Volvo 380 with OceanX

[Spine Guy]

I’m looking at a boat with 180 hours in Florida. It has the Volvo 380 with ocean x outdrive. As a Michigan guy, I’m really nervous about buying a salt water boat. My more experienced boating buddies say it’s not worth the risk and get a used fresh water ride. Checking the crew for thoughts.

[AsLan7]

I’m looking at a boat with 180 hours in Florida. It has the Volvo 380 with ocean x outdrive. As a Michigan guy, I’m really nervous about buying a salt water boat. My more experienced boating buddies say it’s not worth the risk and get a used fresh water ride. Checking the crew for thoughts.

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I’m sure there are some great saltwater deals out there, but as a strictly freshwater boater, I personally stay away from saltwater boats—unless it’s my dads or my brother’s.....And those I only drive but would never buy.
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[NautiGirl]

SALT

Being a fresh water boater... I wouldn't even consider it!

[Tuscany]

The OceanX package is a different paint, and electronic sensors detecting water intrusion. Other than that, the drives are the same, with no real mechanical/seal advantage to the OX.
I wouldn’t touch it with a ten foot pole.

[tgrace98]

I’d never buy a salt water boat either. The 380 is probably closed cooled so it would be protected from the salt. But the drive and heat exchanger has not. Either way pass

[Table Rockin]

The other thing to consider is what the salt has done to the interior.....if anything. Depends on how meticulous the previous owner(s) were.

[Spine Guy]

Yeah, the local cobalt dealer just sold a brand new A36 and took a 28-30 footer of something on trade. I think I’ll stick Midwest for my used boat search and see what this is all above it tomorrow.

[Spine Guy]

The guy died and his wife dumped the boat for something smaller. I couldn’t track down service records so that’s another flag. It’s. Its not worth it unless I get a 50% discount hahaha!

[AsLan7]

Yeah, the local cobalt dealer just sold a brand new A36 and took a 28-30 footer of something on trade. I think I’ll stick Midwest for my used boat search and see what this is all above it tomorrow.

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I think that’s best SG.
That being said, there are a few meticulous owner’s on this site who take incredible care of their saltwater Cobalts. Always an option to consider down the road.

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[tgrace98]

Out of curiosity what model where you looking at?

[cmattj]

Just happened to find a pic of the previous owner rinsing the boat after a sun filled day of salt air and spray.

See no worries. .

There’s a reason Salt water boats are always advertised “New exhaust and risers replaced” and the boats only 4 years old.

Hey you may be able to score a well taken care of saltwater boat. One that used a true flush every time. Wiped the interior every time out or weekly when not in use.
But the risk may not way out the lower price. I vote keep shopping .!

[Whippled263]

STAY AWAY! I got burned on a salt water boat years ago. Ill NEVER buy one again. There are just too many fresh water boats available for sale to even think about it.

[Ytmsn]

I love salt. On tomatoes. Not so much on my boat. Keep looking.

[kas232ca]

I would never buy a used salt water boat. Salt water is exactly why we bought our Cobalt in Illinois. Living in So. Cal near the beach, I see what salt water has done to my bought-new jet-skis, trailers and rear brakes on my truck. I am obsessed with cleaning and flushing after use with salt-away and my trailer still looks terrible. It's not just the salt water, but the whole environment that is so hard on everything.

[sailor55330]

Nope

As a former saltwater (sail)boater owner of a boat built and designed for offshore sailing..don’t do it. As said, the riser and manifolds will go eventually and the lower unit will have a much shorter life. Our cobalts are built to a great standard but they are not built to saltwater standards. Salt is an evil thing thT coats everything even just sitting in a marina.