andrew845

Long time lurker and have been searching for a 22-26’ inshore/offshore capable boat for a few months. Finally found a 2016 Robalo R222 that was in my price range and not far from home which is a huge plus. Has a Yamaha 250hp SHO with 320ish hrs on the motor. Boat seems to be in overall good shape but doesn’t look as well cared for as I would have. I’ve owned boats before but in the $10K range for pleasure not for fishing. I also I know I’m not looking at a brand new boat it’ll have some dings.

The good:
- in my price point - boats $39k w a trailer
- content with the hours and motor
- heavier boat for NJ slop, Chesapeake and 1,000 Islands fishing.
- newer style and newer boat in general
- newer electronics
- helm cover in great shape
- t top cover in great shape

The bad:
- needs a trailer (easy fix, 3k) it’s on a trailer but doesn’t look to be the right one and he only has a signed piece of notebook paper from the original owner for it. Had an issue with this before when I tried to register a trailer in NY
- no back jumpseat (Easy, it’s only money and I can have the kids or guests on the 110qt
- no trim tabs (it’s only money lol)
- wet slipped for 4 yrs less winter storage has bottom paint but definitely needs a fresh coat. What will this cost me?
- vinyl is sticky (contacting local Robalo dealer to see if as a 3rd owner I could be warranties as this has become a warranty issue)
- stress cracks located around base of the t top screws. One runs about 12” along the base of the console from the left t top base. found a few others on the boat including one near the aft drains. Is this normal in a boat this age? And should I be concerned?
- big ding above the rub rail in the corner on the transom. Doesn’t look to be a void but also doesn’t look like it was taken care of by either owner. Can this be repaired and should I be concerned with transom rot as Robalo uses wood still?
- is the look of the engine bracket normal for a wet slipped boat? What’s the white crap?
- need zinc (more concerned that it wasn’t maintained then that I need to buy new ones)
- owner “cared” for the boat but not sure services were done while he was in possession.

Need some seasoned input. Worth surveying and having a tech look at it or just walk? Went after another that was very well maintained on the correct trailer at $44k but seller decided to keep it



Battery access, note the rusted fuel filter


Sticky vinyl

Original owner never ordered with the jumpseat

Starboard side


On port side


Engine mount and bracket


Starboard transom hole

noelm

The boat is second hand, not new, if you can't live with the faults, move on to another boat, or buy new.

SaltyDawg86

Everything sounded good until "big ding" and that would worry me. Is the hull wood core? Even if it's not, it could still be an issue. If the seller didn't take care of what, what else did he neglect?

With that said, if you're ok with fixing it and want to use it as a negotiation tool, it may work. Nothing wrong with that boat brand, but it's not for me.

Trust your gut.

brendanm

Looks like whoever owned it gave zero fcks. I'd wait for one that's nicer. It's not hard to keep a 4 year old boat in good condition.

lifestarts@forty

Keep looking

zig10

For me, that is way too little care taken for a 4 year old boat for $39k. $25-$30k and enough to clean it back up, maybe. As noted above, who knows what else wasn't taken care of, particularly in the motor.

Lots of boats out there in that size and price range. No need to get stuck on this one.

oceanluvr30

Plenty of boats on the market, keep looking IMO. Good luck

fireisland1

If you are picky, I could see you dropping $10k to freshen you that boat. I would avoid dark hulls . Looks great now but will be difficult to maintain.

highflier1

My 2 issue
Wet slipped, if you are going to keep it on trailer it will take a lot of work to get it back to trailer shape.
Small end of your size range. 3 foot itis will kick in sooner rather than later. While not as easy to trailer a 25' boat over a 22' makes a pretty big difference especially when the wind kicks up on you.

Brezinup

The biggest concerns for me would be the sticky vinyl and painted steel trailer.
And......did he flush the engine after each use.

Sandpiper John

Keep Looking !

Lauderdale

Absolutely not. That boat is rough. Would never consider 39K or even 30K. That boat was left in the water for an extended period of time . Evident that the previous owner gave zero fux. Rusted fuel water separator is always an indicator of not giving a shit. Most important piece , requires 2 seconds and 20$ to change, yet it hasn’t been done in 4 years. Run

Contractor

There is no way in hell I'd pay $39K for that boat.......or anything remotely close to that.

Paulswagelock

As others mentioned, that is a rough boat for its age. You will forever be trying to bring it back. At that price, walk.

sxracer

Run ..... I love Robalo's. just not that one.

Lorne Greene

A four year old boat should not look that rough. Mine is 16 and looks way better.

lookinforsnook

Boat's name says it all. When the current owner sells it, he will be relieved of this disaster.

Clinker

Snap.

2310 Ranger

No way in hell...walk

Commocean

Agreed, keep looking. Imagine what else is overlooked if they can't even take care of it cosmetically. Run hard and put away wet. Robalo's have a ceramic transom I believe, wood in the rest of the boat, so cracks around the t-top legs could be problematic.

If you're not feeling it 100%, move to the next one.