Jimmy Buoy
Well-Known Member
- Dec 3, 2008
- 2,465
- Boat Info
- 2003 Cobalt 293
- Engines
- Twin Volvo-Penta 5.0 270hp & DuoProps
Well, I finally acted on something that I contemplated for the last number of years. Decided to put the Amberjack up for sale. They said it would sell within a couple of weeks - right I said. Well it was sold in two weeks... This hot market is just too hard to ignore.
Mixed feelings about it, but there were many factors with the most recent being the loss of my indoor heated storage facility. Not only was it inexpensive, but there are no other options available in my area for any price (other than outdoor storage = winterizing and shrink-wrap for more than I paid for indoor heated).
We were also not utilizing the boat for its capabilities, only stayed on it two nights this year, fewer and fewer hours on the clock each season (also like motorcycle touring during summer months), the clock was ticking for various maintenance items like boat top and upholstery, and each year was more of a struggle to wax and polish the boat to my standards - too much like work.
So, I decided to cash out - downsize - and still have fun on the water.
The market is definitely still crazy and trailerable boats seem to be in even greater demand, but I found a boat that should fit the bill. I am able to rent a pickup to launch in the Spring and haul it come Fall (don't really want to buy a huge pickup) and bring it home to clean it up in my own driveway. It has a very comfortable double helm (tough to find on this size boat) while retaining a port side lounger plus L-shaped seating behind the helm. Great layout. No walk a rounds to the bow of course, but the centre windshield walk through has wide permanent steps and a handy grab rail for easy access. The cabin layout is great with the midship cabin being 4'x7' with generous headroom and a good sized head with Vacuflush. Other features that were surprising was a newer Lewmar windlass with 100' of chain and a hard wired inverter along with a monster deep cell battery. Twin 4.3 EFI's spinning Bravo III dual prop drives moves the boat just fine for us with an easy cruise of 30MPH @ 3400RPM but will top out around 40MPH WOT.
It's not a perfect boat, but I don't mind having a bit of a project to keep me busy either. There's great satisfaction to messing with boats and making them better!
She's not yet named, but thinking about calling her "Sandy Bottom" referring to her Imron Paint colour of course! Also planning on sticking around CSR (it that's ok) even though she's not a SeaRay, but after 14yrs with my Amberjack I might just be able to still offer help to other members.
Mixed feelings about it, but there were many factors with the most recent being the loss of my indoor heated storage facility. Not only was it inexpensive, but there are no other options available in my area for any price (other than outdoor storage = winterizing and shrink-wrap for more than I paid for indoor heated).
We were also not utilizing the boat for its capabilities, only stayed on it two nights this year, fewer and fewer hours on the clock each season (also like motorcycle touring during summer months), the clock was ticking for various maintenance items like boat top and upholstery, and each year was more of a struggle to wax and polish the boat to my standards - too much like work.
So, I decided to cash out - downsize - and still have fun on the water.
The market is definitely still crazy and trailerable boats seem to be in even greater demand, but I found a boat that should fit the bill. I am able to rent a pickup to launch in the Spring and haul it come Fall (don't really want to buy a huge pickup) and bring it home to clean it up in my own driveway. It has a very comfortable double helm (tough to find on this size boat) while retaining a port side lounger plus L-shaped seating behind the helm. Great layout. No walk a rounds to the bow of course, but the centre windshield walk through has wide permanent steps and a handy grab rail for easy access. The cabin layout is great with the midship cabin being 4'x7' with generous headroom and a good sized head with Vacuflush. Other features that were surprising was a newer Lewmar windlass with 100' of chain and a hard wired inverter along with a monster deep cell battery. Twin 4.3 EFI's spinning Bravo III dual prop drives moves the boat just fine for us with an easy cruise of 30MPH @ 3400RPM but will top out around 40MPH WOT.
It's not a perfect boat, but I don't mind having a bit of a project to keep me busy either. There's great satisfaction to messing with boats and making them better!
She's not yet named, but thinking about calling her "Sandy Bottom" referring to her Imron Paint colour of course! Also planning on sticking around CSR (it that's ok) even though she's not a SeaRay, but after 14yrs with my Amberjack I might just be able to still offer help to other members.
