Pending Cobalt Purchase - Advice On Outdrive Condition?

[gizmo22]

Looking to join the Cobalt family this year but have had some difficulties locating models that tick all the boxes for the family. After putting in a few offers, we've either lost out bids, found the boat pulled from the market, or been outright ghosted.

I've spent my time on freshwater with no more than 20-30 hours out on salt, hence my knowledge of saltwater is very limited.

Now looking outside of our local area into some saltwater boats - found one out east with twin Volvos. Boat has spent seasons in a salt slip from what I understand from the broker. These outdrive photos were provided, and I wasn't sure what to make of them - I'm not clear if this is saltwater damage or some kind of paint that has been applied to the drives. Engines are understood to be full enclosed cooling.

Survey has not yet been completed, but I suppose I'm wondering if anyone here would advise I run away before even bothering with hiring a surveyor.


Can anyone offer advice? Thank you!

[Lockey14s]

its some kind of anti fouling paint. outdrives look immaculate for being salt water

[bruceb58]

They repainted them. They probably looked horrible before they did that but doesn't mean they aren't fine mechanically.

Check the gear oil and look for water intrusion. Of course, if it did have previous water intrusion, they would have likely already changed the gear oil to hide that aspect.

If I was buying them, I would have an inspector pull the drives, inspect the u-joints and gimbal bearing and drain the gear oil and pressure test them.

Out of curiosity, what year is the boat? Reason I ask is that when sealant is put around the transom housing like that, there was often a leak caused by a soft transom. If this boat is made after wood was used in transoms, probably not an issue.

[bruceb58]

If you are not going to be using a boat in salt water, I would get a boat without bottom paint which means it has to be a freshwater boat for the most part.

[gizmo22]

They repainted them. They probably looked horrible before they did that but doesn't mean they aren't fine mechanically.

Check the gear oil and look for water intrusion. Of course, if it did have previous water intrusion, they would have likely already changed the gear oil to hide that aspect.

If I was buying them, I would have an inspector pull the drives, inspect the u-joints and gimbal bearing and drain the gear oil and pressure test them.

Out of curiosity, what year is the boat? Reason I ask is that when sealant is put around the transom housing like that, there was often a leak caused by a soft transom. If this boat is made after wood was used in transoms, probably not an issue.

2011

If you are not going to be using a boat in salt water, I would get a boat without bottom paint which means it has to be a freshwater boat for the most part.

Heaven knows I have tried. Beautiful, local, lift kept, heated storage, freshwater 296 slipped through my fingers after the seller's new boat was delayed until later this year. Pulled from the market .

[Lockey14s]

They repainted them. They probably looked horrible before they did that but doesn't mean they aren't fine mechanically.

Check the gear oil and look for water intrusion. Of course, if it did have previous water intrusion, they would have likely already changed the gear oil to hide that aspect.

If I was buying them, I would have an inspector pull the drives, inspect the u-joints and gimbal bearing and drain the gear oil and pressure test them.

Out of curiosity, what year is the boat? Reason I ask is that when sealant is put around the transom housing like that, there was often a leak caused by a soft transom. If this boat is made after wood was used in transoms, probably not an issue.

I dont think thats sealant, looks like the typical gap they leave between the anti fouling paint and the transom assembly

[bruceb58]

I dont think thats sealant, looks like the typical gap they leave between the anti fouling paint and the transom assembly

I agree.

[Krob1114]

If you are not going to be using a boat in salt water, I would get a boat without bottom paint which means it has to be a freshwater boat for the most part.

+1

[BIGGUSBLOCKUS]

I would run the other way from a saltwater boat, especially a twin I/O, unless I would be using it in saltwater myself.

[Big Block Power]

I would run the other way from a saltwater boat, especially a twin I/O, unless I would be using it in saltwater myself.

Aren't you a little salty today

[Whippled263]

DONT BUY A SALT WATER BOAT!

[stifflkd]

If is truly a fully enclosed cooling system I would enquire whether it is OEM or aftermarket. I am not aware of VP offering a full system. If it is aftermarket you may be doing more harm than good. It is not normally recommended to do a retro fit on a raw water cooled engine that has been running in saltwater because of the of scaling that would have developed over the years.

[kas232ca]

They repainted them. They probably looked horrible before they did that but doesn't mean they aren't fine mechanically.

Check the gear oil and look for water intrusion. Of course, if it did have previous water intrusion, they would have likely already changed the gear oil to hide that aspect.

If I was buying them, I would have an inspector pull the drives, inspect the u-joints and gimbal bearing and drain the gear oil and pressure test them.

Out of curiosity, what year is the boat? Reason I ask is that when sealant is put around the transom housing like that, there was often a leak caused by a soft transom. If this boat is made after wood was used in transoms, probably not an issue.

2011

If you are not going to be using a boat in salt water, I would get a boat without bottom paint which means it has to be a freshwater boat for the most part.

Heaven knows I have tried. Beautiful, local, lift kept, heated storage, freshwater 296 slipped through my fingers after the seller's new boat was delayed until later this year. Pulled from the market .

I think I would wait for that 296. Besides, bottom paint is ugly.

[bruceb58]

I think I would wait for that 296. Besides, bottom paint is ugly.

And depending on who you talk to, it also slows you down. From my own personal experience driving two identical 27' boats in the past(one with and one without bottom paint), bottom paint definitely made a difference.

[Paul275]

Some of us don't have a freshwater choice and we will just repair and maintain the boat from the saltwater issues. Just is what it is. Any lakes are a half a day's drive or too small to bother with. So open water here in metro NY is salty. You play, you pay. Guess no one will ever want my 296 when I decide to upgrade.
To the OP, have it surveyed. My 2013 296 spent it's entire life in salt. Very serviceable, and you will pay a lot less if the deferred maintenance has not been done.