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View Full Version : Joined the Moomba Club – 1998 Mobius



1967Goat
08-27-2018, 07:50 PM
Just picked up a 1998 Moomba Mobius. It’s rough looking on the outside, but runs strong. I was a car mechanic for a few years after college and do all my own work on cars. I have a 67 GTO I restored in the mid 90’s, as well as a non-restored 69 GTO and a 67 Olds 442. I have 2 boys who are 6 & 7 and started looking for a boat a few months ago. I wanted an inboard ski/wakeboard boat so I was looking at Mastercraft, Moomba, Nautique, etc… My budget was only around $3k - $5k. Maybe up to $6k if I found something really nice. On Friday I found a Moomba Mobius in the local Craigslist.

When I called, the owner told me the exterior was in rough shape, but ran great. Said he never waxed it. Pulled it out of the lake, took it home and parked it. Never wiped it down, etc… He wanted $5k for it. I looked at it on Sunday. Half of the windshield was broken, 1,200 hours on it. To say the gelcoat is rough would be an understatement. He was very honest and open about everything. Really great guy. I had taken money for a deposit with me, but didn’t make an offer, it was too rough. Thought about it overnight and called him this morning.

Offered $3k and he accepted! Picked it up a little while ago. Got a pile of stuff with it…life jackets, 3 old wakeboards, ropes, etc…

I have gauges to do a compression check. I'll do that later this week, but I don't expect any issues.

She ain’t pretty, but she can dance!

https://s20.postimg.cc/vt0j1u2t9/20180827_161414.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s20.postimg.cc/94bc29t59/20180827_164305.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s20.postimg.cc/nar2xh1fh/20180827_164315.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://s20.postimg.cc/57y069l0d/20180827_164323.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

jcarter20
08-27-2018, 09:09 PM
Did you water test it? Better make sure the fiberglass isn’t cracked and taking in water below the water line. That can lead to structural problems, or obviously leaks.


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chawk610
08-27-2018, 11:11 PM
Looks like a fun resto project

1967Goat
08-28-2018, 12:28 AM
He had it out on the water for 3+ hours on both Sat and Sun. He let me drive it around the lake for 20 minutes or so, absolutely no issues. I'll tune it up. It did take a on a little bit of water...bilge works. It does have an old repair near the rudder that I think is leaking water in. Not bad though. No major structural issues I could see.

Darter
08-28-2018, 06:44 AM
The water could be from lots of things, including the packing gland on the prop shaft, which is supposed to drip slowly while underway.

Welcome to the forums and the Mobius club!

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jcarter20
08-28-2018, 07:45 AM
He had it out on the water for 3+ hours on both Sat and Sun. He let me drive it around the lake for 20 minutes or so, absolutely no issues. I'll tune it up. It did take a on a little bit of water...bilge works. It does have an old repair near the rudder that I think is leaking water in. Not bad though. No major structural issues I could see.

Cool! Good luck. Welcome!


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zabooda
08-28-2018, 10:39 AM
Congrats on the Moomba and I hope your restoration goes well. I sold my 98 earlier this year and enjoyed all 16 years of ownership. Parts are hard to find so it requires some innovation to get to where you want to go. At least you don't have to worry about computer modules to replace.

1967Goat
09-19-2018, 02:00 PM
The week before Labor Day I got supplies from the hardware store to hook a garden hose up to the engine so i could run it in my driveway. Had a hard time getting it started. Prior owner also had a hard time starting it while on the lake. I looked in the carb and the primaries were shooting gas into the carb without it even running...that is usually a sign of a stuck float. Called down to my local speed shop and ordered a carb kit for the Holley 4010, Holley part #37-1541. It came in the day after Labor Day. Started rebuilding the carb the next weekend. Had to go out of town all of last week and finished the rebuild this past weekend. Slapped the carb on last night. Fired right up. Will take it to the lake on Thursday evening after work to tune the carb, then off to Disney World for a week. I doubt I'll get it back in the water this fall so I'll drain it before I leave in case it freezes (I live at 7,400' elevation)

A few before and after pics of the carburetor.

https://i.postimg.cc/sDrTLBr8/20180829_110352.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/MKm9JWZG/20180918_181928.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/NjGpgWLk/20180918_181951.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

1967Goat
09-19-2018, 02:05 PM
Sitting on the engine.

https://i.postimg.cc/Sx8Nxt5j/20180919_120148.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

A good example of how to NOT route your ignition wires...

https://i.postimg.cc/0Ns5M0Rn/20180919_090919.jpg (https://postimages.org/)


Quick video of startup after carb rebuild.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gB5RJ3glU&feature=youtu.be

drb59
09-19-2018, 02:56 PM
Congratulations. Welcome to the forum.

gregski
09-19-2018, 04:02 PM
Nice find, I think you got a good deal at $3k for the motor and the trailer with the rest of the boat for free! Looks like the interior is actually in OK shape, and you don't have to look at the exterior when your in it. You'll have a blast. It should make a fun wakeboarding wake. What lake are you using? There's still plenty of season left, just drain the block and manifolds each time.

tre
09-19-2018, 06:15 PM
congrats on the new boat and carb rebuild. You and your boys are going to have a blast with that boat.

1967Goat
09-19-2018, 06:48 PM
What lake are you using? There's still plenty of season left, just drain the block and manifolds each time.
I am going to get a pass at Sloan's lake in Denver next spring. A buddy of mine had a boat back in 99 - 01 and that's where we went. Nice little ski lake, but it's several hundred dollars per year and they have a limited # of passes available.

I am going to Chatfield tomorrow to tune the carb, but I doubt I'll go there very often.

I do plan on taking them to Horsetooth next summer for overnight camping trips. I went to CSU and have camped in coves before. Great time. I get every other Friday off, so I'll go up there Thursday evenings and probably leave Saturday mid day.

We're off to Orlando Friday for a week, then I'm going elk hunting Oct 17 for a week. I'm their cub scout den leader so we have that one night per week. busy busy busy!

Do you ski at Horsetooth, or someplace else?

Leebo
09-19-2018, 09:54 PM
Congrats and welcome!!!

Think you’ve got the right approach- get her running right and the more you use it the more you’ll improve it! Really psyched to see what you do!

gregski
09-20-2018, 02:52 AM
Do you ski at Horsetooth, or someplace else? Yup. Although it's nearly impossible to ski there anymore. Every year, it gets busier and even earlier in the day. I consider it a special day when the water is good enough to get a wakeboard run in. But we're actually right in my favorite time of year. People are already winterizing, the crowds are gone and the water is still warm enough to play. As we get into October/November we tend to use Boyd Lake in Loveland (equivalent to Chatfield). By then, the crowds are completely gone and the water is just a few degrees warmer than Horsetooth. Plus, Larimer County will switch to doing ANS inspections only on weekends which basically means it's closed during the week - it's heartbreaking to go by such a beautiful lake and see it "closed". If you're up here and want a ride, hit me up.

kelauben
06-12-2020, 10:43 AM
Was hoping to watch the video but it's marked private. Can you send a link or copy?

Thanks.

Karl