Jomiddour

Hello,

I'm a longtime lurker on this site and genuinely appreciate all of the helpful intel. I am very much interested in a boat for sale that is 2000 miles away from my home in Atlanta. Is anyone on the board familiar with this boat? I've had numerous conversations with both the seller and the local dealer but not quite comfortable buying site unseen. Any intel is very much appreciated. Seller claims 85mph turning 30 pitch props. Drive shower but no other upgrades to drive. I am thinking at risk?


http://www.boattrader.com/listing/20...-252-102637783

3pointstar

Hi Jomiddour- I going to preface ALL my comments with I'm NOT A MECHANIC but we down own a Cobalt 226 and I've done a fair amount of readying about Cobalt boats, Merc Engines etc.

1. I would check out the Cobalt web site and see if this model was ever offered with a Supercharger- The 502 I know was offered in many boats and from what I gather is a very solid platform/engine. However, adding a blower to it is not something that can be taken lightly unless it was done right. While the add says that it was done at a dealer - who was the dealer? - I know a number of "so called" dealers that I wouldn't let them pump gas in my car let alone add this plumbing to a high performance type engine
2. 300+ hours on an engine is just a number if it was maintained. Unless the seller has got receipts who knows
3. I know the Bravo 3 has hp and speed limitations. I know 600 HP exceeds the maximum Hp that is to be applied. Also from a pure design perspective - the Bravo really maxes out at around 65 mph. We have a 7.4mpi Bravo 3 Thru Hull Exhaust - and we hit a wall at 64 on GPS- with the wind, against it, cold water, cold air. just can't get anything more out of it- now that maybe a function of our hp but from what I've read- it is pretty consistent.
4. I wouldn't hesitate getting another Cobalt - yes they are expensive - ours is a 2000 and I kid you not - I have yet to tighten one screw or bolt that became loose. Everything works and the finish (I do take very good care of it) is almost perfect. We have a little north of 500 hours on it- all fresh water.

I wish you all the best and please let us know the outcome.


3pointstar

Knot 4 Me

Boat is overpriced. I will say the side-mount Whipple install looks very clean. Would be a fun sleeper runabout but NFW that boat runs 85 MPH. Clay Washington on this site had a 22' Crownline with a Whipple'd 502 and it ran in the 70's but also ate the top end out of the Bravo III drive. Another member had a Sea Ray deck boat with a 540 or something along those lines and had problems with cavitation burns on the leading edges of his Bravo III props. Examples of things to consider if you pull the trigger. Don't expect 100's of hours of trouble-free boating with this setup. You will have to be willing to deal with mechanical gremlins, setup issues, and failures down the road.

AllDodge

iTrader: (1)

650HP on a standard B3 is a bit much, the good part is it doesn't weight a lot, so if the throttles are babied the drive will hold for a while. If it had a XR upper this would be a plus.

Dave M

I'd pass on that boat. 39K for a 17 yr. old 25' boat? Do you want to boat or spend your time and money wrenching on it? Lastly, If you want to go FAST, buy a more capable HULL.

Speedracer29

I'd pass just because the boat is in Elephant Butte. I couldn't even look at the ad I was laughing so hard. Who the heck buys something out of Elephant Butte?... "Hey Frank, what's up with the new boat?" "Well Larry, let me tell ya, I got a helluva deal, basically stole it out of Elephant Butte!"
That broker/seller needs to memorize an adjacent zip code... Better to be Elephant Butte adjacent than square in the middle of Elephant Butte.

ICDEDPPL

iTrader: (1)

The Butte Pirates lmao!

CIG3

That boat will be for sale for a long time at that price.

1) Bravo III will not do 85. Probably pushing it at 70's
2) Bravo III will not like that torque so figure a drive rebuild if you buy $3k
3) The gimbal is probably a standard Bravo unit which will need service with that HP, best to put an HP unit on $2K
4) Cable steering at those speeds is down right dangerous. Hydraulic steering upgrade $4k
5) How many hours on the power? How many since Blower upgrade? Figure a rebuild into your budget $10-$15k

So now to put a nice ""Reliable"" package in the water for the season you are looking at:

$38k Boat
$3k drive rebuild
$2k gimbal upgrade
$4k Steering Upgrade
$10-$15 Engine rebuild
-------------------------------
$58k Total Investment to do it right.

If you mind is set on a performance open bow I would consider a 25-27 Baja Islander. Better hull design for speed upgrades. I'm love Cobalt build quality and styling just might not be the right boat if your looking for performance in the 70's.

airjunky

iTrader: (2)

39 k way up there especially if he took a 24 k cobalt and just slapped a whipple on it.
Guy over here has a advantage deck with a properly built roots 496 gen 4 and a imco drive and he isnt getting the 40k he wants for it

f311fr1

Somthing to consider is the elevation above sea level in Elephant Butte. I think it is fairly high and the blower is compensating for the elevation?