Should I buy this boat?

[btaylor507]

The ad "18ft. 1987 Cobia boat, cuddy cabin with porta-potty, Chevy motor I/O. Also included is a trailer, water skis, ropes, and life preservers, canvas, radio and VH radio.
$3,200"

I talked to the guy and he said he just put a new motor in it. I dont know much about this make boat and I dont want to be ripped off. Just wanna make sure its a deal and not prone to problems before I hand him the cash. Thanks guys!

PICS http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffryw/1987CobiaPict#

http://watertown.craigslist.org/boa/1163565452.html

 

[ziggy]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

priced low, nice looking boat. advertising it has chevy power. wonder what drive it has. omc would be my guess since they ain't saying nor taking a pic of the stern of it. find out what drive it has.

 

[btaylor507]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

K I will keep you posted. Any other questions I should ask him while I have him on the phone?

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Those pics are from '02. Do they have any that are current? If the pics are actually representative of the true condition of the boat and it checks out well in person - It looks like a great deal.

I would check into the drive as Ziggy mentioned.

 

[btaylor507]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

K I get out of work today around 5 so I'll reply then. Thanks again!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

You may be in luck, I searched 1987 Cobia's and I'm seeing Mercruisers.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

No, you don't really want that boat! I think I should buy it first, and try it for you, then if it's good,,, I'll KEEP IT! just kiddin, good luck, Mike

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Hello to another CNY boater. Those pics make me laugh - 12 pictures that tell you nothing. no interior, no motor, no drive, no close ups.

Go see it. if OMC forget it. Make sure only marine components were used in the swap....

 

[MudSkunk]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

clear title. make sure the guy actually has the title and is willing to take the time to get it transfered correctly at time of purchase and not some time in the distant future. always whether it is a boat house or land vehicle: no clear title no buy.

 

[dontask]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

No----don't buy the boat! Stay away from I/O's.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

No----don't buy the boat! Stay away from I/O's.

I wouldn't put much stock in this quote. He must have had problems in the past. io's are a great drive, some maintence but I for one like them.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

The ad "18ft. 1987 Cobia boat, cuddy cabin with porta-potty, Chevy motor I/O. Also included is a trailer, water skis, ropes, and life preservers, canvas, radio and VH radio.
$3,200"

I talked to the guy and he said he just put a new motor in it. I dont know much about this make boat and I dont want to be ripped off. Just wanna make sure its a deal and not prone to problems before I hand him the cash. Thanks guys!

PICS http://picasaweb.google.com/jeffryw/1987CobiaPict#

http://watertown.craigslist.org/boa/1163565452.html

Cobia's are well made boats, they used to sell them new near me on L.I. I used to go to the showroom to drool! If it's a Chevy engine, that's a real good thing, if it's rebuilt or new, that's even better, but if it's an OMC drive, I'd have 2nd thoughts

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

I wouldn't put much stock in this quote. He must have had problems in the past. io's are a great drive, some maintence but I for one like them.

ditto....My 41 year old merc 120 fires right up....Any motor I/O or OB can be a P.O.C with the proper neglect

 

[dontask]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

I wouldn't put much stock in this quote. He must have had problems in the past. io's are a great drive, some maintence but I for one like them.

Take a look at these responders "personal profile" that tell you to "buy it" and compare mine . I/O's are 3x the maintenance as a quality outboard --period. Double the amount of weight for the same horse power. IO's take up double the amount of room. Much more difficult to access many components for repair or replacement. I/O's boats typically go to the scrap pile sooner than quality outboard boats. Take a look at how many IO's are being donated to charity orginizations because they can't sell them for what they have in them (see EBay to confirm). Learn why most government agencies have chosen outboard power packages over IO's whenever they can make the option. See why Marine Patrol, Coast Guard, Police departments, etc, etc have outboards. Check out Sea Tow which is a private company that rescues other boaters and see that they use outboards. Most of these IO's are GM blocks--- does that tell you something? Also how many times have you heard of IO's having cracked blocks from freezing compared to outboards? Try comparing winterizing an outboard to an IO! How many times have you heard of a bilge explosion on an IO compared to an outboard boat? Check out the salt water corrosion issues with IO's compared to outboards in the engine compartment (not fresh water trailer queens that sit most of the year) . Outboards are not modified car engines. How many outboards have or need power steering (less maintenance, less failures $$). How many outboards need an alternator belt? Notice that IO's by their design make holes below the water line for their outdrive. Ever heard of some one having leaks from their IO set up into the bilge? Notice that the best design self bailing cockpits are from outboard set ups. Very important if you boat in true rough water areas.
Now the responders who tell you to "buy" maybe they can give you their phone number so you can call them in a couple of years and talk to them about their great suggestion. Go on this forum and do research, see where and what type of power plant owners have the worst stories.

 

[dbkerley]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

I've got both and agree with you on most points. However, I like my I/O better than my OB because it is quieter, smoother, more fuel efficient, less finicky when starting, and did I mention quieter.

My 135 OB burns 14gph at WOT. My 165 I/O couldn't use that much fuel towing the other boat. Funny, I haven't noticed a huge increase in the number of OBs used on tugboats.

The reason our guys have specced OBs on their police/ranger boats is because they can trash one pretty quick and it is alot easier and sometimes cheaper to swap out an OB than an I/O. I don't think it is fair to compare the way they use their boats with the way most everyone on here uses one.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Learn why most government agencies have chosen outboard power packages over IO's whenever they can make the option.

The day we look to what the federal government does as an example of "the best way to do it" will be a sad day.

I'd look at what intelligent people that spend THEIR OWN money when they buy a boat and see what they have to say far sooner than agencies that spend OTHER people's money.

My $.02

 

[dontask]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

The day we look to what the federal government does as an example of "the best way to do it" will be a sad day.

I'd look at what intelligent people that spend THEIR OWN money when they buy a boat and see what they have to say far sooner than agencies that spend OTHER people's money.

My $.02

Please respond to why Sea Tow (private company) uses outboards. Want to respond to the other advantages I have given? Or show btaylor507 all the advantages IO's have over outboards with facts.
I have owned both and there is no comparison in maintaining, performance, design and reliability.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Please respond to why Sea Tow (private company) uses outboards. Want to respond to the other advantages I have given? Or show btaylor507 all the advantages IO's have over outboards with facts.
I have owned both and there is no comparison in maintaining, performance, design and reliability.

all the vessel assist boats here use i/o. I like them so much I bought a boat with 2 of them.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

I/O vs OB is a matter of opinion. I/O is all I will buy. OB engines are just to ugly for me to look at.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

sorry, I didn't mean for this to become an io vs outboard thread highjack. You should make up your own mind on what suit your needs. I have both, an outboard and an IO. happy with both, but I do like the io for easy repai on the engine if it needs any. (i can do it myself) outboards generally need more education than I have on motors.