I've been looking here for information over the last few years. I've always been into performance cars and have helped build some nasty street/strip cars. I've also always loved fishing and being on the water. Sooooooo, I took the plunge and found an 88 Cobia Allante 207ES 21ft bow rider on craigslist. It has a fresh 350 and new engine harness. It had all the service and engine build done at a local dry dock, here in Buffalo, NY. It also came witha roller trailer and I couldn't pass it up. I didn't take delivery of it yet, but here's a picture for reference....



My boat is actually black and grey. I plan upgrading the engine with an intake and adding Captains call also. I've already called Corsa and they said I need to use their offset diverters (13097) and 20* tips. I'll post pictures when I get some. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you're planning on moving up in a year or two (which you will once you get the bug), don't put a lot of money in it. Leave the motor stock and save your money for later. You will never get it back when you sell and putting on intakes, exhausts, or whatever else someone convinces you to do to get a few more HP out of a 350 will just be diminishing returns in a boat that was never made to go fast anyway. Trust me... I've been there.

Jonesyfixr
Nice looking boat

I totally agree with chewymalone - this is not based on me doing any "upgrades" just watching and reading the posts from this site. If there is one thing that I would offer - is clean the boat inside and out within an inch of it's life. Every boat that I have seen that got top dollar was one that shows well. Of course you want to make sure that all the parts are working -- but it is amazing how people just use and abuse their stuff.

all the best and safe boating

3pointstar

Thanks guys! I got the boat cheap, so I can afford to put a few bucks into it. The hull does need polishing and the interior detailed, hence the price. I figure a good cleaning and polishing with a decent stereo install and I can enjoy it for a few years then sell it for at least what I paid.

Question.....what Polish should I use to make her gleam?

The best boat advice I ever got "keep it sparkling clean and just enjoy it for what it is, not what you think you can turn it into." I used colonite fleet paste wax last year. It worked good but im also wondering about which wax to try this year.

I may start a thread from heck on these comments but this is what I've done over the years to keep things clean. If you do this once - REALLY GOOD and keep up on it - the overall maintenance isn't that bad and doesn't take a lot of time away from the water.

1. Hull - if it looks like "Iron stains" I've used Iron Out. Another option is the use of the least expense bathroom toilet bowl cleaner - like Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Sometimes you can but this type of stuff in bulk at Lowes - I fill a 2 gallon spray can (plastic) and spray the bottom, outdrive -- anything that may have scale or discolor on it. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse the heck out of it. First start by testing a small portion of your exterior so that you don't screw up the color. Make sure you wear goggles and gloves -- It's nasty stuff. I've seen boats that look like they have been thru World War III come out sparkling Clean-- It is amazing. I nailed my props (stainless) Bravo III last year with toilet bowl cleaner and they look like they came out of the box!

2. The interior - I love Simple Green - in the bilge I use full strength, HOT water and a scrub brush. I disconnect the battery so the bilge won't automatically go on and then fill the bilge with a solution of Simple Green and hot water -- let it sit for a while - and then scrub it out. I've also heard people that fill the bilge - with water and Dawn Detergent soap - go for a day of boating and the sloshing will clean it out - I've haven't tried that because I don't like carrying all the extra weight and I'm a neat freak. The thought of that mess - would drive me crazy.

3. The seat, carpet etc., you may want to look (if you have it) at an owners manual. I know on my Cobalt it recommends Soft-Scrub for the seats-- I haven't used that - I personally think this was a typo- but I have used a dilute Simple Green. I have snap in carpets so I clean them - once a year with my power washer - on low. Let them dry and snap them back in.

4. For oxidation on the hull - I've had luck with the 3M product -- you can get this at almost any Marina or sometimes Wal-Mart has it- it is expensive but It does work well. On the sides I use a sponge buffer - Bought it at Harbor Freight - a cheap one-- and under the boat I have a random orbit sander that I've attached a sponge and do a small portion at a time. Small portion and then rub off with an old towel.

5. The ONLY wax that I ever use is Meguiars Flagship Premium Marine Wax. I know there are others that don't share my opinion - but I have found this to be the best. Again it is a little more expensive. I have used Meguiars exclusively on my cars and won't change to another brand. In fact I use the Meguiars shampoo soap too.

In-between major clean up's -- I've got a squeegee that I take to the sides after a day on the water - and do the final wipe with a fake chamois.

Now -- all of this is my experiences with a Fresh Water boat -- I couldn't even guess what the Salt Water guys do.

All the best

3pointstar

That's guaranteed that you will be putting a few bucks into it.

Congrats enjoy the boat and doing a few mods on it. Your into it inexpensive so no worries if you make mistakes or break things during the learning curve.

I don't plan on breaking things....LOL, but sometimes the powers that be have other ideas!

Another question.....

What should I use on the trailer? It is rusty and needs to be cleaned up. It's an older Shorelander.

Thanks