Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - What to look for in a used boat--HELP!!!

AC2717 · 05-03-2007, 11:06 AM

Hi Just purchased a 1988 Cobalt and it is like brand new from THurston's Marine. it is a 23 footer, I bought it last September and only got a couple of voyages in but what a ride. It was abotu athirfd of what you are looking to spend.

I would not get anything under 22 feet, and I would, if you are not so worried about speed than comfort, I would go with a Deep V hull type boat, Cobalt's seem to be built perfectly for the big lake, as most of there previous models and I believe they still are, are built mainly off of a design for the Great Lakes region.

My cousin has a 19 foot string ray and when ever we are out there we get tossed around a lot, good engine though

I would prefer a volvo penta engine myself but my Cobalt came with a 290 horse OMC engine with 850 hours on it, i am impressed to be honest
Cobalt i believe now uses volvo penta

Also if you are staying in the fresh water I would buy only a fresh water used boat, and try to buy something used from the area that you are going to be using it in, that way the boat is used to the area and water for cooling and its systems.

Good Luck - A lot of research ahead of you, I know I just went through it for over a year

05-03-2007, 11:06 AM	#3
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,577 Thanks: 755 Thanked 355 Times in 267 Posts	Used Boat Hi Just purchased a 1988 Cobalt and it is like brand new from THurston's Marine. it is a 23 footer, I bought it last September and only got a couple of voyages in but what a ride. It was abotu athirfd of what you are looking to spend. I would not get anything under 22 feet, and I would, if you are not so worried about speed than comfort, I would go with a Deep V hull type boat, Cobalt's seem to be built perfectly for the big lake, as most of there previous models and I believe they still are, are built mainly off of a design for the Great Lakes region. My cousin has a 19 foot string ray and when ever we are out there we get tossed around a lot, good engine though I would prefer a volvo penta engine myself but my Cobalt came with a 290 horse OMC engine with 850 hours on it, i am impressed to be honest Cobalt i believe now uses volvo penta Also if you are staying in the fresh water I would buy only a fresh water used boat, and try to buy something used from the area that you are going to be using it in, that way the boat is used to the area and water for cooling and its systems. Good Luck - A lot of research ahead of you, I know I just went through it for over a year