Bought a 1998 272, looking for some guidance

[Ryanr]

Hi all,

I’m the proud new owner of a 1998 Cobalt 272. A few things I’m having some issues with that presumably someone else has had in their ownership lifetime.

First, the depth gauge on the boat reads wildly inaccurately. On the trailer it shows 140ft. I read something about a fluid being added to it to fix this?

The cigarette lighter underneath the steering wheel is inoperable, what I’d really like to do is replace that with a USB-C outlet, has anyone done this/had it work well?

The radio antenna motor fires up every time the boats ignition is turned on, which would normally be fine, but that antenna was removed. How can I disconnect that motor so it doesn’t do that any longer?

On the electric swim platform, I saw somewhere there are two switches for it, one at the stern accessible from outside of the boat, and another somewhere in the boat. Any guidance on where, if anywhere, I might find one inside?

Lastly, I’d like to get new flooring in the boat, either teak-style or carpet, but seeing as this is an older boat, I can’t find a company who fabs for it and has the template readily available. The newer boats have a different layout, so they won’t fit right in this boat. Has anyone reordered flooring for a 1995-2000(I believe those are the years)?


Thank you!

[AsLan7]

.
So glad you found us Ryanr


You can get the depth finder working by unscrewing the puck mounted on the bottom of the engine compartment and fill it with winterization fluid. If there’s no fluid it will show erroneous readings due to air between the sounder and water. Search my posts and you’ll find pics.

Welcome aboard mate.
.

[NautiWeasel]

Hi Ryanr. Welcome.
I can't help with most of your questions, but can with the 12v connection to replace the traditional cigarette lighter.
I installed this in our Cobalt a couple of years ago, and liked it so much, I purchased another one to install into my daughters' truck.

[RWM250]

Welcome, Ryan. Have you contacted GatorStep for your flooring? I put this in our '04 250 and its held up well and looks great. If you have a dealer close by, they can create a template for your boat. They also have a DIY template kit they can send you. Good luck and send pics.

[capn272]

Hi Ryanr! I have the same make/model/year boat, and I'm here to help!

First, the depth gauge on the boat reads wildly inaccurately. On the trailer it shows 140ft. I read something about a fluid being added to it to fix this?

Get a garmin and disconnect it. Mine never worked well. Had to replace an outdrive because of it.

The cigarette lighter underneath the steering wheel is inoperable, what I’d really like to do is replace that with a USB-C outlet, has anyone done this/had it work well?

Plenty of replacements for that. I'd keep the 12v receptacle though in case you need to blow something up. I added a couple USB plugs on the dash not far away.

The radio antenna motor fires up every time the boats ignition is turned on, which would normally be fine, but that antenna was removed. How can I disconnect that motor so it doesn’t do that any longer?

Wire cutters! Is it possible you're hearing the fuel pump and not the motor? Mine only made any noise when I turned on the sony head unit it came with.

On the electric swim platform, I saw somewhere there are two switches for it, one at the stern accessible from outside of the boat, and another somewhere in the boat. Any guidance on where, if anywhere, I might find one inside?

There's not another one, at least not on my 1998 272. I say this with pretty good confidence because I had to remove it all to install the swimplatforms deck. [Highly recommended]

Lastly, I’d like to get new flooring in the boat, either teak-style or carpet, but seeing as this is an older boat, I can’t find a company who fabs for it and has the template readily available. The newer boats have a different layout, so they won’t fit right in this boat. Has anyone reordered flooring for a 1995-2000(I believe those are the years)?

I can't help here.. the finance committee hasn't approved such an improvement for ours. For now, we've still got the carpet, and it's still in decent condition.