Finally bought my first boat!!

[mikereno1]

After searching for few months through CL and boat trader I ended up purchasing a 2000 Cobalt 206. I had to drive about 5 hours to get it, but I never found something I liked more closer to home. We will be using her primarily at our house at Lake Tahoe, which is where the boat was originally from, and leaving on a buoy for the summer.

The paint needed some work as had a significant amount of oxidation in spots, but the interior was in great shape and the engine runs great. Powered by Mercruiser 350 mag mpi and a bravo 3 outdrive the power felt great on the sea trial. Engine has about 450 hours.

Unfortunately there isnt going time to use it this year as it is already time to winterize, which is my task for tomorrow. I am going to have an experienced mechanic help me with the first winterizing and plan to do it myself from then on. I washed, oxidation remover, polished and then waxed her already, looks much better than the below pictures.

Dont know how I am going to make it through the winter with it just staring at me

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

You made an excellent choice!!!! Beautiful boat that is at the top of it's class.

 

[Natesms]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Congratulations! I like that blue. This way you can buy all your "stuff" over the winter and spread the cost out. Take inventory of what you "need" and what you want. The internet can be a horrible temptation during the winter with an unused boat in the driveway and buying random, not so necessary items.

I did the same thing last year with my cruiser. Bought it in November, ran it once freezing our tails off and then winterized.

Watch at learn from the pro while winterizing. When those first warm days in spring hit you might get antsy and pull her out of storage before the freezing weather is done. (Guilty this year with the boat and camper.)

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Nice first boat...Cobalts are very nice boats...I love the colors!

 

[pckeen]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Looks to be in great shape - congrats and enjoy!

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Very nice! Congrats!

 

[mikereno1]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

I have already been browsing the online sites for accessories I probably don't need. We'll see how long I can hold out before the man in the brown truck starts dropping off boxes on my porch

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Congrats, was going to say, do what the rest of us do in cold states, add things to the boat over the winter.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Looks like a great find. Spring is coming......... just not soon enough. Ours came home for the winter last Monday.
Enjoy your boat.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

I feel bad for you man. I bought my boat in February of this year and had to wait a whole month until I was able to splash it. Waiting a whole winter would kill me. Look on the bright side. You will have plenty of time to do the tinker projects such as add LED lights, plotter of what ever else you want to do to make the boat yours.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Great looking boat. Now, you need to crank the nose of it up. At that angle, whatever water gets through the cover will pool in the front of the boat. You want any moisture in the boat to drain out the back.

Also, I probably do not need to say this, but be sure the plug is out of the back of the boat.

Happy boating!

 

[mikereno1]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

I've got a small list of projects for the boat this winter, just going to have to be careful not to spend to much

I am moving the boat to covered parking after I winterize it later today, will definitely leave the bow up and the plug out.

What are some good online sites for boating accessories?

What are some must have tools to keep aboard the boat?

 

[southkogs]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

...will definitely leave the bow up and the plug out.

Excellent!

What are some good online sites for boating accessories?

Right HERE.

What are some must have tools to keep aboard the boat?

Two good multi-use lines (I've got one 100' and a couple of smaller 25') and some fenders. I've used the 100' line more than anything else I've ever had aboard.

Nice lookin' boat. Congratulations.

 

[jkust]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Good choice. Cobalt is like Porsche in their slowly changing design. They are timeless. Need some interior shots.

 

[Geko45]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

I ended up purchasing a 2000 Cobalt 206

Beautiful boat! I know that conventional wisdom is that quality of maintenance trumps brand name in boats greater than 10 years of age and there might be some truth to the idea that people that can afford Cobalts can generally afford to keep up with maintenance as well, but it's been my experience that Cobalts hold up really well over time. I have 1995 Cobalt 220 that is still in excellent shape for it's age. The sun pad vinyl has finally started showing some sun damage, but other than that it is still in exceptional condition (at well over 700 hours on the motor too).

Here's a pic from just a couple weeks ago.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

Congrats! Love the colors. If this is your first boat you are at the right place to get advice on stuff needed or not!

 

[Natesms]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

What are some must have tools to keep aboard the boat?

I keep a full set of basic tools on all my boats. simple socket set, pliers screwdrivers medium crescent wrench and a crescent wrench large enough to change a prop. I also have a multiple bit screwdriver that has torex bits etc. (carbs take these bits, not sure what if any odd bits you might need on a newer boat)

I also keep a pair of wire crimpers, basic connectors and some wire.

All of it fits in a small toolbox and I leave on board all the time. Very rarely used but when I need them they are worth their weight in gold.

Lowes and Home Depot always have cheap tools for Christmas gifts.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

After searching for few months through CL and boat trader I ended up purchasing a 2000 Cobalt 206. I had to drive about 5 hours to get it, but I never found something I liked more closer to home. We will be using her primarily at our house at Lake Tahoe, which is where the boat was originally from, and leaving on a buoy for the summer.

Just so you know-- this is what our Bayliner looked like brand new, the day we bought it, May 8, 2007:

And, this is what it looked like Sept. 7, 2007, after sitting in a slip for 4 months:

Now, I'm pretty sure the pristine water of Tahoe won't guck up your boat as fast as Utah Lake will, but it WILL guck it up... Since you're planning on leaving in the water, I thought I'd give you fair warning!

(note, the stuff DOES clean up, but what a pain!)

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

I keep a full set of basic tools on all my boats. simple socket set, pliers screwdrivers medium crescent wrench and a crescent wrench large enough to change a prop. I also have a multiple bit screwdriver that has torex bits etc. (carbs take these bits, not sure what if any odd bits you might need on a newer boat)

I also keep a pair of wire crimpers, basic connectors and some wire.

All of it fits in a small toolbox and I leave on board all the time. Very rarely used but when I need them they are worth their weight in gold.

Lowes and Home Depot always have cheap tools for Christmas gifts.

#1 on the list is a Tow Boat US membership,,,,, or Sea Tow

 

[mikereno1]

Re: Finally bought my first boat!!

And, this is what it looked like Sept. 7, 2007, after sitting in a slip for 4 months:

Now, I'm pretty sure the pristine water of Tahoe won't guck up your boat as fast as Utah Lake will, but it WILL guck it up... Since you're planning on leaving in the water, I thought I'd give you fair warning!

(note, the stuff DOES clean up, but what a pain!)

Wow. That definitely doesn't happen in Tahoe. We keep our sailboat moored all summer and just give it a quick wipe down in the fall. The Tahoe keys has some trouble with algae, but luckily the main lake water is incredibly clear