch 22.

His Chris Craft seems to holding it's value better than a Cobalt.

 

[jkust]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Here's what I've seen here in MN from the many, many lakes we boat on. Cobalts are on the 'expensive' lakes or the big water lakes. Same with Chaparral. Most lakes we are the only Chaparral but the high end and larger lakes we have been in lines of Chaps and Cobalts while going through channels from lake to lake. When I see a Cobalt, I think that it is a person who has excess cash to not just boat but boat in style. Also in MN there are few large boats even on the bigger lakes so while Chaparral makes some small models Cobalt hasn't done so since 2001. If you want a small under 20 foot boat as 99% of MN boats are you can't have a Cobalt. If you are on a larger body of water and want a heavy hull to take the waves but want under 20 feet of hull, Chaparrals are historically some of the heaviest small hulls around. There is some logic to the brands I see so I don't think it is just a status symbol.

 

[TorchedGT]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Thanks for the great info everyone!

I'll reply back in a bit, on the iPad... but I just got a call from the broker telling me that some guy came in and paid cash - she's gone. It had been for sale for months, I was s couple days from signing the paperwork and headed up there.

I'm still going to look for some others, but they'll shoot up to $8k more than this one was - for an older boat too, and I'll never find another 246 open bow with the 496 in it! Sigh.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Thanks for the great info everyone!

I'll reply back in a bit, on the iPad... but I just got a call from the broker telling me that some guy came in and paid cash - she's gone. It had been for sale for months, I was s couple days from signing the paperwork and headed up there.

I'm still going to look for some others, but they'll shoot up to $8k more than this one was - for an older boat too, and I'll never find another 246 open bow with the 496 in it! Sigh.

Sure you can keep looking there are many manufacturers that put 496+ in bowriders

http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/200...ed-2392196/Westhampton-Beach/NY/United-States

http://ads.boatboss.com/211_Tulsa/55723_2009_CROWNLINE_BOWRIDER_300LS.html

http://www.boatquest.com/All/MerCru...der/Length/Feet/USD/1/boat_search.aspx?ltid=0

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

There are LOTS of good paying jobs being ended this month by BIG BIG companies. So the first thing sold is a plane ,boat and car.
Be patient. I can hear the trailer pulling into the sales yard.

Do a web search of a..... Cobalt , feet, bowrider, 496 engine ..... Every day.

 

[Philster]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

My opinion on those boats posted by LippCJ7: those last few boats are hefty/large for bow riders, and are 50-55 MPH boats given their 375 base ouput. The OP, if I recall correctly, has a need for more speed -- not sure.

My opinion on the newer Cobalts: Clearly, the economy has forced them into making cheaper boats to survive. The style is holding on, but I was stunned to see the prices and overall quality in the tank. I'd say the last couple of years has forced their hand.

As for the older ones: I've always lusted after a Cobalt or Formula. Sort of the Mercedes and Porsches of boating.

 

[TorchedGT]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

LippCJ7 thanks for searching but as gorgeous as those boats are... they're way out of my price range! I should have clarified (since trees no sense in hiding the boat now) that it was an awesome black w/ white accents and stripes, Cobalt 246 with every option. New one would be over 100k (496, almost every option.) 01 w/ decent hours but probably mostly key hours.

Listed at 26,900 which is a steal - the guy emailed me a couple days ago offering 21,999. I was shocked.


So I'm kinda bummed. Looking at older / larger cobalts and some nicer spec'd rinker captivas. I also found an awesome yellow Crownline LPX w/ 496 with low hours - 32k though so nearly 30% more than the cobalt.


Gotta pay to play I guess!

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Well I wouldn't get a Crownline they are horrible, I've had two

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

Hey Torched...I had the nearly same thing happen to me on a Cobalt sale years ago before I became a SR guy. I looked at a late 80's model 23' Contessa Cuddy, and was amazed at the quality of the vessel. And it was considered an entry level/poor mans Cobalt. The level of fit and finish, and quality of materials used was astounding. The wood work, aluminum and stainless hardware, choice of carpet and vinyls and overall feel was simply put...luxurious! It was at a Sea Ray stealership and priced about $3k more than I had available at the time. They would not budge on the price, so I went home to find a way to drum up more resources. The sales dude had told me they had inventoried the boat 8 months earlier and had no offers, but knew of its strong value, and were not inclined to reduce the price to motivate buyers. I went back two weeks later with their asking price in hand...and it was sold! Two hours earlier that morning when they opened up, a fellow just walked in after seeing it on their website over the weekend, and bought it. No sea trial, survey or anything! It was in pristine condition, and the dealer knew it would take the right buyer to pay full retail for it. I lost that boat, but I became a proud SR owner. If I found another boat like that again, I would tear up my Sea Ray card.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

In the mid 90's I had the absolute luck of being contacted by Mercruiser to be part of a market evaluation for their 2 speed transmission (prior to the bravo III, a two speed transmission was not effective because it would just break the prop loose in "low" gear). I was actually paid to spend the afternoon in a 27' checkmate with a 502 in it going from a dead stop to wide open over and over, with and without the two speed transmission. Really a blast, I then spent about an hour being interviewed by marketing types. I was paid $75 CASH, I figured I used about $100 worth of gas (it was $1.50/gallon at the time) and told the marketing guys I would have paid THEM for having that much fun. In my "small" talk with Merc rep who accompanied me on my ride, the topic of best built boats came up. He said that most boats in their test progams last a maximum of two years (and they test ALL brands, and they are pushed hard in testing). He said they basically rattled or beat themselfs to death... With one exception. He said their current Cobalt boats were on their 8th year of service and still rock solid. He said it would be the only boat he would own. I thought that said more about the Cobalt brand than anything anyone else has ever told me

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

No doubt about it, Cobalt and Chris Craft are the two premier runabout manufacturers. Chris Crafts are probably a little bit higher in the luxury materials department, but they also command a higher price and have a lot fewer production numbers which explains the higher market value. That being said, I almost look at the modern Chris Crafts as being for those so wealthy that they don't even get in the water. I picture an ivy-league yuppy with a cardigan sweater over his shoulders pulling up to his dock at the yacht club, lol. I do love the innovation that Cobalt uses, like the all-composite/fiberglass construction they've been using for awhile now, the flip-down swim platform/hydraulically-lowering swim platform, etc. It'd be hard to pass up a deal like that on a well-cared for Cobalt 246.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

That being said, I almost look at the modern Chris Crafts as being for those so wealthy that they don't even get in the water. I picture an ivy-league yuppy with a cardigan sweater over his shoulders pulling up to his dock at the yacht club, lol.

I would agree with that. Their designs, while snazzy, are mostly pretty far from practical.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

I would agree with that. Their designs, while snazzy, are mostly pretty far from practical.

Their old barrelbacks and the new "Silver Bullet" are works of art, though. I'd hate to get that interior wet if I owned it!

 

[Tahorover]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

So what exactly is so impractical?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cobalt Boats - "stereotype" if you saw one cruising by..

So what exactly is so impractical?

What year is that boat?