Cobra Boats? Need info!

[Skeeter Jeff]

Al recommended that I post this over here. What can you guys tell me about your Cobra boats - I have never seen one up close. Are they well built, problems to look for, etc.? I remember reading another post that this company is no longer in business? Is that correct?

Should I even consider this boat or look for something different from a manuf. that is still in business.

98 Cobra 190DC, 2 props, hyd. jackplate, 98-150 Johnson Ficht Faststrike with less that 200 hrs, motorguide TM for 11.5K

Thanks

[willfish4food]

The company is out of business. I have a 99 Cobra 188d with a 200 EFI. I love this boat. Great ride and a well built boat. I paid less for mine but I got mine at an auction. It was an auction selling 99% agri equipment. One other person was there bidding on the boat and I was lucky enough to get it. I thought the other guy was raising the bid for the auction company so I just let the bid hang with the other guy til the last minute. I think this kinda scared the owner of the auction and it was mine. I don't think you will regret anything about the boat but I would get the motor checked out. Maybe Backlash or Cleveland will be along to give you somemore info.

[MigAz]

Generally, these may be prone to the faulty gel coat from Neste. I've seen white gel coat appear yellow because of this. However, it didn't affect all of them. I have a '99 and it's not affected. Structurally, I believe it's solid.

The company is out of business, so any support expected from them should be discounted all together. I bought my rig during the period they were struggling, but it didn't deter me one bit. Many of the components are shared across the other manufacturers.

Can you verify the Ficht Faststrike? It is either/or but not both. If it is a Ficht, I would pass (actually run away). I know, I owned one and it wasn't good. As a matter of fact it was a major disaster!

[CobraRob]

SkeeterJeff
I recently bought my 98 180 last oct. I love it the ride is great boat is smooth. I paid $8800 for mine. It was clean no scratches, no rips in carpet or seats. Mine had a Johnson ficht 150. It is now gone and a MERC EFI 150 is on it. Do yourself a favor and take it to get checked out. I will never own another Johnson/Evinrude, but thats just me. But I would buy a Cobra again.

BTW my 180 is rated for a 175. Whats the 190 rated for?
just my 2cents
CobraRob

[Backlash Ar]

Skeeter Jeff...As has already been mentioned, Cobra closed its door in February of 2006 and is no longer in production. It had nothing to do with the product itself, but rather because of poor management issues. However, I wouldn't let that deter me from buying a Cobra. There are many, many Cobras on the water today, especially in the Texas, Louisianna and Arkansas areas operating without any problems. Keep in mind that just because they aren't being built any longer shouldn't really be a big issue. Actually it should work to your advantage because you can use that as a bargaining tool when haggling over the price. Any boat manufacturing company only warrants the boat itself and not all the options that go on them, i.e., trolling motor, locators, pumps, lights, etc., and those items carry a warranty from whoever manufactured them. I have seen many times how Cobra's are built, and they are built like the Rock of Gibraltor. I have never heard of a single transom or delamination issue with these boats. They did have a gel coat problem back in 1999 and early 2000 but that was because they received some tainted product from Neste Corporation, their supplier, as did the other boat manufacturers in the area...Ranger, BassCat, Champion. The styling on Cobra's is very sharp and the fit and finish is as good as any in the industry. The forward casting deck is HUGE, especially with the full deck insert, and in 1998 I doubt there was a boat built that had more storage area. As far as fishability it is as stable a platform as there is and extremely easy to drive. It doesn't have any chine walk, and that's something not many other boats can attest to. The boat is fairly fast too when rigged properly. The Cobra rides very nice with a little lower attitude than most because of it's dead rise. It rides a lot like today's Legend Boat, as well it should because the same man developed both hulls, and it always gives a person the feeling of being in control of the boat.

Cobra Boats where produced using the best possible resins available and they didn't try to cut any corners. Same with the upright foam floatation! They exceeded the required amount that's regulated by the B.I.A. and have every nock and cranny filled with it.

As for the negatives, Cobra has a couple but so do other boats. The rear battery compartment is a little small and kind of tough to work in, but how often does a person need to get into it to go battery compartment diving? The boat could use a step up to the front deck but back during those years there weren't many other boats that had one either, and I would have liked to have the boat cleats on the inside of the rail instead of the outside...all these are things that a person can easily live with.

Cobra's are excellent boats that are extremely well built. It's difficult to put a price tag on the rig but if it the boat hull is in good shape as well as the interior, i.e., carpet and seats, and comes with a travel cover along with all the others things you have listed then the boat (IMO) should sell for about 10K. No more because the boat is slightly underpowered. However, as Mig pointed out, if it's a Ficht...walk away. Also, as for the gel coat issue is concerned, there was no problems with it in 1998.

Good luck with your choice, you won't be disappointed with a Cobra.

[Skeeter Jeff]

Will have to get some more info. on the motor from the owner before I go any further. The boat is actually listed here on the BBC - Viper Boat Section, 6 boats down the list. The engine cover has the wording "Johnson 150 Ficht Fastrike". Take a look and tell me what you think.

Thanks

[Tx 201]

I know this is easy for me to say since it is not my money, but for $4,000 more you can get a newer boat with better electronics and an Optimax. Just a few ads above the one you are looking at. I think you would spend that pretty quick on a rebuild for the Ficht. I notice that no one ever seems to jump up and defend these motors, must be a reason.

Plus, just having been through a rebuild myself, I gotta tell you the money outlay is NOT fun, plus being without the boat for two months. Let us know what you come up with.

(Find a 201 with a Merc or Yamaha!!!!!! )

[GregHeinz]

I have to agree with what my fellow Snake owners have listed above. I am extremely pleased with my boat/motor. The styling, fit & finish, fishability is second to none. I have owned other boats, and must say that my Cobra does NOT have the best ride. The bottom is a bit flatter than a Charger, or Bass Cat, thus it transfers rough water easier. I'm not saying that it rides rough, but it rides rougher than some other boats under the same conditions. Having said that, I have every intention of keeping mine for a very long time.

[wise1]

Skeeter.

I

have a 99 190d for sale in ABILENE, TX.


It has a new 2007 tandum axle trailer, and custom cove thats only two weeks old. 36 volt troll motor , hot foot , wheel trim , 10'' jack plate and a 175 ficht fast strike.

Wise1

[marktfd88]

The boat for 4K more would be mine. I love my Cobra and hate to sell it, but I recently got married and now have a wife and 2 kids. That adds up to 4 butts needing 4 seats. I just ordered a new Nitro 911 cdc. As to the fit, finish, ride, and durability of the Cobra, I have nothing but praise for the Snake boat. Just hope the Nitro is half the boat. Call me if your interested in my boat. You won't be disappointed.

Mark 206 719 6111