2006 cobalt 226

[kevincs23]

Good morning all, first post here.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2006-co ... 6-8460136/

I am considering buying this 226 with a merc 496 (375 hp). The price seems a little steep for the year and hours. Wanted to get everyone's thoughts. The boat seems well taken care of, but 45K for a 600 hour boat?

Curious what to expect for performance too. I'm coming from a 20' Reinell with a 5.0, propped for pulling, tops out at 48-50. I would assume at least the acceleration I'm used too and more top end. I'm sure it will be far better in rougher water as well.

Thanks for any advice,
Kevin

[NautiWeasel]

That boat looks very clean for sure. I don't think the price is out of line for a boat that clean. When you look at how good those pictures look (hopefully the boat does as well) and how clean the engine bay and ski locker are, you can see it was taken care of. I'm guessing maintenance wasn't skipped, but I'd want records if available as to what was replaced and when.

[SAB220]

I don't believe 600 hrs is a lot for a 2006. I'm not impressed with appearances because that boat could of been detailed for the past two days in that garage behind it, but the interior wear is tough to hide. You need to find out about maintenance - no guessing. Boat inspection for a 15 year boat differs if its a Fresh Water (FW) (low risk), or a SW (high risk), boat. You might want to hire boat surveyor for 44K and they can recommend a marine mechanic.

Kevin never fall in love with a used boat because it will cost you in the end unless you do your research. How many used boats have you looked at? What does this boat have then the others don't, etc, etc, good luck

[kevincs23]

Thank you for the responses. The boat is freshwater only (lake arrowhead, ca) and the dealer claims to have some service records, but not all. He said he is willing to come to 39,500.

I have looked at quite a lot of boats of varying sizes and values. This is one of my top wanted models I have wanted and it has a big block. trying not to make a dumb emotional decision.

[Big Block Power]

Good morning all, first post here.

https://www.boattrader.com/boat/2006-co ... 6-8460136/

I am considering buying this 226 with a merc 496 (375 hp). The price seems a little steep for the year and hours. Wanted to get everyone's thoughts. The boat seems well taken care of, but 45K for a 600 hour boat?

Curious what to expect for performance too. I'm coming from a 20' Reinell with a 5.0, propped for pulling, tops out at 48-50. I would assume at least the acceleration I'm used too and more top end. I'm sure it will be far better in rougher water as well.

Thanks for any advice,
Kevin

Nice looking boat. Being from Cali it could have seen salt water. I 100% agree it was just detailed. It's got viynl dressing on the Interior. So very hard to tell how is been takin care of. But anyways it looks nice. It's got a aftermarket tower added to it. Not a fan of that with the factory binimi.
But hey for 5k more I'll sell you my garage queen with a rare 8.1gxi big Block with 430 hp+ under the hood. That has been takin care of! With half the hours. About 330. Has a very nice 5k+ stereo even.

[kevincs23]

Big block,

That is a really nice boat. I remember looking at the 220's in the early to mid 2000's. It was always one of my favorite boats out there. Unfortunately that price is just out of my grasp (the asking price on this boat just made me too nervous as well). Plus, I just have a thing for red boats... and so does the wife.

I will be happy just to join the cobalt family.

[Big Block Power]

Big block,

That is a really nice boat. I remember looking at the 220's in the early to mid 2000's. It was always one of my favorite boats out there. Unfortunately that price is just out of my grasp (the asking price on this boat was just made me too nervous as well). Plus, I just have a thing for red boats... and so does the wife.

I will be happy just to join the cobalt family.

Ok and can't wait to see what you end up with.

[Krob1114]

Big block,

That is a really nice boat. I remember looking at the 220's in the early to mid 2000's. It was always one of my favorite boats out there. Unfortunately that price is just out of my grasp (the asking price on this boat just made me too nervous as well). Plus, I just have a thing for red boats... and so does the wife.

I will be happy just to join the cobalt family.

Half of BB's hours were in the garage.

[Big Block Power]

Big block,

That is a really nice boat. I remember looking at the 220's in the early to mid 2000's. It was always one of my favorite boats out there. Unfortunately that price is just out of my grasp (the asking price on this boat just made me too nervous as well). Plus, I just have a thing for red boats... and so does the wife.

I will be happy just to join the cobalt family.

Half of BB's hours were in the garage.

More like 3/4
When you're ready to go black give me a yell!

[kevincs23]

So I went and looked at it today.... It is a nice boat. It has been stored and maintained at lake arrowhead, CA. So far from salt water. The maintenance records seem to be complete. There are definitely some interior flaws, but I think pretty good shape considering it is 17 years old. The gelcoat seems dang close to flawless.

Question on performance given the prop and engine combo. I forgot to look at the gearing (I would assume there is a standard gear reduction given the engine setup), but they are a 26 pitch and the forward prop is a four blade.

With a 496 mag (375hp and typical gearing) would this be setup lean towards pulling or top speed? What should I expect? If we come down to an agreement on numbers, I do get to sea trial it.

[Dhooghe81]

Cobalt specifically tests each and every model prior to production to ensure you get the best prop and outdrive setup possible for the particular model of boat. They also try several different prop combinations to ensure it leaves the factory with the best possible setup. The model in question you're looking at should have more than enough power, they used that motor also in their 262 and 272 bowriders as well and those models are considerably bigger and heavier. Best of luck to ya!

[kas232ca]

Not sure where you will boat, but you might need to change the prop if it was set up for Lake Arrowhead which is 5000+ feet.

[Big Block Power]

A BB 226 should run 60. 4+3 set up is fine. Could be standard that year but sure. But sure what pitch was standard. Would have to look up Cobalts prop charts. Where's Bobrae when you need him. If the boat had a 430 and was black you may see a few mph faster

[kevincs23]

A BB 226 should run 60. 4+3 set up is fine. Could be standard that year but sure. But sure what pitch was standard. Would have to look up Cobalts prop charts. Where's Bobrae when you need him. If the boat had a 430 and was black you may see a few mph faster

I'm not super worried about too speed. If it will do 55-60 I will be extremely happy. I do a lot of watersports (pulling big guys up on wakeboard) with 8 people in the boat so hole shot is really important to me. Second priority is a somewhat economical ( I know, it's a big block) and comfortable 30-35mph cruise speed. When I say economical I'm referring to range more than mpg. I have traveled pretty far at Powell and been 50 miles from a fuel dock.

Thanks for the input.

[Big Block Power]

A BB 226 should run 60. 4+3 set up is fine. Could be standard that year but sure. But sure what pitch was standard. Would have to look up Cobalts prop charts. Where's Bobrae when you need him. If the boat had a 430 and was black you may see a few mph faster

I'm not super worried about too speed. If it will do 55-60 I will be extremely happy. I do a lot of watersports (pulling big guys up on wakeboard) with 8 people in the boat so hole shot is really important to me. Second priority is a somewhat economical ( I know, it's a big block) and comfortable 30-35mph cruise speed. When I say economical I'm referring to range more than mpg. I have traveled pretty far at Powell and been 50 miles from a fuel dock.

Thanks for the input.

Then the 4 blade of a benifit for you as that is the prop that gets you your hole shot. You will get 55 no problem. The 226 was Cobalts fastest hull. Mpg well. I can say going 35 mph on my boat is about the same as a 380 inn a r7. So if I had to guess about 3 to 6mpg? I can't remember. Table rock lake is the only lake that I run for like 40 minutes at a time cruising. I say I fill up every other day. 40 gals goes fast. So after let's say 4 hrs of cruising I would need gas. Others may know how far it is from Indian point to Campbell marina/watsons and back I use half a tank. And it's about 1hr trip 1 way. If I'm on the throttle forget it and just watch run he needle move. Mine has sweet spot 35 to 40 but closer to 40 I like.