New Cobalt owner. Finally!!

[rabiddawg]

Hi folks! After selling my Malibu three years ago, the boat itch got the best of me. I went back and forth agonizing for months between another tow boat or bowrider.

Last Friday I got caught up; my wife and I jumped in the truck to go look at boats. I had made up my mind the target was a 08 Malibu LSV 23. Upon seeing the boat my gut just didn’t feel right. 16 hours showing on the clock, prop dinged up but repairable, carpet nappy, upholstery stained beyond what I thought would clean, hull itself was nice.

It looked like a boat with 1600 hard hours. What finally made us choose not to even make an offer was the lack of access to the swim deck and knowing how rough those boats can be on chop.

I’m 53, but still (think) love slalom skiing, wakeboarding and surfing. Thus the lean to the Malibu. However, my kids never really were serious riders trying to constantly get better like myself.

The last year with the Malibu typically was launch, ride to our spot, they drink beer all afternoon I stay sober and drive us home. The lake we frequent now is very rough and I just won’t ride anything in that.

Any way, thru the mask my wife was wearing I could see she was not liking the Malibu. We drive off...

I pull over and look at the next target 4 hours away. 03 262, ~200 hours, ‘12 custom aluminum trailer, immaculate! The owner had posted his phone number;I call and we hit the road.

Owner is 72, wealthy and has more toys he doesn’t use than you can imagine. It’s my belief the wife has told him he can’t buy the new motor coach until he gets rid of some toys. The boat battery-dead. The Roxor battery-dead. He could find his battery charger lol.

So I left a deposit with the plan to pick it up next week. I will bring a new battery with me

So that’s how it happened. Since this is the introduction durum, I will continue with: I’ve been boating since 1976. Dad bought us a Glastron CV16 with 140 mercruiser. Just like the song we ran it for years til the transom was rotten. Then we replaced it and ran it for years more. College, dad sells the boat, I start a family and 2008 I get the itch for a boat so my kids can have the same experience I had. Pick up a 04 Rinker captiva 190 something ran it for 5 seasons the switched to a Malibu sunsetter lx(still love that boat) sold it three years ago. And here I am....

I’m proud to be a Cobalt owner. I was tired of seeing one and being envious of the other guy. No More!

[MnLakeBum]

Great story and welcome to the Cobalt Chat family! I also grew up around boats and got my first Cobalt at age 53 two years ago and will put 120+ hours on it this summer.

[AsLan7]

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

Yes, loved the intro. Some great boats in your past too.

Please post a pic or two. The 262 is one amazing machine with its ride, holeshot for such a big boat, storage, versatility and speed. You’ll get a lot of looks with it’s style too.

How are you going to tow her?

You can get a jump pack and hook it to the jumper posts under the rear seats to lift the engine hatch and check out power accessories.

Again welcome aboard mate!
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[rabiddawg]

The engine hatch was up. It was almost spotless under there.

I have a ‘19 f150 with the 5.0. I know it will be loaded but I bought a 150k mile warranty .

I will make sure the trailer brakes work!

I promise pics as soon as I get it out of his garage. I will have to move his Giant ranger center console fist. Absolutely unreal the toys this guy has.

[rabiddawg]

I do have two questions and I’ve never run or owned a Volvo.

Is there an impeller inside the lower unit?

I noticed two shift levers where I’m accustomed to one. I assume one is direction and the other throttle? If not, what am I looking at.

[akorcovelos]

I do have two questions and I’ve never run or owned a Volvo.

Is there an impeller inside the lower unit?

I noticed two shift levers where I’m accustomed to one. I assume one is direction and the other throttle? If not, what am I looking at.

No impeller in modern drives, it on the engine, and I’m told the Volvo is MUCH easier to change than us Merc folks. If the boat doesn’t have twins it sounds like the owner upgraded to Livorsi style controls, pics would help a lot on that.

If you didn’t know Malibu bought Cobalt, so you may be happy to know you still own a Colibu, Malibalt, whatever.

Welcome aboard, great bunch here!

[kas232ca]

Welcome!! Looking forward to those pictures.

[rabiddawg]

https://imgur.com/user/fixmyridela7

Pics aren’t the best. Let’s see if this even works.

I own a one man bodyshop. Fortunate that I’m good with my hands cause I would starve if forced to use technology much more than I do now.

[AsLan7]

https://imgur.com/user/fixmyridela7

Pics aren’t the best. Let’s see if this even works.

I own a one man bodyshop. Fortunate that I’m good with my hands cause I would starve if forced to use technology much more than I do now.

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Not seeing any Cobalt 262 pics in your link rd.

BTW, you have the more common zero-effort throttle setup for your (most likely) Volvo Penta engine. How is she powered? The smaller lever closer to you is for shifting into forward and reverse. It helps to mark the neutral position with a permanent marker using two lines on the rubber part of the console. Mark one straight line near the forward side of that lever and one straight line near the aft side of that lever while it’s sitting in neutral. That way you’ll quickly be able to see neutral position marked on the rubber while operating your boat.
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The other larger lever with the trim button is the throttle.

We had this setup on our 262 and really liked it. We now have the single throttle-shifter lever on our merc powered 263 and actually miss the two lever setup.

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[Big Block Power]

It sounds like you don't know when the impeller was replaced. So do that before you go anywhere close to the water with it or even start it up for that matter.. It one the frt of the harmonic balancer. 2 bolts that hold a stop retailer in place that should have a rubber block on the end of it. A water hose and 4 tiny brass screws/bolts. Don't over tighten those. There are plenty of utube vids on changing them. Also change all your fluids too and filters.
Congrats.

[rabiddawg]

I am pretty sure the boat hasn’t been used this summer. The owner suggested service before I use it. Part of me wants to drop it in the water for a few hours but part of me says do the maintenance first.

I had an impeller In my Malibu come apart. It’s a pain getting all the pieces out.

The raw water pump set up sounds identical to the Malibu I had.

[rabiddawg]

I don’t know what the problem is with the link. I see the pics. I’m not real savvy with these things but will try to figure it out.

I changed it to public. It may work now.

[AsLan7]

I don’t know what the problem is with the link. I see the pics. I’m not real savvy with these things but will try to figure it out.

I changed it to public. It may work now.

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Your link takes me to a sign in page where nothing shows.

Pics on your mobile device or computer can be uploaded to the forum via the attachments tab.

Click on the Full Editor & Preview radio button if you don't see it.

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Then click on the attachments tab and then add files radio button.

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add.jpg

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Btw, the site coding likes pics taken in landscape mode. For some reason portrait sized pics can show sideways or upside down. You can always screenshot your pic and it will always display correctly after uploading. Or I'll just rotate it for ya'.

Thanks again for the effort....we love pics here!

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[rabiddawg]

Next attempt

[AsLan7]

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You get an A+ rd. Nice job. You are going to love that big block sounding Captain's Call on start up too.

Is that VP plastic engine cover faded or just dirty?
Steering wheel looks like it was replaced or modified at some point.

Curious what the small square is by your left knee at the helm?

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