Cobalt 19 ft boat

[cwd60tx]

I have bought a cobalt 19 ft boat here in wisconsin out back of a farmers barn. It dont have a trailer but I have one for it. It has a 235 OMC that I believe to be a 351w ford .This boat has been sitting on a make shift trailer for aprox.20 years. but the boat and teak wood,fancy dash,hull ect.. is in Great shape looks like it just came out of the factory! I believe its between 1979-84 I know the engine probly needs rebuilt but not a problem I was a auto mech for chrysler dealership for 16 yrs. My ? is are Cobalts good boats, wow it looks as good as a Chriscraft. I got this boat damn near for free thanks Chuck by the way its a deep V-Hull I would post pics but dont know how to put them on here

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

I have bought a cobalt 19 ft boat here in wisconsin out back of a farmers barn. It dont have a trailer but I have one for it. It has a 235 OMC that I believe to be a 351w ford .This boat has been sitting on a make shift trailer for aprox.20 years. but the boat and teak wood,fancy dash,hull ect.. is in Great shape looks like it just came out of the factory! I believe its between 1979-84 I know the engine probly needs rebuilt but not a problem I was a auto mech for chrysler dealership for 16 yrs. My ? is are Cobalts good boats, wow it looks as good as a Chriscraft. I got this boat damn near for free thanks Chuck by the way its a deep V-Hull I would post pics but dont know how to put them on here

Cobalts are excellent boats, and are on par with ChrisCrafts. The 351w was a good engine platform that was unfortunately only used for a short period of time. The bad part of your deal is the OMC equipment, since they are no longer in business and has an overly-complicated outdrive design. I would just compression test the engine just like you would for any other engine, and go from there.

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

thank you for the reply! ok OMC went out of business and have a overly complicated out-board design, what would you suggust if the engine is bad? what would you put into it? thanks Chuck

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Well it really just depends on your attachment to the boat. 351w's are plentiful and as easy to replace as anything else. The downside is that if you have problems with the outdrive (OMC stuff), it's not a simple decision. The transom cutout for the OMC's back then was much larger than the Mercruiser equivalent, so you could have to repair/replace the transom (which may need it anyway) in order to swap over to an Alpha I-style unit.

It comes down to a matter of cost vs. benefit. I don't know how much you paid for it, but if it needs a new engine, it'll be about $2-3K if you do a complete rebuild yourself with all new parts. I know, because I just did one for a 351w!

If the outdrive is junk, it will cost way more than the boat is worth to find an outdrive (OMC or Merc) and do the necessary changes. I would get the engine cleaned up/compression & leak down tested; then see where you stand. Cobalts are great, but they are as susceptible to floor/stringer/transom rot as any other boat of the time.

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

I really appreciate your advice and help I will update you if you dont mind.I just hope the out drive is good ! I really dont mind in rebuilding the engine.I have all the equitment in my garage and enjoy rebuilding a engine for myself now that I dont do it for a living!LOL at 50 I am semi retired now so I have all the time in the world.........again thank you sir for your advice Chuck

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Oh by the way I gave a 100.00 for it from a old farmer,I been eye balling it for 2 years as I drove through the country.I finally got the guts enough to stopand ask about it.it is sitting behind a old barn about 1/4 mile off the road so unless your like me that always is looking for old cars and stuff anyone would have messed it. I think thats why it has been there.He said a friend of his 20 years ago stored it there and come by about 17 years ago to get the trailer and never returned.So it became his and hes in his late 70"s and dont give a darn about boats.The title here in Wisconsin was no problem to get.If someone could tell me how to post pics. I could show ya Thanks again

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Well on the outdrive condition I meant more along the lines of operational, which will be tough to determine until you get the engine running. A boat that has been sitting that long is going to have some wear items. The way to post pics is to host them on a site like photobucket.com. You just create a free account, upload your pictures, then copy the url (that photobucket provides under each picture) into the thread reply box.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

If worse comes to worst with the Cobra, you can buy a conversion kit and modern outdrive. Look here.

EDIT: I see your boat may be older than what is covered by the kit I linked. What are the last 2 digits of the HIN? That gives you the year of the boat.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

My friend Dave has a 1984 Cobalt and he loves it.

Don't let people frighten you about the Cobra drive.

Parts are still easy available for them. . I can get any part I might need for my 2 Cobra's

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Thanks so much for all replys!ok one more question. I will find out today what year the boat is.if its year is around 1977-1984 what out drive would it have with the 351w 235 HP? and how would I identify it? thanks all for your help.I am soooo........ new to inboards all I ever had has been outboards.This is all greek to me but I am very excited,because the Cobalt is so beautiful with absolutly no would rot in the stringers or transon,over all the boat in shape from a scale 1-10 I would give it at least a 8,Thats how good of shape its in.not even one scuff mark on the paint

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Thats hard to answer at this time with this time frame 1977-1984. .

It all depends on what they used back then. VP, OMC, Merc ???


JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE KING COBRA !!!.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

That thing is gonna have a OMC Stringer in it which would pretty near the bottom of my "want to own" list. Would be cool to fix up a Cobalt though. One of the few brand names that hold their value a bit better than most others.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

OMC Stringer in it which would pretty near the bottom of my "want to own" list.

Agreed.

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Hi all! just got back from the boat and confirmed it is a 1977 19 ft. Cobalt tha last 2 digits of the I.D. # is 77 and the engine is a 351w OMC. The outdrives model# is 981105. I am just hoping the out drive is going to be good after good cleaning and servicing,I have no problem in rebuilding the engine,I planned on it anyway. Thanks for all your support

 

[NYBo]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Uh oh. Does the drive look like these (note the black rubber gasket where the drive meets the transom)?

 

[spudshaft]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

try to load some pictures. i'd love to see it.

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

NYbo, yes mine does look almost Identical to yours,trying to download ya some pics,hope this works! LOL thanks for everyone"s help! good lord I need it

 

[cwd60tx]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

oh and by the way I am looking on craigslist to get a trailer for it.but I am glad the old farmer did make this make shift trailer to kept it off the ground the last 20 years.LOL I could use my trailer that my larson is on but where would I put it.so the trailers are cheap enough on craigs list anyway

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Well the bad news is it's a Stringer drive. The hull looks nice though and the engine is relatively clean for sitting out for so long. Good luck with it! The teak swim platforms will clean up nicely.

 

[Roadrager50]

Re: Cobalt 19 ft boat

Okay I have a 1977 Thunderbird 190 OMC with the same outdrive. My question is what size do you think it is? I have not pulled the valve covers yet. I know on the early fords the engine size is stamped around the valve studs. I payed 500 dollars for it with a twin axle Roadrunner trailer. The boat is in good shape. I have the factory manuals on order. I am just getting antsie. Can't wait to get it wet.