Weekending on 263

[TechieTechie]

Hi all,

Just to make sure I am not overlooking Cobalt's best hull (I like the 22 degree deadrise), does anyone weekend on their 263? If so:

1. Where does your cooler go?
2. Where do you store your vittles (and grill)? (the galley looks tiny)
3. How easy is it to grill on deck, reaching over the seats?
4. Has anyone ever built filler cushions for the rear seat (so someone could sleep on deck)?

Thanks!

Techie Jen

[TechieTechie]

PS, these are mostly the reasons I am leaning towards a 293. But, hey, now that I know where the porta pottie is on the 263, if someone can convince me that 2 folkd can weekend on a 263, I'll consider it. But that deck looks tiny

[SAB220]

Mount the grill to swim deck (there's a 2018 thread), I store all the gear in a chest ashore. Different trips different gear. Have the wife/significant other hand you the rolls over the seats

[AsLan7]

PS, these are mostly the reasons I am leaning towards a 293. But, hey, now that I know where the porta pottie is on the 263, if someone can convince me that 2 folkd can weekend on a 263, I'll consider it. But that deck looks tiny

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Not a fan of overnights on a 263. Too small. Never attempted it. Get a 293. (Unfortunately you do not want twins and I wouldn’t even consider that size without them). Formula may be your answer.

Whippled263 may have a different viewpoint as I believe he and his wife occasionally sleep on theirs. He may chime in.

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

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[Bfun220]

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

OMG. Liquid is already kicking babies around. When he replies in a week or two, it could be ugly.

[cmattj]

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

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Ahummm... it’s big sis... The 282 is also 22 degrees.. just sayin

[TechieTechie]

The 293 is a 20 degree deadrise hull, not 22, hence the question.

Curious, AsLan7, what you wouldn't consider a single?. Is it speed, docking, safety of twins. what? I don't mind the lower top speed and the docking issues. If I can dock a heavy as crap single inboard Lyman as a teenager (where you really did have to kiss the dock or risk breaking boat ribs), I should be able to handle docking a single I/O.

[TechieTechie]

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

OMG. Liquid is already kicking babies around. When he replies in a week or two, it could be ugly.

Kicking babies around? What do you mean, me?

If you are worried about me, I am the daughter of a Marine, sister to a Navy brat, lived in a 3rd world country, was a collegiate athlete, race cars for fun, grew up on boats and am in a leadership position in a male dominated field. I have pretty darn big shoulders.

If you are worried about boat size issues, well, I will leave it to you boys to worry about

[cmattj]

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

OMG. Liquid is already kicking babies around. When he replies in a week or two, it could be ugly.

Kicking babies around? What do you mean, me?

If you are worried about me, I am the daughter of a Marine, sister to a Navy brat, lived in a 3rd world country, was a collegiate athlete, race cars for fun, grew up on boats and am in a leadership position in a male dominated field. I have pretty darn big shoulders.

If you are worried about boat size issues, well, I will leave it to you boys to worry about

I like her..

I’ve had both singles and twins . The reason that you get a limited selection of single engine boats above 27 feet is wind and conditions for maneuvering and for obvious power to weight struggle in components. They are difficult to operate as the nose becomes a wind sock.

People sometimes fear the extra cost involved but my experience is it’s only it maintenance.
Twin engine boats have such low throttle input to maintain speed that my fuel economy isn’t bad at all.
It’s not like I’m taking two boats out at the same time.

Parking in the wind??.I loce it!! It’s like driving a tank on rails. Pushed against a dock with a 15mph side wind? Easy to back the outboard one back , and the inboard forward, and crab it away!

So don’t rule out twins yet.. at least not with boats

[TechieTechie]

I’ve had both singles and twins . The reason that you get a limited selection of single engine boats above 27 feet is wind and conditions for maneuvering and for obvious power to weight struggle in components. They are difficult to operate as the nose becomes a wind sock.

People sometimes fear the extra cost involved but my experience is it’s only it maintenance.

Thank you, forgot about the nose push. Challenge is that maintenance up here is a factor. Wet slipped, saltwater boat, in a very high COL area...equals some headaches. Hey, need a riser? x2. Hey, need your bellows replaced? 2x. And I don't work on my own boats. I have enough headaches in life.

But I get what you are saying about fuel economy.

Decisions, decisions.

[Big Block Power]

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

OMG. Liquid is already kicking babies around. When he replies in a week or two, it could be ugly.

Well techie. Not you. Bfun is picking on liquid in another thread about kicking babies around.
Also when you said 263 is the best hull you will have a fight on your hands with liquid and the 190. It's a thing on here and agreed that the 190 is the best hull and boat ever made.

Really I don't think docking is a big deal with a single but heck I've only docked a 22ft boat. How diff can it be. Lol
Twins. So much better for everything. Safety. I get scared on the great lakes 10 feet off shore hoping the single keeps running. But really getting on plane and Maneuverability would be real bonus for me. If the price was right I wouldn't rule them out.

[Bfun220]

...I do agree that the 22 degree deadrise is the money though. 2000-2007 260 series with the 22 degree transom hull best ever produced.

OMG. Liquid is already kicking babies around. When he replies in a week or two, it could be ugly.

Well techie. Not you. Bfun is picking on liquid in another thread about kicking babies around.
Also when A7 said 263 is the best hull you will have a fight on your hands with liquid and the 190. It's a thing on here and agreed that the 190 is the best hull and boat ever made.

Yes, what he said.

[AsLan7]

OMG. Liquid is already kicking babies around. When he replies in a week or two, it could be ugly.

Well techie. Not you. Bfun is picking on liquid in another thread about kicking babies around.
Also when A7 said 263 is the best hull you will have a fight on your hands with liquid and the 190. It's a thing on here and agreed that the 190 is the best hull and boat ever made.

Yes, what he said.

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+1........(except substitute 262/263 for 190 in those last two lines)


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[Big Block Power]

Well techie. Not you. Bfun is picking on liquid in another thread about kicking babies around.
Also when A7 said 263 is the best hull you will have a fight on your hands with liquid and the 190. It's a thing on here and agreed that the 190 is the best hull and boat ever made.

Yes, what he said.

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+1........(except substitute 262/263 for 190 in those last two lines)


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Yea I know you 260 guys. Lol being a soon to be 190 owner I'm in with liquid

[TechieTechie]

All, how hard is it to find an early year 2nd generation 263 with the following:

1. Low hours (less than, say 300)
2. Volvo 8.1
3. Arch
4. Extended swim platform
5. Full set of transom/sunpad seat inserts
6. Captain's Area Heat
7. Music controls on the transom
8. Transom Rinse off
9. Captain's call exhaust
10. Original external vinyl in very good condition (very dirty, but not terribly worn)
11. Under 30k

I found a boat like this.

PS....oddly enough, the cabin ceiling fabric is coming loose, the sidepanel fabrics are scrunched up and the carpet is very dirty and separating at the seams. And the porta pottie has seen better days.

But I am interested to understand how rare it is to find a boat that has the majority of options installed.

Thanks