Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

[Fastaction2853]

Hello everyone, I am brand new to iBoats and looking for my first boat.

I have been reading some of the other posts by new boaters looking for information and have already learned a lot.

I live in upstate New York and will be boating on Lake George, The Sacandaga Lake and the Hudson River.

I am looking for a boat in the 20-23' range so I can trailer it when I get a tow vehicle down the road. For now I am looking at a quick launch program for at least the first season and relying on friends with trucks.

I am looking for a bow rider and would consider a cuddy as well.

I know there are a lot of people that recommend a first boater go with a preowed boat so thats where I am looking. My budget is limited too so I have been looking for a 90's vintage boat but I want a quality boat that I know is very well made and less likely to have major problems shortly after I purchase it.

I would like to keep this boat for a while until I am ready to upgrade when my budget is not as strict.

Which brings me to the boat that I have been looking at online for a while now and plan on taking a look at. The 2 feet of snow we just got has been slowing this process down.

The dealership speaks very highly of it and says that is it very clean and actually admitted that they held on to it last season for their own personal use. They took it on trade and have since cleaned it up, reconditioned the dual prop and replaced the bellows. The motor has 151 original hours and was stored indoors.

Here is a link to the boat: 1990 Cobalt 222

The motor is a 5.7 Volvo and is also very clean. The only thing wrong with the boat according to the dealer is the depth finder in the dash no longer works. The dealer is a very reputable dealer and I was recommended by friends who have purchased boats here in the past.

The were telling me they have a used trailer with new tires, brakes, state inspection that they would include with the boat for $10,000. I may also get them to include a season of quick launch in that price which goes for about $145 a foot in my area.

Please let me know what you guys think and what I should look for when I go see this boat later this week.

Sorry for such a long post and thank you all in advance!!!

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

That is a nice looking boat for a ride that is 20 years old. Make sure floors and transom are not rotted and have the dealer certify that its in good mechanical running condition at the time of sale. Cobalt has a great reputation in the boating industry and is probably why the dealer is looking to get 10 grand for a 21 year old boat. If you like it I probably would not hesitate in purchasing it. Good luck

 

[Fastaction2853]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

Great to hear, I am planning on taking a look at it this week. What do you think about the price? Does it sound reasonable? What else on a boat of that vintage should I check, anything they are "notorious" for?

I am looking for a used quality boat that I can enjoy without having to put a lot of money into.

Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

Great to hear, I am planning on taking a look at it this week. What do you think about the price? Does it sound reasonable? What else on a boat of that vintage should I check, anything they are "notorious" for?

I am looking for a used quality boat that I can enjoy without having to put a lot of money into.

Thanks for the input and keep it coming!

It may be a cobalt, but it seems high to me. Really high. At least for around here. My buddy is looking at a 1995 20 foot wellcraft eclipse, that was dry racked its entire life, in MINT, i mean MINT condition...... and the price is 6500 from a dealer..... with a trailer. And its 4 years newer than the cobalt. Here is a link. http://www.brenner75.com/site_page_...-1.html?listing_page=listing_sum_price_1.html

 

[Fastaction2853]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

I too was thinking the price for a boat of that age was a little steep thank you for pointing that out. What price range do you think it should be in?

Should I also be considering new boats?

Some of the deals they mentioned on a new H190 Four Winns sounded rather enticing also. LOL

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

I too was thinking the price for a boat of that age was a little steep thank you for pointing that out. What price range do you think it should be in?

Should I also be considering new boats?

Some of the deals they mentioned on a new H190 Four Winns sounded rather enticing also. LOL

I would think 7k would be a decent price with trailer.

I would never buy brand new, just because of the depreciation. If you are looking for payments and not buying outright, buy a 2 to 3 year old boat. Should still have a factory warranty, only a couple hours and save a huge chunk of change. I will be doing this in a few years.

 

[pmillar]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

One observation that is probably worth what it cost (i.e., nothing) it sure looks like the screws holding the cover on the hour meter have been worked a time or two. Is that supposed to be the original hours on the boat? It sure looks very clean, but since you're asking, it sounds like a rich price to me. At the end of the day, look around and form your own opinion. At that price I would want a qualified 3rd party to verify the condition (floor/transon/stringers if possible) before paying a premium. Nice boat though...

 

[jus10reese]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

I dont know about N.Y., I live in Alabama, here, that is a $5,000 boat all day. For 10 grand you can get a really nice newer model boat. Thats a nice lookin boat, but not for 10 grand.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

$10k too steep. IMO, that is a not to exceed $6500 boat, preferably $5500. Dealer is selling you on low engine hours and boat condition -- sure those have merit, but you are way overpaying. You'll use it for a couple of years and then go to sell it and it will be a sub $5000 boat. I would keep shopping, you'll have to look at a lot of boats, but you'll find the $6k boat someone has kept in a+ condition.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

WAY high on price. And, just for the record, no dealership hangs on to a used boat because they're having fun with it. They've hung onto it because they can't sell it.

My .02

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

My .02 as well, Both of those boats ( Cobalt & Wellcraft) Look great. I really like the price on the Wellcraft, The Cobalt is pretty high for an older boat but it seems like it's in great shape. I've learned here that the price of any given boat depends on location Ex:NY $10,000/Alabama $5000, So as it will seem high to some but where do they live? I live in Pa. & any boat is very highly priced. Ask someone from your area what that boat is worth. I'll tell you one thing though, When I'm looking for a new boat I'm looking in Alabama, I'll make the drive to save $5000, that for sure. One more comment, I agree with last post "They didn't hold onto it for there own use, they couldn't sell it because of price most likely". I'd go back to that dealer with $6000 in hand & tell them I'll drive it away with trailer right now. Worse case they say No.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

original list Low High
Base Price: $31,300 $5,060 $5,690

nada as if it counts.. But will put ya in a ballpark.. Used boat is what it is... USED.. everyone thinks they have gold, but all it really is.. OLD

 

[Fastaction2853]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

You guys are great, thank you so much for the input. I agree on the price but I have to agree that the location plays a big part in the price. This area and the lakes around us unfortunately have a stigma around them of go big or go home I am better than you. Not everyone is in this category thank goodness but no one can deny that it exists so I am sure that it is driving the price up.

In regards to the dealer holding onto the boat situation I agree price may be a big part in that too. But being a family owned business and the fact that I was talking with the owners son, it sounds like it was a case of "here son don't take one of my new boats out but take this used one and go have fun" I am giving them the benefit of the doubt I know ;-)

You say a year or two old boat would be better. Does that include a 2010 model (Four Winns in my case) that they are trying to get sell off and can really good deals be made on these 2010 models?

Thanks again for all the input, I too wish I could make a road trip to AL

 

[Fastaction2853]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

$10k too steep. IMO, that is a not to exceed $6500 boat, preferably $5500. Dealer is selling you on low engine hours and boat condition -- sure those have merit, but you are way overpaying. You'll use it for a couple of years and then go to sell it and it will be a sub $5000 boat. I would keep shopping, you'll have to look at a lot of boats, but you'll find the $6k boat someone has kept in a+ condition.

I agree I am continuing to look around for sure to keep my options open but I am concerned about getting my first boat out of someones back yard. I like the idea of going through a reputable dealer that I know will help me out should something go wrong.

I have also read that Marine Surveyors will not get into small boats like these, is this true?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

I have to agree that the location plays a big part in the price. This area and the lakes around us unfortunately have a stigma around them of go big or go home I am better than you.

This is exactly why you should update your profile with your location. Lots of boating advice is location specific.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

You say a year or two old boat would be better. Does that include a 2010 model (Four Winns in my case) that they are trying to get sell off and can really good deals be made on these 2010 models?

Thanks again for all the input, I too wish I could make a road trip to AL

I didn't say they were better, only that you won't get hit with the depreciation. I would buy one that is a couple years old that was previously owned. Once a boat becomes "used".... regardless if it was ever ran, beat on, etc.... it depreciates immediately. Same goes for a car.

 

[hostage]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

Welcome to the Forums! I too am from Upstate NY (Rochester) and I just went through the same thing as you last year. I started looking for a small open bow for under $5k. I ended up buying a 2000 19' Cuddy w/ a 4.3L for $7500. I got a great deal on it. I noticed when you go over 20ft you start paying a lot more for a boat as well as you you start spending more on gas. Also newer boats have less of a chance of having rot in them and many of the newer ones have fiberglass decks and stringers. I also like mine since it has that and snap in carpets, lots of cup holders, stereo, and a built in depth finder.

How many people are you planning on taking out at once? I can fit 4 people very comfortably in my cuddy and still be able to pop up on a plane in very little time. When I had when I had a little more heavier people in the boat and with a total compliment of 5 it took us a little longer to get on a plane and we were able to do pull a tube w/o any issue. An open bow might be more better for entertaining larger groups as well might be helpful for getting on the plane, since you don't have as much wait in the back. I don't know why, but for some reason larger people like to sit in the aft most seats so i have to plow through the water longer before I can get out of the hole.

Lastly cuddy vs. open bow. I ended up going with a cuddy, since I wanted to do some trips down the Erie Canal (have yet to do one) and it is nice to lock things away, but duno if I would do it again. Our Marina has great bathroom facilities, so we have yet to use the head.

Take your time look at a bunch of boats. The more you look there is a better chance you will figure what things you like and what things you don't want.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

mmmmmm Four Winns.... Great boat

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

mmmmmm Four Winns.... Great boat

looks like a maxum to me?

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Looking for insight on my first boat, Tell me what you think of this one

looks like a maxum to me?

Not the one pictured... The 2010 the OP said he was also looking at...