Advice on a new Cobalt

[Norris_Boating]

We had always planned to upgrade a few years from now but I'm worried that all of the COVID boat buyers are going to crash used boat prices when they realize what they got themselves into a few years from now and my trade won't be worth as much.

Financial opinion, stick with your original plan. If the boat market crashes you will win on the upgrade.
Let's say the boat market crashes and used boats take a 30% drop in price. Your boat is about 50k the boat you want, R5 is about 100k. Boat market takes a 30% drop and your boat drops about $15k, the boat you want drops $30k.
If you buy now and market crashes you loose $30k in value. Financially your better off not upgrading right now.

Of course boating has never been about being financially successful.....so yeah! Lol

[Big Block Power]

It's all about price point. They know that. Shame on them. Just go to Parks and tell them I was on the Cobalt Forum and BBP said they're is no way I should buy this boat without a 430 in it and watch there jaw drop. They will go those dam forums never know what they are talking about. It's just a bunch of guys sitting around with nothing better to do. Well they will be kind of right on 1 thing then

Sell what you have in stock right? Thats the system, and yes they are on commission

The Owner or GM whom orders "for stock" boats may be the culprit.
I imagine they are ordering a non special order boat, and the price point has them worried so do they leave the 240 or 280 v6??.. or check the 380 or 430 box ?
This is why the future of the 8.2HO in these models will dwindle down. We need to find the Gearhead GM out there running a Cobalt dealership

[Tuscany]

When it comes to a purchase, you are better off to not have any regrets. If it’s the R3 you want, IMO, buy the R3.

[Krob1114]

I personally don't buy a boat or car based on resale value.
I buy the nicest car I can afford, then drive it until it's practically worthless, then repeat.
Somewhere down the road, if we ever decide to sell our Cobalt, people will say, "Wow, what a clean boat. I can't believe it has that many hours on it."
We're approaching 130 hours, and haven't even finished second season. But we're glad we bought R3.

[Norris_Boating]

I personally don't buy a boat or car based on resale value.
I buy the nicest car I can afford, then drive it until it's practically worthless, then repeat.
Somewhere down the road, if we ever decide to sell our Cobalt, people will say, "Wow, what a clean boat. I can't believe it has that many hours on it."
We're approaching 130 hours, and haven't even finished second season. But we're glad we bought R3.

I agree 100%, never buy or sell based on resale value of things that go DOWN in value. That is how you treat things that go up in value.
Although I just looked earlier today and my boat today is worth more than when I bought it! Covid has made people crazy!!
I just broke 200 hours on my boat and I have 1 little dent in the fiber glass that happened 100 hours ago that My kids just noticed....Funny though that they have been cleaning the boat all season!!

[dustinm]

My last two boats both gained value

[Krob1114]

I personally don't buy a boat or car based on resale value.
I buy the nicest car I can afford, then drive it until it's practically worthless, then repeat.
Somewhere down the road, if we ever decide to sell our Cobalt, people will say, "Wow, what a clean boat. I can't believe it has that many hours on it."
We're approaching 130 hours, and haven't even finished second season. But we're glad we bought R3.

I agree 100%, never buy or sell based on resale value of things that go DOWN in value. That is how you treat things that go up in value.
Although I just looked earlier today and my boat today is worth more than when I bought it! Covid has made people crazy!!
I just broke 200 hours on my boat and I have 1 little dent in the fiber glass that happened 100 hours ago that My kids just noticed....Funny though that they have been cleaning the boat all season!!

Wow....200 hours....bet your family is having a blast. We hit 130 this past weekend and thought that was a lot for a 2019.
Our last boat was 5 years old when we bought it, but only had 60 hours.
As season slows down, our hours should too. We are more likely to take a dip, the ride to cool off when its hot. Temp is down, wind blowing more, so we're driving less. One day when wind coming from the south, we went to south end of biggest part of lake, and let the wind blow us maybe three miles.

[Longarm151]

So here's the update for everyone that was kind enough to reply. We have decided to build an R3. Our dealer gave us a fantastic deal so we locked a production spot with a down payment. We are very excited to have a boat just the way we want it. Stay to tuned for specs!

[dustinm]

Awesome

[Big Block Power]

430
I want to know what they said when you told them bbp said to get it

[Stagdad]

Ugh, it does start with the 240.

Bigger engine, tower, and transom speakers to start. Then add all of the little toys like LEDs, filler cushions, etc.

The dealer gave me a pretty good price for the trade-in and I HATE selling things, like cars, on my own. I've avoided it all all costs over the years because I just don't want to deal with the hassle.

Ugh this is so painful and I get criticized for being the engine judge on here. But this is why. I just wish dealers and manufacturers would just build things for people that they would be happy and use them like they want to be used. Yes I know some people love this engine but really in a 23 ft boat. Let's get real. Sure it works but are you truly happy. No. Just start with a 300 and go from there. It really makes me mad they offer these in this kind of boat. Sorry. Put it in a lightweight entry boat. I won't say Any names. Yes they start with a B.
Ok let's get you into a r3 and be done with it. Buy Chris's and be happy
viewtopic.php?f=52&t=4531

I was looking around at the Formula site the other day building and pricing. I could not believe that they even offer a 4.5/ 250hp v6 in the 240 bowrider! I seriously doubt anyone would order this combo but it is offered. I'm not ragging on the engine, I'm sure it performs well in a smaller craft but this is a 5000 lb boat. Add some people and gear.....

[Holy Smokes]

I might be in the minority here, but especially for a boat such as Cobalt, I see very few compelling reasons to buy new. Cobalt owner's take care of their boats better than anyone. Stepping back a couple years is an easy choice. Let someone else take the "typically" huge depreciation hit. I say "typically" as that is the norm, but COVID has turned the market upside down. Demand is high and used boats are listed sometimes as much as new pricing. I get it, but IMHO now's the time to hold on to what you have, enjoy the hell out of it and save for the step-up in a year or so.

Just my $.02 from the guy with a 15 year old boat!!....

[dustinm]

It might be easier to find a large well taken care of Cobalt, but right now in my area the only boats for sale in the OPs size are junk that you would never sell to anyone you know. That is unless you already know someone with a boat you are targeting. Now I have seen a few decent boats (mostly on here) but most of the time they are 500 miles away and sold with in 3 days. Thats also hard to plan for.
For us wanting to keep a boat for 20 years its hard to buy one already 15 years old. Factor in pricing of boats, how much is a 15 year old 220? My wife was also seeing people (on Cobalt FB) coming up with what I consider normal maintenance issues around the 10 year old range and advised me its cheaper not to have a vacation ruined with a break down. And if we take very good care of our boat then we will be having people asking us to sell when its 20 years old instead of hoping someone will by a 35 year old boat. Now I do agree if you plan on trading up every other year or so it will cost you to do so. With that plan and with our budget we would need an older boat.

[tgrace98]

I personally don't buy a boat or car based on resale value.
I buy the nicest car I can afford, then drive it until it's practically worthless, then repeat.
Somewhere down the road, if we ever decide to sell our Cobalt, people will say, "Wow, what a clean boat. I can't believe it has that many hours on it."
We're approaching 130 hours, and haven't even finished second season. But we're glad we bought R3.

I agree 100%, never buy or sell based on resale value of things that go DOWN in value. That is how you treat things that go up in value.
Although I just looked earlier today and my boat today is worth more than when I bought it! Covid has made people crazy!!
I just broke 200 hours on my boat and I have 1 little dent in the fiber glass that happened 100 hours ago that My kids just noticed....Funny though that they have been cleaning the boat all season!!

Wow....200 hours....bet your family is having a blast. We hit 130 this past weekend and thought that was a lot for a 2019.
Our last boat was 5 years old when we bought it, but only had 60 hours.
As season slows down, our hours should too. We are more likely to take a dip, the ride to cool off when its hot. Temp is down, wind blowing more, so we're driving less. One day when wind coming from the south, we went to south end of biggest part of lake, and let the wind blow us maybe three miles.

WIth newer boats showing hours directly off the ECU you are seeing true usage now. It is funny you look at any mid 2000's boat they have exactly 300-350hrs on them. Tons of people would disconnect the hobbs meter and then reconnect before selling. A quick scan of the ECU would show true usage. I am currently at 145hrs on my 19 and I asked the dealer and they told me 75hrs is about the average usage that they see on boats. 100-125 on surf boats.

[Big Block Power]

It might be easier to find a large well taken care of Cobalt, but right now in my area the only boats for sale in the OPs size are junk that you would never sell to anyone you know. That is unless you already know someone with a boat you are targeting. Now I have seen a few decent boats (mostly on here) but most of the time they are 500 miles away and sold with in 3 days. Thats also hard to plan for.
For us wanting to keep a boat for 20 years its hard to buy one already 15 years old. Factor in pricing of boats, how much is a 15 year old 220? My wife was also seeing people (on Cobalt FB) coming up with what I consider normal maintenance issues around the 10 year old range and advised me its cheaper not to have a vacation ruined with a break down. And if we take very good care of our boat then we will be having people asking us to sell when its 20 years old instead of hoping someone will by a 35 year old boat. Now I do agree if you plan on trading up every other year or so it will cost you to do so. With that plan and with our budget we would need an older boat.

A 15 year old 220 value. Well everyone one is so different. What engine, tower no tower, wears been done to it? My 300 hrs are exact and can prove with ecu tune program. But they can go for 25k to 45k just saying. I turned down 40k twice for mine. But I'm still on the fence to let it go for a few grand more. I know what boat I want but it will cost me that much to get it like mine so that's my hesitation.