1980 cobia gulfstream

[logan944t]

A friend of my wife's has recently offered a 22' cobia gulfstream (1980) to us for free. The boat has no trailer, and definately needs a new motor ( v8 --305?) -- the omc drive seems intact. The boat has been out in the weather for a while. The hull and floor seem solid, the teak is worn but intact,and the seats are missing. Im looking at this boat as a good gulf fishing boat and a longish ( 1 yr or so) project.

I have searched online for pics or info on these boats and have found little. Anyone have some links or pics?


One of my concerns is the omc drive. At this point it is 30 + years old and I would imagine parts are hard to come by . Would it be prudent to swap in another type of drive ( alpha, bravo) while I am swapping engines? Would this entail glassing in and then drilling new mounting points?

Im really just trying to get a handle on how big of a project Ive gotten myself into.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Whats your budget? it can be very costly to replace an engine and outdrive plus buy all the other stuff an old boats needs before it can get back on the water.

It won't be a low cost way to go boating.

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

The tenative budget:

Engine -- 2k

Drive 2k

Trailer 1500

"Other stuff" ---1500


This would likely be a boat I would keep for more than a few years. I like the size, the looks and I can modify it the way I want for my needs. I have a bayliner bowrider as well.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

If you really like the boat and plan to keep it then go for it. You'll get plenty of help here. That being said, I would personally prefer to find a hull that had at least 1 thing out of: rot free hull, good motor, and/or good Merc/Volvo drive.

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

So far the hull is rot free. The guy got it from his nieghbor and they both swear the drive is good as well. The SS prop turns by hand. All the brightwork is dirty but not corroded.

I was kinda surprised by the solidness of the hull and floor-- compared to my bayliner. Seems like a much sturdier boat--certainly is a lot heavier.

 

[LX Kid]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Show us some pictures!

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Logan,

Welcome to iboats! The boats sounds like a nice project. One thing to consider is for about 7K what can you buy that is already in good shape and usable now. There are a lot of boats out there for sale. Just a thought. On the other side rehabbing a boat just for the expirence alone is also priceless. So there are pluses and minuses. The 4K for the engine and drive is boarderline if you do it yourself. Way under if you have someone else do it for you.

I agree that replacing the drive makes sense here. I wouldn't even mess with that OMC drive (probably a Stringer). You could spend a great deal of money getting it "right" for it to only leave you hanging in the end. I believe that a new monuting hole and plate will be required. Carefully check the floor, stringers and transom for rot. That alone might make some of your descisions easier. Good luck and have fun. Keep us posted and give us pics.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

If it is a Stringer, keep in mind they have a unique setup so some fab work is going to have to be done to convert it to a Merc.

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

I'll be taking pics this weekend and posting.

I do plan on doing the work myself-- Ive not really worked on civilian boats like these but I did do a lot of fiberglass work in the navy-- I just hope I can remember everything I was taught.

I have had auto mechanics school as well as body school and many car projects over the years. Boats are relatively new to me --but after spending many hours reading on this site....... Im sure I can find whatever I need here -- and I thank everyone for it.

Im still trying to digest that scarab restoration.

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Ill be posting pics later today. I only got to spend about 30 mins looking her over and doing a rough cleaning.


I cant find any rot on the hull or transom -- despite there being standing water in the stern --outboard of the glassed in motor supports. Because of that design there is no way for the water to get to the drain plug. But the hull is solid beneath the water ( about 3"). I cleared the stern drain of some leaves.


I removed the 2 bilge access plates and the bilge was dry and clean.

Along the centerline of the boat there are 2 rectangular plates ( about 2' by 3') with smaller round access plates with about 8 screws holding them on. Im assuming these are the fuel tanks and one of them seems a bit soft when I step on it-- it gives a bit --- unlike the other one. Im assuming that there is a steel tank underneath that plate -- its not part of the structure.


The cuddy part of the boat is clean ( except for a few leaves) and dry. There is a section of material on the overhead that is separated from the structure --but its in good condition otherwise. The hatch seems intact -- and not leaking.

I rubbed some nevr dull on the stainless railings and fitting-- most are somewhat scratched but with just spotty surface rust. I did notice that the ladder on the stern has a fitting that is starting to pull thru the fiberglass-- enough that I didnt want to use the ladder with my weight ( 265pds).

On top of the cuddy I noticed some small ...cracks -- more like the checking or lines you get in paint. These are in the fiberglass-- but not thru. I counted maybe 8 scattered around the boat-- none more than an inch long. I did notice what looked to be an impact mark where the actual fiberglass was dented in-- about a 2 " area-- back on top of the portside corner.

Gauges are a rats nest of splices and hanging wires. The gauge panel itself is just resting on the console and the screws are set aside. I didnt see any hr meter.

The doghouse was not covering the engine and when I went to pick it up and put it in place..... it is one heavy item. About 65 pds. There is rotting wood between the layers of fiberglass-- some missing so I guess the wood is wet and thats why it is so heavy.

Pics soon.

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Here are some pics I took today...

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

A few more....

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Hard to believe its been more than a year. Health and financial issues got in the way of this project but the boat will finally be moved into my driveway by next week.

I have the beginnings of a cradle for it--2x6's crossbraced with 2x4's.


I cant seem to upload pics from my pc....I keep getting an error message.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

My wife and I purchased a Cobia Odessey 197 SCV boat, and now am in the beginning stages of my rebuild/refit. Nice to see another Cobia being saved, hope to see the photos of the cradle for it too. I have to get ours off the trailer, need to work on the trailer as well from what I can see.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Hard to believe its been more than a year. Health and financial issues got in the way of this project but the boat will finally be moved into my driveway by next week.

I have the beginnings of a cradle for it--2x6's crossbraced with 2x4's.


I cant seem to upload pics from my pc....I keep getting an error message.

we are still here logan.......no worries.

you might have to download a different version of something or other from photobucket to make it work

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Hey oops, I have a question, I remember seeing when you are ready to install stringers , that you shouldn't install them directly to the hull, due to the formation of hard spots, what would be the optimum height above the hull and using what material that would last the longest, I saw foam sheeting I believe, this was due to "flex" in the structure, but not sure.....,
Logan, what program are you using? Happy Thanks Giving to All.....

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

:facepalm:

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Welcome logan944t,

Your recent pics are not coming through...

When you post, make sure you "Go Advanced"

Regards,
GT1M

 

[logan944t]

Re: 1980 cobia gulfstream

Lets try this again...



Foam on gas tank that is rock hard.




Forward bulhead that has no wood left at all.