Cobaltchat.com

Hi there. I am Richard from Northern VA I recently was able to get a well maintained Cobalt 19BR from 1984! I plan to take this on as a winter project and make it back to beautiful. I think it's a nice looking boat and everything on it works, just need some TLC.

Anyway, my family is hopefully ready for owning a 38 year old boat.

Safe harbor.

Richard


Pics:

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Hey Richard. So glad you found us!

You’re going to make some great memories on her!

I’m curious how she’s powered?

And welcome aboard mate!

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Ahh a woodie! Nice mate, miss my 89 19BR…. Welcome aboard!

Welcome and good luck.
Where will you be boating?

love the boat/ project. thanks for sharing and look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Welcome! There are a few of us with active 80's revival projects underway.

UPDATE

She has a name! The Second Chance. I had some time this week to address the oxidation on the hull and the fiberglass, turned out really nice! I used 3M heavy cut compound with a wool pad. Then a polishing compound from 3M and a foam pad. grey medium. And finally I used Chemical guys Butter Wet Wax with a microfiber cloth by hand. We detailed the inside of the boat and got rid of all the dirt and used Maguaris' vinyl cleaner and restorer on the seats and the back engine cover.

Then it was on to the teak. Not in bad shape but in need of cleaning and brightening. I did what I could, using a brass scrub brush and 3 step Star Brite cleaner/brightener/oil. I got the handrails and some of the interior rub rail, but there is more work to do.

I ordered Vinyl stickers for the Decals on the Stern, I think they look really good, let's see if they last. I got them off Esty of all places! Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome! The boat is powered by a Merc 260, it has less than 100 hours, and a original Alpha One drive.
We plan of keeping the boat in a slip at lake Anna Yacht Club, in louisa Virginia.

I took the boat down to the lake this weekend, put it in the water for a little shakedown run. The boat was great, for about 5 minutes, then the engine temp climbed up to 200, then 220. I shut it off and we got a tow back to marina from a really nice guy in a small fishing boat. The engine was smoking and popping. I got off the water onto the trailer and got it to a mechanic that I had contacted before I even took delivery of the boat. He said the Impeller is trashed and would not pull water in its current condition. So a new impeller is ordered and on its way, should be back in the water in a couple of days.

I plan to pull the back to back seats (not Original Seats) and replace the jump seats with something that is a little more attractive ( they are Foldable seats from Wal-mart I think) Then replace all of the floor covering in the boat. Get rid of the grey carpet, perhaps SeaDeck or some other type of Vinyl flooring (if you have suggestions let's hear it!)

I also want to install pedestal seats on the helm and passenger ( if you have done this, or have suggestions let's get that out there too!)

Thanks everyone, looking forward to contributing to the community.

Richard

Looks good. Let's fix that wheel well on the rear.
I just don't get it when people buy used boats and don't change the impeller before they put the boat in the water for the first time.
This happens all the time. Then you have to go chasing impeller blades through the engine.
Glad your getting it done now though.

Thanks BBP, Yeah I did run the engine with a hose attached, the temp hit 180 and the water started to come out of the back of the drive. So the Thermostat opened, and everything looked like it was working. Also, the seller said he had the boat out the previous weekend before I got it. not sure if this was a line or what, so lesson learned. at least the only thing hurt was my pride a little. Onward!

Richard

ohh yeah, the wheel cover on the trailer is jacked up. Looks like he hit something backing up. It dislodged the connection on the wheel cover, it's on the list....

R3dRyd3r wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 12:48 pm Thanks BBP, Yeah I did run the engine with a hose attached, the temp hit 180 and the water started to come out of the back of the drive. So the Thermostat opened, and everything looked like it was working. Also, the seller said he had the boat out the previous weekend before I got it. not sure if this was a line or what, so lesson learned. at least the only thing hurt was my pride a little. Onward!

Richard

180 sounds high Richard. Was this during your test run on the driveway before the overheat incident
or
after the impeller change? Was this the 160 degree thermostat?

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Nice 19BR! already looks better all cleaned up. I agree on the seats... im not a fan of the cheap back to back replacements. hopefully you can find some originals to swap in.

AsLan7 wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 1:15 pm

R3dRyd3r wrote: Tue Oct 05, 2021 12:48 pm Thanks BBP, Yeah I did run the engine with a hose attached, the temp hit 180 and the water started to come out of the back of the drive. So the Thermostat opened, and everything looked like it was working. Also, the seller said he had the boat out the previous weekend before I got it. not sure if this was a line or what, so lesson learned. at least the only thing hurt was my pride a little. Onward!

Richard

180 sounds high Richard. Was this during your test run on the driveway before the overheat incident
or
after the impeller change? Was this the 160 degree thermostat?

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AsLan7 yes this was in the driveway with the hose attached, 180 is 12 O'Clock on the gauge, and that is when I saw water coming out of the back of the prop. Seemed resonable at the time, and I have no way of knowing what the actual temp was, just what I saw on the temp Gauge. So there is a little bit of guess work on my part. new impeller should be in the drive today or tomorrow, water test this weekend.
Richard

Richard water should instantly exit through either the prop or thru hull exhaust regardless of thermostat position.

Water just bypasses the internals of the block until up to temperature…then the thermostat opens and allows raw water to enter the block to keep it cool as it then exits.

I would think your temperature range would be around 140-160F but I’d have to check the manual.

My question would be if you were getting enough water to the suction port via the garden hose?