Some insight please

[Noggin Ninja]

Hello!

Been boating all of of my adult life, started out in an old clunker of a Bay Liner when the wife and I first got married, moved into an '05 Four Winns about 4 years later which was a big upgrade, but learned quickly that I should have weighed my wants/needs more closely as it was missing some things I didn't know I wanted. You would think I would have learned when we went to our Sea Ray 200 Select (current boat), but it was a deal I couldn't pass up during COVID, but I'm still not satisfied (It's a bit small, 5.0 with alpha one isn't to my liking and some other things).

So anyway, here I am, looking at Cobalts, which I wanted from day one, and I want to check all the boxes I can. I have narrowed it down to a 222 and there is a 2007 in Maroon/Burgundy and I think the price point is right for me and it ticks nearly all the boxes. I am in Canada so selection is limited but the big boxes are, premium stereo, duo prop, factory tower, great condition (obviously) and perfect pass. This boat has all of that, with a 6.2 L Mercruiser which seems like the "standard" motor for this boat. It's a one owner boat with 396 hours, kept in heated storage for it's life. I've seen lower hours but am hoping he has the service records, which means more to me then the hour meter.

Is there anything I should look for in particular on a 222? The only other sticky point is the colour, the burgundy maroon. I haven't seen the boat in person yet and it's a four hour drive, how does everyone feel about this colour? I saw myself in a shade of blue, I find the Maroon interesting but it doesn't seem like a popular colour.

[billk2632]

Burgundy is my least favorite color. I actually had a deposit on a 242 at one point and just could not go through with it - perfect in every way except the burgundy color. It took awhile longer but I found a black R5 which is what I really wanted. Burgundy / re also seem to be the hardest colors to keep up - worse than blue and black. There are a lot of them out there - all manufacturers, so someone must like it.

[Noggin Ninja]

There is a nice blue with yellow stripe 232 online as well with only 190 hours, but it's about $15k more then the wife wants to spend....too bad.

[AsLan7]

.
So glad you found us NN….

Split the difference with an offer for the blue and yellow one. You won’t regret it.

And welcome aboard mate.
.

[Noggin Ninja]

There is a 2008 222 in a beautiful blue, same motor but 462 hours on it, which averages out to about 30 hours a year. It doesn’t have the factory premium stereo which maybe isn’t a big deal as stereos are easy to upgrade and at that age would likely need it anyway. The carpet is ok but showing signs of wear and I don’t think it has perfect pass, which I wouldn’t say is a deal breaker for me, just a nice option. It’s a consignment so I could see if owner has service records.


Hmmmmm

[Noggin Ninja]

Just spotted another low 145 hour 2011 232 in blue, has a 5.7L Mag. My understanding that the 5.7L Mag and 6.2L are very similar but the 6.2L is basically a stroker 5.7L. The reading I have done tells me the out put is very similar with some more torque from the 6.2, so with a 5.7L the 232 shouldn't be underpowered. It appears the 232 is virtually the same boat as the 222 (layout etc) with an extra foot?

[NautiGirl]

We just sold our 2007 222 with the 6.2, tower and captains call. It's a fantastic boat (Mr. Nauti would question why we sold it). Ours was was red. There have been several for sale on fb. I di miss the in floor cooler, that should be in more models. Can't beat the ride of a cobalt regardless of the model you land it. The Cobalt ride is superior.

[Noggin Ninja]

I am looking hard at a couple 232’s a 2011 and a 2014. Was the arch an option over the wakeboard tower on those boats? I assume it was an upgrade. The 2011 has a 5.7 L mag and about 180 hours, lots of information on that drive online.

The 2014 has the arch instead of tower, and 300 V8 Volvo, I’m having trouble finding statistics on that drive online. Does 300 indicate the output or the displacement? 2014 is a one owner boat so all records from new. 2011 is a two owner boat so only records for the last four years 2014 asking prices about 7000 more than the 2011.

[NautiWeasel]

Hi Noggin Ninja.
On the Volvo engines / drives, the number (300 in this case) is the HP rating. Since it's a 2014, that engine should be a 5.7L or a 6.0L, I can't remember exactly for that HP number. Either way, it's still a GM engine, like the Mercury is. The main difference is the outdrive is specific to Volvo / Mercury, and most of the time, the Volvo will have slightly higher HP numbers out of the same displacement. MOST of the time... I don't want to get in trouble with anyone, LOL.
We have a 2014, 242 with the factory Arch / Tower, and the 380hp Volvo (6.0 Litre) and we couldn't be more pleased with our choice.
Good luck on your search.

[billk2632]

My R5 has the VP V8-300 which in 2014 was a 5.7 - mine ones great (300hrs) and has has zero problems - I knew the prior owner. 2015 is when VP introduced the Gen 5 engines that are based on the GM 5.3 and 6.2 - also seem to be good motors, although they are more complex - multiport injection, variable valve timing etc.