Any Cobra Experts here?

sly666 · 19 July 2012, 23:58

Hello

After a long 3yr RIB drought, my domestic account manager (wife) has given me permission to get another

I have been talking to a guy selling a Cobra 6m. Its a year 2000 boat, with a 1999 Mercury 115hp 2 stroke (non optimax)
Comes with a ok-ish road trailer, and no tube repairs.
Its supposedly been used once in the last 3 years, and currently buried in his garage covered in dust.

I have seen a few photos and it looks in good shape for what i can see.
The only obvious work required is the rear 3 seater bench needs recovering and the whole boat need a good clean and spruce-up.

I am considering going to look at it this weekend with a pocket full of cash.
What should i lookout for on these Cobra's?
Roughly, what do you thinks its worth?

Its a 5 hour each way drive for me to this boat, so i would like to go armed with as much info as possible.

Cheers yawl.

P.s. On another note. I did read of somewhere on the forum of a place in Poole or Sandbanks who specialised in Cobra upholstery and had the original patterns for the seats, but i cant remember their name. Anyone know?

Pikey Dave · 20 July 2012, 07:09

I'd have though your biggest worry would be the engine & trailer. The boat is pretty inert & if it's been under cover should just need a spruce up as you say, unless it's got rat or mouse damage. I'd check that the engine isn't seized & the compression is equal across the pots. Make sure you have breakdown cover that includes a (biggish) trailer, it sounds like it's a long way away.

Oscarguitar · 20 July 2012, 07:38

Upholstery by Sandbanks Upholstery. Speak to Rob Dickinson, they did a great job for me. Cobra hull is pretty solid and decent hypalon tubes. Check along the top of the transom if you have the steps either side of the engine. They are not the fastest hull and more leisure orientated but when I have been out in the rough stuff I have been very impressed.

mostergr · 20 July 2012, 13:23

Personally, I wouldn't buy a 2-stroke engine at all - they are highly polluting and the fuel economy is awful. Also, I would be very reluctant to buy any outboard that old unless there is absolutely positive proof available that it has been regularly and properly maintained over the years! Like someone else suggested, a compression test is a good way to get an indication of the engine's condition.

willk · 20 July 2012, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by mostergr

Personally, I wouldn't buy a 2-stroke engine at all - they are highly polluting and the fuel economy is awful.

Pikey Dave · 20 July 2012, 15:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Put your popcorn away, I ain't biting. We've had enough strife lately

boristhebold · 20 July 2012, 17:14

Sandbanks upholstery, they are located at urn airport industrial park. Did my seats recently cobra 7.5 . Best to take your seats off and take to them as there are differences between cobras depeNding upon year of manufacture. They will make up a new set. If you want to view my seats before you commit to getting them done then get in touch I'm in Poole.

kerny · 20 July 2012, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Put your popcorn away, I ain't biting. We've had enough strife lately

He's obviously not heard of Etecs.

sly666 · 20 July 2012, 20:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by mostergr

Personally, I wouldn't buy a 2-stroke engine at all - they are highly polluting and the fuel economy is awful. Also, I would be very reluctant to buy any outboard that old unless there is absolutely positive proof available that it has been regularly and properly maintained over the years! Like someone else suggested, a compression test is a good way to get an indication of the engine's condition.

Yes i understand what you are saying. If i had a huge lump of cash i would buy a 4 stroke.
The fact is i am trying to get a big enough boat to fit the family on a limited budget.
I just cant justify the premium for a 4 stroke engine for the amount i will be using it. You have factor in the more frequent and more expensive servicing costs on the 4 strokes too.
I hate not having a boat, but i dont think the boat will get used much. Maybe 10 times a year perhaps, so the fuel economy is not really a factor. So i think god will let me off on the bad emissions side too

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscarguitar

Upholstery by Sandbanks Upholstery. Speak to Rob Dickinson, they did a great job for me. Cobra hull is pretty solid and decent hypalon tubes. Check along the top of the transom if you have the steps either side of the engine. They are not the fastest hull and more leisure orientated but when I have been out in the rough stuff I have been very impressed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Sandbanks upholstery, they are located at urn airport industrial park. Did my seats recently cobra 7.5 . Best to take your seats off and take to them as there are differences between cobras depeNding upon year of manufacture. They will make up a new set. If you want to view my seats before you commit to getting them done then get in touch I'm in Poole.

Thanks chaps. The two front seat and console seat have been recovered recently and look good, so just the back bench seat needs doing. Can you give me an idea on the price i might pay for this work so i can factor it in.

He is asking £4500 for the boat which sound pretty good to me.

Thanks again.

Jizm · 20 July 2012, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly666

He is asking £4500 for the boat which sound pretty good to me.

Thanks again.

sounds ok to me too.

willk · 20 July 2012, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly666

Maybe 10 times a year perhaps, so the fuel economy is not really a factor. So i think god will let me off on the bad emissions side too

...

...He is asking £4500 for the boat which sound pretty good to me..

Second Post, Touchdown, the Crowd goes Wild!

Yip, for sure God (and RIBnet) will love you more if you run a few more miles on the old engine, rather than fire up those mines and ships and factories to punch out a nasty big four stroke to save 5L an hour for 10 trips a year.

At £4500, if the engine has compression and runs, I'm not sure you can go wrong, especially if you are half way handy?

sly666 · 20 July 2012, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Second Post, Touchdown, the Crowd goes Wild!

Yip, for sure God (and RIBnet) will love you more if you run a few more miles on the old engine, rather than fire up those mines and ships and factories to punch out a nasty big four stroke to save 5L an hour for 10 trips a year.

At £4500, if the engine has compression and runs, I'm not sure you can go wrong, especially if you are half way handy?

HeHe!
I did once have a problem with my old boats 2 stroke emissions. I was on the Thames at Henley Regatta and had a rather nasty run-in with a upset canal boat owner who said my engine fumes was disturbing his lunch!

I think somehow i would be happier running a 12 year old 2 stroke than a 12 year old 4 stroke.
Servicing a 2 stroke involves (correct me if i'm wrong) changing the impeller, plugs, gearbox oil, and perhaps fiddling with the carbs.
4 strokes needs the same at more regular intervals plus engine oil and filters and maybe a cambelt, so less forgiving if services are missed.

willk · 20 July 2012, 21:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly666

I was on the Thames at Henley Regatta and had a rather nasty run-in with a upset canal boat owner who said my engine fumes was disturbing his lunch!

LOL - I think I met him in Phyllis Court at a Wedding Breakfast, he said my Guinness fumes were ruining his lamb cutlets

I shouldn't mind him, I didn't...

sly666 · 20 July 2012, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

LOL - I think I met him in Phyllis Court at a Wedding Breakfast, he said my Guinness fumes were ruining his lamb cutlets

I shouldn't mind him, I didn't...

Does Guinness work well as a 2 stoke oil? i never tried it.

willk · 20 July 2012, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly666

Does Guinness work well as a 2 stoke oil? i never tried it.

It certainly lubricates the Internals.

Nos4r2 · 21 July 2012, 09:46

At £4500, are you sure it's REAL?!!

sly666 · 21 July 2012, 11:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

At £4500, are you sure it's REAL?!!

Yes i spoken to the guy a few times. He has invited me to view it.
He says he can show me all the service history and his original receipt. Offered to show me it running etc.
Im very wise to all the scams. If i buy it, i will take it home the same day.

I take it £4500 is good?

Nos4r2 · 21 July 2012, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by sly666

Yes i spoken to the guy a few times. He has invited me to view it.
He says he can show me all the service history and his original receipt. Offered to show me it running etc.
Im very wise to all the scams. If i buy it, i will take it home the same day.

I take it £4500 is good?

Well, unless he's absolutely desperate to sell because his house is going to be repo'd,I'd be going over it with a VERY fine tooth comb to make sure there's no nasty surprises waiting and it's not stolen.