HOPEFULLY, the 4th time is the charm. Techie's barn find

[TechieTechie]

Well, as some of you know, I have been searching for a boat for quite a while. For my first boat, I wanted to keep it from being too spendy, while still being large enough and stable enough to spend the weekend aboard and navigate our often sporty water here on the NE Coast.

Over the past 2 years, I've religiously scanned Craig's list, boat forums and boats-for-sale sites, and flown to what seems like every major airport east of the Rockies to look at boats...not to mention putting thousands of miles on my car. I've had 3 separate boats (located in 3 separate states) under contracts, and each one has failed due to a waterlogged hull.

As I may have mentioned on my other boat thread, I first was exposed to Cobalt by climbing aboard a Cobalt Condesa located in St George, NY. I've climbed around pretty much every Cobalt 1980-2000 cabin cruiser model between 23 and 29 feet....The only one that really 'fit' me was the first gen Cobalt 263...due it's standing headroom in the cabin and the aft cabin. Tho I LOVE the full composite builds and designs of the mid 1990+ models.

The problem is, Cobalt only made the 1st gen 263 for 5 years. So it is almost as rare as a Bertram Bahia Mar 25. Up until this spring, I had only seen advertisement for 3 of them. 1 in upstate NY (poorly maintained), 1 in NY (whose owner never returned my calls), and 1 on the other Cobalt forum that sold very quickly.

Until a few months ago.

While I had my previous contender under contract, I received a CL email regarding a 1991 263 in Minneapolis that looked incredibly clean due to it's life living on a trailer in a barn (when not under way). Since I had a boat under contract, I figured I would keep it as an option B. I was crushed when my other boat (a 28 foot custom lobster boat) failed survey. However, I swore that by hook or crook, I would buy a boat this season (particularly since I had a deposit on a slip in Boston Harbor). Since the 263 seemed, from the pictures, to be in such good condition I figured, what do I have to lose? So, I called the owner, and he was very forthcoming about his 20 year ownership history and the state of the boat, which was promising.

And that's when Cobalt Chat came to the rescue. John, our dear forum moderator, was willing to go look at the boat (before I jumped on a plane). He was kind enough to do this, and he deemed it flight-worthy. Luckily, I just so happened to be flying from Boston to California this week...so I planned a long layover on Monday to take a look at the boat. My brand new professional grade moisture meter deemed the hull to be dry as a bone, and the condition of the boat (stainless, upholstery, fiberglass/gelcoat) and trailer were both pretty darn excellent for a 28 boat and 20 year old trailer. So, even tho the Volvo engine has high hours (around 2k) I decided to buy the boat.

So, as long as the boat passes a mechanical inspection (hopefully in about 2 weeks), she will be professionally hauled back to Boston.

Here are a few pics and fingers crossed.

[TechieTechie]

More pics... but the boat comes with a full camper top (you can't really see it in the pic) as well as a bimini top, and a mini-bimini top.

[TechieTechie]

More pics

[TechieTechie]

Even more pics

[TechieTechie]

Because you just can't get enough

[TechieTechie]

The last batch

[NautiGirl]

Good luck! Hope it all works out in your favor! It's time to go boating!

[thunder550]

Nice find! Fingers crossed on a good inspection!

[Ytmsn]

That boat is clean! Nice find!

[AsLan7]

.
Congratulations Tx2. I think this boat will be a better fit for your needs.
Carbs can be a little finicky but you’ll be able to read the boat’s nuances after awhile. Enjoy!

...and thanks again for the pics.

.

[tgrace98]

Looks like it was well kept! Good luck with the transaction

[cmattj]

Nice find! Real shore power and a water heater! Fireboy in the engine compartment is a sign someone ordered her with all the bells!
I’m assuming it has an inverter as well. With the full enclosure you found a great maneuverable and trailerable combo!

Name? Sea monkey? Sea honey? Couldn’t make it out but I’m sure you have plans!

Fingers crossed! Congratulations

[Ytmsn]

Dang, there you go again eagleeye Matt!

Ya know Tx2, if you DO decide to rename her, you have to do the renaming ceremony and ritual to do it right in order to appease the gods of the wind and water.
Otherwise ship can happen. Just sayin...

[TechieTechie]

Thanks all. First off, I cannot say enough about John's willingness to not only scout out the boat, but he got a good feel for the owner, sent loads of pics, and helped me make the decision to buy it.

Is the Fireboy the reason for the big red tube in front of the engine? I figured it was the freshwater cooling system. Guess I have a lot to learn.

Hmm, inverter, that would be AWESOME. How would one find that out?

Name was something Sea-ish. Will definately change it. When I was looking at a Lyman 26 express, I was thinking about naming it Catawba East (I learned to love boating from spending time on my Grandparent's place on Catawba) but it doesn't seem to 'fit' on this boat. The dock is open if anyone wants to offer one up. Barn find is probably not a good fit (lol). Techie's toy? 2nd chance? Freedom? Waiting for retirement? Seas the moment?

[Ytmsn]

Thanks all. First off, I cannot say enough about John's willingness to not only scout out the boat, but he got a good feel for the owner, sent loads of pics, and helped me make the decision to buy it.

Is the Fireboy the reason for the big red tube in front of the engine? I figured it was the freshwater cooling system. Guess I have a lot to learn.

Hmm, inverter, that would be AWESOME. How would one find that out?

Name was something Sea-ish. Will definately change it. When I was looking at a Lyman 26 express, I was thinking about naming it Catawba East (I learned to love boating from spending time on my Grandparent's place on Catawba) but it doesn't seem to 'fit' on this boat. The dock is open if anyone wants to offer one up. Barn find is probably not a good fit (lol). Techie's toy? 2nd chance? Freedom? Waiting for retirement? Seas the moment?

Just be sure to do it right! Here you go..


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