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246 listing
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 5:14 pm
by Andy2675
https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2005-co ... 6-9675637/
New member here, was hoping to get some opinions on this. Not new to boats but new to Cobalt, I understand that they are basically 2nd to none in freshwater family boating, therefore they usually command a higher price then the other brands commonly seen on lakes. This one here is local and appears to be in really good condition, but seems to be priced accordingly and then some. What are your thoughts on this?
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Mon Feb 10, 2025 11:13 pm
by jhnmdahl
Looks like a pretty good boat for its age and has modest hours, and doesn't show wood dash fading that many of these left out in the sun can often show. The seagrass flooring, trailer, and bimini are nice, and the engine's a good one for that boat, but I'd want to check it out in person before proceeding. Best bet is to have a Cobalt dealer or Volvo marine expert lined up to go through it and look for issues you may miss if it passes your initial inspection.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:10 am
by Table Rockin
I know pictures can be deceiving but that boat looks to be in REALLY good shape. Also I don't think the is unreasonable either. I sold a 2003 240 back in 2018 for about $32,000. If you are a serious buyer I would give this a hard look. Also notice the cart with all the cleaning supplies right there in the storage bay. This guy gets it
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Tue Feb 11, 2025 3:02 pm
by AsLan7
.
So glad you found us Andy2645.
Well said by the other members. Those colors are my fave on a runabout.. Compression test the cylinders. Ask about maintenance receipts. She appears to be in great shape and low hours for a 2005.
And welcome aboard mate.
.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 11:58 am
by Whippled263
That boat is worth every penny! Trust me when i say this......act fast she wont last long
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Wed Feb 12, 2025 12:13 pm
by kas232ca
+1 on that boat. Looks very well cared for. The engine compartment looks super clean, which is a big tell.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 6:50 am
by Andy2675
Thanks everyone for the input! I reached out the guy, impeller and gear oil was done recently, same as engine oil. However; bellows and gimbal have never been done to his knowledge. He is 2nd owner bought in 2015. Would this be any cause for concerns?
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 7:20 am
by Whippled263
Only if they are leaking. I would keep an eye on them and plan to do eventually.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:12 am
by Kate
"bought in 2015"
9 years is a long time for a bellows. At minimum, have it inspected for drying, cracking, leaks.
Is the gimbal the greaseable type? If so, was it greased periodically? That, too, should be inspected for noise and looseness.
If you replace one, replace both. And the shifter cable.
You can also have a pressure test and sea trial done to check the condition of the outdrive.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:32 am
by Andy2675
Kate wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:12 am
"bought in 2015"
9 years is a long time for a bellows. At minimum, have it inspected for drying, cracking, leaks.
Is the gimbal the greaseable type? If so, was it greased periodically? That, too, should be inspected for noise and looseness.
If you replace one, replace both. And the shifter cable.
You can also have a pressure test and sea trial done to check the condition of the outdrive.
It's still the original bellows, he said he's never done them and is fairly certain PO also didn't.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 9:46 am
by billk2632
Echoing what others have said - that boat appears to be in very good shape and the telltale signs that the owner cared for it (ie cleaning supplies in the shed) just add to it. You still need to check it out, it is a 20yrs old boat and no matter how good of care / maintenance you take, things do break and wear out. It's very nice looking, you might have found a good one.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 11:24 am
by jhnmdahl
Kate wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:12 am
"bought in 2015"
9 years is a long time for a bellows. At minimum, have it inspected for drying, cracking, leaks.
Is the gimbal the greaseable type? If so, was it greased periodically? That, too, should be inspected for noise and looseness.
If you replace one, replace both. And the shifter cable.
You can also have a pressure test and sea trial done to check the condition of the outdrive.
Yep, in addition to the inspection points Kate mentions, it's best to just add pulling the outdrive and replacing the bellows to the budget for getting it on the water. Odds are there isn't an imminent problem, but it's worth doing periodically to avoid much bigger expenses if it fails due to lack of maintenance.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:12 pm
by CBO
That's a lot of boat for the 5.7 motor. It is also priced well above book values. I would definitely do some negotiating on the price especially since it needs service work done. Also make sure the fuel pumps are working properly (this is the area of paint chips in the pumps), the manifolds are in good condition, the gauges/trim sender are working, has good compression, outdrive cone clutch, and the steering actuator is not leaking for these are big ticket items to have fixed. It is concerning that he would have the impeller replaced but skip out on other necessary services. Back in 2022 when I picked up my 222 the owner just had the bellows, gimbal bearing and U-joints replaced at the cost of $2800.00. If he doesn't move on the price, I would walk.
Man, I guess I have been doing it wrong the past 35 years. If all it takes is to put a shelf with cleaning supplies next to whatever I am trying to sell to get big dollars and that convinces people it's been taken care of, I learned something new today.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Mon Feb 17, 2025 10:14 am
by jhnmdahl
CBO wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:12 pm
That's a lot of boat for the 5.7 motor. It is also priced well above book values. I would definitely do some negotiating on the price especially since it needs service work done. Also make sure the fuel pumps are working properly (this is the area of paint chips in the pumps), the manifolds are in good condition, the gauges/trim sender are working, has good compression, outdrive cone clutch, and the steering actuator is not leaking for these are big ticket items to have fixed. It is concerning that he would have the impeller replaced but skip out on other necessary services. Back in 2022 when I picked up my 222 the owner just had the bellows, gimbal bearing and U-joints replaced at the cost of $2800.00. If he doesn't move on the price, I would walk.
Man, I guess I have been doing it wrong the past 35 years. If all it takes is to put a shelf with cleaning supplies next to whatever I am trying to sell to get big dollars and that convinces people it's been taken care of, I learned something new today.
I don't think anyone's trying to imply that cleaning supplies equate to good compression on all cylinders and a bellows that won't leak, but rather that the overall condition of the boat and degree of work and care in maintaining it may reflect a boat that needs less work going forward. I believe most replies already suggested he have a skilled mechanic go through it and identify any potential mechanical issues, and budget for some mechanical service if not recently done.
Re: 246 listing
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:15 pm
by Jbyrd
CBO wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:12 pm
That's a lot of boat for the 5.7 motor. It is also priced well above book values. I would definitely do some negotiating on the price especially since it needs service work done. Also make sure the fuel pumps are working properly (this is the area of paint chips in the pumps), the manifolds are in good condition, the gauges/trim sender are working, has good compression, outdrive cone clutch, and the steering actuator is not leaking for these are big ticket items to have fixed. It is concerning that he would have the impeller replaced but skip out on other necessary services. Back in 2022 when I picked up my 222 the owner just had the bellows, gimbal bearing and U-joints replaced at the cost of $2800.00. If he doesn't move on the price, I would walk.
Man, I guess I have been doing it wrong the past 35 years. If all it takes is to put a shelf with cleaning supplies next to whatever I am trying to sell to get big dollars and that convinces people it's been taken care of, I learned something new today.
New Member #2 here!
Too funny "past 35 years"... So do you think the 5.7 is a little underpowered for this boat? I'd think 320HP would cover Dry Weight 4100. I'm looking for a 246 as well (Down the road a bit), or a Formula 240 BR. Also, do folks normally need to put trim tabs on this model? I've only seen a few with tabs while searching.