My wife wants a boat with beds, I need suggestions.

[ourlee]

Hello,
My 250 is an excellent 6 mile lake boat but we’re moving to the Chesapeake end of next summer and my wife wants to travel a bit and overnight on the boat. Budget is sub 125k (pre owned) and I have no clue what to look at. Her only request is we can stand in the cabin.
I showed her an 18 Axopar cabin but she didn’t dig the wacky sleep set up so we need to look at a more traditional set up.
I’ve never shopped for a boat like this but I’d like it to be special like the Cobalt. It will be just the two of us and an 80lb mutt.
Suggestions please.
Cheers, Rick

[cmattj]

Staying in your era to keep familiar but upgrade I would look at the 273 model.
Towable for traveling.
If your looking to be one and done the 360 is an express that never gained traction but is reasonable priced.

Good look in your ventures!

[CobaltDeadHead]

If I wanted a a Cabin type boat for the ocean, it likely wouldn't be a Cobalt. I'd want something with Outboards. Maybe a Grady White Marlin 300

[Big Block Power]

I heard a SeaRay 40ft can be had for that and is a great boat

[Table Rockin]

I’d say your asking the wrong group….for your price point and utilization needs id say your looking at a 15+ year cruiser. You can get beds in lots of sub 30’ boats but you won’t find stand up cabin space in them. For that era of boat and your needs, a SeaRay might actually be worth a look. Or if you can open up the wallet quite a bit get a formula with outboards that is 35’ or bigger.

[willyswagon]

"My wife wants a boat with beds, I need a suggestion"

I'd suggest........

a new wife

[Lockey14s]

check out the 303 or 323, should fit your needs nicely and within budget

[Stonehauler]

I've been on the northern Chesapeake up near the Elk River and the Susquahana, and I personally do not like boating there in my 242. Yes, it can handle the waves and such, but the chop really ends up hurting my back trying to move around. I prefer lakes and rivers/canals

Lake boating is very different from boating on the Chesapeake. Before you commit to moving there, you might want to take a mini-vacation and rent something...preferably something in the range of what you are looking at.

Looking back and knowing what I know now, I would not have purchased by 242 after moving out there. I would just have remained ashore, and this is from someone who grew up boating and loves being on the water.

[Holy Smokes]

I'm partial, but as mentioned above, a Cobalt 360 could fill the bill. However, you're dealing with an older model and I/O's. I love our 360 and feel we could easily overnight if desired. SeaRay's check a lot of the boxes, but their design is Blah!

[Table Rockin]

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2000-fo ... s-7995557/

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2004-se ... r-7929767/

Something like these?

[kas232ca]

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2000-fo ... s-7995557/

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2004-se ... r-7929767/

Something like these?

Those both look like a lot of boat for the money.

[dustinm]

The Formula is the bomb. I can over look the tube style TV when there are blue motors!!

[AsLan7]

.
Rick if I were looking for a larger cuddy with beds I would buy a Formula. Just me though. Quality name, trusted brand, resale, layout, power, performance, and options available to the consumer is why I would go that route. Stay away from the turquoise and pink color schemes though as they tend to date quicker.

[dustinm]

Our dealer has a 323 with twin 8.1s

https://www.parksmarina.com/used-boats/ ... b6b6b970f/

[Table Rockin]

.
Stay away from the turquoise and pink color schemes though as they tend to date quicker.

Amen