Submitted by Mike O’Neill, Aberdeen, NC in 2020:
This adventure started three years ago when I found this boat on the side of the road for sale. The boat had been lovingly cared for all its life, living inside in upstate NY. The second owner allowed it to sink and chose not to repair it.
The boat is a 1979 GMC ‘Cobra Jet’, built by General Marine Corp out of Milwaukee, with less than 80 hours of run time. Less than 100 of these special ordered boats were built.
I paid $200 for the whole thing. We pulled the engine and outdrives to assess the damage. Fortunately no water got beyond the piston rings. The factory paint markings were still on the crank and cam. The bearings and cylinder walls showed no sign of wear. The head, starter, alternator, distributor, and trim/tilt pump had to be rebuilt. Installed a new fuel pump. We installed new piston rings and put it all back together. The boat ran great, topped out at 35 mph.
MarineEngine.com has provided all of the repair parts I needed to get this project back in the water.
Thank You,
Mike O
Aberdeen, NC
