1979 19BR Resto-Mod

In 2015, I purchased a '79 19BR. I had been in pursuit of this vessel for 7 years. The stars finally aligned and I made it happen.

When I purchased the boat, it was obvious that the upholstery would need some immediate attention. I had a long term plan, that did not include stripping the boat down to the bare hull or any gel coat work.

However, a year and a half into ownership, it became reality. The floor has been redone, transom redone (with composite), and the hull has been painted down to the first chine.

Over the next few weeks I'll post in this thread;pictures of the progress thus far in the first 2 years. You can also search instagram for #1979CobaltRestoration and follow our story that way!

It's been a journey of Blood, Sweat, and many Beers.

We're going to enjoy 'er for the next season or two, then we'll get started on final phases of the build... Enjoy!

 

June 28, 2015. I just found it that I was going to be a Daddy.

What better way to start a family than on the water? I committed to the purchase of this '79.

The engine would run at idle, but would not rev properly, let alone rev under load.

This 19' Cobalt was equipped with a 7.4 EFI Volvo. A good friend and previous owner did the repower I the late 90's. He sold the boat to Jeremy in 2008. Had I know it was for sale in 2008, I would have bought it then.

The 7.4 had been worked on and had many parts replaced, but after I bought it, we determined fuel injectors were the culprit. Injectors replaced, and I was on the water!

Instsgram #1979CobaltRestoration

 

I was just eyeballing yours. Is it complete or still work in progress? I recently passed on an opportunity to purchase a CM23. Timing wasn't right and I am unsure of a mid engine. CS23 is on my shortlist for next build.

 

First order of business... rebuild factory engine hatch; simply for sea trial purposes and an attempt to gain factory measurements. I knew I was going to design a completely different hatch for the rear, but wanted a starting point.

First to remove the lid and frame. You can see the rotted wood was already falling out onto the floor.



Then the destruction of all rotted parts. PS, I had my fill of pulling staples in the first 5 minutes.

 

I have seen pictures of your boat in the past. Must be the previous owner? If I own a CS23 I will repower with 496 Mag or even Blue power if I am find the right deal. My concern with the CM was the driveshaft. You don't think that's a weak link?

 

I have seen it on google image search. Sourced back to a thread in 2015 on mycobalt.net.

 

October 2015: I rebuilt some of the rotted pieces in the motorbox. Again, not for permanent use; but for protection of the engine and measurements for a starting point as I designed a new hatch.

 

There's literally almost no plane time. Drop the throttle and point the nose. Most boats you would run up to 25-30 and then adjust the trim. This boat, I'm on the trim the second I drop the hammer.

 

My original "white" was an ivory color. They had various shades over the years. We did go significantly lighter in shade. The deck is yet to be painted.

This boat was done with gel coat. I would highly advise against automotive paint. Do you have a picture of yours? Might help me give you an opinion.
And thanks! I have a great fiberglass/paint guy.

 

58GPS at 4200 RPM. F6 props. When she was younger she could do 63 at approx 4500-4600 RPM, but not since I have been possession. Even at 58, it takes little time to get there. I'll find a link to a YouTube video of idle to top end.

 

Here you go.

 

This hull loves anything between 40-53 mph. Conditions determine what you can do past that, but it's stable enough that I don't mind to hang it out WOT for a while.
Freshen that engine up or repower a fuel injected small block. You won't be disappointed. I would recommend buying a second boat before you start any of the restoration, so you don't have any downtime off the water.
Do you have pictures of yours?

 

All the teak was grey. While I was waiting for the engine to get fixed, I went to town on the teak.




Burning the midnight oil, removing teak.



There was thick mud under the teak I the walk-thru area and the bow accents.



Can't wrap my mind around how it could have gotten this bad.

 

I powerwashed the teak and used a Star-Brite 3 step kit to clean, brighten, and oil the teak.






Ski locker taken apart. This is after cleaning and brightening. Other pieces in the picture already had one coat of oil.



Before any oil.



Power washed and scrubbed.



One layer of oil. These platforms soak the oil right up.



When the thru-hull exhaust was added, the tips come right to the platform. At a later date, after the transom was redone, I raised the platform to be above the tips.

 

Ski locker door reinstalled in the boat.

 

Reinstalled the walk-thru teak.

 

Before/After



Swim platforms were coming apart so I dropped Gorilla Glue in the cracks and strapped it together.

 

Thanks! These pictures are from a year and a half ago. Last year I oiled it frequently as a precaution. However, it sat all winter and until July was in the shop, uncovered. Got extremely dusty. I wiped it down with a rag soaked in acetone and it looks just the same as these pictures. I'm not adding any more oil for the next year unless I have to. We'll see how it turns out.

 

February 20, 2016. My Son was 12 days old and already "in a boat". Gotta raise him right!


Some teak removed in this picture. Repaired engine hatch installed.



2/20/2016 - First family picture in the boat.



Because, I'm a goofball, and I began removing bow seats. New seats made out ofv1/2" starlite instead of 3/4" plywood. That will be shown in future posts.