Decisions Decisions - need your advice

[20mm]

Hi All,

Found the forum and have been digging around lately and have learned alot from you all. After looking at multiple boats over the past few months I've got my mind set on a cobalt. I have a few options I want to run by you and get your thoughts on the right choice for me and my family of kids in their 20's. No wakeboard experts or barefoot skiers in the mix and primarily need something to handle the Lake of the Ozarks as I just bought a place at the 20mm a few weeks ago. Our primary mission is cruising around the lake, some skiing / tubing and above all coving out. There are three boats I'm considering, none of which are listed yet and I'm first in line for the first two:

2006 262, single 375 hp, well optioned, no tower, bimini top, low 40's.
2002 282, single 420 hp, tower, captains call (which I've come to appreciate very much) mid 40's
2006 282, under 400 hours, bimini top, twin 5.7's. 60k

The 262 is polo green and while I think it's cool not sure how great it will be for resale. The third is close 15-20k more but has twins and in perfect shape. Curious which of these you would go with and why given all the variables to consider, especially for such a busy lake. I've gotten all sorts of advice as you can imagine and would love to get your feedback on these boats are any other tips for that matter.
Thanks!

[AsLan7]

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Hey 20mm. Welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Of course I'm a 262 fan having owned one. Great balance between cruising and water sports. Rides nice with the 22 degree deadrise hull and Yacht certified for packing folks in without overloading concerns. TONS of storage and still legal to trailer on the roads with an 8'6" beam. Soooo sexy too. (Even in green ....any pics? ). A timeless classic that holds it's value. We ran our 375HP VP GI model on Lake Erie going over to Canada and back so it will certainly handle LOTO.

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If cruising is mostly your thing, I'd consider the 282 over the 262....with Twins!. She'll be a dog with a single screw and even harder to maneuver around the docks in any type of wind. Resale is tough on a single engine 282.

You'll be the king cruising around in a twin engine 282 that you said is in almost perfect shape.....especially with CC open. You really cannot go wrong with this one although trailering her legally may prove to be quite the challenge.

Others will chime in shortly as there are no shortage of opinions here.

Again, welcome aboard mate!

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[akorcovelos]

So obviously if you can afford the newest boat with twins that’s the one for sure. If it were between the other two, I’d get the 262 as will hold value better than a single engine 28’ boat. Just my .02

[Big Block Power]

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Hey 20mm. Welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

Of course I'm a 262 fan having owned one. Great balance between cruising and water sports. Rides nice with the 22 degree deadrise hull and Yacht certified for packing folks in without overloading concerns. TONS of storage and still legal to trailer on the roads with an 8'6" beam. Soooo sexy too. (Even in green ....any pics? ). A timeless classic that holds it's value. We ran our 375HP VP GI model on Lake Erie going over to Canada and back so it will certainly handle LOTO.

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262beach.jpg
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If cruising is mostly your thing, I'd consider the 282 over the 262....with Twins!. She'll be a dog with a single screw and even harder to maneuver around the docks in any type of wind. Resale is tough on a single engine 282.

You'll be the king cruising around in a twin engine 282 that you said is in almost perfect shape.....especially with CC open. You really cannot go wrong with this one although trailering her legally may prove to be quite the challenge.

Others will chime in shortly as there are no shortage of opinions here.

Again, welcome aboard mate!

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I'm with A7 and Akro on this too. 9ft beam deadrise is 22 degrees I think. No brainer.
A7 I didn't recognize your kids they are so small. Lol
Oh man have they grown

[AsLan7]

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Ya so true bbp. Where’s the time going. Cool to think our (& your) kids grew up mainly on Cobalts.

[Big Block Power]

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Ya so true bbp. Where’s the time going. Cool to think our (& your) kids grew up mainly on Cobalts.

Yea I think are very similar. A Donzi and Cobalts pretty much that's it. Lol

[AsLan7]

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Ya so true bbp. Where’s the time going. Cool to think our (& your) kids grew up mainly on Cobalts.

Yea I think are very similar. A Donzi and Cobalts pretty much that's it. Lol

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...and Fountain

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[MikeBo]

No brained for me, the 282 with twins, I love this set up in my boat, if I cruise 32-35mph I get terrific gas mileage at that cruising speed and parking them is way easier. Plus every cobalt person you see will ask “does it have twins”, I got asked twice this weekend!

Don’t believe green will age well...just my opinion

[20mm]

Aslan7 that is a sweet boat! Thanks for sharing pics. Big Block Power you will be happy to know I spent Saturday on my buddies 38 foot fountain with blown big blocks (502's if I remember right) What a treat, total monster. We pulled up to a restaurant and you would think time stopped it's so loud. We had it pretty packed so he could only stretch the its legs so much....Then Sunday night went to dinner in another buddy's boat that he has had since 90, a twenty foot Regal. Rented a tritoon July fourth weekend which was a bit of a trip to say the least. Mikebo agree however several bucks more and I missed an 03 282 just like it with twins this past weekend as I was second in line. First guy bought it after spending a few minutes in it. Perfect boat for its age and 120 hours.

Here's a few pics of the green 262. Anyone on here know the boat? It's out of Table Rock Lake, MO. Interior looks brand new.

[AsLan7]

Aslan7 that is a sweet boat! Thanks for sharing pics. Big Block Power you will be happy to know I spent Saturday on my buddies 38 foot fountain with blown big blocks (502's if I remember right) What a treat, total monster. We pulled up to a restaurant and you would think time stopped it's so loud. We had it pretty packed so he could only stretch the its legs so much....Then Sunday night went to dinner in another buddy's boat that he has had since 90, a twenty foot Regal. Rented a tritoon July fourth weekend which was a bit of a trip to say the least. Mikebo agree however several bucks more and I missed an 03 282 just like it with twins this past weekend as I was second in line. First guy bought it after spending a few minutes in it. Perfect boat for its age and 120 hours.

Here's a few pics of the green 262. Anyone on here know the boat? It's out of Table Rock Lake, MO. Interior looks brand new.

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Thanks 20mm. We sold it in 2013. The 262 is one amazing machine.

BTW, your next upgrades with this boat if you purchase will be Captain's Call and of course a stereo upgrade. Click here for ideas on how to make the bow speaker covers look new again.

Cushions look to be in good shape. Those can be a bear to find/repair...especially with the snake imprint on the engine platform cushions. Those tend to separate at the seams too.

I see it has the table option. Hopefully that is stored under the helm storage area.

Flame arrestor needs cleaned.

In that lighting the green almost looked navy. The bimini gave it away though. Not bad...especially if you like British Racing green sports cars.

Pics are a great help. Maybe you could work some of these things into the deal if you decide to purchase.


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[kas232ca]

Any pictures of the 282 with the big block?

[tgrace98]

I’m at table rock lake but haven’t seen that one before. There are tons of Cobalt’s and 262’s there so maybe I have? Where is it located on TRL? I can always take a gander at it for you this weekend.

[cmattj]

260 series are awesome in ugly chop. Actually amazing in tracking the side quarter wakes from other boats that make your passengers cringe.

But your body of water has a reputation of being weekend harsh and it may be worth a look at the 282 with twins.
You’ll get used to it.. boats shrink in the water.. even the 282.
Twins Win!

[Motex2011]

Welcome from a Missouri native living in Texas. Helping you buy a boat is almost as much fun as buying one for ourselves. I am still on my first Cobalt (2014 R5), so I don't have the depth of knowledge of the guys who have been responding. They are the knowledge bank on the website along with a few others who will eventually chime in. I do know a little about LOTO though and have countless friends who have homes there and have spent a few weekends on the lake in my lifetime. Based on that, my advice is BIGGER IS BEST if you want to have the ability to move around that lake on the weekend. My buddy is still up there and goes to the lake a lot and most of his friends have moved up to the 30 foot Cobalt bowriders with twins in the last few years. People who haven't been on LOTO can't really appreciate how nasty that lake can get in the busiest parts. The 262 and 282 will work, but if you want to go to a restaurant or bar that requires you to ride through the main channel, it won't be as much fun navigating it and you will have to make sure the captain can handle the lake and their alcohol consumption. So, 282 with twins will be a great boat.

[20mm]

I’m at table rock lake but haven’t seen that one before. There are tons of Cobalt’s and 262’s there so maybe I have? Where is it located on TRL? I can always take a gander at it for you this weekend.

Thanks Tgrace98 - Appreciate your willingness to help but the boat is no longer at TRL. I saw it yesterday and the wife and I are going to check it out later on. I will keep you guys posted.