1989 21br

[YOLO]

Hello All,

Brand new to Cobalt boats.

I have the opportunity to purchase a clean 1989 Cobalt 21br. Looks to be well cared for:

- never wet slipped, covered hoist only
- heated winter storage
- one owner
- Mercruiser 350 V8 / Alpha One
- 560 hours
- Canvas in good shape
- gelcoat very good for age
- floor rock solid

A few questions:

- Will THIS Mercruiser be adequate for family use? Usually a max of 6 on board, frequently fewer.
- Does it handle well?
- Lake George, NY primary use. Can get choppy. Ride quality?
- Price $6,450. NO trailer. Thoughts?
- Any known weaknesses for THIS model?

Quick replies appreciated.

Thanks very much.

- YOLO

[jhnmdahl]

These have held their value surprisingly well, in large part because the hull design is pretty solid. They do handle well and the 350 V8 should be plenty for six people on board. Ride quality is very good for a 21' boat, as the deep v, high freeboard, and reverse chines help keep it relatively stable in rougher water.

No trailer is common - Cobalt never made trailers, and many of us bought other premium-branded customized for Cobalt trailers (e.g. Heritage, Eagle, EZ-Loader) from our dealers with our boats but some didn't. Price seems good for no trailer, but don't cheap out there - this is not a light 21' boat.

I can't speak to specific weaknesses. I know they still used some wood in the 1980s, but not how much and where on specific boats. Hopefully others on here will chime in with their thoughts too. If it hasn't bee abused, should be a lot of fun, and a bargain at that price. Hope it works out!

John

[Big Block Power]

Sounds like a good boat. Yes will be heavy. The Cobalt Factory guys freaky liked there 21 ft hulls. I prefer the 4.3 v6 myself. Or the 130 hp 4 cyl option. Na just kidding that 350 is just fine for that boat. Price seems right as John said. Another 1500 for a used trailer if you need a trailer. It should cut through the waves push good too. Pictures or it didn't Happen.

[AsLan7]

.
Hey YOLO. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

For family boating, I’m a big proponent of electronic fuel injection motors due to their ease of use and turn key starting. Very reliable. No pumping of the throttle or tweaking a temperamental carburetor. The EFI & Multiport injection engines are more fuel efficient and became fairly standard starting around 1994.

My question is....are you determined to purchase pre 1994 with carbureted power?

Again, welcome aboard mate!

.

[akorcovelos]

I have a Mercruiser 260 (5.7 350 of that vintage) in my other boat and it’s dead reliable. Should push that boat to 45-48mph with the right prop and load. Pre-94 Cobalt still used wood decking and transoms so check for soft spots in the floor and poke around the transom and engine mounts. Even the wood Cobalts I’ve never heard much about rot, so if it was cared for as well as you were told I’m sure it’s fine.

[Bfun220]

Agree, that 350 should be solid reliable power and push that boat to mid 40's, maybe a little more.

[YOLO]

Hello,

Thanks for the warm welcome and supportive responses to my questions.

As a youngster and young adult I was introduced to family boating thanks to my great parents. We spent every weekend on the water. In my 30's I owned a fiberglass Chris Craft followed by a couple of fiberglass Centurys. About 5 years ago, with our kids grown and gone, my wife and I sold our last Century.

We are now "semi-retired" with two young grandsons. We want to introduce the boys to the joys of family boating, therefore the interest in the Cobalt 21br.

CLARIFICATION: My introductory post stated the the Cobalt has a 350 V8. I should of said 5.7 lire V8 Mercruiser. Again, THANKS for the welcome.

[Ytmsn]

Welcome from Oklahoma!

I agree with everyone here on a 21 bowrider except for the top end. I'm betting that boat will hit the mid 50s or better in the right conditions, and maybe more.

When we visited the factory that 21' boat seemed to be the favorite of all the old guys that have been there awhile. Our guide said that hull design was one of the fastest hulls ever produced. He told a story of one he tested that hit close to 60! Mid 50s shouldn't be a problem.

[YOLO]

Thanks for your thoughts Ytmsn!

Regarding a boat's top end speed, I can genuinely appreciate that many models now easily do more than 50mph. I smile as I share with you all that in my youth my Dad and I were thrilled
when the family's 1941 17' Chris Craft "speedboat "might hit an estimated 32mph!

[Ytmsn]

So are you going to buy it? If you do just be aware of the rulz. If there are no pictures it never happened!

Also, unless you're into a restoration project, I would tend to lean towards Aslans advice. A fuel I injected motor would be preferred over a carb in most cases, and a newer Cobalt for not much more money wouldn't be hard to find. One of the things we do best is find boats and spend OPM!

[Big Block Power]

Welcome from Oklahoma!

I agree with everyone here on a 21 bowrider except for the top end. I'm betting that boat will hit the mid 50s or better in the right conditions, and maybe more.

When we visited the factory that 21' boat seemed to be the favorite of all the old guys that have been there awhile. Our guide said that hull design was one of the fastest hulls ever produced. He told a story of one he tested that hit close to 60! Mid 50s shouldn't be a problem.

Yea 60 with a 502. I'm putting that 5.7 at 47mph.
Yoyo buy it and let us know already.

[cmattj]

Welcome going forward. It is truly the benchmark of the bowrider from Cobalt as they said.( of course second to the famed 190)

Here’s a teaser our group saw recently,with your pics to follow !

[YOLO]

Good Morning,

The purchase is underway.

Photos to follow in a few days.

Sincere Thanks for the comments and help. I think this is going to be a fine experience. Well suited to our needs and budget.

[Ytmsn]

Congratulations! We look forward to more pics and a performance report!

[YOLO]

Hello,

Forgive my ignorance.

How do I post a photo of our "New to us" boat? I've
Got it on my iPhone. I'm wanting to promptly
Comply with the photo rule.

Thanks.