I have a 30 year old Supra now that has been my baby since she was 11. Great boat, not the ultimate hull for Lake Cumberland on the main body. Something less than ten years old. Flexible on the price based on age.
I scan boat listings almost daily and will ping you if I come across one. I have the 8.2L 502 Magnum in my boat, I assume that's what you're looking for? They're rare but they pop up once in a blue moon. I know of a few 7.4L's out there if that's of interest.
Here's a 2001 246 with an 8.1L Volvo at 420HP... http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/2001/Cobalt-246-2990040/Danvers/MA/United-States#.WXfGCcaZORs
There are a few available now. One is an '08 that's been in salt. Another is a bit out of my price range and it's a 2013. (I'm superstitious.)
Jack, you may want to log into Gordy's in Fox Lake Illinois. They have a listing of used boats- the sales person there that I've got to know is Jim Kelsey -- GREAT GUY- There might be some available that are not listed or he might know when one is coming in. I agree the 8.1 would be the best way to go - we have a 7.4 MPI in our 226 and it goes very well -- You can't have too much power in a boat - even if you rarely use it. Good Luck 3pointstar
+1... great tip, 3pointstar. I search Gordy's and a few other dealers every day looking for deals but Gordy's has the best selection of Cobalt's that I've found. Good tip about getting to know a sales person too -- that's the best way to get the inside track on a boat.
Finally.....got ahold of Jimmy. (I spoke with POTUS, he has a hard time getting hold of him too! Ave Maria!!) Good fella, I think he's going to find me a boat. Also said that a 262 would be about the same in many respects, acceleration, planing time and top speed. So that's how I'm leaning today. Cumberland is the 35th largest man made lake in the US. I've seen various estimates of the acreage, but we definitely have 1255 miles of coastline, a little more than the state of Florida. Gets a bit choppy on the main lake, so a bigger boat might be better.
Good for you !! Glad you got in touch with Jimmy. I agree with him regarding the 262. I know if we were 100% lake Michigan that would be the boat - It has all the room, size/bulk for a great ride and performance - I just don't think it would be that much of a difference provided you had enough horsepower. Let us know how this all ends up. Take care and be safe 3pointstar
Looked at a 262 last weekend. Felt a bit large. Talked with a fellow that has a 230. Nice lines, not too big. Yet to drive either.
Side note: Jim @ Gordy's has been super. Takes the time to get to know you. Knows his boats. Thanks for the referral.
I know the feeling but the more time you spend with a boat the smaller it feels. I used to own a 2008 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer -- over 31' LOA. This boat felt like an ocean liner the first year that I owned it. By the 2nd season it was feeling small and I started to contemplate going bigger. After the 4th season I decided to go much smaller and went with a Cobalt 200. That felt like a dinghy compared to my 280 so I finally settled on my current 232. Moral of the story, the 262 might feel big at first but it will shrink once you get used to it.
Just not grooving on the size, the high gunnels. Remember I'm in a low profile inboard now. Classic lines. Beautiful. Nimble.
I have a 2001 262, and really love it. We can have 8 people on it and never feel cramped. It handles extremely well with the Volvo 8.1L. With the high gunnels, no one ever gets splashed when we hit a big wave, and no wash back when you come off the throttle quickly. A 70 gallon tank means we can boat for a long period of time before a refill. I also thought that it was a big boat when I first got it, but we grew into it quickly. Good luck on your decision process.
Thanks much, I'm going to look at a buddy of mine's 262 tonight. It's not for sale, but he wanted to show me a few things he thought were issues. There are some beautiful 262's for sale right now. One i'm looking at has everything I would like, (right price, captain's call, well maintained), except the color. Another has the right color but they're high on $ for the age and hours on the thing IMHO.
Figured this out with the help of Jim and a few others: They changed the hull in 2008. Went form that cool, low slung, shark looking boat to the high gunnel 25 mold. So I'm looking specifically for that 2001-2007 hull in a 262. Anyone has such that's been well tended I'd love to be the next custodian.
Jack, My 2001 262 sits as high as a current gen R3/5. I tie up regularly with friends that have both of thes boats. If you look in the picture above, it sits higher than a 2012 220, and about the same as a 2013 R3.
Does this mold make my boat look big? It's a distinct possibility that I'm having optical illusions, but I did make inquiry of some Cobalt aficionados, sales folks and owners, who told me that the mold was changed in model year 2008.
Jack, you never know what can happen. I've gotten my 2001 262 where I like it, but my better half would like a newer R5/R7. So, at some point I need to get serious about figuring out how to accomplish that.
Hey Walt, I see you're a 'well known' member. I'm shooting for the 'notorious' designation. Thanks for the reply! Jack
Lol! Only 3 more posts to get the notorious designation...once you get to 20 posts you're in the club.
Drove 900 mile round trip to NC to look at a 272. I'm going to say that it probably sat on a lift with a mooring cover on it for the better part of the last 11 years. At some point, the interior got really wet. Ruined the carpet, the stereo and the rosewood. Black mold evident. The dealer portrayed it as 'pristine' with 180 hours......yeah. They cleaned it up, put in sea grass. No photos of the readily evident damage in the ad. It was a total fiasco. So today I'm thinking about giving up boating altogether.
Thanks, Walt. One of my buds advises to stay away from the dealers. I must say, he does have a point.
I bought my 262 from a dealer, and they were honest and upfront about the boat. Not all dealers are as you experienced. The right boat will come along.