My wife and I went to the boat show this weekend - we recently sold our boat and want to buy another... great day - learned a lot, and saw more boats than I wanted...

Anyway, we are looking for 19 - 25 feet - and SEEM to be pretty happy with Four Winns or Crownline. Cobalt seems a bit too much, and I don't want a Bayliner... (think Kia...)

This is a pretty savvy board. I do not plan on using it in salt water, and keep in mind I live in the coldest place in the contentinental US... I'll use it three months a year max... What do those of you who own boats think? Any good contacts?

Thanks - I know I won't get a test drive - but I didn't in the S either! And good info is always worth a beer...!

 

Not me, I chose the stook instead of the boat.

 

Check out Regal Boats

I had a small Regal and was very happy with it. I've also had a plant tour and came away very impressed. I also have a very good contact there.

 

...'smyroad - have the s - less than 1100 miles . And now want a boat...(recession?!)

CG - thanks for the idea - I will. Not familiar with them. Once I do, I'll get in touch! Thanks again...

 

Pulled the link to Regal - and remember seeing them at the show in Denver - pretty futuristic looking... wife doesn't like so much... I like the sixty MPH hull...! Thanks for the info!

 

Why not? Is that how the boat dealers are out there? Each time we bought a boat, the dealer had a comparable boat that they would let us take out for the day either on the bay or at a nearby lake. You should really ask. If you ski, there could be a big difference in performance...i.e. small wake for slalom skiers or ability to create a large wake for freestyle/wakeboarding....Some boats can do both really well based on hull design and how the engine and gas tank are set up. Some boats even have ballasts to allow you to create large wakes for freestyle and small wakes for slalom....

 

I have driven one of their smaller boats almost 75mph. That is wild speed on the water.

 

I don't claim to know boats, but I have owned several and do own one now so I'll give you my $.02 worth.

I own a 1998 Cobalt 252 and I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am with the boat. I have 300 or so hours on the boat and it still looks and feels as good as it did on the day I bought it. I am a big Cobalt fan. You really do pay for what you get. The boats are so solid and so well built that it is hard to compare them to any other runabouts out there. I highly recommend you spend the extra money on the Cobalt, it will hold its value better than any other brand out there.

If you want I can go into detail as to what makes cobalt the best, but just ask anyone who knows boats and they'll tell you cobalt is the best.

If money is your main concern I recommend you look for a used cobalt. If you insist on a new boat here is my opinion of some of the other brands.

www.cobaltboats.com

Top Tier
Cobalt - see above
Formula - If you don't want a cobalt but want a similarly expensive and well built boat, Formula makes execellant boats.

Next Tier
Sea Ray - Yes they are mass produced but they are well built boats and can be a good value.
Crownline - Nice style, well built
Chaparel - Nice style, well built
Mariah - Canadian, but still well built
Regal - Innovative, not as solidly built as those above, but can be a great value

Next Tier
Chris Craft - Nice looking boats, very mass produced, take a close look and you can see the construction flaws
Maxum - Like the Lincoln line from ford, dressed up bayliner
Donzi/Baja - Both sport boat manufactures now make runabouts. Light boats, not the best construction

Last Tier
Bayliner - Can be a great value, just don't expect to ever be able to sell the boat. Use it and throw it away

Anyway, thats my opinion. Either way have fun and get out on the water.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. Bought a new (0 hours) 2001 21 foot Four Winns today with a volvo inboard. Got a great price, and am really pleased! The owner of the Marina (in MO - will be road tripping! - has a few more at GREAT prices (we saved $10,000!!!!!!!!). PM for info!

Would have gone Cobalt if $ was of no object - or thought I would use it more.

NJTom - wonder how you feel about Four Winns - imagine it is in your second tier - and by the way Mariah is no longer...

I grew up seeing Four Winns - and, having done a lot of research, feel very confident with our decision.

Should change my name from skibum to too many toys!

 

Nice job s2kskibum! Sounds like you got a great deal! Sorry for not mentioning Four Winns. Excellent boat. Now comes the conundrum, what to do on those nice sunny days? Take a long ride in the s2000 or get out on the water on your brand new boat. That's something I've wrestled with the past two summers. Either way you can't lose.

Best of luck in your new boat.

( Sorry if the whole tier thing came off as snobbish, I was just trying to give my opinion in a clear-cut manner )

-- Tom