Cobalt R5 poor design

[rattlesnake dn60]

More to come soon, see you at the show

[rattlesnake dn60]

It’s true the dealer suggested a few options and put me in touch with a rep who told me they can build the boat anyway they want, the coast guard safety division and the insurance company’s will decide. When Malibu says he met all my demands he didn’t tell you it was going to cost me $20,000, that’s right, a $10,000 hit on the trade with 100hrs on it and $10,000 out of pocket extra for the replacement boat, same options same color. In the dealer defense they did fix the docking light that didn’t work, half the dash lights that didn’t work, the head compartment light that didn’t and they replaced the shifter because the emergency tether cord kept popping out while under way, that’s what I call quality control! This is Cobalt’s design flaw and they should make it right, either give me a replacement boat or buy it back!

[Outdoorsman]

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

It’s true the dealer suggested a few options and put me in touch with a rep who told me they can build the boat anyway they want, the coast guard safety division and the insurance company’s will decide. When Malibu says he met all my demands he didn’t tell you it was going to cost me $20,000, that’s right, a $10,000 hit on the trade with 100hrs on it and $10,000 out of pocket extra for the replacement boat, same options same color. In the dealer defense they did fix the docking light that didn’t work, half the dash lights that didn’t work, the head compartment light that didn’t and they replaced the shifter because the emergency tether cord kept popping out while under way, that’s what I call quality control! This is Cobalt’s design flaw and they should make it right, either give me a replacement boat or buy it back!

This now sounds more like you are throwing a fit because you banged up your new boat. You were not wronged. *Especially by the dealership*

*I do not know anyone involved in this dispute and I do not own a Cobalt.

[livinthedream]

I own an R5 and I can understand the issue. I used to be at Samoset in Gilford and docking that boat in a narrow slip was always a challenge. It was also stated in the condo rules that this is the widest beam allowed so I knew it would be tight. I occasionally caught the bimini on the dock post but learned how to maneuver in and out of this tight spot without hitting.
To call this a "major design flaw" is a little aggressive. To expect a dealer to grant a full refund or a new boat because it doesn't fit in your spot is ludicrous. The buyer knew the spot was tight for such a wide beam.
New model years learn from previous model years and it seems the new model year has addressed this issue according to Descant. I'm sure there are many things on the newer models that are better than the previous year. It would be great to trade up every year without cost.
With sincere respect to rattlesnake, I think you need a bigger slip or a smaller boat.

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

It’s true the dealer suggested a few options and put me in touch with a rep who told me they can build the boat anyway they want, the coast guard safety division and the insurance company’s will decide. When Malibu says he met all my demands he didn’t tell you it was going to cost me $20,000, that’s right, a $10,000 hit on the trade with 100hrs on it and $10,000 out of pocket extra for the replacement boat, same options same color. In the dealer defense they did fix the docking light that didn’t work, half the dash lights that didn’t work, the head compartment light that didn’t and they replaced the shifter because the emergency tether cord kept popping out while under way, that’s what I call quality control! This is Cobalt’s design flaw and they should make it right, either give me a replacement boat or buy it back!

If you put 100hrs on the boat you can't be inconvenienced that much. That's a fair amount of time on the water for a boat you just purchased recently. A boat depreciates after the first splash. I don't know what you paid for the boat, but dare say that the $10k hit is probably under 10% of what you paid for the boat based on selling prices I see on Boat trader from other dealers. My point being if you are only being dinged 10% or less trading it back in that seems more than fair. As far as the new one costing more in general, new model years usually go up in list price, not down. A 5-10% increase per year is not uncommon.

Many years ago I bought a new Monterey 298SS for $98k from Sheps. The same model (now called the 328SS) years later is $250k+!

As far as the lights being out and needing repair, there is usually punch list items that pop up when buying a new boat. I would point the finger at the dealer for not verifying all this stuff worked at delivery. They should be going through the boat before handing it off.

I don't want to sound rude, but you are dreaming if you think they are going to just hand you a new boat or your money back after you put 100 hours on it, and have banged it off a few docks.

[Riviera]

First, in response to Malibu's concern, I am not in the boating industry, and I do not know the OP. My comments are only from a long time boat owner.

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

the dealer suggested a few options

If the dealer (or Cobalt) offered to solve the bimini conflict via retrofit, the dealer (or Cobalt) has offered a reasonable solution, assuming everything works/looks as it should.

Originally Posted by rattlesnake dn60

When Malibu says he met all my demands he didn’t tell you it was going to cost me $20,000, that’s right, a $10,000 hit on the trade with 100hrs on it and $10,000 out of pocket extra for the replacement boat, same options same color.

You can't reasonably ask for a new boat, or a purchase price refund. IMO, if the dealer offered you a new boat for only $20K, they made a reasonable offer. Heck, that boat depreciated by at least $20K the second you signed the closing docs.

You and the dealer should get on the same page. The dealer and/or Cobalt should FIX the problem. That might mean a bit of retrofit on your new boat, but that is a reasonable solution. A new boat for $20K is also a reasonable solution, even if the expense is not palatable to you.

Asking for a new boat (or a refund), at no cost to you, is over the top. You bought a new boat. New boats are not perfect, and they depreciate quickly. Hopefully, the dealer will fix your boat, and you can enjoy it for many years to come.

I hope this gets resolved to everybody's satisfaction.

[Hillcountry]

The way I look at it, it’s very bad advertising for Cobalt boats.
I can’t side with the dealer as he loses nothing and I feel bad that the OP is “stuck” with very expensive boat that has, in my opinion, an issue it should not have.