Back With Another Possible Cobalt Purchase

[tkinney]

For some reason one of my pictures didn’t upload.

[Roy J]

Travis, I just logged on for the first time in a while and saw your message. I’m glad you bought the boat. Even with a bad engine you got a great deal, and it is worth putting money into it because nothing else is comparable quality. A Ski Nautique is the closest, but your boat will last forever. Engines and interiors are consumables and eventually require replacement, but it’s worth it on the 202CS.

My boat looks identical to yours, but I have the PCM GT40 engine, which is a 5.7 liter Ford. In 27 years of ownership, I have put on a new starter, a new alternator, changed the steering cable, and put on a voltage regulator. I can’t think of anything else significant that I’ve done beyond basic maintenance. I operate under the theory that I run things until they break, except for oil changes, impellers and things like that. I noticed recently that I was not getting full power. So I changed my fuel filter, spark, plugs, and distributor cap for the first time since I bought the boat. I also cleaned the flame arrestor. I think my flame arrestor was clogged and that’s why I wasn’t getting power. My fuel filter looked pristine and so did my spark plugs. My distributor cap was a little bit pitted, and it was a good time to replace it. Now the boat is running like a beast.

Vince at skidim.com is a great resource. He knows inboard boats and is very helpful.

[tkinney]

Figured I would update this thread again just for the sake of it, and in case it helps anyone else out down the road.

We had a nice summer with the boat, took a couple different groups of friends out with it, it ran well, no trouble at all and we had a great time.

I did have a custom cover and a bimini top made for it.

I was not able to get this boat in my garage due to the decline coming down into my garage so we stored it outside unfortunately last summer. I brought it back to Seaside for the winter again outside, but monitored it and made sure the rain didn't pool on the top. I also opened it up after rains to keep any mold from forming. It made it through the winter just fine. But I didn't want to do another season with the boat not in the garage.

I had a plan for getting it in the garage which involved some heavy duty caster (2,000lb rating each) from McMaster Carr. On another site I had some naysayers about how well this was going to work but I proceeded anyway. I had some brackets fabbed up, got them mounted, raised the trailer 2” with some square tubing and new U Bolts and gave it a shot. Still need to paint the prop guard after straightening it Turns out it works a charm!

I knew I needed new trailer tires and wouldn't know the moment I got it in the garage one gave out. They're over 20 years old, I normally replace trailer tires at 5 years old so way way past due!

Time to summerize the boat soon and give it another go. Maybe new interior next year.

Ah, one last thing, I ordered some trailer tire Dollies so I can scoot it around in the garage.

[Titaniumboy]

Nice job! Thanks for the update.

I’m not sure what you mean when you said “raised the trailer 2” with some square tubing and new U Bolts”? Any pics?

[tkinney]

Nice job! Thanks for the update.

I’m not sure what you mean when you said “raised the trailer 2” with some square tubing and new U Bolts”? Any pics?

Think of it just like when people lift pickup trucks by putting a block between the leaf spring and the axle. I realize I could’ve gotten new axles that are straight but this was the least expensive and easiest route.

See the square tubing “block”? It’s just two inch square tubing, I had a bung welded in on the top side and drilled holes on the bottom so I kept the “locators”. Obviously needed longer U-Bolts to accommodate the blocks.

[Titaniumboy]

Good idea on using the square tube to raise the trailer. The raised trailer height still wasn’t enough to get into the garage?

You will have to put the trailer 2” deeper into the water when you launch?

[tkinney]

Good idea on using the square tube to raise the trailer. The raised trailer height still wasn’t enough to get into the garage?

You will have to put the trailer 2” deeper into the water when you launch?

Yes I will have to pull it 2” deeper but that shouldn’t be a problem. And yes I needed the combination of the new wheels on the back and the extra height to get it in the garage. As it is one wheel on one axle momentarily lifts off the ground when going in. But it’s smooth as silk with those heavy duty wheels from McMaster Carr.

They make axle blocks for these trailers but it would’ve been $200/axle! The square tubing was virtually free.

[tkinney]

I thought I would post an update in case anyone is interested in this boat. It has served my family very well for the past 2-3 years and we have received a lot of enjoyment from owning this boat. I have been given quite a few compliments on it and a few people have been very curious about it.

But alas it is time to sell. A ski boat just does not have the amount of room we need in order to take groups of friends out for all day on the water. I would love for this boat to go to someone who appreciates it's uniqueness. It's a bit hard to price something like this so I will be working on this but if anyone is interested my phone number is below.

Eight Hundred and Thirty One - Two Hundred and Eight - Nine Thousand and twelve.

[AsLan7]

We appreciate all the updates Tk. The memories are priceless.