EZPort For Cobalt 210

[BobRae99]

Our local marina is proposing to add a few drive on boat ports for the upcoming season. I asked about drive on port for my Cobalt 210, which weighs about 4,400 lb dry. They said they could upgrade one of the ports with an air assist flotation model.

Has anyone used one of these ports? Are they easy on the bottom of the hull and do they provide the correct hull support?

The model in questions is at this link: https://www.ez-dock.com/product/ez-boat ... ir-assist/

Thanks,

Bob

[akorcovelos]

we have EZ-Docks at our private launch and they are great. There is a dealer just opposite us on our lake and they have 24-26' SeaRays and Crownlines on them all the time. I've never heard anyone complain about them, and looked at a 26' SeaRay on one when we were boat shopping and the hull looked fine.

[BobRae99]

The marina operator wants quite a bit of money for mooring on one. Our current seasonal rate (May 15th - September - or as late as you want to haul out) for mooring in the water is around $750 for my 21' boat. They want $1,500 - $1,600 for the EZ Port. Given that the boat is only in the water for around 3 months, I wonder how much it costs a year to detail the bottom of the boat and out drive each year? Can they get the bottom looking like new year after year, or am I better off to take the hit and just keep it on a floating dock? We are in a fresh water lake.

[NautiGirl]

The marina operator wants quite a bit of money for mooring on one. Our current seasonal rate (May 15th - September - or as late as you want to haul out) for mooring in the water is around $750 for my 21' boat. They want $1,500 - $1,600 for the EZ Port. Given that the boat is only in the water for around 3 months, I wonder how much it costs a year to detail the bottom of the boat and out drive each year? Can they get the bottom looking like new year after year, or am I better off to take the hit and just keep it on a floating dock? We are in a fresh water lake.

We are not lucky enough to keep our boat in a slip, it gets pulled every weekend, but if we did spend the money for a slip I would want the boat up and out of the water. Couple things:

That dry weight seems really high - Cobalt lists the dry weight of the 210 at 3850 - or 1746kg for our Canadian friends. Even with a full gas tank you shouldn't be much over 4,000lbs.

More important - how are you going to fit the R3 on the EZPort?

Finally you need to update your signature - no way that only has 20 hours on it now.

[akorcovelos]

unless you have bottom paint you don't want to leave it in the water. Even the best Gel Coat is porous, and will blister after a few years being wet slipped in fresh water. $1500 for a season on a lift is cheap compared to here, it's easily $1500-2500 per season just for a wet slip.

[BobRae99]

Thanks for the posts. I stand corrected on the weight. I don't know why 4,400 got stuck in my mind. So, I need an EZ Port that can lift a boat weighing 3,850, plus a full tank of fuel (250 lbs), plus 3 passengers (450) for a total of around 4,400 lbs. I still think the 5,000 lb EZ Port would be the best choice.

I guess cost tolerance is a relative thing and after paying $500.00 a season for a Sea Doo, and now $700.00 for the boat - $1,600 seems like quite a bit.

I forgot to look at the hours on my boat when I put it away, but it was under 30. As for the R3, I think I'll be with the 210 for the upcoming season. The CAD has weakened over 7% since last year and with a 10% import duty (retaliation for US import duties on steel and aluminum), all past model year boats that were in stock have sold (or the dealers aren't dealing), so I'd be looking at a new boat, which puts it out of reach for the time being.

[NautiGirl]

No one said this boating thing was cheap... Would we love to have a slip, yes. Am I paying 4k a year for a slip I can only use maybe 5 months out of the year. Nevermind the 6k for a lift of I had said slip.

We opted to go the storage shed route. 600 a year... Boat doesn't sit on the water and we have year round dry storage. Yes we have to put the boat in the water every weekend but I still feel like we are winning.

Maybe you need to consider other options besides leaving it in the water.

[Big Block Power]

If I could get a slip with a lift for 1500 dam I'm in.
Bobrae would you feel scared if you hit the throttle to go up one of those lifts and land on the other side on top of another Cobalt or on shore. Man that would scare me.

[BobRae99]

No one said this boating thing was cheap... Would we love to have a slip, yes. Am I paying 4k a year for a slip I can only use maybe 5 months out of the year. Nevermind the 6k for a lift of I had said slip.

We opted to go the storage shed route. 600 a year... Boat doesn't sit on the water and we have year round dry storage. Yes we have to put the boat in the water every weekend but I still feel like we are winning.

Maybe you need to consider other options besides leaving it in the water.

The boat gets the most use in the early evenings on the weekend after supper. We drive out to the lake at 4:00 pm on Friday, done supper by 6:30 and then me and the kids hop on our bicycles for the 5 minute ride to the marina, stow the covers and cast off. If I had to hook the trailer up to a tow vehicle and put it in the water, park the truck and trailer,load everyone into the boat, etc. , Inthink I’d be more inclined to sit on the couch and watch a football game. I have experience with this, our Sea Doo is on a jet port.

[BobRae99]

If I could get a slip with a lift for 1500 dam I'm in.
Bobrae would you feel scared if you hit the throttle to go up one of those lifts and land on the other side on top of another Cobalt or on shore. Man that would scare me.

The trick with a drive on dock is to use less throttle than necessary the first few times until you learn how much throttle you need to climb out. The worst that can happen is the boat slides back into the water. Of course, too much throttle can lead to a disaster. I’ve seen a few PWC operators make that mistake. I’ve never had that problem.

By the way, I heard back from Cobalt. Given that there are a number of adjustable bunks for the hull (one for a 21 degree deadrise), they think the port is fine.

[Ytmsn]

No one said this boating thing was cheap... Would we love to have a slip, yes. Am I paying 4k a year for a slip I can only use maybe 5 months out of the year. Nevermind the 6k for a lift of I had said slip.

We opted to go the storage shed route. 600 a year... Boat doesn't sit on the water and we have year round dry storage. Yes we have to put the boat in the water every weekend but I still feel like we are winning.

Maybe you need to consider other options besides leaving it in the water.

If I didn't own a place at the lake I probably wouldn't rent a slip. For that matter, I probably wouldn't own a boat. Too many times I've seen friends finance a boat only to end up using it 2 or 3 times a summer. That doesn't make sense to me... My boat is paid for, but if I'm not using that sucker on a regular basis it would be down the road motors.

Last year I had to put in and out every weekend while our new dock was being built. I've always been pretty handy at launching and loading so it was no big deal, and once in the water I'd just tie up to the dock or use a day slip. After doing it all summer, if I was looking at the price of the lift and slip rental, I'd be very hesitant to commit to the extra expense, but there are several reasons too.

I've had a slip and lift for ten years. My first lift was used and worked fine for all that time. If you look around, especially off season, you can find some pretty good deals.

It is "oh-so-nice" to be able to show up at the lake, pull the top off, let'er down in the water and take off! The first night at the lake we're usually out till 11 or midnight watching the stars. And coming back to the dock anytime you want without having to worry whether theres a place to tie up makes it really nice. Plus I dont have to worry about some drunk jakeleg hitting my boat while I'm not there. So the extra expense is worth it to me. Sometimes I get up pretty early and go down to the dock to piddle with the boat. I'll isten to music while wiping it down (bonding my wife says) or sometimes I'll pull out and take a cruise with my coffee. Or drive to a buddy's dock to drink coffee and BS until 8 or 9, then head back. Or hang out on the dock and visit with other friends. Its freakin awesome!

The drive on lifts are pretty popular for PWCs on our lake but I have only seen one for a boat and never a boat on it. Like BB, I'd be nervous about pulling up on a launching ramp. Too many things could go south. Also, at least on our dock, the Marina only wont allow one to be installed because it's too hard on the structure. So I'd talk to the guy that owns the dock and clear it with him before buying one.

And there's no way you can convince me that the hull wont get scratched up. When you go to resell the boat, that economic lift price wont be so attractive. So, I'd look for a used lift myself. You can always resell it for what you gave and not lose any money. But if the bottom of the hull is marred, what will that cost on resell?

[akorcovelos]

I agree with YT, but it is all dependent on the slip being shallow enough for a conventional Shore Station to be placed on bottom firmly enough to support the boat. Even on the Chain there are spots where it's deep enough that if we flood the boat will actually pick the lift up and you'll see boat and lift drifting across the lake.

[BobRae99]

No one said this boating thing was cheap... Would we love to have a slip, yes. Am I paying 4k a year for a slip I can only use maybe 5 months out of the year. Nevermind the 6k for a lift of I had said slip.

We opted to go the storage shed route. 600 a year... Boat doesn't sit on the water and we have year round dry storage. Yes we have to put the boat in the water every weekend but I still feel like we are winning.

Maybe you need to consider other options besides leaving it in the water.

If I didn't own a place at the lake I probably wouldn't rent a slip. For that matter, I probably wouldn't own a boat. Too many times I've seen friends finance a boat only to end up using it 2 or 3 times a summer. That doesn't make sense to me... My boat is paid for, but if I'm not using that sucker on a regular basis it would be down the road motors.

Last year I had to put in and out every weekend while our new dock was being built. I've always been pretty handy at launching and loading so it was no big deal, and once in the water I'd just tie up to the dock or use a day slip. After doing it all summer, if I was looking at the price of the lift and slip rental, I'd be very hesitant to commit to the extra expense, but there are several reasons too.

I've had a slip and lift for ten years. My first lift was used and worked fine for all that time. If you look around, especially off season, you can find some pretty good deals.

It is "oh-so-nice" to be able to show up at the lake, pull the top off, let'er down in the water and take off! The first night at the lake we're usually out till 11 or midnight watching the stars. And coming back to the dock anytime you want without having to worry whether theres a place to tie up makes it really nice. Plus I dont have to worry about some drunk jakeleg hitting my boat while I'm not there. So the extra expense is worth it to me. Sometimes I get up pretty early and go down to the dock to piddle with the boat. I'll isten to music while wiping it down (bonding my wife says) or sometimes I'll pull out and take a cruise with my coffee. Or drive to a buddy's dock to drink coffee and BS until 8 or 9, then head back. Or hang out on the dock and visit with other friends. Its freakin awesome!

The drive on lifts are pretty popular for PWCs on our lake but I have only seen one for a boat and never a boat on it. Like BB, I'd be nervous about pulling up on a launching ramp. Too many things could go south. Also, at least on our dock, the Marina only wont allow one to be installed because it's too hard on the structure. So I'd talk to the guy that owns the dock and clear it with him before buying one.

And there's no way you can convince me that the hull wont get scratched up. When you go to resell the boat, that economic lift price wont be so attractive. So, I'd look for a used lift myself. You can always resell it for what you gave and not lose any money. But if the bottom of the hull is marred, what will that cost on resell?

Maybe it’s different with a boat but after 3 Sea Doos over 14 years, I didn’t see any bottom scratching at all. Fall cleanup was simple too, with no clean up necessary. It’s always a trade off but with Zebra mussels in our marina now, I wonder how long it will be before they start infesting the cooling systems of boats. But that is another story...

[Big Block Power]

You have zebra mussels and keep your boat in the water without a lift. Yea that's going to be a issue. We have them here and it's not pretty. I would get a lift or a truck and trailer.

[BobRae99]

You have zebra mussels and keep your boat in the water without a lift. Yea that's going to be a issue. We have them here and it's not pretty. I would get a lift or a truck and trailer.

It will be a lift. If I had to get a truck and trailer and put it in every time I wanted to use it, I'd just give up on the boating idea. If there is no convenience, it just wouldn't get used