WTB: Original (aka late 80s to early 90s) Condurre 263

[TechieTechie]

Wow, I am SO glad an actual Cobalt forum has been 'resurrected'.

I am looking for a well maintained, single engine, first generation (late 80s early 90s) Condurre 263. Willing to fly and buy for the right boat. I missed one for sale last year (it sold on that other Cobalt email list) and I am still in the hunt.

Any leads are appreciated.

Thanks

Jen

[AsLan7]

Wow, I am SO glad an actual Cobalt forum has been 'resurrected'.

I am looking for a well maintained, single engine, first generation (late 80s early 90s) Condurre 263. Willing to fly and buy for the right boat. I missed one for sale last year (it sold on that other Cobalt email list) and I am still in the hunt.

Any leads are appreciated.

Thanks

Jen

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Ain’t that the truth techietechie! Great site here.

We will keep an eye out for ya’, Jen....especially this 263 owner.

....and welcome aboard mate!

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[TechieTechie]

Thank you kindly!

Edit: Reason I want the 1st gen is that it has a greater deadrise (needed in the Atlantic), the aft cabin and the open cockpit (though I hate the door and doorframe design for the head and cabin, as well as the tiny galley) . I wish I liked the 2nd gen, there are a LOT more of them for sale

[AsLan7]

That’s kinda funny. This is very similar to what I said about the third generation 263 after mine (2nd gen). Kindred spirits.

[TechieTechie]

I am still looking for this, or a 293 single with a big block!

Thanks

Techie

[Big Block Power]

Sounds good let's find you one. Welcome again.

[cmattj]

Would you consider a Twin 293. They are more common , but hit or miss with a trailer it seems. I’d personally avoid bottom paint but if your mooring in water it may actually suit your need.
Here is a well equipped one
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https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000 ... %20listing
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[cmattj]

This add makes me smile! Who wouldn’t want a water BMW...
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https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000 ... %20listing.
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[TechieTechie]

Thanks all for the welcome. I am dead set on getting a boat before the season kicks in here in NE. I have my eye on an Alan Johnson, but I think the motor may be on its way out, so I want to keep my options open. LOL on the ad, I already have a BMW, don't need a boat impersonator

Thank you for the links, but I am really looking for a single engine freshwater....since it would be an ocean boat (less crap to paint and keep from rusting). There is a single for sale in OK, but it has the dreaded Volvo 7.4 (the water ingestion queen). Would prefer an 8.1 or Mag 496...both to avoid ingestion and to keep the RPMs down. Don't need a twin because it's a rare day in the Atlantic that we can break 30mph without jarring a tooth loose.

[Big Block Power]

The 8.1 has the same injestion issue in some years and some boats. Really a manufacture and riser issue.

https://www.popyachts.com/express-cruis ... 153945/amp

[TechieTechie]

The 8.1 has the same injestion issue in some years and some boats. Really a manufacture and riser issue.

https://www.popyachts.com/express-cruis ... 153945/amp

Thanks. I looked at this last summer, it's a hot mess, not very well maintained IMHO.

The thing I really don't like about the 263 is the head and aft cabin doors. The curvature on the head's wall renders the head almost unusably small, and I struggle to understand why Cobalt put a door on the aft cabin. I honestly like the interior layout of the Formula PC 27 a bit better, but I've seen 2 Formulas with rot, and that was enough for me.

I think I may end up settling on a 293. Slightly bigger, a greater deadrise, a more well laid out cabin, no structural wood, and the same weight as a 263 (similar fuel economy).

Hmm, wasn't aware the 8.1 had the same issues. Will research, thank you.

[Big Block Power]

Yep the riser should be so many inches above the water line. I think it's 14 inches. And some boat manufactures didn't do that. I still come off plane carefully then I would with a 5.7. Also I watch my idling get coming off plane. There plenty of subjects on the interweb about it. It's been awhile since I've read about it.

[Big Block Power]

Here's a 293. I saw your OK 293. Looks good.
https://boats-from-usa.com/cobalt/cobalt-293-38177

[AsLan7]

I am still looking for this, or a 293 single with a big block!

Thanks

Techie

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Use caution if you find an early 1990's Cobalt with the 502 MAG. They did not have the hydraulic cam lifters installed until later generation Mercs just prior to the Y2K craze. Sometimes this became a wear issue that was trouble prone. Our 1994 Fountain never encountered this but a marine survey will be good insurance.

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[Big Block Power]

I am still looking for this, or a 293 single with a big block!

Thanks

Techie

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Use caution if you find an early 1990's Cobalt with the 502 MAG. They did not have the hydraulic cam lifters installed until later generation Mercs just prior to the Y2K craze. Sometimes this became a wear issue that was trouble prone. Our 1994 Fountain never encountered this but a marine survey will be good insurance.

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They had Solid lifters in a 502? Or they didn't have roller lifters? I was still playing with the 4.3 back in the 90s.lol