I/O upgrades?!?!?!

bighitbiker3 07-16-2005, 7:49 PM

I have a 1983 cobalt 20.5 foot i/o. I was wondering what uprades I could do to make it into a "wakeboat." Right now I have two 600 lb sacs where should I put them. I should have a monster tower on the way. What else should i do. The wake is pretty good though. A lot better than some Inboards out there but what can i do to make it better. I got this boat for $6000 and it has 550 hours. Is that a good deal? Thanks a lot.

(thirdgear) · (thirdgear) **Join Date: Jul 2005** 07-16-2005, 8:36 PM

I've got a 1997 Cobalt 232 and also have the same sort of questions. I'm glad it's not just my model, but as far as "non-wakeboarding" boats go, my Cobalt throws some great wake as well. I've thought about putting a tower on it, but for the money I'd sink into that I figure I might as well just be satisfied with what I have until I can afford to buy a new "wakeboarding" boat. I'd like to know more about fat sacs as well - what to buy, where to place, etc. Anyone else ride behind a Cobalt?

(leykis1o1) · (leykis1o1) **Join Date: May 2005** 07-16-2005, 10:24 PM

i have a 1973 cobolt same questions

(wakescene) · (wakescene) **Join Date: Feb 2001** 07-17-2005, 12:57 AM

If you have not already...up-ing to a 5-blade Stainless Steel prop will do wonders for the performance of any I/O boat.

Perfect Pass is a must for good wakeboarding if you don't have it already, plus you can take it from boat to boat in the future.

tower and ballast of course.

I would rec you start with 1 600lb in the front and see how the wake is...then add in the middle to the rear to fine tune things. play with it a while to see what config works best. But I would say start with the front...I/O's don't like a lot of rear drag and tend to have a very hard time planing on the water, front weight tends to really help but also push the hull better into the water for a firmer & bigger wake.

good luck.

bighitbiker3 07-17-2005, 10:58 PM

Thanks a lot. Anyone else?

alanp 07-18-2005, 7:55 AM

a prop and if you dont wanna spend the money on a stainless then go with the 100 composite props. i ran these for three years and the worked great.

(eternalshadow) · (eternalshadow) **Join Date: Nov 2001** 07-18-2005, 4:53 PM

Hopefully you're running spectra. Even with an i/o wake just get solid basics and you'll still be able to get some decent air.

bighitbiker3 07-18-2005, 4:55 PM

Ya I have a spectra rope. Dont worry lol

260searay 07-19-2005, 2:00 PM

I just put a skylon swoop xtreme pro xt tower on my 89 26' sea ray cuddy. It is way better.