Help buying 1985 Cobalt

[manykids]

Help buying 1985 Cobalt

I have never owned a boat. I have come accross a 1985 Cobalt 21" BR w/ 850 hrs. I think I can get it for $5,500 or so w/ trailer, top, and cover. I know to check for a soft floor, seats going bad, bad paint, etc. What are other major items of interest? Is it a quality boat (brand or otherwise)? If in good shape, is it worth the money? Other helpful tips?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

What's the Motor,+ Drive,..???..<br />What's the Condition of the same,..???.....<br /><br />Cobalt is a Good Brand,......<br />But,...<br />I think that's Way Too Steep of a price for a 20 year Old boat,.... Especially in November........

 

[Solittle]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

A lot depends on condition as Bondo points out. Make sure that you have a marine mechanic check the engine and outdrive. Work on a 20 year old powerplant can get expensive quick. Also check any maintenance records that the seller has. And take what the seller says with a grain of salt. Often we get posts which go like - - "Well the seller said that all it needed was a tune-up." This is followed by a long and expensive tale of woe.

 

[manykids]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

The ad says a 260hp mercruiser. All I have done is talk to the guy at the marina. Good point on what the owner says as the dealer told me it was ready to go. I have been watching ads on the net for about 8 months. It appears to be in the right price range during the season. I think it could go lower in the winter months.<br /><br />Now a quality question.... as with a car, you can buy a Saturn or a Cadillac. What am I looking at here? Opinions?

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

<br /> I have been watching ads on the net for about 8 months. It appears to be in the right price range during the season. I think it could go lower in the winter months.

You may be right on your price. On this forum you get boat value opinions from all over the world. I have found the value of a boat closely tied to the region. Your experience and research in your local area will be the best indicator of what is a good deal. In my local market I often see older boats at a more expensive price. Good luck.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

A Cobalt is certainly a high end boat, my brother had an early 90s 22 ft. But any boat that uses wood in the floors, stringera and transom can have rot even after as little as 5 years. It all depends on how it was stored. If it had a poor fitting cover there could be lots of rot. Boats that are indoor stored can be in like new condition for years. Be very careful checking out the wood. Plywood can feel ok on the top layer and be rotted underneath.

 

[manykids]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Thanks for the input. I plan to take my brother-in-law along when we go to look at it. He used to sell boats and owned several high-dollar boats when he was younger.

 

[manykids]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

I called a local "shade tree" boat mechanic. He said the price was very good for the boat if it is good condition. He suggested having the engine compression tested, check the floor VERY carefully, and watch the interior condition. So I guess for the local market, I am not that far off. <br /><br />Does anyone have any other pointers? <br /><br />Anybody know of anything special to look out for on mid '80's Cobalt boats?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

I worked at a Cobalt dealership in the late 1980s. I was tall and lanky at the time (still tall, not quite as lanky anymore) and was often called upon to help the riggers run wiring for various accessories, etc. I was struck by the quality of finish in all the spots where you wouldn't normally look. The fit and finish on the Cobalts up under the gunwales, behind the dash, under the seats, etc. was often better than what you could see in other boats!<br /><br />They're built like tanks, too. A cousin launched his 17-footer into a shoreside willow tree a number of years ago and walked away from it. Got a chance to see inside the boat where it hit the tree. Very thick construction. Cobalts are typically a bit heavier than other boats within a category because they're built heavier.<br /><br />It would be hard to find a higher quality boat from that era. If the boat has had even moderate care and maintenance then it's likely to have many years left in it...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[manykids]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Thanks for the vote of support for the brand!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Re: Help buying 1985 Cobalt

Hi ManyKids,<br /> I know Kansas is a big state, but you can't be all that far from the Cobalt factory in Neodesha. Might be helpful if you need parts, information, or just want to see how they're built...<br />- Scott