We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

[OldePharte]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Cobalt does make a great boat. I have been through the factory several times and their quality is superb with every boat tested in the water before it leaves to the dealer. However, they are costly.

One day I jokingly asked if they ever have a scratch and dent sale. Boy, the look I got could have killed.

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Sounds like a fair question to me ha.. i'd take one if they had it.. I have yet to go check them out so i'm not sure how costly they are but i'll see..

 

[haskindm]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Look at any boat very objectively. With boat manufacturers being bought and sold the reputation that a boat had last year may mean little or nothing this year.
Look down the side of the boat. Is the matting visible through the gel-coat (not good) or is the gel-coat smooth and glossy (good)? Look in areas that are usually not visible, under the gunwale, in storage compartments, in the bilge. Is it clean and well finished or does it look like the attitude was "if it don't show, it don't matter"? Look at the wiring. Is it neat and well supported or does it look like it was run by a drunken squirrel? Look at the hardware. Is it stainless steel, or chrome plated pot-metal? Even on a fresh water lake it won't take long for it to start corroding. Is there a built-in cooler? If so, where does it drain? Does it drain overboard or does it drain in the bilge where it will need to be pumped overboard by the bilge pump (which can lead to some interesting smells in the boat)? With most boats, you get what you pay for, not always but usually. As you critically compare boats of different price levels you will quickly begin to see where the extra money goes. Then you need to decide at what price level you will be satisfied.

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Very good advice.. All things that should and will be considered... It seems like a full time job picking out a boat.. Never thought about checking out the wiring for neatness and other things but i can see how that would be representative of a quality boat.. Thanks for that haskindm..

 

[lkbum]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Wakeborder,
You say you are in Alabama, might be worth a drive to Atlanta for the following boat... One of the better deals I've seen in a while.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/boa/845864743.html With ALuminum trailer, fresh water cooling and warranty until 2011. A LOT MORE BOAT than anything you are considering.

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Thanks for all the advise today guys.. it helps. Please feel free to continue to post, i'll keep reading, everything i read is helpful.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

this may determine something Maxum is a Brunswick boat.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=281533

 

[triumphrick]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

That Cobalt looks great...also one of the best as far as JD Powers...here's a link to their boat section..

Good luck!!

http://www.jdpower.com/boats

 

[tino]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

these are the boats really worth looking into. grady white. boston whalers. pro-lines.there are a few more, but check these out first.you really fine some good deals out there now on use boats.they really hold there value.buy one of these in good condition from good people keep as long as you want but take good care of it and you will get your money back for you paid for it, don"t count the up keep now. as time go's by you're know what you want and can afford.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

tino,

Those are great boats. However, they are geared primarily to salt water fishing. They do not offer them with stern drive or inboard power in the size range that Wakebrdr is looking at. Also, they would not be the best for the water sports that Wakebrdr is planning to do.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

I can't make the math work to sell mine for this one, but this is one of the better deals I have seen just up I65: http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/875889693.html

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Thanks for the JD power link triumphrick, never thought about that but it should be a good non biased form of research so i'll keep an eye on that..

So this brunswick boat issue? Are ya'll under the impression that Maxum boats are goin away or just downsizing or what?

I looked at the stingray sickwilly and it does look nice, good price, will consider.. thanks..

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

i listened to part of this webcast from the Brunswick Phone conference. it does not look real good.. i believe they are discontinuing production of Bayliner, Maxum and several others. just log on here and listen it's 48 minutes long, but enlightening. http://www.brunswick.com/investors/investorinformation/events.php
they had 34 boat lines, plus the mercury / mercruisers engine, plus more.

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

My last boat option is one that i've was told about in my office and i've seen may over the years but i haven't really heard ya'll mention it and thats Crownline?? Any experiences??

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Crownlines are pretty nice. I don't like the styling of them, but that is personal prefrence. However, they would probably fit in the same category as the Maxum, Mariah and Four Winns from a price/features/fit & finish standpoint.

 

[smclear]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

Haskindm makes very valid points. Look where you normally wouldn't see! Can't stress that enough. Re: hardware, besides stainless steel, look at how the hardware is attached to the boat. Is it just screwed into the hull or is a sturdy backing plate used? If possible, check it out in the evening as well as the day. I can't tell you how many boats instrument lights reflect up onto the windshield directly in the drivers line of site. This destroys nightime visibility. Does the sternlight extend high enough? I've seen some that are so low, you can't see them unless approaching from the rear. That's illegal in every state I know. They're supposed to visible 360 degrees. That also shines light directly in the cockpit which is bad for visibility and attracts pesky insects. If possible go to a few boat shows and narrow your search down to a few you like. Post those here and you'll get a lot of response I'm sure. Seems to be a bunch of knowledgable people on this forum that are always eager to throw their two cents in.

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

I agree about the knowledgeable people smclear.. i have gotten a much better response than i anticipated and it will be very helpful in my decision... matter of fact, i'll come back a let everybody know what happened and maybe i can help somebody else make that decision.. good points smclear, will remember to check those things out..

 

[salty87]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

how many of these different brands are sold and serviced locally?

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

So far, Cobalt, Four Winns, Crownline, Mariah, Bayliner, Glastron, Maxum, Mastercraft and Tahoe..

 

[Wakebrdr]

Re: We're finally buying a new boat.. i think you guys can help me out...

and i believe Chaparral.