Time to buy a new boat, my last one sunk. Long story. Not finding much via typical channels, so putting out the feelers here. Looking for a 20'-ish open bow, V8 I/O. 5-10 years old. I have some size limitations due to where it will be parked. No Bayliners please! PM me if you know of something interesting!
C'mon man, you can't throw that one-liner out there and not give any details. So how'd your last boat sink?
Slalom Shop normally has some nice cobalts. I just helped a buddy find one and Cobalts are great. It drives like a dream and turns on a dime. I did a 40ish MPH turn without hassle and it cruises nicely at 35. I assume you want tubing capabilities or something like that and I think cobalts fit that nicely. It all depends on how much you want to spend.
Cobalts are probably the best boat made for the kind of boating we do. But it's likely more than I need. I can buy my brothers if I decide to go that way I'm thinking Four Winns, Chaparral, Sea Ray Selects or Crownlines. Open to other options as well, just not finding much that interests me.
I think 2006 Coabalts that are 20'ish are in the 30s if that's the price range you're looking at. You can never have too much boat!! Once my internet is back up, I'll get on the computer and do some research for you.
Great! I didn't realize you were implying your brother had a cobalt. You're looking at the right stuff for sure. Good luck and keep us posted
I was just looking at a 25' Baja center console...normally I'm not a fan of cc's but I've grown to really like them even if not used for offshore fishing. This one is an '03 for sale in really nice condition complete with twin 150hp outboards (think they're mercs) and good compliment of electronics. The guy is asking just under $40k but that's turnkey with trailer located on Texoma...guessing you can get it in the mid-$30s. As much as I want a boat, I've decided to maintain some capital discipline and keep it in my pants for now. This economy really scares me and I already have at least one expensive toy. In case you don't know what boat stands for: bring on another thousand
You must love to fish! I'll bet Rob would go out on that cc with you. I always thought the cc's were pretty purpose driven boats, though you can do more than fish off of them. I owned my last boat for 15 years, and don't think I put over $2k in it the entire time I owned it. It was the least expensive motorized conveyance I owned by far. It started every Spring the 2nd time I turned the key. High winds destroyed my dock and allowed it to float away into a shallow channel, where it got pounded from behind by 6 foot waves for 12 hours. I'll try to find the 'mud' pictures, what was left in the boat after we'd pumped the water out. Hadn't planned on buying a new boat this year. Or a new dock
I used to think the same thing about cc's until I spent some time on a friend's boat. Yes, I do enjoy fishing but cc's are also nice because of the relatively open layout. It's just easier for people to move around the boat without tripping all over each other. Depending on the configuration, there's usually a pretty good amount of seating as well. Add twin outboards and you have solid reliability with relatively low maintenance. Of course those cc's more geared toward offshore fishing can also take some pretty good chop. I had a 25' Wellcraft a while back and frankly it didn't cost all that much to maintain (maybe $3k year) but include slip, insurance and gas - a little different story...certainly not at the same level as the F-car but not insignificant either. Guess I need to feel a little more "prosperous" before I start really spending again. I love boats and just like the F-car - it is money well spent. As I always say: you can't put a price on a good time!
Not much to add but I had a 26' Cobalt several years ago. I did not realize what a great boat it was until I traded it in on a wakeboard boat. Cobalts are well built, heavy boats. Very comfortable and well engineered. I had it for 2 yers and got back in trade what I paid for it.
You guys aren't helping, I'm trying to talk myself OUT of a Cobalt! I don't think we use our boat more than 10 or 15 hours a year, and I feel like I don't need a top of the line boat, even a used one, when all it does is hang in the slip all the time. That would be like buying a Ferrari and just letting it sit in your garage! Oh, wait.... The last boat went over 18 months without use due to the drought. Under normal circumstances, there should've been 6-8 ft of water there. Image Unavailable, Please Login
You pay for my new dock you can hang whatever you WANT from it. You looking to expand the F-Chat headquarters to a new location? This picture shows much of the wreck, but you can't see that it ripped the cradle loose and tore the lift out of the rafters. New one will HOPEFULLY be done this weekend. Image Unavailable, Please Login
IMO if you buy a boat the kids want you will spend more time on the water. I'd get an open bow Mastercraft or Ski Nautique ski/wake boat. Used ones hold their value.
http://youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=xTEXsZO-PVIhttp://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=xTEXsZO-PVI Hopefully you can view that. It's a Hobie cat none the less
