Gents, what are your thoughts on this?

[surfed]

You all seem quite knowledgeable and I would like to get your thoughts on this boat, thx.
http://www.boats.com/power-boats/2006-c ... e=standard listing&refSource=standard listing

2006 Cobalt 262 powered by Mercruiser 496 MAG MPI Bravo 3 375hp with 616 hours. Ebony/Sandstone color. Includes Bimini. Covers. Docking Lights. Trim Tabs. Transom Stereo Remote. Air Compressor. Tool Kit. Extended Swim Platform. Stereo. Sold and Serviced by Shoreline Boat Center. No Trailer included but available. Come view this boat along with our full inventory in our 25,000 sq ft heated showroom!















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[Ytmsn]

When I restored my last boat I had no intention of getting anything different. Then A7 came along...

The 260 series from 2000 thru '07 is an amazing boat. The hull and interior design is what I now consider one of the greatest designs Cobalt ever came out with. The ride, the handling and the comfort of the boat continues to impress every time I take it out. So yeah, I'm a big fan of the 260 series.

That being said, 600 hours is a lot no matter what year it is. It helps that it's a 2006 but it seems to me 44k for a 600 hour boat is a little out of round. Especially for a boat with no tower and no trailer.

And THAT being said, it still probably won't last long. Any 260 series doesn't.

[tgrace98]

As a fellow 262 owner I will say the same thing. The hours would scare me me as once you get into the 600's that is starting to get high. Although if you take care of a motor you can easily get 1,000-1500 hours out of them. If it was me I would keep looking and find one with fewer hours. But like YT said you can't go wrong with any 2000-2007 260 series Cobalt.

[cmattj]

Looks nice.. are you ready to keep a black boat in shape?? First boat? Trailers? You have plans to stack store?

Don't be afraid of the hours. ( it's a dealer so I'm sure it's been ECM scanned) It's roughly 60 hrs a season . A 496 has good longevity as long as the previous owners didn't keep it WOT all day and a scan will tell you all.

Survey to include true scanned hours ( not that silly Hobbs meter that unplugs) and compression test along with history code check.

So welcome and as the others will tell you its early in the season so your selection is coming!

[AsLan7]

Hey, welcome to the Cchat forum, Surfed. So glad you found us.

I'll echo what the folks above said. This was one of THE best hulls ever produced by Cobalt. The ride, speed, planing time, cornering, interior storage, options available, and looks are just fantastic. We sold our 262 and bought the same hull in a cuddy version (263).

The boat you are looking at is priced too high for its condition & options. You can always ask what the hours are on the engine (requires laptop connection) since it will be lower than the HOBBS meter. (Owners will leave the key on in the wrong position to listen to the radio with the engine off causing the hours to tick up). Still, that's a higher time boat. The 496 engines are known to go into well over the 1,000 hour mark so for the right price, you can get something that could be worth it. I would suggest a survey. Btw, that ski pole looks slightly bent in the picture. It may just be the photo angle. Still, that thing is solid and heavy, If it's bent, there are larger issues.

In the end, you cannot go wrong with a 2000-2007 262. Major production changes happened after that when the recession hit as well as the transfer of leadership from Cobalt founder, Pack St. Clair, to his son, Paxson.

Btw, is this your first Cobalt? How will you be using it?

...and welcome aboard mate!

.

[surfed]

I appreciate your quick response fellas. Unfortunately you all confirmed my thoughts also. The hours are my main issue and does not give me a warm and fuzzy. So I guess I will keep looking, but dang, I really like that style and color. Have not seen too many out there like that, thx.

[AsLan7]

I appreciate your quick response fellas. Unfortunately you all confirmed my thoughts also. The hours are my main issue and does not give me a warm and fuzzy. So I guess I will keep looking, but dang, I really like that style and color. Have not seen too many out there like that, thx.

Sure surfed.

We can help you look. Are there certain options in which you are interested ? Are you set on that color ?

These models sell quickly, but they also come up on the market fairly frequently

.

[tgrace98]

I appreciate your quick response fellas. Unfortunately you all confirmed my thoughts also. The hours are my main issue and does not give me a warm and fuzzy. So I guess I will keep looking, but dang, I really like that style and color. Have not seen too many out there like that, thx.

also what area of the country are you located in? that would be a big help for the search as well

[surfed]

I really like the 2001-2007, and I really do like that same color scheme. I would like the extended swim platform and the rear filler cushions would be a must have.I think the 496 is a good engine but would have no problem with a volvo either. I have been lurking here a while and believe it or not I was all set on one at table rock lake in the fall and was going to look at it when the salesman said it sold the day before. I think it was someone on this board that bought it. I will be boating on Lake of the ozarks. I was not set on cobalt but after shopping around they sure seem nice. I would appreciate any info. on whatever you all might come across, thx.

[AsLan7]

I really like the 2001-2007, and I really do like that same color scheme. I would like the extended swim platform and the rear filler cushions would be a must have.I think the 496 is a good engine but would have no problem with a volvo either. I have been lurking here a while and believe it or not I was all set on one at table rock lake in the fall and was going to look at it when the salesman said it sold the day before. I think it was someone on this board that bought it. I will be boating on Lake of the ozarks. I was not set on cobalt but after shopping around they sure seem nice. I would appreciate any info. on whatever you all might come across, thx.

Roger that. I can certainly relate to everything you mentioned there my friend.

How far are you willing to travel? Would you consider shipping as an option (normally $1000-$3000 depending on location) or do you primarily want to stay local?

[tgrace98]

I really like the 2001-2007, and I really do like that same color scheme. I would like the extended swim platform and the rear filler cushions would be a must have.I think the 496 is a good engine but would have no problem with a volvo either. I have been lurking here a while and believe it or not I was all set on one at table rock lake in the fall and was going to look at it when the salesman said it sold the day before. I think it was someone on this board that bought it. I will be boating on Lake of the ozarks. I was not set on cobalt but after shopping around they sure seem nice. I would appreciate any info. on whatever you all might come across, thx.

Ever talk to Brandon at Heartland Marine at the ozarks? That is who I bought my 262 from. He actually just had a nice black one a few weeks ago too but looks like it is already gone. Might want to tell him you are in the hunt for one and he may be able to track one down.

[liquid]

Welcome Surfed.

I know an 8.1 that'll fit in there if the engine worries you.

[AsLan7]

Welcome Surfed.

I know an 8.1 that'll fit in there if the engine worries you.

With less than 199 hours on it!

[Ytmsn]

Someone bought throat you wanted at Table Rock? Wonder who that summbeotch was? Sorry dog

[Skiingstrongman]

600 hours is nothing if it’s freshwater. It’s a truck engine, believe it or not people put 200-300k miles on trucks all the time without catastrophic engine failure. If you’re wary try to get them to replace the bellows and risers as that’s what gets the brunt of corrosion. Boats are meant to be used. I would be scared to death of a 10 year old boat with 200 hours. The fact is that people that use their boats a lot take really good care of them. It’s the people that don’t use them and don’t take care of them that you want to steer clear of.