Weekending on 263

[akorcovelos]

Not sure about where you boat, but I wouldn’t care to overnight on a boat without a generator by choice when it’s hot/humid out. If you intend to overnight I’d go with the 293. Single screw is fine for inland lakes, have several friends with 28’ singles that manage no problem. Great Lakes or Ocean, no way. Had one too many close calls on my parents 24’ Wellcraft single on Lake Michigan. Only way I’d go back out on big water would be a day trip with Other boats.


And am I the only one that knows the 252 is the greatest hull Cobalt ever made?

[AsLan7]

All, how hard is it to find an early year 2nd generation 263 with the following:

1. Low hours (less than, say 300)
2. Volvo 8.1
3. Arch
4. Extended swim platform
5. Full set of transom/sunpad seat inserts
6. Captain's Area Heat
7. Music controls on the transom
8. Transom Rinse off
9. Captain's call exhaust
10. Original external vinyl in very good condition (very dirty, but not terribly worn)
11. Under 30k

I found a boat like this.

PS....oddly enough, the cabin ceiling fabric is coming loose, the sidepanel fabrics are scrunched up and the carpet is very dirty and separating at the seams. And the porta pottie has seen better days.

But I am interested to understand how rare it is to find a boat that has the majority of options installed.

Thanks

.

Hey techieX2

If it has the $10,000 stainless wakeboard arch option with a Merc mag HO or GXI engine plus all those options then it is very rare. Took me three years to find that combo and even then I had to add CC and trim tabs.

If you have a link or pic I can help you in your decision.

.

[TechieTechie]

Hey techieX2

If it has the $10,000 stainless wakeboard arch option with a Merc mag HO or GXI engine plus all those options then it is very rare. Took me three years to find that combo and even then I had to add CC and trim tabs.

If you have a link or pic I can help you in your decision.

.

Techie Squared, I like it

It has the Volvo 8.1, which has 375HP, and the glass arch (not a wakeboard one). It has the Captains Call and Trims already.

I know the cabin is probably too small, but it's a compelling boat.

[Red Stripe]

We do spend weekends on our 263 and we have no problems with it. We do not cook on the boat, usually just sandwiches for lunch and snacks then a restaurant for dinner. The 263 does have a portable butane cook top located under the sink but we have never pulled it out. We do use the built in cooler but it does use alot more ice than our portable cooler. The current plan is to add shore power this spring to run a couple of fans to keep the cabin cool but with the hatch open (ours came with a screen) and the side windows open it does not get too stuffy.

I have been thinking about making filler cushions to make the rear U shaped seating into a sleeping area for our 14 yr old son but I have not been able to come up with anything that works for my situation. It needs to be sturdy enough to sleep / step on but fold up enough to store easily on the boat. Let me know if you come up with anything.

We did have a new cover made last fall and we added a zipper door to make it easier to to get in and out of the boat in the evenings. I do not like to leave the boat uncovered at night even when docked because of the dew we get here in MI. Last summer we would put the stock cover on and leave the transom unsnapped and crawl in and out. In the morning I would look like Ace Ventura in the Rhino scene coming out of the boat

Let me know if you have any questions and good luck on your search. We bought ours last spring and LOVE IT !!

[TechieTechie]

We do spend weekends on our 263 and we have no problems with it. The 263 does have a portable butane cook top located under the sink but we have never pulled it out. We do use the built in cooler but it does use alot more ice than our portable cooler. The current plan is to add shore power this spring to run a couple of fans to keep the cabin cool but with the hatch open (ours came with a screen) and the side windows open it does not get too stuffy.

Red, thank you for the comments. I think the butane stove is missing. but that's an easy replacement. Am I crazy, where is the portable cooler?

Interesting, didn't know about the lack of shore power. Have you researched this mod? I would be interested to know where to store the batteries. I had wondered if you could refashion the legs on the passenger seat to raise it up enough to allow for a small cooler to slide underneath. I was thinking of the exact same mod for the rear bench, sleeping outside (while on the hook) is preferable. A windlass would be nice too.

Its the head that is a real concern, but I also am used to diving, where, well, sometimes you use the ocean like all other marine mammals, shall we say...and use the head for real emergencies. The 273 is an ideal size and layout, but it's way beyond my price range and it has less transom deadrise, which probably equates to a rougher ride on the ocean.

With this particular 263, I just think I could get an incredibly good deal on a very solid boat...at least it would keep the boat jonesing at bay for awhile.

[Red Stripe]

The 263 did not come with a portable cooler, we use an Igloo cooler when we go out on weekends. I usually strap it to the dive platform so it is out of the way.

I have added shore power to my last two boats so I can plug into a 110 volt plug while docked or on the trailer. I usually install a plug or two in the cabin and a plug in the engine bay. I mount fans in both locations to keep the air moving and everything dry while the boat is on the trailer and parked in the shed. This also works great while docked and sleeping on the boat for a night or two.

We do use the head, it is a little awkward to use but we have not had a problem with it. The thing to remember is that the glass door located directly behind the toilet is tinted. You can see out but no one can see in... unless its dark outside and you have the cabin lights on. Even though no one can see in it is still a little unnerving when you drop your shorts and back up to a glass door to use the head

We picked up our 2001 / 8.1 Volvo / 350 hours / Captions Call / Trim Tabs / Cover / Factory bimini and winter cover / filler cushions / trailer all freshly detailed and in beautiful shape for a hair less that $30 if that helps. Our previous boats include a 19 and 22 foot Sea Ray Seville and a 25' Baja Force 250. We love the performance and handling of the Cobalt 263 and the seating / deck layout is perfect for our family and guests.

[TechieTechie]

The 263 did not come with a portable cooler, we use an Igloo cooler when we go out on weekends. We do use the head, it is a little awkward to use but we have not had a problem with it.

The head seems really low to the ground...have you ever had any complaints on 'usability'? Too bad it can't be on a pop up type platform.

[mdadgar]

race cars for fun,

Ooh. What do you race?

I do BMWs in California.

- Mark

[TechieTechie]

race cars for fun,

Ooh. What do you race?

I do BMWs in California.

- Mark

I'm in HPDE school, still on training wheels. BMWCCA of greater Boston. I have a 2005/e46 M3 ZCP that I feel terrible about taking to the track as it has less than 30k miles. But it's fun nonetheless. What do you drive?

[AsLan7]

race cars for fun,

Ooh. What do you race?

I do BMWs in California.

- Mark

I'm in HPDE school, still on training wheels. BMWCCA of greater Boston. I have a 2005/e46 M3 ZCP that I feel terrible about taking to the track as it has less than 30k miles. But it's fun nonetheless. What do you drive?

.

Good talking with you tonight Jen.

Kindred spirits...not only in our boat tastes but also in cars.
Had an E39 M5 which was up there with my top three faves ever owned. Any pics of your E46?


.

[mdadgar]

I'm in HPDE school, still on training wheels. BMWCCA of greater Boston. I have a 2005/e46 M3 ZCP that I feel terrible about taking to the track as it has less than 30k miles. But it's fun nonetheless. What do you drive?

Boston Chapter! Tell Joe Marko I said Hi!

I ran GGC BMW CCA's Driving Events program for most of the 2000s. I'm retired from that now but still run private track days. Sadly, I'm on competitive hiatus until my kids are a bit older.

In the meantime, I drive this:

Ramons Ti.jpg

E36 318ti with S54 drivetrain, full cage, Motons, AIM MXS dash, custom DTM-style rear semi-trailing arms, etc. It's fun.

- Mark

[akorcovelos]

Oh man, I sense a major hijack coming. Regional class champ/high speed autox instructor here.

519E3E29-7B01-4710-A48E-D09256B06AF0.jpeg

May need another thread to nerd out on racing BMWs!

[mdadgar]

You mean there's crossover between fast cars and fast boats? Who knew?

- Mark

[AsLan7]

who knew!.

[Ytmsn]

Wait.. Techie is a gurl? Awesome! Katie, you're not alone!