Chaparral 236 v. Cobalt 222 v. Regal 2200

[UNCJackson]

I am looking to buy my first boat. Something around 23-24 feet total length. Chaparral 236 seems pretty popular; Cobalt seems like "the best"; and I'm not sure where Regal fits in. Has anyone directly compared these boats? Any thoughts are appreciated.

Jax

 

[jevery]

Re: Chaparral 236 v. Cobalt 222 v. Regal 2200

I haven?t compared these boats, so I won?t comment on specifics. Though, I will suggest a few generalities to consider. Look closely at construction materials and methods. Cobalt has provided a lot of specific information on it?s web site related to construction, engineering, materials, and processes. Chaparral?s and Regal?s sites appear to provide a lot less information. The Cobalt is clearly identified as being of all composite materials, (no structural wood). I did not find that information on the other manufacturer?s websites. While structural wood is not necessarily bad and all composite construction is not necessarily good. I personally would take a quality constructed all composite boat over the same quality boat with structural wood. Reason being is that only takes one small flaw in construction or one neglected thru-hull fitting and time before wood waterlogs and rots. With a well-built all composite boat you can rest assured that you will not be replacing a transom or a floor eight or twelve years down the line. I would also strongly consider the boat?s ability to hold it?s value. While I?m not familiar with depreciation rates of Chaparral or Regal, I can?t imagine that they would compare to Cobalt.​

 

[QC]

Re: Chaparral 236 v. Cobalt 222 v. Regal 2200

Chap is getting close, and Regal is decent, but Cobalts are still the top dog "production" boat IMHO.

The 236 SSi is an awesome boat though. I have spent a lot of time with and on a friends Chap. He boats with me almost every trip. His was new in 2006. He literally knows nothing about boats, so I do all his minor repairs and day to day incidents while we are on the water. What I found on Chaps that convinced me that they have not caught Cobalt were exposed scew tips in the bilge and screws that were totally inaccesible. The biggest difference in a good boat and a great boat is the things that cannot be seen in the Cockpit. The only "failure" with the Chap was that the molded in swimstep was leaking at the hull deck joint when under water (beached and bow high). This is maybe a good reason to think twice about integral molded in swimsteps. The hull to deck joint shouldn't leak, buuuuuut it is not intended to be underwater either and this will always be an issue if the boat is beached . . . Other than that, which was fixed by the dealer, I love this boat and FWIW I love the look of the step.

I am a closet Cobalt freak. My wife still likes our flashier custom and calls all production boats "Old Man boats". Funny because she is pretty conservative, but that's why I keep my lust in the closet . . . I have a friend with a Cobalt 220 and one with a 252. Everything I have always believed about Cobalts has been confirmed when I have been aboard both. There are simply no flaws. The only issues are personal preference things like placement of seats and stuff, but nothing to do with quality.

I have no direct experience with Regals , but I think they look a little space aged for my taste. Not radical, but not classic looking like the Cobalt and Chap.

Both of these boats perform well too. The Chap has a Volvo 320 5.7, and the Cobalt a 496 375 Merc Bravo 3. Both break 50 MPH and handle big water well.

 

[lkbum]

Re: Chaparral 236 v. Cobalt 222 v. Regal 2200

I currently own a Chaparral, have owned a Sea Ray, but have always longed for the Cobalt brand. They have just been out of my price range for the size boat I wanted (currently own a 280 SSi, 28 foot jumbo bowrider with twin merc 5.0l). A couple of years back I was involved with a Mercuriser market evaluation of their two speed transmission (I spent several hours driving a semi-go fast). I asked the merc rep with me what he thought the best boat was. His job was to punish motor/outdrives combinations several days a week, several hours a day. He said all their test boats (they used virtually every brand) beat themselfs to death in a year or two, with exception of Cobalt that lasted several years. That said, however, given the current environment, I would shop every "high end" brand available including Sea Rays and Four Winns. SHop for the best deal and the best boat to suit your needs. Important to me would be, snap in carpet and a walk through transom, I would not buy a boat without these features. Cobalt also has a tendancy to use dark gel coats. While these look nice, they are harder to fix scrapes and scratches on. I will own white boats, if possible from now on. Make sure and negotiate the 20hr service to be included in your purchase price.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Chaparral 236 v. Cobalt 222 v. Regal 2200

Jax,

You didn't state were you are or how you will be using the boat primarily.

However, all of the brands you mention are well regarded. I think when it is all said and done cost-wise they are probably pretty close. Each of the boats has an approximate MSRP in the $55k-$60k range when equipped with the same powerplant.

There are a few other brands that you may want to consider. I am a big fan of Four Winns. I think they offer a boat very comparable to those mentioned.

Good luck.