A neglected Cobalt

I was out shopping for a bot for a friend of mine and i stumbled across a 1998 Cobalt 252. I have always loved the cobalts and I stopped to take a look. Wow... this boat was neglected in a bad way. The bilge had standing water in it over 4 inches deep, and the rear stringers had lots of hollow spots. On top of that the right window glass was broken out. I inquired about how much it was, and they said if they fix the windshield it will be around 30K. WHAT????!!!! The sad thing is that some sucker will buy it.

Swim Platform from Swimplatforms.com

As you guys remember, I odered the sim platform about a month and a half ago from swimplatforms.com. They told me that it would be about three weeks until it was finished... However... They switched manufacturing facilities in the middle and that put them almost a week behind. No big deal, as they kept me in the loop the whole time. They shipped on a Friday, and it was at the shipping yard in Dallas by that Monday... HOLY FAST!!!! I could have had let them deliver it, but I was too exited. I drove down and picked it up the day all the Tornados ripped through Dallas, and caused a lot of Damage. My Dad and I installed it the next day, and it was actually pretty easy. You need two people at least to do it, as it is VERY heavy. I am very happy with how it looks, and it really completes this boat. I ordered some hydroturf to cover up the back of the original swim deck area, as I had bolt holes there from the original ladder. Dad and I took it out the other day just for the fun of it, and the platform stays just above the water at all times. Now this add on is very expensive at around $1500.00 shipped, but it is well worth the money if you need the extra space. 

Here is how it looked right out of the Crate




Nice recessed 3 rung swim ladder



The from of the platform goes clear into the outdrive well for stability



Here is a look at the holes that we drilled for the bolts.





Just make sure you follow the instructions about where to drill the holes for your boat.




Here we used the outdrive to hold the platform in place.



Here is the final product







Here is a shot of the Hydroturf




On the lake








Here are the Videos of the full installation

Replacing the gauges

Well, I finally had some time on Friday to replace the gauges on the Sea Ray. I purchased a set on Ebay for 200 bucks, and I really like the look. The original oil gauge and tach were defective, so I decided to replace them all. It took me about 3 hours to complete laying on my back, but it is finished. I am very happy with the outcome.

Here is the before shot

Here is a little issue I iran init. The mounting studs on the new gauges are shorter, so I had to trim the mounting bracket.

 This is my view laying on my back.

 And the after shot.

This was the other problem. The Speedo was missing its bulb (thanks ebay) and I went to Autozone and picked up a blue bulb, but it is the wrong color. The seller is shipping me a new bulb, but I think i like the royal blue better. What do you think?

Recovering the sun pad.

Well... I broke down and paid someone to do something on the boat for me. Last year the Sunpad was getting pretty gross, and needs to be recovered. After doing a lot of research, playing with the sewing machine, and getting really frustrated, I decided to take it to a well known upholstery shop in town. The cost was reasonable, and I know it will be done perfect.

Third and final Video for the Trailer Brakes

Part II of rebuilding the brakes on the trailer

This video goes over replacing the wheel cylinders and installing drum

How to repair and bleed Surge style trailer brakes

Well I finally took the boat out of storage to get some work done before spring. This time it is the trailer brakes. I have had a sneaky suspicion that they have never worked right, and after I tore into it, I we correct. The master cylinder, wheel cylinders, and bearings were all toast. So I replaced it all. That has to be one of the messiest jobs on the face of the earth, but that trailer will almost stop my truck now. It is amazing the amount of control I have towing this thing now. If your trailer brakes are not working, take the time to do this.

Altogether I am out about 200 bucks, and about 4 hours time.

Here is the first video... I will have the other one up tomorrow.

Dallas Boat Show and some new Arrivals

I got my Gauges in the other day. I am much happier with this set, as compared to the other ones. My Brake actuator also came in. Now we can fix the brakes right as soon as the weather warms up.

This past Saturday my family and I went to the Dallas boat show, and just had a blast. I have to say, if you were in the market for a new boat, this is hate place to buy one. The prices were use phenomenal. We saw a 22' Four Winns that was loaded to the hilt, and sticked for almost 70K on Sale for 43K. I almost bought it right there on principle. We spent about 5 hours there going in and out of boats, and wishing it was summer. I did not take many pictures, and I was having too much fun with my kids to do so.

I did get some ideas for my boat :)

Here is the new brake actuator I scored on Ebay for 65 bucks.

An here is a shot of the new Gauges

New Gauges, and a rant!

If you watch my videos you will know that I purchased a set of Gauges for the Sea ray. They were from Great Lakes Skipper and had the Sea Ray logo on them and everything. After I got them I realized I jumped the gun. The Temp Gauge only said low and hi, and I was missing the volt gauge. So I called Great lakes skipper to see about an exchange to another Teleflex set that they carry (they offer a 30 day exchange). This one had everything I needed. So they sent me an RA, and down at the bottom was listed a "restocking fee" on open items. Ummm... all of their items are opened, they sell overstock without boxes. I said WTH, I need the gauges anyway, so I sent them back. About a week later I got an email with my in store credit from them, and low and behold, there was the restocking fee. Here is my beef with that. In the ebay auction there is NO MENTION of a restocking fee, and with ebay you must mention any "hidden" terms. So I called to talk to someone about it. The lady I spoke with said that is their policy, and there not be anything done about it. UUUUUUUGH!! I asked her how can you not state there is a restocking fee in the auction, and then slap it on a customer when they need to exchange an time. She did not have an answer for that, and said that I would need to speak with the shipping manager, but he would need to call me back. Ok.. Fine. So about an hour later I got any email... not a phone call. but and email asking what he could do for me. I just responded back that is he does not have the courtesy to call me back, I will let eBay handle this. That is the last I have heard form them.  I did however order the set of gauges that I need, and they are on their way, but I am still out the hefty restocking fee. I will wait until they get here and then open a case with ebay. I am sure that they will be glad to take a look at this hidden fee case.

So beware when dealing with online people, and make sure they do not charge hidden fees.

Here are the gauges I purchased.

The big outdrive score

Hey guys, I have a little update for you all. I have been looking for a replacement outdrive for the Sea Ray for a while for two reasons. One is the fact that the lower shaft of my Bravo is twisted due to a impact at some point in its life, and second I wanted to see if I could rebuild one. I soon found out that even a decent used drive was bringing close to 1500 bucks. So when I saw a rebuilt bravo one on CL list for $500, I was intrigued. I called the guy expecting him to say it was 1500, not 500, but that was not the case. This guy owns a marine shop on Possum Kingdom Lake, which if anyone heard, most of the lake acreage burned last year. He lost his shop to the fire, and is now working from a trailer on his land trying to make ends meet. When I asked him why he is selling it so cheap, he just told me he needed to make it though the winter, and he found selling in volume works better for him right now. Who am I to argue. He gave me a receipt with the serial number on it, and a six month warranty. I know that probably means nothing, but I asked around that area, and he seams to be very well known, and liked. 

Anyway, I bought it from him and we headed home. On the way back we drove around the nice part of the lake where all the vacation homes were, and the devastation from the fires last year is stunning. There are entire neighborhoods of luxury homes gone, where only the foundation is left. There is a place called "Hells Gate" where some really nice homes were, and there is almost nothing there. My tender hearted daughter started checking back tears as we drove through the devastation. Guys, it looks like a bomb went off. 

So on we go. We got home and I had no time to mess with the drive, but yesterday I build a little pressure tester thanks to the post in the adult only section. She held 9.5 PSI for 20 plus hours. I turned the shaft a few times, and it did not drop a bit. So that checks out fine, and the great oil was not muddy, so I may have just lucked out. 

I do have a big question for you Merc guys. I have read differing opinions on pressure testing a dive. Some say you should vacuum test it also, and others say you only to that on Volvo drives, and Mercruiser will not hold a Vacuum. What is best practice?

Her are some pictures from the trip, and the outdrive

This is my artsy side. I thought this picture tells the story of the dependent relationship a car has with oil.

Almost every tree out there was burned

This once was a high end neighborhood

Add caption

The lakes level is way down

More of the devastation

However, they are rebuilding, and things are starting to get back to normal

I could not resist taking a picture of the boat.

So now some pictures of why I went out there. The new Outdrive

And here is my little pressure tester. I found it in the adult only section. I used a gear oil refill tube from sierra with the metal fitting that attaches to the drive, not the plastic one. I then cut the line in half, added a T fitting and then added the gauge. Once that was done I used a air fill nozzle for a car tire with the fat bulb end cut off. I then added clamps, and viola! 

And some video. I have upgraded to a MAC and Final Cut pro, so let me know what you think about the new videos quality.

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