Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise CL LINK ADDED

[Friscoboater]

Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise CL LINK ADDED

I am a boat addict and I am always looking for a project (see my Glastron restore thread) and I came across what might be my next adventure.

So here is what I found. It is a 1989 Cobalt Condurre 202 with a 5.7 Merc. I drove out today to take a look at it and here is what I found.

1. Over all it is in good shape as far as the cosmetics go. Exterior, interior, etc. All very clean
2. It is big enough that I could get inside the ski locker and look at the underside of the deck and there are some soft spots, but the stringers sound really solid. I am not sure if these boats use wood for stringers or foam. Al I know is that they are completely encapsulated.
3. The owner stated that in the huge rain storm we had two months ago (tropical storm Hermine) that the cover cam off and water filled the interior. I then noticed a fresh water line around the lower part of the engine.
4. The engine oil and outdrive oil are clean, and the engine runs great.
5. Al the electronics work great
6. The trailer is awesome

here are my questions.

1. Does anyone know about these boats, and their build quality?
2. The Cap seams to sit on top of the deck giving you a false floor. has anyone done a deck on these models?
3. As long as the electronics all work on the boat should I worry about the engine getting wet?
4. I know this is subjective, but based on this knowledge what would be a fair price for something like this?

Any other input is really appreciated. This looks like a great project.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/2061546927.html

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

You will have to replace the starter if the water submerged it. Once they get dunked they will eventually fail.

Cobalt is a high quality boat but of course how it has been maintained is the biggest worry.

Doesn't look like much of a project. Looks fine right now.

 

[ChampionShip]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

I had a chance to talk with a guy while out on the Bay last summer about his boat which was a Cobalt, he mentioned it was his 4th Cobalt and overall 7th or so boat in 20some years. He said 'once you have a boat that's built as nicely as a Cobalt, there's no going back to a 4 winns'. Take that for what it's worth, but I like the styling of them and notice that if you can find one for sale- they're bringing a pretty penny.

 

[kmarine]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

This is a common problemb for many boaters. the cover comes out the battery goes dead and the automatic bilge pump (if equiped ) fails to keep the engine from getting wet. Question how high is waterline Is it below crankshaft and bellows? If so drive servicing will be necessary to avoid u joint damage. Was the trim pump submirged? Oil in resavore or solenoid damage. how long was the water siting in the hull Check for soft deck&rotton wood

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

I know the deck needs help. And with any boat that is "new" to me I will do a full gimble service. I am just wondering about the stingers in these boats. Does anyone know if they are wood or foam? If I need to do the stringers, the deal is off.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

You haven't mentioned the transom. "Usually" rot is first found in the transom then the deck.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

The transom looks and sounds good. This boat looks to be built alot different than what I have seen. Lots more fiberglass.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

So I have been doing alot or research tonight. It looks like this guy has it over priced for what it is. I have seen anywhere from 5 grand to 7 grand for boats that need nothing. He is asking right in the middle. Which leads me to think I should offer considerably less taking into account the deck.

 

[superpop]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Cobalts are top of the line with regard to build quality. Not wild about the yellow color but other than that it looks great. 6 grand for that boat seems about right to me, considering the manufacturer. I would just call Cobalt, they can tell you about the stringers, I doubt they were using foam core stringers back then though. Probably fully encapsulated wood. If that is the case it may just need a new deck. I would be more concerned with the motor and drive condition. It has been around for 21 years, that is a long time for Detroit steel.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

The engine and drive really do not scare me. I put a new heart in my Glastron last year, and if the drive is dies I can get an SEI unit. The stringers look to be encapsulated, but I need to go back and confirm. The funny thing about the color is that my wife LOVES it! The ONLY reason I am even considering this, is because of her.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

The funny thing about the color is that my wife LOVES it! The ONLY reason I am even considering this, is because of her.

That's reason enough then... very COOL boat!

TII

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

I'm not sure that Cobalt ever used encapsulated foam. I know they had wood stringers, but at some point in the 00's they went to composite stringers and transom, and now interlace kevlar on the stress points in the hull.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

If you look at the picture of the bow area you will see it has a fiberglass deck area. That is sitting over the wood deck that is soft. So I guess I will have to split the deck to fix this one.

I am still wondering what a fair price would be.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

I just talked to Cobalt directly. They were very nice and gave me lots of good info. The guy said he has been with the company for a long time and has never heard of the stringers or transom rotting in one of their boats (something about their build technique). He said the deck is another story, but it should not be that bad due to the fact there is no foam under it (yay!).

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Hey Jay,

Killer boat, I think Cobalt's rule! I hope you can get her!

I'm in fact looking for a Cobalt project boat myself... Love the old late 70's ~ 20-22' with a big-block!

peace bro-

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Ok, so this guy is stuck at $5700.00 on this boat. Suggestions?

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Maybe just look for another one... Boats are easy to come by...

Or lay $5000 cash in front of him....

 

[superpop]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

If you want an old Cobalt, then I would lay down 5Gs but be prepared to go up. 700 bucks in the grans scheme of things is not that much and older boats of this caliber do not pop up all the time, as I am sure you know if you have your eye on boat trader or Craigslist.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

I guess my real question should be, is this a good deal, or should I forget about it? I know I know, opinions are like belly buttons, but I do not have to buy this boat. On the other hand, if it is a good deal and will serve my family well, then I would pop on it.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

Re: Raising the "NEED HELP" Flag. Looking at a boat, and need advise

The engine and drive really do not scare me. I put a new heart in my Glastron last year, and if the drive is dies I can get an SEI unit. The stringers look to be encapsulated, but I need to go back and confirm. The funny thing about the color is that my wife LOVES it! The ONLY reason I am even considering this, is because of her.

You like the boat... Your wife loves the boat... Go for it. But only after taking on the water with the seller. Good luck!!!

Safe and happy boating always!!!