Hello. NE OH checking in

[xlint89]

Hell all. My name is Kevin and can be found riding Lake Erie. I'm a gear head that works construction to pay the bills. Fell in love with PWC after the first one I ever rode and at the peak of my addiction, I had 6 running Polaris. (Hi Al)

3 years ago i bought my first boat. It's a 1997 Bryant 212 limited. Really nice boat, just a bit too small for the normal 2-3' Lake Erie chop. So... went on the hunt for something a little bigger. ISaw don't want too big as I'm still a very green captain, and don't have a lot of $$$$.

Looking for a bow rider that's good sized with a big engine, I whittled it down to the Cobalt 252 or Baja 252 Islander. Really like the sporty look and speed of the Baja, but ultimately it was the quality, reputation, and engine of the Cobalt that won me over.

There are very few Volvo mechanics in my area, so I eliminated boats based off that alone. Not going to wait long periods of time waiting to get boat into the shop should i need repairs. Summer is too short around here for that. And most Baja Islanders have the 496 MAG engine. (not as plentiful parts, lower power than the H.O. and cheaper cast pistons. Not a good candidate for modification)

After a very long and tiresome ordeal I finally got a 1998 252 with a Mercruiser 502 w/ Bravo 1 outdrive.

Hull is in great condition, the interior needs some help. So I'm a bit embarassed to post pics until it's cleaned up.

----- pics coming soon -----

[AsLan7]

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Hey X89, welcome to the CobaltChat forum.

I just replied to your post in the 262 525EFI thread.

Great to have another Lake Erie boater here!!!!

We had that 502MAG 425 horse engine in a 24 fountain and hit almost 80mph. She's a beast. You're gonna love it.

I'll state it again, any pics of your rig?...even if they are dirty?? We won't judge .....and again, welcome aboard mate!


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[Big Block Power]

Welcome. I don't judge. Ok I do. So post pics or it didn't happen. Welcome to the black brigade!

[cmattj]

Welcome from California.
As A7 said you scored a good combo as that engine has some nice camshaft upgrades ( roller lifter) over a base version.
Looking forward to pics and a performance report

[cmattj]

Welcome. I don't judge. Ok I do. So post pics or it didn't happen. Welcome to the black brigade!

Really . ?
That was the least color used in that era.
I’ll bet white with classic red stripes.

[AsLan7]

Welcome. I don't judge. Ok I do. So post pics or it didn't happen. Welcome to the black brigade!

Really . ?
That was the least color used in that era.
I’ll bet white with classic red stripes.

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+1.

[akorcovelos]

Congrats! Need before pics so we can see the progress! 502 w/B1 will get you 62-65. Does it have captains calls?

[Big Block Power]

Congrats! Need before pics so we can see the progress! 502 w/B1 will get you 62-65. Does it have captains calls?

That's a silly question. It's a Cobalt of course it does!!

[xlint89]

Thanks for the welcome all.

I'll get you some pics soon. The snap out carpet is laid out on the living room floor so it can dry out. The GF just cleaned it yesterday and it's snowing here today.

The rear bench seats are leaning against the sofa right now too.

Picking up the Bryant from the repair shop tomorrow. Bent prop shaft replaced so I can sell it (ugh.... $1400 bill) Then dropping it off at the storage facility where the new toy is. (Not having a name for this one is bothering me) The GF is going to do some magic on the Cobalt while I prep the Bryant for sale.

Yeah, I'm pretty excited about the 502. It's a great engine for upgrading with plenty of performance parts available. Already looking.

Negative on the white with red. Not teal in color either.

Captains call, yes. Kinda wish it was thru hull only though. Longer risers can run higher performance camshafts with less risk of reversion, and 1 less bellow to potentially leak. And that sound. Oooooh, that sweet big block sound.

[Big Block Power]

Sounds black to me. Blue has black in it right?
You couldn't make a insurance claim on it?

[xlint89]

She's dark blue.

Never even considered making an insurance claim.

Had the boat (Bryant) gone over in the spring and he found a slight bend in the prop shaft. At the end of the season, it was bent pretty good. Almost 3/8" .

[Big Block Power]

She's dark blue.

Never even considered making an insurance claim.

Had the boat (Bryant) gone over in the spring and he found a slight bend in the prop shaft. At the end of the season, it was bent pretty good. Almost 3/8" .

Yecks. What's the prop look like. Claim it.

[Ytmsn]

Welcome from Oklahoma! Great intro and looking forward to a Captains report! And it would be really cool to post some before and after pics. Lots of members here with a 252.
Pics or it never happened..

[xlint89]

The GF busted her butt cleaning up the interior. She did pretty good.

[xlint89]

She's dark blue.

Never even considered making an insurance claim.

Had the boat (Bryant) gone over in the spring and he found a slight bend in the prop shaft. At the end of the season, it was bent pretty good. Almost 3/8" .

Yecks. What's the prop look like. Claim it.

Prop was fine. Had many to choose from. Was running a High 5 prop too fast for conditions and boat was coming out of the water. I wasn't backing off the throttle.

So my guess is that's what really tweaked the shaft. Top speed run with a 21' footer in 2' waves was prob not a good idea.

Didn't claim it, just payed up. I now have a really neat paper weight.

With any luck, I'll recoup my loss when I sell the boat. New shaft, new bearings, fresh fluid, done by a reputable shop should be piece of mind for the future owner.

There's not many 21' bow riders in my area that have 7.4L engines with thru hull exhaust, so I don't see any problems selling it.