Advice Needed - Purchasing my very first Cobalt

[NautiGirl]

As to 220S features, I got lucky and the dealer boat had most of the features I would have custom ordered. These were:

Seagrass, Battery Switch ACR/dual, Docking Lights, Fender Clips, Rearview Mirror, DTS throttle

What it had that I would not have ordered was: Satellite Radio

The swim platform was standard. I wanted at least the bimini and was happy with the arch.

What I didn't get that I wanted was the rudder position indicator.

All good options. Considering the larger sound systems everyone, including cobalt, is putting in boats the Battery Switch /w the ACR should be standard. There is no way I would feel comfortable sitting in a cove listening to music for 8 hours a day without knowing I had a fully charged battery to get me home.

Do the fender clips - at least in our 222 the cleats are in super odd spots for fenders. The back cleat is almost worthless for tying a bumper to. Fender clips would be so much easier.

Satellite Radio can always be added later, it's usually just an add on antenna.

I would think hard about the seagrass and think about Seadek as an option. Carpet would be my last choice - it's 2018 we are better than that.

There was a time I would say yes to docking lights but I think the new ones look lame. Still a signature cobalt item though so do with that what you will.

As far as engine - I guess I should keep my mouth shut - but buy the largest you can fit in the budget without compromising other options. At the very least get something /w a DP. It makes a HUGE difference on the water.

[Nhabash]

Thank you all for the great advice and the spirited discussion. I can’t comment on the engine without having tried the stock engine the dealer quoted me first which I will be doing on Saturday. However if I had to buy without trying (which I will not do) I would go bigger is better and order a 300 DP. A 350, while adheres to the principle of bigger is better, seems overkill for my needs. Having said that, I think ordering the 300 will delay my getting the boat in the water and may have to wait until next season.

On the battery, and while I love being on the water, I agree with Nauti, I’d want the dual battery so I can go home.

So I will test drive and see how it feels then make the final decision.

[Big Block Power]

Thank you all for the great advice and the spirited discussion. I can’t comment on the engine without having tried the stock engine the dealer quoted me first which I will be doing on Saturday. However if I had to buy without trying (which I will not do) I would go bigger is better and order a 300 DP. A 350, while adheres to the principle of bigger is better, seems overkill for my needs. Having said that, I think ordering the 300 will delay my getting the boat in the water and may have to wait until next season.

On the battery, and while I love being on the water, I agree with Nauti, I’d want the dual battery so I can go home.

So I will test drive and see how it feels then make the final decision.

Load that boat up on your test drive. Check the gas level at time of water test. Oh heck go skiing now. Now is the time. Does anyone else in your group ski. Throw them in the water for a pull.
Nauti you chicken
Sometimes waiting on this big of a investment is worth it.

[Driller]

+1 on the fender clips. One of the features I like best on my boat.

[Nhabash]

Hi All - Thought I would give y'all an update on my Saturday test drive. All I can say is WOW, I am head over heals in love with this boat! I went in knowing that Cobolt is good but man what an awesome boat to drive. I test drove the '18 220S with VP 240 Single Prop and that was (I hate to admit) more power than I would need, specially in a first boat. What made the experience even more exciting is that my wife was literally asking me "Did you bring the checkbook", that was something I did not expect .

So now, I am in the process of closing on my very first Cobolt 220S. For those keeping track, here is my final list:
- Option Included:
- Arch, White, Fwd. Folding w/Bimini, Ebony
- LED Interior Accent Lighting R/G/B
- Flip-Down Swim Step w/o Ladder
- Standard Sound
- Volvo V6-240 SX w/ Closed Cool
- Depth & Water/Air Temp Gauge Pkg.
- Seagrass (negotiated in price)
- Fender Clips (negotiated in price)
- Bow Tonneau Cover - Ebony
- Cockpit Tonneau Cover - Ebony
- Prop, Aluminum, Volvo

Options Added:
- Battery Switch, Dual w/ACR
- Air Compressor w/Holder
- Mooring Cover (may negotiate further to replace Bow and Cockpit covers)
- Rudder Indicator
- Flag Pole

I will update my account picture with the boat once I take delivery.

Once again, thank you all for your help and great advice. We are both excited and can't wait to take it out and enjoy the heck out of it.

[tgrace98]

Congrats on the new boat! we need pictures now! good call on the added options. I love the seagrass carpet in my boat. So easy to clean and looks awesome. battery switch is a must as well. And I have both the mooring cover and the snap on bow and cockpit covers. But since my boat is kept in a slip I just use the mooring cover and the snap ins stay at home.

[jma2@fuse.net]

Congratulations on your purchase. Color? Also, I have the cockpit and bow cover, and use them during the summer; In the winter, I switch over to a semi-custom mooring/boat cover. I recommend you keep the cockpit/bow covers as they are custom to your boat. You can find a sharkskin mooring cover, if you want, for a lot less.

[Nhabash]

Thanks for the advice on cockpit/bow covers. I will keep that in mind. This boat will be stored at a marina in dry storage, am not sure which cover will work better in that case.

The color we went with is Shale for Hull Side, Black Hull bottom, white Boot Stripe. Some folks on here advised me against black hull bottom but it looks so good when its in the water and it gets me the boat faster. I should be in delivery of this boat by 10/17 and can't wait. I promise pictures once I have it.

[Big Block Power]

Congrats. I would suggest looking at the Cobalt brand if you really love the Cobolt brand
Welcome to the "Pot The Jus" club
Your officially in it now. Lol
So does he have this in stock or are you ordering it or just adding options to the stock unit.
So you ruled out the dual prop?
Again congrats please don't say it's red

[Nhabash]

Lol - it’s not red!! Shale is the color of choice

Yes adding options to an in stock boat.

On the Dual Prop I spent 30 minutes driving at various speeds including no wake speed and the boat handled very well with very little sway if any. I also went from slow speeds to high and she responded very nicely (for me, as I’m sure the veterans would think otherwise). So in the end, price and immediate availability won over power

Thank you. Glad I’m finally getting to be part of the club!

[Big Block Power]

Very cool. I think the shale guys have plenty after this year to definitely to start their color club.
How did you like the electric tower option? Cant wait to see it on the water with your family. Where will you be using it?

[DCLfan]

Nice set of options, sounds like you are happy with it, and you should be. Congrats. Welcome to the black hull bottom club.

[Ytmsn]

Congratulations and welcome to the persnickety CobaltOwnersClub! Sounds like you are going to have an awesome boat!

Two things come to mind.

Too late for the first one, but maybe it'll help someone else. Anytime I'm buying anything and my wife is with me, we go in as a team, and play good and bad. I try to keep my poker face, while she frowns the whole time and shakes her head no at everything,regardless of how much she wants it. The salesman will try to win her over the whole time I'm talking to him and concede to larger discounts. Then we go off to "discuss", and come back to the negotiation for even more. It usually works when big markups and commissions are involved.

Two: I would buy an aftermarket mooring cover that is fitted to your boat, and covers the swimdeck. I use snap covers for overnight stays on the lift to keep spiders and critters out, and a mooring cover during the week and over the winter. Mine covers the swimdeck with the seadek material, which will get nasty if exposed. And a custom cover can be bought for about a third less than the factory cover. You can always have a Cobalt patch sewn off if you have too.

Now, let's see some pics!

[Nhabash]

Very cool. I think the shale guys have plenty after this year to definitely to start their color club.
How did you like the electric tower option? Cant wait to see it on the water with your family. Where will you be using it?

Thanks BBP. I opted not to spend the money on an Elec tower. We drove the boat under the two bridges I was concerned about with the non-elec tower the boat had on, fully raised with Bimini open and we cleared with no issues. The guy also asked my wife to try and lower and raise the tower and she did it alone with no help like a champ. This tower had the strong shocks which make life so much easier but the great news is that we don't have to worry about it since we are able to clear both bridges.

I can't wait to see it on the water too. We will use it on Lake Oconee GA so I am hoping we close and get it in the water with time left in this season to use it

[Nhabash]

Congratulations and welcome to the persnickety CobaltOwnersClub! Sounds like you are going to have an awesome boat!

Two things come to mind.

Too late for the first one, but maybe it'll help someone else. Anytime I'm buying anything and my wife is with me, we go in as a team, and play good and bad. I try to keep my poker face, while she frowns the whole time and shakes her head no at everything,regardless of how much she wants it. The salesman will try to win her over the whole time I'm talking to him and concede to larger discounts. Then we go off to "discuss", and come back to the negotiation for even more. It usually works when big markups and commissions are involved.

Two: I would buy an aftermarket mooring cover that is fitted to your boat, and covers the swimdeck. I use snap covers for overnight stays on the lift to keep spiders and critters out, and a mooring cover during the week and over the winter. Mine covers the swimdeck with the seadek material, which will get nasty if exposed. And a custom cover can be bought for about a third less than the factory cover. You can always have a Cobalt patch sewn off if you have too.

Now, let's see some pics!

Hello Ytmsn - That is almost exactly what my wife and I did. She is always the bad cop LOL. Great advice on the mooring cover, will do that for sure. I just did not know what options are available in the after market and if they are any good since this is my first Cobalt.

I am going through the closing process with my dealer. Will post pics as soon as I take delivery.