day dreaming

[tgrace98]

+999999 on the 343 with 525 twins. I'm hoping Dean will sell me his!

I don’t see you pulling that beast down highway 65 lol!

[whitelightning]

I'm sure the D-Max could pull 11,500 but on a weekend to weekend basis, no! 343 + slip + lake house would need to be the package.

[slideruleracer]

Verado egg beaters. I enjoyed that.

+1 Ha!

[juddmyers]

If I can find and afford the 343 with 525's that I want, then I can sure handle towing it to and from the lake. I know that it is more realistic that I end up with a 303 with duals.

[nolaboater99]

I do loce twins . So when Slide gets my 282 I’d probably look for another one. Lol. I like the 302 but then widths get tricky like the sexy 343.

Maybe a Cobalt 30sc with twin 400 verado egg beaters so I would venture into the SF bay. I’d be less worried about salt water cruising Or just a R30 so I could still have twin bigs singing!

Matt, stop being a wimp and take that 282 to the Bay. It's a boat....it's built to withstand salt water. And actually it's not just a boat....it's a Cobalt and better built than morst boats that live in the salt. After the trip wash, flush and dry everything....you, and the boat will be fine.

Yes, salt water is more corrosive than fresh but with proper precautions there is no reason to deny yourslef some fantastic cruising and destinations. Take it to Sausilito, get a slip for the night and stay in a hotel on the water. It's a blast and your boat will be fine.

I'm always amazed at people who miss out on some really good boating because they think a dash of salt will destroy their boat. In a lake you can really only go in a circle. Sure, some circles are bigger than others. I grew up and started my boating in the Seattle area. We had Lake Washington (fresh water), and Puget Sound (salt water). I preferred to boat in the sound where I could go to multiple overnight destinations and I was really only limited by my fuel range, the size of my boat as it related to water conditions and my limitations handling the boat in the above conditions.

Matt, I'm not intending to beat on you but this is a message to all that feel they shouldn't take their shiny Cobalt in salt water. As soon as my boat is running perfectly I can't wait to get it in the Gulf for 75 mile trip to Biloxi, MS. And my boat is a bit older than yours.

Shawn

[cmattj]

I do loce twins . So when Slide gets my 282 I’d probably look for another one. Lol. I like the 302 but then widths get tricky like the sexy 343.

Maybe a Cobalt 30sc with twin 400 verado egg beaters so I would venture into the SF bay. I’d be less worried about salt water cruising Or just a R30 so I could still have twin bigs singing!

Matt, stop being a wimp and take that 282 to the Bay. It's a boat....it's built to withstand salt water. And actually it's not just a boat....it's a Cobalt and better built than morst boats that live in the salt. After the trip wash, flush and dry everything....you, and the boat will be fine.

Yes, salt water is more corrosive than fresh but with proper precautions there is no reason to deny yourslef some fantastic cruising and destinations. Take it to Sausilito, get a slip for the night and stay in a hotel on the water. It's a blast and your boat will be fine.

I'm always amazed at people who miss out on some really good boating because they think a dash of salt will destroy their boat. In a lake you can really only go in a circle. Sure, some circles are bigger than others. I grew up and started my boating in the Seattle area. We had Lake Washington (fresh water), and Puget Sound (salt water). I preferred to boat in the sound where I could go to multiple overnight destinations and I was really only limited by my fuel range, the size of my boat as it related to water conditions and my limitations handling the boat in the above conditions.

Matt, I'm not intending to beat on you but this is a message to all that feel they shouldn't take their shiny Cobalt in salt water. As soon as my boat is running perfectly I can't wait to get it in the Gulf for 75 mile trip to Biloxi, MS. And my boat is a bit older than yours.

Shawn

Nola....Nola... Nola

Lets be clear... I'm no wimp... Pussy? Yes.... A Wimp no

Ive made many salt water runs as my experience with salt water boating and sailing allows me to now avoid the rinsing for preservation. You bet I got a 282 with Closed cooling that would laugh at the Bay. But shes pretty and never been in salt water. Now maybe for a one day Ball game sure. But to have a week berthed and traveling around with constant salt water spray.... I'm just not interested.

I would imagine in your area the brackish salt water leaves little choice for your cleaning procedure, and your well rehearsed in rinsing down your complete boat to persevere her as it shows and looks amazing. That also comes from your previous years of owning big cruisers that are destined for big water.

I'm not knocking the Florida or Gulf area boats either, but do you ever wonder why Salt water use boats are typically cheaper in resale?

Nola Im also not trying to beating you back either pal as you have great experience in what it takes to be a Salt water Boat owner, And the after party that's required to keep them nice.


Me, I'm just a Pussy when it come to it. My Donzi 22 that has made many 85 mile trips to the bay... well the wiring was already turning green so I didn't care.

Nola we need to party

[nolaboater99]

I do loce twins . So when Slide gets my 282 I’d probably look for another one. Lol. I like the 302 but then widths get tricky like the sexy 343.

Maybe a Cobalt 30sc with twin 400 verado egg beaters so I would venture into the SF bay. I’d be less worried about salt water cruising Or just a R30 so I could still have twin bigs singing!

Matt, stop being a wimp and take that 282 to the Bay. It's a boat....it's built to withstand salt water. And actually it's not just a boat....it's a Cobalt and better built than morst boats that live in the salt. After the trip wash, flush and dry everything....you, and the boat will be fine.

Yes, salt water is more corrosive than fresh but with proper precautions there is no reason to deny yourslef some fantastic cruising and destinations. Take it to Sausilito, get a slip for the night and stay in a hotel on the water. It's a blast and your boat will be fine.

I'm always amazed at people who miss out on some really good boating because they think a dash of salt will destroy their boat. In a lake you can really only go in a circle. Sure, some circles are bigger than others. I grew up and started my boating in the Seattle area. We had Lake Washington (fresh water), and Puget Sound (salt water). I preferred to boat in the sound where I could go to multiple overnight destinations and I was really only limited by my fuel range, the size of my boat as it related to water conditions and my limitations handling the boat in the above conditions.

Matt, I'm not intending to beat on you but this is a message to all that feel they shouldn't take their shiny Cobalt in salt water. As soon as my boat is running perfectly I can't wait to get it in the Gulf for 75 mile trip to Biloxi, MS. And my boat is a bit older than yours.

Shawn

Nola....Nola... Nola

Lets be clear... I'm no wimp... Pussy? Yes.... A Wimp no

Ive made many salt water runs as my experience with salt water boating and sailing allows me to now avoid the rinsing for preservation. You bet I got a 282 with Closed cooling that would laugh at the Bay. But shes pretty and never been in salt water. Now maybe for a one day Ball game sure. But to have a week berthed and traveling around with constant salt water spray.... I'm just not interested.

I would imagine in your area the brackish salt water leaves little choice for your cleaning procedure, and your well rehearsed in rinsing down your complete boat to persevere her as it shows and looks amazing. That also comes from your previous years of owning big cruisers that are destined for big water.

I'm not knocking the Florida or Gulf area boats either, but do you ever wonder why Salt water use boats are typically cheaper in resale?

Nola Im also not trying to beating you back either pal as you have great experience in what it takes to be a Salt water Boat owner, And the after party that's required to keep them nice.


Me, I'm just a Pussy when it come to it. My Donzi 22 that has made many 85 mile trips to the bay... well the wiring was already turning green so I didn't care.

Nola we need to party

Matt, I stand corrected. And since you say you've made the trip and just don't care for the cleanup, I understand that as well. But your Donzi was not a Cobalt. The wimp comment was to bust your chops....no disrespect intended.

My boat was delivered to the original owner in 1985 in Long Beach, CA. He had a home on the water and the boat didn't even come with a trailer. My partner on the boat and I bought her in 1989. My partner was/is single, owns some restaurants in LB and has a wad of money. He enjoyed the boat and liked the attention he got in it but he never maintained it....he paid people to do it. But for the first 10 years I maintained it. I loved that boat....I still do. I washed it after every outing. I designed and installed a way to flush the motor with fresh water while it sat in salt water. And salt water is where it lived for 30 years. For the first 18 years it had the original Alpha I drive on it and it never had a spot of corrosion on it until the Mercathode system quit. The last owner that I bought the boat from severely neglected it and it is a true testament to Cobalt that after all of that, the boat still came back as good as it did. Are Cobalts built better? Yep. Are they special? Yep. Would I have put this much time, money, sweat, and effort into a Bayliner, Rinker, Cruisers, Carver, Sea Ray or even a Donzi? Oh HELL no. Well maybe a Sweet 16. But why am I saying all of this? To illustrate that Cobalts aren't wimps either....they can take more than their owners can.

Your response reminded me of when I owned a very pristine 1989 Porsche 911 Cabriolet. Someone asked me once if Porsches handled poorly in the rain. I asked why he would ask that question. His response was that he would see ads for Porsches that were for sale and the ads always stated, "....never driven in the rain." I laughed and told him they handled great in the rain. The problem was that Porsche owners (like Cobalt owners) always took meticulus care of their cars and worked hard to keep them looking immaculate and no one wanted to clean them up after driving in the rain. So you see, I understand your point.

As for partying with me....Dude, I live in the New Orleans area....THE party capital of the world. You want to party? I invite you and your significant other to come and visit and we'll show you what partying is about. And we might even go for a boat ride....In the Gulf of Mexico....Salt Water. I'll wash, you dry.

Shawn

[Southernboatman]

I love the salt and wouldn’t have it any other way. No problems here my friends. Wash down and flush after every day out.

[Southernboatman]

...I looked at a 343 earlier this summer.

[Tuscany]

SBM,
I guess it’s just a normal thing when you live on the salt. For those of us who don’t, there’s no freakin’ way I would put my boat in the salt. Just a fresh water hang up I guess. It definitely isn’t just me. Salt kills resale.
My perception of salt boating is that an outboard is a must.

[cmattj]

I'll wash, you dry.

Shawn

You got it Shawn!

And yes I wish I had it in me as SBM said its a after party process to enjoy the Big water. (but it becomes part of the process for boating in salt)

I reflected on the trips we have taken in the San Francisco bay , and the smell of the ocean coming toward me as I approached the straights of Carquinez, 60 miles away from my Dock. Its a magical smell from the water that suddenly lets you know there is a bigger power, and stronger water in front of you.

As I drove under the Golden Gate Bridge I could feel my heartbeat increase as I saw nothing in front of us anymore except Endless Big Blue (yes in our 22 foot Donzi),

The current also became so strong and powerful it was attempting to turn me sideways at 25 mph.

I stopped... caught my breathe.. Did the Chevy Chase from Vacation looking at the grand canyon(Yep Looks Good).. and pretended to be cool in front of the wife as I realized.... "We need a bigger boat for this"

Maybe the Talk and reliving our Ventures has inspired another trip to the Bay. Sheehs Nola your a bad influence on me!!

I wish our Bay had the luxury of Beaches and such as our members have posted, as that would make the "after party clean up" a more worthy procedure.

Nola who is experienced out here on the Delta also, will tell you its a Limitless waterway in Freshwater .. But it does get magical once you break the Oceans greeting, and San Francisco says Hello.

To be continued

[nolaboater99]

You nailed it Matt. And you are also right about boating in the big water on the West Coast vs. the big water on the East Coast vs. the Gulf. The smell is different as well as the coastline. Lots of beaches here.

I miss destination boating. I miss the joy of handling a 40-50 foot boat and seeing nothing but blue water around me with no land in sight. I miss the wonder of what a new destination brings. What will the slip and marina be like, who will we meet, what will we see, what new restaurants will we enjoy. My wife has been mentioning wanting a motorhome. She says we could take it to the beach. I'll pass. I don't wat to sit on the beach and look at the ocean....I want to be out on the ocean looking at the ocean. Not everyone will get this.

[Ytmsn]

Group hug!

[Big Block Power]

Group hug!

Thanks I needed that. Lol

[Table Rockin]

Not everyone will get this.

Oh i get it and agree wholeheartedly....