On Sun, 12 Jun 2005 14:40:01 GMT, wrote:

Looking to purchase a Cobia 312 sport cabin and don't know much more about
the boat, brand etc. than I've read on this newsgroup. Most posts are about
older and smaller boats. Cobia website is fairly sparse and I don't want to
take the dealer's ravings at face value. Does anyone have any feedback,
thoughts or opinions please.

2005 model, $115,000 loaded, twin Yamaha 225's

When you say "loaded" what do you mean? The list of standard
"features" on this boat are - well, hyperbole in a lot of ways, but a
lot of boat manufacturers do that.

For my money, you can keep the Yamaha's, but you didn't mention if
they were four stroke or HPDI. If they are HPDI, then they are
marginally acceptable.

As to the boat, they are very nice boats and have a sound reputation
in the industry. I see a few of them around where I fish and play -
I've looked a few over, but nothing other than CCs.

I don't care for the Euro styling that most of these boats seem to use
these days and frankly, one Cobia looks like a Polar looks like a
Hydra-Sports, etc. All the colors all look the same, all pastels and
that drives me nuts. Give me a nice white hull anyday.

If you are going to spend that kind of money, consider this:

http://www.contender.com/fleet_intro.asp

Before you go, but, but, but...this is a very clean looking boat and
doesn't look like a box sitting on a swept back hull.

And I own one. :)

The bottom line is this - if the money is right, YOU like the boat and
are not being swayed by a salesperson and you are comfortable with the
purchase, then go for it. The Cobia is a sound boat and will work
well for you. My only caution is the engine options - if you can go
with the HPDI, then that is the better choice in my opinion based on
nothing more than my firm belief that two stroke tech is much better
than four stroke tech.

Good luck and enjoy whatever you buy.

Later,

Tom