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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:00 pm 
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Location: Lake St. Clair USA
Thanks for all of the previous advice in this thread: Talk me in/out of this boat - 2012 Larson 258 LXi

Looks like we may have found our next boat...a 2000 Cobalt 246 with a Merc 454 Magnum (385hp) and Bravo 3. A bit over 300 hours. One owner and pages of the complete service history from marina all the way back to when it was new. It is in western MD. We have agreed on a price and have to work out logistics but we hope to pick it up in a couple weeks.

What do you guys think?

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:13 pm 
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Old man green should subtract at least $3000 from that asking price in the ad, otherwise that's an amazing vessel especially with through hull exhaust :P

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:24 pm 
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ric wrote:
Old man green should subtract at least $3000 from the asking price, otherwise that's an amazing vessel especially with through hull exhaust :P

LOL, green was not our first choice (on either of our boats) but sometimes you forgo your favorite color to find the best boat.

With our H180, we looked at a slightly newer and local black H180 with same options first, but went with the green H180 as it was better cared for even though it was 2 hours away. With that said, these two remain the only H180s I have seen optioned with the fuel injected VP 5.0 Gi 250hp V8 engines.

When looking at a few Cobalt 246 boats, I came across a blue one first. The blue one had less hours but had the 310hp 454 MPI and was no where as clean as the green Cobalt 246. The blue one had stained seats, unwaxed gel coat, etc. It did not look loved. We could have had the blue one for $4,000 less than our agreed upon price for the green 246 but I think we made the right choice with our one owner, cleaner, marina maintained, higher HP example. The green one is also half the distance away.

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:37 pm 
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GottWhat wrote:
ric wrote:
Old man green should subtract at least $3000 from the asking price, otherwise that's an amazing vessel especially with through hull exhaust :P

LOL, green was not our first choice (on either of our boats) but sometimes you forgo your favorite color to find the best boat.

With our H180, we looked at a slightly newer and local black H180 with same options first, but went with the green H180 as it was better cared for even though it was 2 hours away. With that said, these two remain the only H180s I have seen optioned with the fuel injected VP 5.0 Gi 250hp V8 engines.

When looking at a few Cobalt 246 boats, I came across a blue one first. The blue one had less hours but had the 310hp 454 MPI and was no where as clean as the green Cobalt 246. The blue one had stained seats, unwaxed gel coat, etc. It did not look loved. We could have had the blue one for $4,000 less than our agreed upon price for the green 246 but I think we made the right choice with our one owner, cleaner, marina maintained, higher HP example. The green one is also half the distance away.



Marina maintained doesn't mean it's better. As far as we know the mechanic is using bulk oil and chinese parts. Stained seats clean up in 5 minutes with sodium hydroxide, and all gelcoat fades. It looks like brand new with a buffer that's just a fact of ownership. Always do a compression test of the engine and drain a tad of oil from the outdrive bottom to see if it has milkshake.

My boat if you seen it a month ago you'd think it was a wreck. Stained seats, faded hull. Why? It's used all the time. It's kept in tip-top mechanical shape with OEM parts. It runs and purrs like a kitten. It's carbed and starts and idles like fuel injection....cold or hot. Two weeks ago I went out for a couple hours with a buffer and a bottle of cleaner and it looks showroom condition. Total cost of "cleanup" was $150 and 8 hours of my time.

I can do a lot of repairs and upgrades on a boat with $4000. That's 2-3 years worth of gas.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:45 pm 
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Location: Lake St. Clair USA
ric wrote:
GottWhat wrote:
ric wrote:
Old man green should subtract at least $3000 from the asking price, otherwise that's an amazing vessel especially with through hull exhaust :P

LOL, green was not our first choice (on either of our boats) but sometimes you forgo your favorite color to find the best boat.

With our H180, we looked at a slightly newer and local black H180 with same options first, but went with the green H180 as it was better cared for even though it was 2 hours away. With that said, these two remain the only H180s I have seen optioned with the fuel injected VP 5.0 Gi 250hp V8 engines.

When looking at a few Cobalt 246 boats, I came across a blue one first. The blue one had less hours but had the 310hp 454 MPI and was no where as clean as the green Cobalt 246. The blue one had stained seats, unwaxed gel coat, etc. It did not look loved. We could have had the blue one for $4,000 less than our agreed upon price for the green 246 but I think we made the right choice with our one owner, cleaner, marina maintained, higher HP example. The green one is also half the distance away.



Marina maintained doesn't mean it's better. As far as we know the mechanic is using bulk oil and chinese parts. Stained seats clean up in 5 minutes with sodium hydroxide, and all gelcoat fades it. It looks like brand new with a buffer that's just a fact of ownership. Always do a compression test of the engine and drain a tad of oil from the outdrive bottom to see if it has milkshake.

My boat if you seen it a month ago you'd think it was a wreck. Stained seats, faded hull. Why? It's used all the time. It's kept in tip-top mechanical shape with OEM parts. It runs and purrs like a kitten. It's carbed and starts and idles like fuel injection....cold or hot. Couple hours with a buffer and a bottle of cleaner and it looks showroom condition. Total cost of "cleanup" was $150 and 8 hours of my time.

I can do a lot of repairs and upgrades on a boat with $4000. That's 2-3 years worth of gas.

I know it can be cleaned up but the fact that the seller did not clean it before taking photos of it says a lot. If he isn't willing to clean it up before taking sale photos, maybe he skimps on some of the other stuff as well. The marina records (Cobalt dealer) are very detailed with the part numbers and such, I don't think they were skimping.

Sometimes, you have to go with your gut and I think one boat is better maintained than the other. Along with looking the part, the green boat has records to back it up. Another big selling point is the 385hp Magnum engine :)

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:04 pm 
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THE selling point is that motor!!! WOOOHOOO!

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1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:08 pm 
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ric wrote:
THE selling point is that motor!!! WOOOHOOO!

I cannot wait to pilot it!

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:08 pm 
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Location: Vancouver, WA
I have to agree - If someone is not going to spend the $150 on getting it cleaned up, they've probably neglected other areas as well. Not saying you cannot put lipstick on a pig, but it matters.

That said - When I look at ads the 3 things I don't want to see, and I think these are pretty universal:

1) Your crap all over the place. Remove your beach chairs, floaties, dishes, paper towels, etc. It looks like crap.
2) Clean surfaces. Coffee stains by the sink make me think you are a slob that has puked on your carpet once if not a few times.
3) A picture of you and your buddies on the boat. It makes me think you ran the hell out of it every weekend.

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2013 Dodge Durango HEMI

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:13 pm 
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fi.na.tine wrote:
I have to agree - If someone is not going to spend the $150 on getting it cleaned up, they've probably neglected other areas as well. Not saying you cannot put lipstick on a pig, but it matters.

That said - When I look at ads the 3 things I don't want to see, and I think these are pretty universal:

1) Your crap all over the place. Remove your beach chairs, floaties, dishes, paper towels, etc. It looks like crap.
2) Clean surfaces. Coffee stains by the sink make me think you are a slob that has puked on your carpet once if not a few times.
3) A picture of you and your buddies on the boat. It makes me think you ran the hell out of it every weekend.

LOL...#3 typically includes shirtless dudes with their beer guts in full view.

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NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:18 pm 
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Having bought enough boats in my life this I can tell you: Always buy the boat that's used every weekend even if it needs cleaning up. Sitting in a garage 364 days a year does more damage. You know the boat that's constantly used works.

Unfortunately the decision maker (the wife/gf) always prefer the pretty boat that's sitting in a garage for the last 10 years un-used. Those are the owners that coin the saying "The best day of your life is when you buy and sell your boat" cause everything is dry rotted and it's constantly breaking down.

I'm not saying that boat is bad.. a professional survey will be the judge of that.

You're getting it inspected before purchase, right?


RIGHT?!

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:27 pm 
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ric wrote:
Having bought enough boats in my life this I can tell you: Always buy the boat that's used every weekend even if it needs cleaning up. Sitting in a garage 364 days a year does more damage. You know the boat that's constantly used works.

Unfortunately the decision maker (the wife/gf) always prefer the pretty boat that's sitting in a garage for the last 10 years un-used. Those are the owners that coin the saying "The best day of your life is when you buy and sell your boat" cause everything is dry rotted and it's constantly breaking down.

I'm not saying that boat is bad.. a professional survey will be the judge of that.

You're getting it inspected before purchase, right?

RIGHT?!

The Cobalt dealer that has serviced the boat since new is going to look it over prior to a sea trial...including a compression test.

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:31 pm 
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GottWhat wrote:
ric wrote:
Having bought enough boats in my life this I can tell you: Always buy the boat that's used every weekend even if it needs cleaning up. Sitting in a garage 364 days a year does more damage. You know the boat that's constantly used works.

Unfortunately the decision maker (the wife/gf) always prefer the pretty boat that's sitting in a garage for the last 10 years un-used. Those are the owners that coin the saying "The best day of your life is when you buy and sell your boat" cause everything is dry rotted and it's constantly breaking down.

I'm not saying that boat is bad.. a professional survey will be the judge of that.

You're getting it inspected before purchase, right?

RIGHT?!

The Cobalt dealer that has serviced the boat since new is going to look it over prior to a sea trial...including a compression test.


Have em pull the drive, check the drive shaft, bearings, bellows, engine compression, and look over everything else in general. Shouldn't cost you more than $350.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:48 pm 
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Location: Lake St. Clair USA
ric wrote:
GottWhat wrote:
ric wrote:
Having bought enough boats in my life this I can tell you: Always buy the boat that's used every weekend even if it needs cleaning up. Sitting in a garage 364 days a year does more damage. You know the boat that's constantly used works.

Unfortunately the decision maker (the wife/gf) always prefer the pretty boat that's sitting in a garage for the last 10 years un-used. Those are the owners that coin the saying "The best day of your life is when you buy and sell your boat" cause everything is dry rotted and it's constantly breaking down.

I'm not saying that boat is bad.. a professional survey will be the judge of that.

You're getting it inspected before purchase, right?

RIGHT?!

The Cobalt dealer that has serviced the boat since new is going to look it over prior to a sea trial...including a compression test.


Have em pull the drive, check the drive shaft, bearings, bellows, engine compression, and look over everything else in general. Shouldn't cost you more than $350.

According to the detailed invoices, that was all checked (except compression text) along with the impeller replacement when they winterized the boat before this winter.

_________________
NEW - 2000 Cobalt 246 w/454 Magnum 385HP | SOLD - 2000 FW Horizon 180 LS w/5.0Gi 250HP Volvo Penta

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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 2:49 pm 
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GottWhat wrote:
According to the detailed invoices, that was all checked along with the impeller replacement when they winterized the boat before this winter.


Well, you're about to spend over 20 grand... have em check it again.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold

Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread


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PostPosted: Fri Mar 20, 2015 4:45 pm 
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Location: Long Island NY
Beautiful boat, Cobalt is top shelf quality. If I was getting another I/O bowrider (which I'm not) next time, this would be on my list. I do think being extra careful with with regards to the condition makes sense. It is a 15 year old boat after all.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II


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