This or That???

[Skiingstrongman]

I am looking into my first boat. I grew up on one and my father has had cobalts for the last 20 years so I am plenty experienced with boats. I am between the R5 and the A25. I love the design of the A25 and I really like the hydraulic platform. I think the R5 is great as well. Both would be absolutely loaded (I don't go out in public much so this is my once in a lifetime splurge). We never had a head on ours growing up. I don't have kids and my parents and in laws are all approaching their 70s they will all be frequent guests. I don't have friends with little kids either so it would mostly be adult entertaining. The boat will be docked in a marina on a medium sized lake so at the most we might be 20 minutes from a restroom. With the folks being older I'm thinking a head might come in handy.

So my long winded question is that it basically comes down to head or hydraulic platform. Which will I get more or better use of? Those that boat on a lake exclusively do you use the head all that much? Is it worth the trouble and loss of storage space?

Unfortunately my lake has a size restriction otherwise I would just get best of both worlds with an A28. Not a lot of big lakes around here and towing is not an option at this point in my life.

[jhnmdahl]

I feel like there will likely be relatively little swimming with most of your guests being in their 70s, so my first instinct is to get the R5 and have the head onboard. You can still get a flip-down swim step that's not hydraulic but provides most of the same functionality, making it easier to get out of the water for those older folks who do take a dip. I generally like the looks of the A25 better, but the R5 layout isn't all that different and seems better suited to your needs going forward.

That said, I don't think you would regret buying either boat. Holding it for 20 minutes isn't that hard for most people.

John

[Skiingstrongman]

Thanks John. I suppose there are worse problems to have than choosing between two great looking boats. Any other options you wish you got or you got but don't really use? I know I have a few in mind both ways from my Dad's boat.

[Big Block Power]

Make sure you get tabs on it. Also I always say get the most power you can get you won't regret it. Helps in resale too. Even if you don't use the head you can still use it for storage.

[Skiingstrongman]

Ive talked to several guys with A25 and all said the same about the tabs. Was planning on going 430 with EVC, trim tabs with the autoglide. My mate has far less experience with boats I'm conditioning her on my father's as much as possible in the interim. I figured along with making the ride smoother they should allow her to handle it much more easily since it's a few less things she will have to keep in mind. Plus it's my best bet to get some quality ski time! Haha thanks for the input guys. I'm all ears

[Big Block Power]

Go with light colors they don't get as hot. One person I know got a black mooring cover and the gel is the light yellow on his R5 and the black bled on to the yellow.hard to get clean.what about a power anchor?

[Skiingstrongman]

Do you or have you used one? We always just tossed it over. I figured for lake waters we might be using it by the shore or maybe a sand bar no chop to deal with. I know guys like them that have them.

[jhnmdahl]

I only bought a 210 (portability was huge for us as we don't live on a lake or have a slip), but I loaded it up with seagrass, a folding aluminum arch with bimini, the flip-down swim step, a mooring cover (mine is black but has not bled onto the white boat), and a Volvo V8. I assumed I'd be able to add my own Garmin chartplotter afterward, but it's been difficult to find space between the dash and the windshield to mount it. So, I'd probably get that as a factory option if I had it to do over again, but there's nothing resembling buyer's remorse from either one of us.

My thinking was that this was the boat we'd likely have 10 and maybe 20 years from now, so we ought not to skimp on the details that will improve usability or versatility.

John

[Big Block Power]

No I don't have a power anchor I always throw it over also but your bigger than mine and it's heavier. Depending how much help and muscle you have on the boat it sure would be nice. John glad yours didn't bleed. You wouldn't think it would but his did. I would cry if I came back after a week and saw that on my new boat. I'm thinking of switching over to sea grass. What color is yours. I have a brownish carpet and it gets very hot. I'm thinking brown teak looking seagrass or a gray teak? Not sure yet. Does your stay pretty cool? I would also get seadek on the swim platform.

[Skiingstrongman]

John I'm with you completely. I'm looking for this to last at least 10-15 years. Like I said there's a size limit at the lake so not really all that much room to go up. Buy what you want and forget about it. 15 years is a long time to wish I'd done something differently.

I was talking to the dealer about the flooring and he said the trend is for everyone to switch over to the sea grass now. A lot of guys are running into issues with the flooring leaving behind a black residue on the deck. My father pulled and washed his after every trip and would only install them for the ride. Then after the novelty wore off he just stopped putting them in all together.

I think the GPS is the way to go. Initially I thought against it since you really don't need charting capabilities on this lake but it has so much other functionality beyond just that. We do have a couple of lake trips I would like to take in the future for summer vacations. Lake George, Lake Winnepesaukee, Lake Anne these guys are big enough that it's useful.

Big Block I think the anchor is one of those things where you're right it would help and I think the less stuff I have to worry about doing myself i.e. not spreading myself too thin the better. I think this will be a sticker shock addition. I'll add it on and if I just can't get the price I'm looking for I'll pull it.

I was also told by some guys to definitely go with the fender clips. Guys that got them love them and guys that didn't wish they did. Makes sense, frees up the cleats as well which is nice.

[Big Block Power]

Oh I forgot about fender clips. That's huge.I love that idea. Never used them but thought about adding them. I use the miso clear for my front fenders which works perfectly anyways.
What color choices are you thinking of? I loved my navy blue gel coat on the side with a red boot stripe. Or I would get a gray boot stripe. You getting the flag option? Power hatch? Man I would have fun building a boat.lol just wouldn't want to pay for one. I would have issues making payments on a toy. This is cool. Can you get away and take a tour of the factory and watch it get built?

[Skiingstrongman]

I have two color schemes I was thinking of. Been going back and forth with the girlfriend. The first is what you mentioned. Navy side, gray stripe, white tower with gray Bimini.

The second is all white, black boot stripe, black tower with black Bimini.

Was going to skip the flag and the power hatch. The power hatch is sweet but to tell you the truth I am not mechanically inclined enough to do any serious work beyond the most basic maintenance so I kind of feel I would be paying for it for the mechanic haha

I have a good job and own two businesses. So the businesses are solely for the purpose of fun money. That's how I've been able to siphon off for the big toy. I work so much we don't go out much at all. Cars paid in full and have a very modest condo. So this is my one big splurge.

That would be great. If I pay the down payment on my card the Miles alone would be paid for there. I would probably take the old man out there with me he would appreciate it more than her.

[Big Block Power]

Sounds fun. Go navy blue. Blue binimi. I love this colors. I almost bought a 220 like that. I would at łeast get the flag. They have a very nice set up. I also love the black with the gray boot.
That's my old 200 and the one that got away.

[jhnmdahl]

I picked up the fender clips, and they might be a little gimmicky but I think they are kind of cool. I couldn't bring myself to pay for their flag or options like a power hatch, though.

My seagrass is the beige color, and it stays pretty cool. One huge thing for me is that it drains water and doesn't stay wet like carpet can, and provides a little better traction under bare feet. Just a better material all around, assuming it holds up over time.

I originally ordered seadek on the swim platform and step, but my dealer indicated that they had been re-gluing a lot of them after a few years on boats that were moored and stayed wet. That's one thing that's also pretty easy to add after purchase.

As far as the mooring cover, if I were worried about bleed I'd likely take it to a commercial wash and give it a good wash/dry. I'll definitely keep a closer eye on mine going forward, though, knowing others have had problems.

[Skiingstrongman]

I heard that issue on several boat brands not just the cobalt concerning the sea dek.

How does the sea grass clean? I'm pretty much 100% on that my only minor concern was how do they clean up? Or are they just highly repellent?