Cobalt 18DV

I purchased this 1984 Cobalt 18DV in the fall of 2004 as a restoration project. I don't have the time or funds to complete it, and I'm hoping to sell to someone who recognizes the uniqueness and value of this boat and will complete the project. This is a thick solid high quality boat with a deep wide profile that handles rough water very well. They just don't make them like this any more!History: It had been donated to Goodwill in Rochester, NY by the second owner. The second owner knew the original owner and I was able to track him down and get some history on the boat. It was originally purchased from German Brothers Marina and spent most of it's life covered and on a lift on Canandaigua lake in western NY. It was maintained by the marina and stored by them in the winters. The teen children of the original owner left the boat on a partially raised lift during a storm and the keel was bruised. Shortly thereafter the second owner purchased it, used it for a few years, and then donated it. I also contacted Cobalt and they were very helpful in providing information on the history and construction of the boat.Work Completed: I spent almost 10 years restoring this boat. I tore it down to the fiberglass, replaced all the wood in the boat with marine plywood and epoxy, taking care to fully encapsulate all wood to avoid any future problems. The damage to the keel was painstakingly repaired and the transom and entire floor were rebuilt. All stainless was cleaned and polished. Most carpet was replaced with marine grade carpet, and most horizontal upholstery was professionally redone. The engine and running gear (Mercruiser 228HP / Chevy 305 Alpha One Gen One - first year they made them) were gone through, meticulously cleaned and tuned up, removed and reinstalled with all new wear parts. All teak inside the boat was planed down to remove a bad varnish job and then re-oiled. I installed a complete audio system with a CD Player with ipod input & remote control, two power amplifiers, two sets of component speakers and a 10" subwoofer. I'm just scratching the surface. I have hundreds of photos and logs of the work I did, the original owners manual and Mercruiser installation manuals, sales brochures, etc.. I even wrote a small book on restoring fiberglass boats based on the work I did with this one. All of this comes along with the purchase.The Bad and Remaining Work: I did start lightly using this boat about 5 years ago once I finished the interior, so it's no longer perfect. It has never seen salt water and it was stored inside or under cover. The teak could use a good cleaning and oiling. The carpet in the below deck storage area needs to be re-glued. It was last run two years ago and then winterized and fogged, but I would change the gas and oil before taking it out. The power steering ram needs to be lubricated as it has started to stick again, and I noticed yesterday that the plastic hose barb on the output of the bilge pump cracked and needs to be replaced. The tachometer isn't working (all other gauges and lights work) Also, I did not adjust the shift cable / kill switch last time I had the outdrive off, so that will need to be done. The trailer is in good shape but also not perfect. The bunks need to be adjusted to properly hold the boat, only the center ones touch right now. The tires are relatively new and it has a new axle and newer bearings and as far as I know the surge brakes and lights all work. It made the trip from Rochester, NY to Hampton, NH without issue. The lever on the coupler is broken off, so the screwdriver/vise grip method is used. The remaining restoration work to do is mostly exterior cosmetic. there are a few deep scratches on the upper starboard side and a few other places that need to be filled. The exterior of the keel repair still needs to be shaped but it's not visible. The whole hull could use a wet-sanding / buffing and wax. The pin stripes, decals, and rub rail need to be installed. I have a chunk of the old aluminum rub rail and insert and pin stripes for matching and all the screws and hardware from the original rub rail. I have the metal emblems but the logos that go on them are in rough shape and could probably be replicated or sourced from Cobalt. I had planned to refinish the swim platforms as well but they can be used as-is. All issues are minor and cosmetic. There are no major problems with this boat, and unlike many others, I can say that confidently because I know for sure!Overall this is a very clean, very solid classic mid-eighties Cobalt that can be used right now and complete the restoration at your leisure. All restoration paperwork and all remaining original parts are included, as well as earmuffs, a good battery, a prop wrench, an outdrive alignment tool, a GPS unit that can accept a sonar unit (battery is no good but it's hardwired), the entire stereo system, outdrive oil and pump, and a selection of skis/tube/ropes/fenders, and a few youth life vests. It has everything that I know of that is coast guard required including a flag, flares, fire extinguisher, complete lighting setup and a horn. It isn't registered in NH. It comes with a bill of sale as NY doesn't title something that old. Unfortunately I have no paperwork for the trailer.I understand I can't get back all of the time and money I've put into this project, but please don't make me feel worse with lowballs. Please feel free to make a reasonable offer. I'll change the gas and run it for a serious buyer, but I don't want to have to re-winterize unnecessarily. This is also for sale locally and may disappear at any time, even if there are bids. If the reserve is met I won't cancel the auction. Even if the reserve is not met I may still sell to the highest bidder so give it your best shot. Cash only, no messing around. Please let me know if you have questions.Thanks for reading!