New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

[tmh]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

From only boat shows (not test drives) i think you're getting mixed up advise on quality here, as Cobalt is in a different league than the other two. No way is Searay a higher quality boat than a Cobalt for this size family boats. As was said, Cobalt has upholstery that anyone can tell is byond belief high quality. Searay vs. Four Winns is a fair fight for SECOND place, not first of these three.

Unfortunately, the different engines can make or break how well the boat fits your needs. I'd really test the 4.3L with a true load and someone skiing (or whatever) before i bought it.

 

[capnharley]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Well, we ran all three boats today in the same weather and water conditions. The Cobalt is by far a better ride. We had 5 people, one of which is 320+ lbs (so you might as well say 6) and the boat performed just as well as the Sea Ray. The Four Winns wouldn't start, that was nice! Honestly, the Sea Ray beat us up. Talk about rattling and not feeling safe....So the Cobalt it is! I am confident we made the right choice for us! Thank you all for your advice and I will post some pics when we get the boat.

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Good luck with your purchase Captain Harley.

And welcome to Iboats.

 

[F16TJ]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

And another thing...don't do a sea test on a silky smooth sea state day. If possible, do it on a day when the "surf" is up, so you can get an idea about the ride quality when the winds and seas kick up. Hard thing to plan, I admit, but it may pay dividends.

 

[mtnrat]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Volvo always

 

[capnharley]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Okay, here's a left hook for ya! The Sea Ray dealer wants our business. He threw a 230 Select our way with a Bravo III for the exact same price as the Cobalt. Cobalt is much better built, better ride and more comfortable. But should we pass up an extra foot and better engine? This is really difficult.

 

[jevery]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Looks like a lot more cockpit space, and the Cobalt looks smaller overall in the pictures. I'd go with the Sea Ray, IF you're satisfied with the ride and performance after a water test.

 

[tmh]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

What engine on the 230 Select?

If you WANT a boat that big - and most would - then you've got a tough offer to turn down. For some, i guess that's more boat than they'd need or want. Most find out a bit bigger is better though.

 

[capnharley]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

It's a 5.0 MerCruiser MPI Bravo III with a dual prop.

 

[204 Escape]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Decisions, decisions...........

And the plot thickens

Drum roll please !!!!!!!!!




And the winner is________________________ !!!!!

 

[tmh]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

So that's a 260 hp engine, right? That's quite a bit of boat for that engine, IMO, min. power. Did you test drive one with that set up? I think the dealer is giving you a bigger boat for the money, but maybe saving himself a lot on the power package as i bet he sells most of the 230's with a 350 Mag engine which costs $4k more according to the Sea Ray web site! (They've got to be kidding on that, btw). So the 230 Select with the 5.0L is more a come-on at a low price to get you interested.

Test with a normal load of people and gear. With a bigger boat, you'll likely wind up with more friends/family aboard so even more weight added. I'll bet it's not too long before he starts trying to talk you up to the bigger engine, for "just a bit more", especially if you insist on a true loaded test frive.

 

[capnharley]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Well, we made one decision today...the Sea Ray is no longer an option. After looking up resale values on the Cobalt and Sea Ray, I found that a 2007 Cobalt 202 with the smaller engine resales for the same as the 2007 Sea Ray that ia a foot bigger and has the bigger engine and dual prop. That tells me a lot. We finally decided just go with the Cobalt. We are getting a great product. So....to keep us satisfied, the Cobalt dealer suggests his brand new 2009 242 Cobalt. It's bigger, bigger engine and dual prop. Granted, it is a lot more than the 202, but I looked at NADA for the 2007 240 pricing. The dealer has offered the 2009 242 at not a whole lot more than the 2007 resale value. What do you think about that? Either way, we are going with a Cobalt.

 

[jevery]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

A 24? is a very large boat for a first boat. You?ll need a vehicle rated for 6,000 lbs to pull it. No offense, but you may find yourself a little overwhelmed trying to dock and load on windy days. My avatar is a 21,? my second boat and it was a handful. As a matter of fact I sold it because it was just too big for my needs. Why not the 212 or the 220 Cobalt with a 5.0?

 

[tmh]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

hey, pretty soon they'll have you leaving the showroom with the Queen Mary!!!!

I'm soooooo jealous.....

Agree it's a very big, heavy boat. Somewhere in between sounds just right!

 

[capnharley]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

I am worried about the size as well. The towing is not an issue. We can pull 10,600. They do not have anything in between the 202 and 242. They have all been sold. I might find out when a 2009 212 or 222 will come in.

 

[peevuto]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Wow, and to think that my first boat was a 17.5 ft. Actually it was the perfect size and allowed me to learn the ropes and forgive those 'accidents' that always happen when first learning. Even going to a 21ft now, I am hesitant... 24ft... first time... wow, just be prepared for some dings along the way, and don't get too upset with the missus. Why not go smaller and upgrade afterwards?

 

[wuttja]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

I started with a 21' for my first boat and don't regret it one bit. I was looking at 18' and 19', but my boating needs involve having family on board and water sports so a 21' with a 5.7L fit my needs. I also went used so someone else got to put the first scratches on her, and I get to just enjoy it without worrying as much. I will admit 21' can be a bit much to maneuver in tight spaces, but I just take my time and practice until I get comfortable. We have a routine down now where my wife drives the boat on the trailer now, and we can get out from the ramp in just a couple of minutes. Just my 2 cents!

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

I thought that you were making your first boat purchase last weekend and needed advice before then?

 

[capnharley]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

We took delivery of our new Cobalt 202. It's a beauty. We are very excited to get it in the water tomorrow. Thanks to all for the advice.

 

[jevery]

Re: New boat purchase...Advice needed asap!

Enjoy that new Cobalt, I know I would. Be sure to put a small hankie in your pocket for the first few trips so when you inflict that first scratch you?ll have something to dab that tear away.