New to Cobalt...and boating

[Loonsi]

Hi all...stumbled upon this forum and have been learning a ton. Great info.

So I don't own a boat, but I want to. I've been looking around a bunch this summer and keep coming back to Cobalt. Have looked at all the major brands in the 25' 27' range (top competitor to Cobalt being the Sea Ray SLX 250). I have a friend who just bought a new R5 and he swears it's the boat to go with at that length.

Looking for any insight that can help in my decision making. Obviously, being on a Cobalt forum, I'd assume everyone would tell me to "go with a Cobalt." Is R5 the right boat? Primarily will be used for cruising (family of 4) with friends and some light water sporting (surf is probably unnecessary). I drove an R7 yesterday and it was spectacular, but thinking I'd start with the R5.

If R5 is the right boat, what should I know about buying Cobalt? I've looked at some of the other posts about the "must haves" vs. the "nice to haves." Helpful for sure. Any other buyers who had those "I wish I would have done this" moments post purchase?

Any insight is helpful.

[JTinMO]

Looking at an R5, you must be extremely serious. Its an awesome boat, and a big boat. If you are in that range, I hope you have a place on a lake or a slip on a lake to keep it in. Towing an R5 if a serious load. I have an older 232, which is smaller than an R5 and it is all I would want to tow around regularly. I can say the 232 is a great size for our family of 4, and actually feels way too big for only the 4 persons. We've had up to 11 folks on board and still have no issues tubing, etc.

Since this is a cobalt posting board, I doubt you will get any negative views on a Cobalt boat. I think a good test is to go see what a 5-10 year old Sea Ray looks like compared to a 5-10 year old Cobalt maintained the same. I don't have a ton to compare to, but our Cobalt is world apart on fit and finish compared to other brands. And the ride is worlds apart as well. The best advice I can give you is go drive both, look around a lot, and ask advice.

[Table Rockin]

****cracks knuckles prior to typing this****

Sounds like you are considering purchasing new. If thats the case your budget is substantial and might I suggest looking at something 1-2 years old. You "should" save some decent cash doing this but as others have witnessed over the course of the last year, used boats have been snagged up quickly selling for close if not 100% asking price. Cobalts plants are (or were) running at full capacity. At least they were earlier this summer. Still something to consider, this may result in you getting more options than initially desired or considered within your price range. All that said, if I was buying new here are my must haves, at a minimum:

1. At least the 6.2L 380 Volvo
2. Arch, folding or otherwise, with Bimini,
3. Swim platform sea decking material
5. Seagrass carpet
6. LED RBG lighting. I know you can add after the fact but I cant do stuff like this so I pay for it.
7. Flag pole....cause you know bless "Merica and stuff
8. bow filler cushion
9. battery switch and onboard charger
10. Trim tabs...maybe....havent used mine much TBH

If you can get all that on a 17' and surf model for your original budget then all the better.

Good luck! I'm sure more folks here will be willing to chime in and help you spend your money

[Ytmsn]

Walking to the Forum!

As a first-time boater, I don't think I would get a new one. The formula for that is Dock crash/dock rash = Stress and Anxiety.

Get a well maintained used Cobalt and learn on that. It will be half the price or less and a whole lot easier on your nerves!

About 2 weeks ago there was a guy with a pontoon load of people trying to maneuver around our dock. First-time boater, first time on the water, and he hit everything accept what he was aiming for, which was a slip on the dock. Luckily he didn't hit any boats, but it wasn't for lack of trying. He hit the dock several times, the bank several times, and got his prop down the gravel twice. He finally landed but it wasn't pretty. All of us see this sort of thing a lot.

Whatever you decide to get, I'd highly recommend you go out alone early in the morning or on a weekday with no one around so you can practice, practice, practice. It's one thing to bang up your own boat but you certainly don't want to be "that guy" hitting anyone else!

Boating is awesome and learning how to maneuver is easy, but there is a learning curve. You don't want the stress levels going through the roof, the whole point of getting on the water is to DEstress.

Again, glad to have you and look forward to seeing pictures in your intro thread!

[Tuscany]

HEY YT..
I only buried the prop ONCE, not twice!
So I hit a few things...so what...

Seriously though, I started out with a one year old repo that we enjoyed for 13 years. We did have one instance of a lesson learned, and that was it.
Yeah, Cobalts are premium, and exclusive, but you may want to test the waters a little before jumping into something new and expensive.
After our first boat, we had plenty of experience and knew what we wanted, size wise...
We also trailer/launch/retrieve every time. No problems at all with size, so don't be afraid of a bigger boat.


Table, drop the tabs when the water is choppy.
I use ours all of the time, and I find them most useful for smoothing out the ride.

[Ytmsn]

HEY YT..
I only buried the prop ONCE, not twice!
So I hit a few things...so what...

Seriously though, I started out with a one year old repo that we enjoyed for 13 years. We did have one instance of a lesson learned, and that was it.
Yeah, Cobalts are premium, and exclusive, but you may want to test the waters a little before jumping into something new and expensive.

Table, drop the tabs when the water is choppy.
I use ours all of the time, and I find them most useful for smoothing out the ride.

Haha! THAT guy!

[Tuscany]

You know, some guys will never develop the touch or patience when it comes to docking a boat. That guy will probably be taking stuff out for years to come..

[NautiGirl]

Hey maybe this guy has had lots of time in the driver's seat.... We should be nicer and give him the benefit of the doubt... At least until he asks how to slow down idle speed...then it's game on!

Go BIG and order that R5.... It's only money!

[Loonsi]

Thanks for the quick responses all.

I should have clarified...I have driven a lot of boats in my days. I just haven't ever owned one. I'm less concerned with banging it around while docking, etc.

But point taken on it being a first purchase.

Regarding a used one, I live in the Seattle area and there isn't a used Cobalt within who knows how many miles of us. The dealer I've spoken with says they get maybe one used R5 per year and it's taken up within 24 hours. I've seen a few online in other states, but nothing close. And a used R5 doesn't seem to save me much $$ on the new ones, but I'll, no doubt keep looking.

[Table Rockin]

Table, drop the tabs when the water is choppy.
I use ours all of the time, and I find them most useful for smoothing out the ride.

Do you use the trim assist while using tabs?

[Table Rockin]

Thanks for the quick responses all.

I should have clarified...I have driven a lot of boats in my days. I just haven't ever owned one. I'm less concerned with banging it around while docking, etc.

But point taken on it being a first purchase.

Regarding a used one, I live in the Seattle area and there isn't a used Cobalt within who knows how many miles of us. The dealer I've spoken with says they get maybe one used R5 per year and it's taken up within 24 hours. I've seen a few online in other states, but nothing close. And a used R5 doesn't seem to save me much $$ on the new ones, but I'll, no doubt keep looking.

Yes some have theorized that a spike in new boat demand coupled with cobalts maxed out production capacity is causing a spike or at least a loss of negotiating power on used boats. In any event its an exciting time for you and your family. Boat shopping is and should be super fun! It is for me anyway. You sure you want to rule out the R7s?

[Ytmsn]

Table, drop the tabs when the water is choppy.
I use ours all of the time, and I find them most useful for smoothing out the ride.

Do you use the trim assist while using tabs?

I don't unless it's just a touch. But like Tusc, I smooth out the chop with the tabs. Sometimes in the evening when we just want to cruise slowly and enjoy the scenery and breeze I'll drop them down all the way and throttle back to about 10 or 12 mph with the bow down low instead of way up high trying to climb over the hill of water under the hull. It takes slow cruising to another level!

[Big Block Power]

Ok this is my must haves for you. Black gel, tower, premium sound, rgb lighting seadek ot seagrass, flag, bow and cockpit covers, tables, 430 hp captains call. Bubble wrap! After that you can get any thing else you want. Seeing that I already want about 10 boats on here what wrong with another 1 in 10 years.

[Blkvlk777]

Welcome. Are you planning on trailering or putting in a slip. I myself trailer with a 1/2 ton pulling a 242 - I know it’s behind me but I do pull it 70ish and no problems . Being that I trailer I also wanted the porta-potti head unit (vs pump out) as I do not want to go to a pump out station at the end of the day (if used). Go with as big of power plant you can afford. Swim deck - yes. Table. Nice covers. Get what you can afford now because later the accessories become very expensive to get or add later. R5s are really nice and would be my upgrade if I ever get to that point. We get so many compliments on the boat layout / swimdeck for the sandbar hanging out that we do. The back of the boat is designed perfect on how we use it (well. Maybe some beer holders in the swim deck would have been nice lol). Good luck!

[Table Rockin]

Table, drop the tabs when the water is choppy.
I use ours all of the time, and I find them most useful for smoothing out the ride.

Do you use the trim assist while using tabs?

I don't unless it's just a touch. But like Tusc, I smooth out the chop with the tabs. Sometimes in the evening when we just want to cruise slowly and enjoy the scenery and breeze I'll drop them down all the way and throttle back to about 10 or 12 mph with the bow down low instead of way up high trying to climb over the hill of water under the hull. It takes slow cruising to another level!

Agreed ive done this as well. It is nice!