HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

[jarheadtex]

My father-in-law gave me an '88 or '89 Cobra with a Force 50. He said it might need new coils?? The deck from looking will all need to be replaced. The gelcoat has some oxidation as it has been sitting uncovered for who knows how long. Can someone just point me in the right direction to get started? I have been wanting a fishing boat for quite some time but have too many other toys. If I can do a decent restoration on this one for under a couple grand i would as it is a nice looking boat.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

jarheadtex,
First, welcome to Iboats,
It would be easier to help if we could see what you have,( we like Pic's).
I would suggest that you start with some research ( use the search function ). A lot of restoration threads going on now with deck replacements, stringers and transoms.
The folks here can help you through almost anything.
If your deck is rotten then there is a good chance that your stringers and transom have the same problems. You can take core samples to determine if they need replaced too.
Good luck with your project.
Bob

PS. jarheadtex, sounds like another USMC has joined the club.

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Thank you for the info. So should I skip getting the motor up and running and focus on the deck and hull first??

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Most folks work on the boat first or at the same time. That's really a personal choice.
Are you going to fix the engine yourself?
Bob

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

yes, I would like to do everything myself

 

[ezmobee]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Personally, I'd get the motor running before messing with the boat. With older boats, the motor is almost the entire value of the rig so I'd make sure I was good to go there first.

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Here are some pics of the boat. Can anyone tell me exactly what it is??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

It's exactly what you said it was. An 80's Bayliner Cobra. It's basically the lowest-end Capri with casting decks built on it.

Please resize your pictures to 640x480. You can do this with one click in photobucket.

 

[boatflipper]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

I too would reccomend that you get the motor going unless you have another motor to put on it or if you have the money to get another motor for it. This way-you dont get the boat ready to go but find out the motor is shot and you dont have the money to fix it or buy another one.

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

thanks for the input, I think i will tackle the engine first.

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Okay I decided to tackle the casting decks first. Keep in mind I am not going for a show boat here just want to fish a few(10-15) times a year. Can I use treated wood and not glass it? Can I just tear out the old deck and build it with treated wood. Also, do I need to address the oxidation on the bottom of the hull? I can scrap it with my fingernail.

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

You CAN use pressure treated also known as PT here and not glass it if you want. Just be aware that PT plywood warps like a mofo. I would just forget about PT and buy some bc grade exterior ply thats as straight as you can get it and encase it in fiberglass.

Break it down like this, PT will need to dry for 2 maybe 3 weeks before you can glass it, if you don't fiberglass it it will still be more expensive than BC grade and require coated screws.

BC grade plus enough resin and fiberglass will prob only be slightly more expensive than the PT but last a lot longer. This is just my opinion.

As for the gelcoat you can wet sand gelcoat back to life. If its paint you might just have to repaint.

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Okay, So I can rebuild the deck with BC and after I get it all in place just glass the whole structure?

 

[erikpn]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Glass before you put in in place. You want glass or some form of sealer all around it, top, bottom, and every cut edge, every crack and hole. You will also need to check out the stringers and transom. Depending on how that looks, you may need to "pop the cap", taking the top off the boat.

Force motors are cheap and their simplicity makes them easy to work on. I have one too. If you have a couple grand to spend you could easily buy a replacement for 5-700. I'd do a compression check at least for now, just because I'd be curious. I vastly prefer doing mechanical stuff than fabricating/cleaning/prepping on a boat though, so I'd probably jump into that first but that's just me. Get the clymer manual for the outboard if the compression checks out. Much better than the seloc etc. If it doesn't, I'd probably spend the 5-700 to get another decent running used outboard and part out the one you have.

 

[jarheadtex]

Re: HELP the IGNORANCE 1988 Bayliner Cobra Restore

Thanks for the info erik, I will def take these tips into consideration.