New to me 296

[Paul275]

Looks like you've got everything under control.
Remember there are two seasons: Boating Season, and waiting for Boating Season.

I think everything is under control, . Love that saying, yes waiting for boating season! I have a friend with a 2007 Formula 45 Yacht, his list is an order of magnitude greater than mine, so he'll be busy right up until spring launch.

[Paul275]

The weather has been pretty good so far and have made some minor progress on a few things:

1. Replaced the swim platform locking assembly. Available at the local Cobalt dealer for $229 plus tax. Still a bit of slop, but it works.
2. Got quotes on replacing the Garmin 640 with a 943 XSV. Going to be an interesting install, and will do my best not to tear up much of the existing center of the dashboard. For safety, I want to add a hard mounted VHF, that was also quoted as well as diagnosing the stereo and replacing a few speakers. So - electronics seem under control, but installation will be "fun".
3. Fridge is a rusted mess. Took out the drawer and slides are rusted. Not exactly sure I will replace it. If it works, may just deal with a cranky slide for a year.
3. Using WD-40 and CorrossionX on as many bits and pieces as possible. Cleaning the stainless steel up all over the place.

Long way to go- still a bunch of things to talk to the yard about-
Long list of mechanical work, per a prior post- will update when I talk to the head office. They are busy as can be with getting boats out of the water, winterizing and shrink wrapping.

Once my boat is shrink wrapped, I should be able to get more of the boat. It is hard to fight the bow and canvas covers while she is on the hard.

[Paul275]

Lots happening the last month or so. Here is what was done:
1. Both drives serviced off the boat.
2. Hydraulic hoses (external) replaced. Old ones were frayed.
3. Complete tune up, new plugs and wires
4. Oil changed
5. New water pumps (both on each engine), new thermostats
6. Exhaust gaskets replaced between exhaust manifold and catalysts
7. Engines cleaned up. as much rust removed as possible, new drive belt, pulleys and engines repainted (see before and after photos)
8. New underwater lights installed. One had failed, both replaced
9. Bilge cleaned, but I am going to keep scrubbing it and get it cleaner.

Left to go:
1. Compound and wax, complete exterior and interior detail
2. Bottom and drive paint, mostly touch up.
3. Trying to figure out how to replace the Garmin 640 with a 943XSV
4. Battery testing and possible replacement
5. Waiting for the canvas guy to complete the edging replacement on my interior grass mats and canvas repairs and cleaning.
6. Fridge slide replacement- bought the new slides, just need to install them.

[Big Block Power]

Congrats. Looks so much better.

[Paul275]

Congrats. Looks so much better.

Thanks, I know it is mostly cosmetic, but the rust on the pulleys would chew up the belts in no time. And at least I will see evidence of new leaks more quickly. Plus, I just have a thing for shiny stuff.

[Cctvdc]

Looking good !! I agree with the rust issue not only would it chew the belts up it would drive me crazy every time I look at it. Getting close to putting it in, it’s going to be a great boating season.

[Paul275]

Looking good !! I agree with the rust issue not only would it chew the belts up it would drive me crazy every time I look at it. Getting close to putting it in, it’s going to be a great boating season.

Thanks! I want this boat to be a desired destination for me, family and friends. The rust will drive me crazy too. Under no illusion here, I still have a way to go and hope that she does not present too many problems when I splash her in about a month.

[dustinm]

That rust could also enter the engine via flakes and dust, as its a closed compartment and no air filters on the throttle bodys, so it is good maintenance to get it cleaned up (yes your compartment was not that bad and it is a very long shot). With all new idler bearings and alt it should be quite as a church mouse.. Looks real good too!!

[Paul275]

Great point, dustinm with regards to keeping the compartment clean. I don't want any of that ingested in the engine. Turns out the black dust is rubber from the belts and rusty pulleys making contact. It is also helpful to keep an eye where new leaks, etc will stand out if things are tidy. I keep my cars spotless, my boat will be kept the same way.

[Paul275]

The boat was put in the water about two weeks ago. Had some unexpected issues (of course), a brand new alternator was defective and replaced, and the mechanic said an Oxygen sensor was bad. After replacing all of the sensors, he still said it alarmed and said that my exhaust was shot and could need catalysts. I took the boat today to refuel (boat was on land for a couple of years and fuel could have been stupid stale).
On the ride to my home port, about 9 miles, not issues at all. No alarms, no limp home mode, it ran absolutely fantastic. I am having another mechanic take a look at it and see if there are any codes. Could stale fuel fire off codes? Could a boat with a bad exhaust run as well as it did today?

[MikeBo]

Good luck, very pretty boat!

[Paul275]

Finally got to spend some time on the boat this weekend, with it actually on the water. Absolutely love this boat so far, and the size is just right for us. The ride to home port Saturday was a bit choppy, but did not slow us down. Today was flat and we went for another test ride. Noted 30mph at 3,000 rpm. Half fuel with two people. More importantly, she stays up on plane at around 16 mph, which is important when the water is rough.
Not going to push it until I get the exhaust and catalyst issues either confirmed or debunked. No issues that I can tell from the instruments or performance. Wonderful boat, hoping it stays reasonable to own. Here's a pic at the dock. Was a bit cool, but we had a nice evening.

Cobalt Dusk.jpg

[Paul275]

Brief update- we've been in the water about a month and have been experience issues that mostly could have been avoided if the yard I engaged cared a bit about looking into issues. We've enjoyed the boat, it is absolutely awesome, and fits our needs pretty well. So far, here are my frustrations with the mechanics working on the boat.
1. New alternator installed by the prior owner's yard, before sea trial has failed (so says my current mechanic). Replaced and no issues.
2. Batteries were said to be fine...all three were tested as no good by another mechanic. Replaced and no issues.
3. Oil pressure sending unit was bad from the sea trial, asked my mechanic to replace it, he ignored it. Sensor failed last week and the boat went into Guardian mode, I replaced it with my son and friend. Hard to reach, but simple job.

So the lesson here is do what you can by yourself. Learn the boat and find a technical resources you can trust. The yards just do what is in front of them, and don't really care about all of your issues.

New GPS goes in about two weeks from now.

Hope all you folks are enjoying the start of the new season.

Edit: One last very small but important victory- the light in the head was dead, and my wife was scared to use the head (we don't have a port). It was just a bulb, but it took lots of tinkering to get to the bulb due to the age of the fixture. 8 dollar repair and a small victory and a happy wife for a bathroom she will likely never use.

[jhnmdahl]

Paul,

Nice work on getting your boat back on its feet. The good news is that you'll likely never have this kind of off-season work to do again if you maintain it a bit, so it really is a long-term investment.

When you cleaned up the engines and repainted did you pull them out or touch them up in place?

John

[Paul275]

Paul,

Nice work on getting your boat back on its feet. The good news is that you'll likely never have this kind of off-season work to do again if you maintain it a bit, so it really is a long-term investment.

When you cleaned up the engines and repainted did you pull them out or touch them up in place?

John

John- thanks very much. The engines were painted in place by the yard. They called it a DuPont tune up. That's the paint they use.
You are 100% correct, it is an investment, and well worth the time and money. The prior owners didn't really keep after it, but I bought it for well under it's actual value, leaving me plenty of room to repair, restore and update any deferred maintenance.

Still some bit and pieces to go...but next season should be all the secondary, less expensive issues.
This boat gets so much attention, and everyone loves it.

Cheers!