I’ve been a fresh water boater since I bought my 2004 cobalt 220 in late 2003. This has been a wonderful boat and some amazing memories but now I’m at a crossroads. I recently moved to Florida (west coast) and I would like to continue boating but I know this not the right boat for salt water. So there are some choices. For the record, I like probably most of you, am completely compulsive about the condition of my boat. I defy anyone to tell this boat from new. That said, I want to continue boating. Do I 1) use the boat, as is, in the intercoastal and gulf and know the raw water cooling will take its toll on the out drive and motor, 2) concert to closed cooling 3) replace motor with 6.2 seacore 4) buy something more appropriate for the conditions. One is no cost, #2 is about 3-4K and # 3 is 15-20k and anew boat…center console with minimum 2 outboards would be $200,000+. #4 is probably not an option

I feel like a noob. I need to know if I can run my current boat without killing it in the salt water. It is a mag 350 koi with about 600 hours. Should I sell? Should I upgrade? Should I repower?

Lots to think about.

Congrats on the move.

Not sure what i would do about the boat deal. Maybe sell current boat while you can good money & buy a nice used boat that would be better for your new location?

Maybe check out the local ramps & talk up some boaters. See what boats are popular in your area.

Sell the cobalt now to get the high price. Hold your cash and wait 12 months for the economy to crash. If you have to finance it, waiting will cost you more as the interest rates rise.

I love my 246 but I wouldn't be comfortable using it on the ocean. Not nearly enough freeboard for my liking. I nice self bailing center console would be my choice. That said, it would be very hard to part with the Cobalt.

It is easy to sell, tough to buy. The Florida market may be a bit different as there are so many boats (supply).

Before you dunk the boat in the salt, you could convert to a FULL closed cooling system (Orca or SeaKamp). If you day launch, then it won't be too bad on the outdrive. If you slip the boat, then frequent anode changing, anti-fouling paint, yada yada, yada. If you can get a closed cooling system, along with stainless steel elbow/risers, even better.

If you run the boat as is in the ocean, the engine will live for about 15 years and the exhaust will need to be replaced about every 5-7 years.

I agree. It really doesn’t make sense to spend money upgrading my current boat when it will add nothing to the resale value. The reality is I believe the salt water will ruin this boat and ruin resale by running in salt water. As much as I hate to do it…I think it is time to sell. I’ve been looking at several center consoles with twin outboards in the 27-30’ range from Pursuit, Everglades, edge water etc. Lots to learn about boating on the inter coastal and gulf…a second motor, radios, navigation rules, gps, etc. it’s actually pretty exciting. It will be hard to replace beautiful Norris Lake but it is pretty cool to think about beaching on some remote beach.

Now I have to think about the best way to sell my boat. Locally I probably won’t get much interest and trading at a dealership won’t yield top dollar. The boat is currently in a dry stack at smith lake in Alabama and I suspect I can get more money for it there than in Florida.

Boats are in very short supply these days so selling should not be an issue for top dollar. Hard as they are to find right now people will be willing to travel to get there hands on a boat as clean as yours.

Using that Cobalt on the ocean would dramatically limit your boating days and destroy the boat. I say sell it and look for a solid used center console with an outboard for whatever funds you get for the Cobalt. CCs are incredibly popular in FL for a reason and should be a breeze to sell if you decide to change boats later. They are also very easy to maintain.

I tend to agree with Dave R, I think after using the boat in the ocean you will quickly want a boat better suited for ocean boating and then will regret ever having your pristine Cobalt touch the salt water.

Now, if you plan to only go out a few times per year and only on the calmest days, and are willing to watch it deteriorate at a faster rate then maybe...but right tool for the job kind of thing...even though I know there are probably some protected areas to boat and people do use "inland" bowriders in the ocean every day, but wouldn't make me comfortable as conditions can change quickly and the ocean is just different in so many ways in my eyes. I guess in the end a lot depends on specifically where you are boating...protection, distance from land, even depth.

Take my advice with a grain of salt, I've never owned a boat that I used in the ocean, but have boated extensively on Lake Michigan and been on others boats numerous times on the ocean. I would not take my 21' Cobalt in the ocean unless it was some sort of protected harbor/bay/shallow backcountry water situation.

I'm in the class of selling the Cobalt and getting a boat more suitable for ocean. Plus the steel trailer in your thumbnail picture will rust to pieces in a short time period if dunking in the salt water.

Visit some high and drys in your area and look at what boats are stored there to start your short list of boats to look for.

My take is as follows;
I agree with purchasing a boat more suitable for the ocean. It is not the salt water as that is easily taken care of with Salt-Away. I took mine in the ocean often when I lived in Sth CA. I ran 30 miles offshore to Catalina Island. Come home and ran salt away through the engine and hosed the trailer down with it as well. I still have the same boat and same trailer after 18 years and both still in great shape. Higher maintenance to keep it that way for sure.
My concern is, offshore you need higher freeboard, a boat designed to take the swells, big chop etc. Weather can turn against you quick and it can be long way to come home in a very choppy sea. A flared bow will keep you dryer as well. These are things I have noticed while coming home from Catalina. A second outboard would be nice if one broke down. A long range radio, SOLAS flares that go 1000ft up with a 45 second burn time.
All this is depending if you go offshore or hang on the intercoastal.

Great advice and I’ve made a decision. The cobalt sold last Thursday. Pretty sad selling my first boat that I’ve had for almost 20 years. Someone has just purchased a great boat.

Now on to the next chapter. My wife and I spent all day yesterday looking at boats. I was originally looking at a cobia 220 or robalo 222 but that changed pretty quickly. I’m not certain yet but suspect I’ll end up with a Grady White. 23’ center console. It’s about 10 years old but only 325 hours. It needs some cosmetic stuff done like reupholstering all cushions and upgrading the electronics but total for that shouldn’t be too bad. We will see if we can agree on price, sea trial, etc.

It didn’t seem like much of a decision once I stepped onto to Grady white. Everything is so heavy and solid. Reminds me of an old Mercedes glovebox (some of you may know what I mean) but everything closes with a solid thunk.

The one I’m looking at may sell which is fine but I now know what I want.

Congrats on the fast sale.

Now on with the fun part - the new boat search.

Hmmm I wonder if we all know someone who could help you out with that?
Who knows how to do upholstery work?

Sorry for the passing on of a great boat, but Good luck on the search.

Amazing…I went through all 9 pages of Tpenfield’s…really amazing. I can do a fair amount but I don’t have that level of skill. Really, really nice job. Fortunately the boat I’m looking at doesn’t really have much upholstery…gunnels have leaning pads, bench in stern, leaning post at helm and bow cushions. I’m trying to find a good upholsterer in southwest Florida. I found on in Pompeno beach but that’s a pretty good drive.

What I liked about that post is that it gave me greater confidence that I can bring this boat back to life. The boat is only 9-10 years old but all of the seams are split. There is bottom paint so I suspect they left it in the water uncovered. I just can see myself doing that. My wife thinks I have some sort of compulsive disorder.

There is a place where you send them the old skins & they make you new & send back. If you are interested i can look for name. Several people used on another forum.

Copycatupholstery.com . . . I believe is the upholstery mail-in place. There may be a few others.

Being in Florida, there should be quite a few boat upholstery shops. The vinyl only lasts about 7-10 years due to the sun exposure in FL.

I do plan on setting up shop for anyone interested in some boat upholstery work.