1988 Celebrity 19BR

[tinkman]

Looking at purchasing a 1988 Celebrity bowrider with the 5.7 Mercrusiser. Interior/exterior looks like it's in excellent condition with new impellers 2 yrs ago, which if i recall correctly they should be changed every 2 to 3 years. Owner says it's mechanically sound. He's wanting $6k for it before negotiating. Please give me feedback on this as I have never owned a Celebrity. Im also looking at a 1984 Cobalt 19' bowrider with same engine outdrive setup. It looks like its in excellent condition as well. Look forward to everyone's input.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Where was this boat used?

Celebrity boats always had nice styling. Important part is the Mercruiser 5.7 setup. Bullet proof if cared for.

Older bow riders can have serious structural issues under the floor. The wood stringers and bulk heads could be rotting. You need to know more about boat structures to confirm this.

Also, who is checking out the engine and drive?

Cobalt is far superior coming out of the factory, but that hardly matters if it were left to rot or has a rusted engine.

Need more info... and we love pics.

 

[Mike Zee]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Looking at purchasing a 1988 Celebrity bowrider with the 5.7 Mercrusiser. Interior/exterior looks like it's in excellent condition with new impellers 2 yrs ago, which if i recall correctly they should be changed every 2 to 3 years. Owner says it's mechanically sound. He's wanting $6k for it before negotiating. Please give me feedback on this as I have never owned a Celebrity. Im also looking at a 1984 Cobalt 19' bowrider with same engine outdrive setup. It looks like its in excellent condition as well. Look forward to everyone's input.

I have an 89 Celebrity, it has been a wonderful boat. Just basic maintenance done every year.

 

[tinkman]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Looking at purchasing a 1988 Celebrity bowrider with the 5.7 Mercrusiser. Interior/exterior looks like it's in excellent condition with new impellers 2 yrs ago, which if i recall correctly they should be changed every 2 to 3 years. Owner says it's mechanically sound. He's wanting $6k for it before negotiating. Please give me feedback on this as I have never owned a Celebrity. Im also looking at a 1984 Cobalt 19' bowrider with same engine outdrive setup. It looks like its in excellent condition as well. Look forward to everyone's input.

Here's the pics.

 

[tinkman]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Here's the pics.View attachment 135077View attachment 135078View attachment 135079View attachment 135080View attachment 135081

The first 3 are the 88 Celebrity and the next 2 are the 84 Cobalt.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

If the Cobalt is the original owner: Some Cobalt owners have deep pockets and are able to maintain those well-made boats very well, and even store them covered in a building.

The Cobalt is older and less flashy, but if it has signs of being pampered by someone who could afford the premium they cost, it is worth serious consideration.

We can't touch, feel, smell or jump on the boats. If all things are equal, the newer boat wins. But if the Cobalt shows signs of being pristine and pampered, she just might get the nod.

 

[tinkman]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

If the Cobalt is the original owner: Some Cobalt owners have deep pockets and are able to maintain those well-made boats very well, and even store them covered in a building.

The Cobalt is older and less flashy, but if it has signs of being pampered by someone who could afford the premium they cost, it is worth serious consideration.

We can't touch, feel, smell or jump on the boats. If all things are equal, the newer boat wins. But if the Cobalt shows signs of being pristine and pampered, she just might get the nod.

Thanks for your reply. The Cobalt has the following:
New interior 2005
New EZ Loader trailer 2005
Rebuilt Engine 2006
New Out drive 2007
New ujoints, gimbals, prop, shift cables 2010
Lower Drive rebuilt 2011
New Exhaust manifolds, fuel pump 2011
Custom stereo system with 600w amp

I talked to the father in law of the current owner. The father in law owned the boat for 12 years and sold it to the son in law 5 years ago.
The Cobalt has a couple of guages in gel coat on top section side by the glass. It also has indentions where passengers have been sitting. Other than that it seems very solid. The Celebrity is "flashier" yet smaller interior space. He said the impellers were replaced 2 years ago.
Decisions Decisions... The Celebrity I can buy for $5k the Cobalt for $5700.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Gouges can be fixed.

Cobalt: The original owner (father-in-law) took care of the boat and the son-in-law destroyed it, and someone helped him fix it back up. Reads like a bad sitcom. 600w stereo tells me the final, funny closing segment and how it might go.

Based on that alone, the Cobalt seems scary. No, it actually takes it out of contention.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

600w stereo tells me the final, funny closing segment and how it might go.

Ain't that the truth. Kinda like don't buy a Civic with a fart can muffler on it.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Gouges can be fixed.

Cobalt: The original owner (father-in-law) took care of the boat and the son-in-law destroyed it, and someone helped him fix it back up. Reads like a bad sitcom. 600w stereo tells me the final, funny closing segment and how it might go.

Based on that alone, the Cobalt seems scary. No, it actually takes it out of contention.

I am with Phil and his take of the situation, along with ezmobee. I have been looking this year and I could tell the ones with the loud amped stereos were always less well maintained and cared for. I try not to stereo-type (pun intended!) but when the tunes are the grab then the boat was probably neglected.

 

[Mike Zee]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Thanks for your reply. The Cobalt has the following:
New interior 2005
New EZ Loader trailer 2005
Rebuilt Engine 2006
New Out drive 2007
New ujoints, gimbals, prop, shift cables 2010
Lower Drive rebuilt 2011
New Exhaust manifolds, fuel pump 2011
Custom stereo system with 600w amp

I talked to the father in law of the current owner. The father in law owned the boat for 12 years and sold it to the son in law 5 years ago.
The Cobalt has a couple of guages in gel coat on top section side by the glass. It also has indentions where passengers have been sitting. Other than that it seems very solid. The Celebrity is "flashier" yet smaller interior space. He said the impellers were replaced 2 years ago.
Decisions Decisions... The Celebrity I can buy for $5k the Cobalt for $5700.

Seems like it had a lot of work done, for such a high end boat. I say Celebrity, but only because of my own experiences.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Id say like others go with the Celebrity or something else! I also have a 1986 Celebrity 21' BR with the 350 chevy. Bought it 2 years ago, 1 - owner that used it at Lake Cumberland. I paid $ 5000 for it also. It seamed very over priced ( A 1986) at the time i was looking. Looked at a dozen or so boats. Some good ,some trashed, some needing work all with in a $1000 dollers or so. When i went to look at the Celebirty it was evident that some one took care of it, Maintence, seats, ect. stored indoors all its life. It was a no brainer for me! I mighta paid a few dollers more for an older style boat but i am very pleased with my boat and my family and friends are also. I had to replace a few things along the way since i bought it, like a new dist. becouse the control module took a dump. Thanks to iboats to figure that one out! Just remember that you get what you pay for, not that a name brand would make my choice. Good luck to ya in your quest!

 

[tinkman]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Id say like others go with the Celebrity or something else! I also have a 1986 Celebrity 21' BR with the 350 chevy. Bought it 2 years ago, 1 - owner that used it at Lake Cumberland. I paid $ 5000 for it also. It seamed very over priced ( A 1986) at the time i was looking. Looked at a dozen or so boats. Some good ,some trashed, some needing work all with in a $1000 dollers or so. When i went to look at the Celebirty it was evident that some one took care of it, Maintence, seats, ect. stored indoors all its life. It was a no brainer for me! I mighta paid a few dollers more for an older style boat but i am very pleased with my boat and my family and friends are also. I had to replace a few things along the way since i bought it, like a new dist. becouse the control module took a dump. Thanks to iboats to figure that one out! Just remember that you get what you pay for, not that a name brand would make my choice. Good luck to ya in your quest!

Ok guys we have eliminated the Cobalt thanks to everyones help. But have another one that came to my attention this morning. It's an 89 Webbcraft 19ft. A marina has this one for sale. It looks like its in great condition. Here are some pics.

 

[Mike Zee]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Ok guys we have eliminated the Cobalt thanks to everyones help. But have another one that came to my attention this morning. It's an 89 Webbcraft 19ft. A marina has this one for sale. It looks like its in great condition. Here are some pics.

My question to you is, what are you looking for? We can all give our opinion from what we see in the pictures or our own experiances (Celebrity) but ultimately it's your call. You will find many boats in your price range. I also know when you finally decide, a better one will surface. Mercruiser power, decent trailer with working brakes, no paper thin fiberglass, real stainless fittings, well maintained (You will be able to tell) all this will get you pointed in the right direction.

 

[tinkman]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

My question to you is, what are you looking for? We can all give our opinion from what we see in the pictures or our own experiances (Celebrity) but ultimately it's your call. You will find many boats in your price range. I also know when you finally decide, a better one will surface. Mercruiser power, decent trailer with working brakes, no paper thin fiberglass, real stainless fittings, well maintained (You will be able to tell) all this will get you pointed in the right direction.

UPDATE: I called about the Webbcraft and they said the boat had many issues and was not running. So that's out obviously. So I go to pull the trigger on the Celebrity and it was sold, however, I ended up finding an 89 Cobalt 19BR all original kept inside I talked to the mechanic that did the service on the boat. He said it's a very solid boat. The current owner sent some detailed pics of the boat as well as he told me every little scratch etc.. on the boat. The only thing I didnt like is it doesnt have the teak swim platform which isnt a deal killer. Can anyone tell me how expensive or otherwise it would be to have one installed? I am meeting him this evening to make the purchase as long as it is as described.

 

[Philster]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Depends on what you want. Anywhere from 400 for lesser materials to 1000+ bucks for deep, full-width teak.

(you should be able to install it yourself)

 

[tinkman]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Depends on what you want. Anywhere from 400 for lesser materials to 1000+ bucks for deep, full-width teak.

(you should be able to install it yourself)

That's great. The boat is a steal which leaves me room for the swim platform. I have looked at some boats that have the split teak and the center folds up or down over the outdrive. Also seen some with full platform. Think I want to go teak due to it has alot of teak in the boat even though its more expensive. Thought about used just not sure where to look.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

It's a Cobalt, you have to go teak. Not really an option here

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

Take a gander on Craigslist for a swim platform. Good Luck tonight!

 

[Philster]

Re: 1988 Celebrity 19BR

It's a Cobalt, you have to go teak. Not really an option here

Agreed. New options: http://www.westmarine.com/buy/popular/swim-platform-teak

Or, as mentioned, try to source one from CraigsList, Ebay, etc. Get ready to refinish it, too. Nothing beats bringing a piece of teak to life again.