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

[lbzpower]

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

I'm near Hershey Pa. Owner says he will take my offer of $10,000 . To answer your question, when I was at his house looking at the boat, his vehicles were spotless, his garage was neat and his home and landscaping were immaculate. He has all original papers and manuals. The boat sat on a blacktop driveway covered from front to back with a very heavy winter cover. It is stored in a indoor storage unit every winter and has receipts for winterization and fluid changes.

 

[A/C Guy]

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

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,....

Banks will loan and insurance companies will only pay out based upon the book value. Regardless of what you or I think it is worth, the book value is what the banks and insurance companies use; so it is unwise to pay more than the book value on a depreciating asset.

 

[Mischief Managed]

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

I'm near Hershey Pa. Owner says he will take my offer of $10,000 . To answer your question, when I was at his house looking at the boat, his vehicles were spotless, his garage was neat and his home and landscaping were immaculate. He has all original papers and manuals. The boat sat on a blacktop driveway covered from front to back with a very heavy winter cover. It is stored in a indoor storage unit every winter and has receipts for winterization and fluid changes.

I think that's a great deal, assuming it operates properly. This boat sounds like a total cream puff. If the gelcoat shines as nicely as it appears to in the photo, it is very likely lovingly cared for. Black gelcoat is a nightmare to keep glossy, especially above the rub rail. I agree with the advice to look at the condition of the yard, the buildings, and the cars of the seller; clearly this is a person who is very responsible with his stuff.

If you buy it, keep the previous owners contact info; I bet he'd loved to hear back from you with stories of the fun you are having with it. I still keep in touch with the guy who bought a cream puff boat from me in 2005.

 

[ezmobee]

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

I'm near Hershey Pa. Owner says he will take my offer of $10,000 . To answer your question, when I was at his house looking at the boat, his vehicles were spotless, his garage was neat and his home and landscaping were immaculate. He has all original papers and manuals. The boat sat on a blacktop driveway covered from front to back with a very heavy winter cover. It is stored in a indoor storage unit every winter and has receipts for winterization and fluid changes.

Sounds like a great buy to me!

 

[Philster]

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

At 10k with what appears to be a mature, decent owner, it becomes very appealing.

I'd still put 2k aside for repairs and overhauls. I'd put that into motor/exhaust and some other miscellaneous things and have a freshened up Cobalt. Is it a Bravo 1 outdrive? I'd have the upper gears checked for issues/slop.

Overall: Good times.

 

[cyclops2]

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

Used boats.

Are used machines. Do the correct things. Get a marine inspector to look it over AND go for a TEST ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is NO WAY around that requirement !! Make sure the inspector CAN DRIVE ANY BOAT.He must start a COLD engine. If the owner says he will / must warm up the engine for you. Something makes a bad noise when cold.
Docking is required by the inspector.

Cobalt is a name. Period. No special properties are guarenteed forever in any boat.
Have the power train numbers checked that the engine is at least the same year as the hull.
If the ride & inspection go OK. Have all the covers unfolded & checked by the inspector. Plastic windows may need replacement. There are all the instruments to be tested while running + trimming the motor. Full set of fenders / anchor / rope / life ring go with it .
Check the boat inspectors check list BEFORE you hire him.

If it was a Bayliner you would not hesitate to pick it apart...............Pick the Cobalt apart. Then make a offer. or retract what you did offer.
You have the MONEY not him............Cobalt is just another piece of plastic right now.
I hope the inspector finds you a Cream Puff.
He would be curious why 300 hp was stated, if that is not true. If it is not the true ORIGINAL hp. Not much else could be true.

I have helped several people NOT buy a sugar coated Cream Puff.

 

[Philster]

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

Many people don't know HP ratings. They know engine size.

Nothing to panic over.

A competent surveyor will spot issues. Used boats will have wear 'n' tear -- on covers, plastic windows, etc. These aren't deal breakers and would barely budge the price. They are already factored in.

The price of a used boat is essentially the boat and mechanicals. A surveyor can help you avoid a disaster, suggest immediate improvements and give you some negotiating power.

 

[25thmustang]

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

I was unaware that my grass not being perfect, or my garage not being spotless could affect my other sales. Luckily the garage is usually clean, but that stupid front lawn might be an issue (dog causes some of those spots out there). Definately something I've never considered but does make some sense.

 

[cyclops2]

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

The appearence of money and or success is no sure sign of honesty in buying or selling of anything.

A Bernie Madoff in a $ 2,000 suit was & is, still a huge CROOK.

Condition & price of goods is ALWAYS far more important than anything else.

Rest easy Mustang.

If you live to impress others, you will have no life of your own. Those far above you could not care less about you trying.

 

[Philster]

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

Visit Craig's List ads and peruse the junk, the TLC, the 'my loss is your gain' type boat ads...which are just packed with well kept boats that are honestly represented by their owners (where is the sarcasm font?), then come back in here and make a case that the owner, the property and other intangibles don't matter.

Is it 100%? No. Is it wise to pay attention? Sure is. These things matter. It's all part of the evaluation criteria.

Again, I don't understand this need to interpret everything as an absolute.

Correct, it is no guarantee that a clean house, clean garage and sharp owner with leather-bound copies of his boat manuals and records and receipts that are laminated and sitting on his custom, hand-made teak outdoor table (next to laminated copies of trailer maintenance receipts) and an appointment book that has a note for "my shrink" that says "to address anal-retentive disorder" are going to mean the boat is really well-cared for.

Kind of helps, though... [sarcasm font] Off to look at some pretty yards on Craig's List boat ads now... [/sarcasm font]

 

[lbzpower]

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

Just wanted to thank you all for your insight and opinions. I picked the boat up Saturday and could not be happier!

 

[BTMCB]

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

Just wanted to thank you all for your insight and opinions. I picked the boat up Saturday and could not be happier!

Congrats on the new toy. Enjoy!