ilander wrote:
All,

I need to choose between a 2005 Crownline 216LS w/220HP merc for
$25,500 or a 2005 Cobalt 200 w/260 merc for $30,200. Neither comes
with
trailer and I don't need one. They come with wood trim, bimini top,
snap-in cparpet, 5 year warranty on the motor, basic stereo, etc.

Questions:

Are these good prices?
Is the 220hp motor enough for the 3800lb Crownline?
Is it worth savung the $5K and live with the smaller engine and
lesser
quality/reputation?

This boat will be used for family cruising on a lake and some
watersports---mostly knee-boarding, tubing, and some skiing.

Thanks in advance.


Consider rephrasing your question: Is it worth an additional $5,000
because the builder claims to produce a higher quality boat?

If you get down to brass tacks, IOW "What makes you boat so high
quality, beyond your claim that it is a high quality boat and some
bank of awards or another? (Everybody can trot out a long list of
awards) What specific construction techniques, materials, features, and
standards of fit and finish are worth an additional 20% in the purchase
price?"...you may find that other lines spending a bit less on
marketing can offer very comparable boats for somewhat less.

Cobalt is a very fine boat, not doubt about it, but it hardly belongs
on a pedestal as the only extremely good choice available. Crownline
would be among my personal finalists if I were shopping for a trailer
boat, but I wouldn't buy in that category without first looking at
Cobalt and Sea Ray, either.