Cobaltchat.com

Hi guys, I’m new to boating and could really use some help. I’m sure these questions have been asked and answered, so my apologies. I have read everything I can find online but I am still pretty confused. Appreciate your help!

I will be boating on Eastern Long Island, NY - somewhat sheltered, but salt water environment. The boat will be wet slipped for the entire season.

I read in forums that I should have an OB for this, but I see I/O boats wet slipped here everywhere. There is a local 2017 R7 with 85 hours on it that I can get for about $90-95k and it seems perfect for my family. I have read in some places on this forum that salt water “packages” are available but it seems uncertain what is included and whether that is adequate.

Is it a mistake to purchase an R7 for this use? With or without the salt upgrade?
Is the 25SC a meaningfully better choice? I found one in a similar price range but in the Midwest - will this lack other salt water necessities?
I’d love to order a new R6 OB but I can’t really pay MSRP in the $150k range.

In the 25-27 ft bowrider class for about $100k, am I better off with another choice altogether?

Really appreciate any thoughts!

.
Hey ZZ. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

Cobalts are terrific freshwater lake boats. Maybe the best runabouts on the planet for that purpose.
Saltwater is an entirely different animal though. An outboard powered Cobalt would be a better fit in that environment. Formula makes some great saltwater boats. Any thoughts on those?

Btw, how will you be using her?

Others will chime in shortly.

Again welcome aboard mate!

.

It seems to me if you are careful with options (especially if you don’t need an arch), you can configure an R6 350 OB for around $135,000, less a 22% discount would get you in the $105,000 range plus freight, dealer prep. If that is within budget, I‘d arrange for a water test and make a decision from there. You can go crazy with options on these boats, running the SRP up quite a bit when you can really enjoy a boat without many of those “extras”. I think an OB would be perfect for a salt water wet slip.

There are several people on the forum negative on the new R series boats primarily due to the increased weight and perception the boat will be slow but I don’t think many people have been out on one to put it through it’s paces. It’s a big purchase and forum opinions can only take you so far - it’s best to test the boat yourself - then let us know what you think.

Thanks, so glad I found you guys too!
We are just looking for a versatile family boat we can use for cruising, some water sports (my kids are still little, nothing crazy), and entertaining extended family. Maybe some day trips around the east end of Long Island.
Pretty basic, but there can be some current here and clearly the saltwater is the biggest issue.

I guess your point is exactly my concern - what makes a boat good on lakes but not good in salt water? Other than OB vs I/O?
I haven’t looked at Formula boats but would be totally open to that and appreciate the suggestion. What do you like about those for saltwater?

Outboards in salt water are always better. The one in the Midwest will work just fine. The big diff it won't have is the saltwater stainless steel. Honestly I don't know if any other manufacture even offers that. But it sure is shiny!
So I wouldn't run from that choice. The trailer if you get one should be aluim or galvanized. If you get a freshwater boat Mahe sure you get the correct anodes on it for salt. Yes there is a difference. The r7 should have closed cooling so your fine there but Mahe sure you flush it no matter what as not all parts are protected by that and coolant. The drives well im not sure they will be salt water prepped. Ask a dealer what options they have on that. May not be any. I don't remember any on the Cobalt for that option so maybe they think what you get is good enough? Just Mahe sure you wash that boat down inside and out. Salt will eat any boat up. Go buy one and be happy
Bottom paint. Well that's another topic but you may want that.

Thanks for the suggestion on the R6. I think the issue (here at least), is that boats flew off the shelf this year and the dealers aren’t offering any incentives. They said its the best season they’ve ever had for boat sales. I inquired about a couple Cobalts in inventory and they won’t take less than MSRP. Is it different if I order the new R6 custom configured?

Great info here! Salt anodes, bottom paint, drives.

In general, though, am i barking up the right tree or trying to fit a square peg in a round hole and I’m better off with another boat entirely?

I'm shopping for an R6 outboard and have received quotes from 2 dealers on potential orders. Both were in the 20% below MSRP range.
Good luck!

Zzaveri wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2020 10:23 pm
Great info here! Salt anodes, bottom paint, drives.

In general, though, am i barking up the right tree or trying to fit a square peg in a round hole and I’m better off with another boat entirely?

.
ZZ you’re asking great questions. Cobalts can absolutely be used in saltwater —although there may be better alternatives out there. Personally I’m a fan of dual console boats in a saltwater environment verses a bowrider. Both share many of the same traits —with a bowrider leaning a little more toward family activities vs the dual console adapted from the center console fishing abilities and more importantly the utilitarian emphasis to stand up to the larger bodies of water, changing sea conditions, and harsher saltwater environment (higher freeboard, flared bows, larger fuel tank, no carpets, higher quality stainless on just about every piece of the boat, outboard motors, saltwater anodes, easier spray down cleaning for salt covered components, etc).
Here’s an example...
.

.


.
Since you didn’t mention fishing in your desires, a Cobalt bow rider could work. An I/O will allow the massive sun pad on which your family can lay. The downside is you cannot get that outdrive out of the water when wet slipped or over shallow shoals. You mentioned you will be wet slipping near Long Island and so an outboard with a bottom painted boat would work best. Of course dry stacking or trailering is another option so your boat spends less time sitting in saltwater.

Cobalts are beautiful boats that will hold up better than most freshwater purposed boats in a saltwater area. That being said, the salt air loves to corrode anything near it so keep that in mind too. It’s kind of like taking a high quality wine to a tailgate party; or taking a Porsche Macan off-roading; or wearing your Joseph Abboud suit to the rodeo...,you can do it but just know the caveats.

When I’m at the ocean marinas looking at boats, I find the more money involved, the less those caveats matter.

Hope this provides a little more clarity. The more knowledge you have the more you’ll be able to make an educated decision. Keep asking those questions.

.

Hi all, thanks so much for the guidance!
I checked out Formula - those boats are cool! Unfortunately they are a bit out of my price range and tough to find used.
I think I’m going to try to buy this 2017 R7. It’s got 85 hours and has the saltwater package (for what that’s worth). It looks like it will be $95k.
I was wondering if a) that sounds like a decent price to you guys and b) if it’s missing any important options. I listed the non-aesthetic options below from the original invoice. Really really appreciate the help!! Will send you guys a pic from our test drive (hopefully tomorrow)!

Volvo V8-380CE DP / 380HP
SS Props FH6 Volvo (what does this mean?)
Extended warranty
Battery switch w/acr-dual
Electric porcelain head
Deluxe salt water package
Trim tabs w/indicators
EPA fuel tank
Rudder indicator, Volvo
Transom shower

Rudder indicator is huge.
Volvo 380 nice. Fh6 props is the Standard prop. It's like a merc 24p just saying in volvo terms fh6.
Go get errrrrr!

Zzaveri wrote: Fri Sep 18, 2020 7:48 pm Hi all, thanks so much for the guidance!
I checked out Formula - those boats are cool! Unfortunately they are a bit out of my price range and tough to find used.
I think I’m going to try to buy this 2017 R7. It’s got 85 hours and has the saltwater package (for what that’s worth). It looks like it will be $95k.
I was wondering if a) that sounds like a decent price to you guys and b) if it’s missing any important options. I listed the non-aesthetic options below from the original invoice. Really really appreciate the help!! Will send you guys a pic from our test drive (hopefully tomorrow)!

Volvo V8-380CE DP / 380HP
SS Props FH6 Volvo (what does this mean?)
Extended warranty
Battery switch w/acr-dual
Electric porcelain head
Deluxe salt water package
Trim tabs w/indicators
EPA fuel tank
Rudder indicator, Volvo
Transom shower

As someone who constantly looks at used boats for no reason, price looks pretty good to me. Around here, one of the best times to buy a used boat is September and October. Good luck and welcome to Cobalt.chat.

Let's see pictures of your new to you boat

You guys are awesome. Appreciate all the thoughts. We test drove it last weekend and decided to pull the trigger! The boat is in immaculate condition and other than the lack of the windlass anchor system, basically has everything we need.

They are dropping it off at my marina tomorrow morning and I will take some shots and post them, along with some thoughts from our first day out!

Zzaveri wrote: Fri Sep 25, 2020 8:27 pm You guys are awesome. Appreciate all the thoughts. We test drove it last weekend and decided to pull the trigger! The boat is in immaculate condition and other than the lack of the windlass anchor system, basically has everything we need.

They are dropping it off at my marina tomorrow morning and I will take some shots and post them, along with some thoughts from our first day out!

.
Hey great to hear Zz. Looking forward to your pics!

.

Here are a few snaps! Tough to get far enough away to get a great one...
We went out on our own this morning for the first time...I managed to stick the docking, which is a big deal for me
Hoping we can squeeze a few more adventures in before we have to put it away for the winter!