Input needed from 263 owners

[Kate]

"In this day and age up is down and down is up. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Maddening."

You mean you never self-identified your aerial tanker as an SR-71, then jetted up to 80k feet?

(If I get sent to the principal for this exchange, I'm blaming you.)

[AsLan7]

"In this day and age up is down and down is up. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Maddening."

You mean you never self-identified your aerial tanker as an SR-71, then jetted up to 80k feet?

(If I get sent to the principal for this exchange, I'm blaming you.)

.
I did and unfortunately society didn’t believe me. But don’t worry. With the way things are going they’ll come around.

[jhnmdahl]

Whippled263

I have some stereo items picked out already ($8000 worth of items in my "Dream" shopping cart on crutchfield currently), Audio is one of my life long passions.

Also check out creativeaudio.net - they're great to work with, and have been giving a discount to forum members for the last few years. You can find more info in the Member Discounts and Deals sub-forum.

John

[Krob1114]

To join the off topic:

In the past: if my aunt had balls she'd be my uncle. (Old golfing saying.)

Today: if my aunt identified as my uncle, she'd be my uncle.

[Avg_Guy]

I know it may be difficult because the boat is far away, but having a survey (inspection) of the boat will give you a lot more confidence buying. A knowledgeable boat surveyor (mechanic +) will find problems you don't know to look for or will find. THEN you are equipped to make a proper and fair offer AND will drive her home and put her in the lake with confidence. Last thing you want after coughing up $40K is problems your first time on the water. 800 hours is well used but isn't a ton but due to the age of the boat, stuff happens. FYI, excluding dedicated ski boats, pontoon boats, etc. everyone on the lake compares their boat to a Cobalt. Best of luck!

added: watch this to learn how a Cobalt is different than most boats: https://youtu.be/Do4H7fdMY2U

I agree, with TDD, that 800 hours seems like a lot of hours, and I had the same concern when I bought my first boat last month, a 2005 263. However,I found that the actual hours of use is likely less, and possibly MUCH less. In my example, the hour meter indicates 830 hours but the Mercury diagnostic tool at the dealership indicated 512 hours of engine run time. They informed that the hour meter indicates "key on" time...kind of useless info, in my opinion, but they said that is how most hour meters are connected. Anyway, I have since learned about Mercury's VesselView Mobile...if you have time, get it before you view the 263. It reads basic data including hours, error codes, etc., to give you a good overview of it's history and current status. Check it out!

[Titaniumboy]

I agree about getting the Vesselview Mobile. It’s the first time I have had any insight to engine data.

[majordeason]

Hey everyone! Thanks for all the wonderful information. I will likely be joining the Cobalt family tomorrow, but just not with the 263. I went and looked at the 2012 243 that’s only an hour or so from my house that I shared in an earlier post. It’s in great shape overall. Needs some wax on the exterior, but otherwise In beautiful condition. I think it will be perfect for my family and what we do. I’m excited.

Seriously thanks to everyone on here and I can’t wait to share pictures with you all!

MajorD

[Kate]

md: Congratulations on your new purchase.

[majordeason]

After jumping through a dozen hoops, tomorrow is the big day!

How you you guys and gals feel about a warranty? The dealership offers a warranty that covers the big mechanical items… but it’s salty $5500 for three years, no deductible…
Worth it?

[TwoDuckDad]

I think you made a good decision on a low hour boat that will hopefully serve you well. Insurance = the transfer of risk for a fee. Assuming you had the engine and drive checked out and ran her on the lake for a bit, with the low hours I would bet it won't give you any big problems for 3 years. That, coupled with your assumed preventative maintenance OCD (like me), you will be ahead of problems. Lastly, if the finish is dull, it likely needs to be buffed (cut) with some quality product like 3M Perfect-It Gelcoat Medium Cutting Compound + Wax. If the gelcoat is really chalky (comes off on your hand when you rub it) then go for their heavy cutting version.

[Krob1114]

After jumping through a dozen hoops, tomorrow is the big day!

How you you guys and gals feel about a warranty? The dealership offers a warranty that covers the big mechanical items… but it’s salty $5500 for three years, no deductible…
Worth it?

For $5500, I'd gamble and not get the warranty. In 14 years of owning Volvo Penta, we've never had any repairs.