1st boat = Used boat. Need experienced opinions

[kaiman81]

Hello everyone,
After 2 years of being strong-armed by my wife to become a boat owner, I find myself on the purchasing cliff. The used market is full of options but I keep coming back to Cobalt. I've watched many used ones come and go on BoatTrader and Facebook marketplace and found 2 interesting Cobalt’s. Fortunately for me, while looking for feedback, parts, tutorials, and more, I discovered Cobaltchat.com. Thanks for allowing me to join!

As a family of 4 that loves the water in Mississippi and the Florida coast, we would mostly do fresh water but likely end up in the panhandle once a year. I prefer not to spend more than $20k for my first boat, and I enjoy having projects where I can invest my time and make the boat my own.

Thoughts on which boat I should pursue, if any: 1999 vs 2001

1. 1999 Cobalt 206 with 393 hour Mercruiser 5.0 and a 2020 tandem trailer ($13,000) - located in FL
- Needs some TLC, cracked fiberglass at the bow near the rub rail and under a tie down, missing ladder cover, some scuff marks on the hull, missing emblems... https://www.boattrader.com/boat/1999-co ... 6-8323151/


2. 2001 Cobalt 206 with 260 hour Volvo 5.0 and NO trailer ($18,000) - located in TX
- Needs little TLC with the engine replaced in 2010 as well as new water and bilge pump and new fuel pump.
- https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2001-co ... 6-8318431/

-- Kai

[AsLan7]

.
Hey kai.. So glad you found us.

I'm not sure I'm a fan of either of those choices but then again I'm a stickler for details. Definitely stay away from salt water boats IMHO so that could rule out the Florida boat. I did not see engine pics on the second one. That could help in the decision. Engine compartments can speak volumes about previous owners.

Others will chime in shortly.

And welcome aboard mate.

.

[kaiman81]

I appreciate the quick thoughts and message. Glad to be in the group as a "soon-to-be" owner.

[Big Block Power]

Just from your 2 descriptions I was out too. I'm alot like A7.

[dustinm]

I say since you're going to saltwater it anyway just buy the best condition boat you find

[kaiman81]

I say since you're going to saltwater it anyway just buy the best condition boat you find

Thank you!

[Pilotmike]

My advice is to be patient and find the needle in the haystack. It took me 6 months and a 10 hour road trip to seal the deal on my 246 (boat #3). 2002 with 285 hours and zero cracks, tears, motor issues, ETC. They are out there, I promise it can be worth the wait especially if you have a budget in mind. As for the trailer....if you need one, you can get an aftermarket new from 4-6k. 7-10k for a Cobalt custom, and if your dream ride comes with a hydro lift dock, see if a local trailer dealer will give you a trade allowance for it, that's what I did.

If its a salt water boat, hire a good mechanic or shop to look at it thoroughly before you buy. Spend the $200-$300 if your not a wrench yourself. Ask the seller for his mechanics number and see what they recall about the service history.

Last, as soon as you get it, change the impeller. Just do it, unless they have meticulous records and you can see that it has been changed in the last year, and then change it anyway!

Got to love experience. Good Luck

[kaiman81]

My advice is to be patient and find the needle in the haystack. It took me 6 months and a 10 hour road trip to seal the deal on my 246 (boat #3). 2002 with 285 hours and zero cracks, tears, motor issues, ETC. They are out there, I promise it can be worth the wait especially if you have a budget in mind. As for the trailer....if you need one, you can get an aftermarket new from 4-6k. 7-10k for a Cobalt custom, and if your dream ride comes with a hydro lift dock, see if a local trailer dealer will give you a trade allowance for it, that's what I did.

If its a salt water boat, hire a good mechanic or shop to look at it thoroughly before you buy. Spend the $200-$300 if your not a wrench yourself. Ask the seller for his mechanics number and see what they recall about the service history.

Last, as soon as you get it, change the impeller. Just do it, unless they have meticulous records and you can see that it has been changed in the last year, and then change it anyway!

Got to love experience. Good Luck

Thank you for your perspective. Experience trumps opinion nearly every time.

[Krob1114]

The path we chose was to buy a cheaper boat, get our feet wet, or get or sea legs, learn a little and then go for it.
In today's economy and market, it would be hard to get anything in that price range that's not going to need some dollars afterwards. That said, you don't want to be stuck on the water.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Just a thought, but the Texas boat is showing a price drop of $11k just recently. That's like 40% from where they had it listed. Perhaps they might be desperate to sell and willing to bargain more than the other seller?

[Krob1114]

Just a thought, but the Texas boat is showing a price drop of $11k just recently. That's like 40% from where they had it listed. Perhaps they might be desperate to sell and willing to bargain more than the other seller?

When we were looking all around the country for a better boat, I started thinking about all the time and mileage I was putting on my SUV, figuring $0.50 per mile, going to look at boats and being totally disappointed when I got there, I bought new. Wished I'd made the decision sooner.

Price drops could also mean that something more has gone wrong the the boat.