Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

[lbzpower]

Hello, just sold my 87 Chris Craft I/O and found a 1996 Cobalt 200 Bow rider with a LXI EFI 350 Mercruiser in it. The boat is in very good condition with only two small tears in the upholstery, the paint is in excellent condition and it looks very nice. Im very curious to the HP rating, the gentleman is saying its 300 but i'm unsure. Any advice would be appreciated He is asking $12,000, does that sound fair? Is this a wise investment for a new boater?

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

A 'wise investment' in boating....what's that?
1996 should be an early throttle body EFI rated @ 270HP, as I recall.
Cobalt is a premium brand but $12k seems way excessive for a 16 year old 20 footer- even with a trailer. Cut that in half and you're in the ballpark.
Just my opinion.

 

[impatico]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

found iboats specs lists the 2 HP options
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Cobalt_Boats__200__1996/bp/66b20852

the cobalt brochure for that boat is here, go to the bottom the the brochure for the engines, it says 250php but who's to say it's a stock motor or maybe even a whole new motor? where do you live? was this boat in the ocean?

http://www.cobaltboats.com/art/brochures/Cobalt_1996.pdf

if it was an ocean boat then I don't know about value on it, but here were there is no ocean it would go for jut under $10K in the summer, far less this time of year

hope I helped

 

[lbzpower]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Thanks to the both of you for the information, it is very much appreciated! This boat is a PA lake boat, out drive is spotless with no sign of salt deposits. Owner says he freshwater flushed for 25 min after each an every use. Seemed to be quite meticulous. You can still see yourself in the paint so it is very clean and appeared to be waxed and polished to the T, owner has all original paper work and owners manuals.

 

[impatico]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

have you done some searching in local classifieds? if this boat is in the price range for your location, and you aren't settling for it IE you really want something bigger? then see if the guy is flexible on the price. see if you can't make a deal on it. Sounds like he takes care of it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Hi welcome to iboats....

It sounds very spendy for a salt boat....but a boat in good condition is worth money.
If you like the boat ......and can afford it...try for the 10k mark. Chances are he will bite.

There is a thing caled NADA......do a google search on it....it is a very basic guideline for boat prices.

Cobalt's are well built boats....and known for the excellent gellcoat (paint...as you called it). They are considered to be in the upper category of mass produced boats.

BTW.... I deleted the other thread for you ....as double posting is not permitted....but seeing as you just came on board....we will just pretend that didnt happen.

Carry on .......good luck with the purchase. And again.....Welcome Aboard !

Cheers
oops

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Price is high, but it sounds like a nicely maintained boat and it's also very well made. Having owned a "bargain boat" and two "cream puffs" now, I am always willing to pay more for a boat that was well cared for.

That 350 is a good power plant for that boat. Ought to scoot along nicely, regardless of the rated HP.

 

[A/C Guy]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1996/Cobalt-Boats/200-20/Standard-Equipment

NADA guides says it is worth $6000.

You did not mention any options, so $6000 is for a base boat.

Go to the NADA site and choose the option, then print the page. Then go talk to the guy and show him the page. If you are a decent negotiator or salesman, you can convince him that his price is not realistic in this economy.

 

[A/C Guy]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

A 'wise investment' in boating....what's that?....

That is an oxymoron; like military intelligence, jumbo shrimp, ....

 

[impatico]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1996/Cobalt-Boats/200-20/Standard-Equipment

NADA guides says it is worth $6000.

You did not mention any options, so $6000 is for a base boat.

Go to the NADA site and choose the option, then print the page. Then go talk to the guy and show him the page. If you are a decent negotiator or salesman, you can convince him that his price is not realistic in this economy.

The black book values can be WAY off, the value on my truck is only $6000 but it is worth $13000, so use as a reference only, the best of which being other local classifieds. it's all about location. My cousins couldn't GIVE his running motorhome away, everything worked, no leaks, rebuilt motor. He lives in Vancouver, BC. brought it to Quesnel, BC and it sold in 2 days for $1500

Just don't want you to insult the guy and miss the opportunity to get the boat you really want

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Nice boat... $12k is to much coin....

Get a certified marine servey before purchase... Seriously... If she passes $8-10k tops!

good luck!

 

[QC]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

If it truly is a 5.7 LX EFI, then it is 250 propshaft hp. I had one, same year. It was absolutely trouble free from new. Agree that price is high, but as others have said Cobalt's are very high quality.

 

[lbzpower]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Many of you have talked about the NADA Guide, I entered all the options I could think of and came up with this:

http://www.nadaguides.com/Boats/1996/Cobalt-Boats/200-20/Standard-Equipment

9200$ average retail, i presume this value is for the boat and no trailer.

I appreciate all of your inputs and any more that may come.

Thanks

 

[lbzpower]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Just spoke with the boat owner again. Trailer is overhauled with new brakes, bearings, springs shackles and tires. Owner says his rock bottom is 10 thousand due to what he has in it.

 

[QC]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Hey ibz,

You describe yourself as a new boater but mention your Chris. How do you know this is the boat for you? What makes her right? I love Cobalts and I would spend for a nice one, but she'd have to be damn near perfect, and also perfect for my application.

 

[lbzpower]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

I only owned the Chris Craft for 7 seven months, it was a good boat but I made some money on it and wanted to upgrade. I'm just not super knowledgeable with generations of boats but have always had a sweet spot for Cobalt's in there style and sharp appearance. Was just curious to what you more experienced boaters thought of this particular deal

 

[QC]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

My point was that if she fits exactly what you want. And you know what you want, then price is really a budget thing, not necessarily if it's the best deal or not. If you are still figuring out what you want, for where you boat, how you boat, and who you boat with. Then I'd pass.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

When buying boats or cars from people, you can get some pretty good clues just looking at their yard or garage. Is everything neat and orderly? In the garage, does he have tools organized hanging on a pegboard? If he has little tool outlines on his pegboards for each tool, then yes, I'd buy it even without a sea trial. Does he have all paperwork and receipts in a nice binder/folder? Point to some random wire at the fuse block panel. Can he identify it?

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Price is really what your willing to spend, Values are in the eye of the beholders

3 years ago i paid about 1500-2000 more for my boat from a dealer than what was listed on NADA. But i think it was worth it, because i have had three years of trouble free boating.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Experienced boaters please help. Looking for insight on a 1996 Cobalt 200

Just spoke with the boat owner again. Trailer is overhauled with new brakes, bearings, springs shackles and tires. Owner says his rock bottom is 10 thousand due to what he has in it.

I'd jump on that. I don't think you'll regret paying a little extra for a well maintained boat. Are you in PA? Whereabouts?