New R8 Outboard On Order

[Paul275]

Hey All- about a year ago I was on this board asking questions about an R6. Did not order one, and was in no rush to buy a boat, so nothing happened. Well, the boating virus hit hard, did all kinds of research, on many different boats, from bowriders to small cruisers. Shopped Sea Ray 290 SDX and Chaparral 317 SSX but never really felt a warm and fuzzy that I was getting anything really special. So...back to Cobalt and came upon the R8 Outboard. Ordered mine with twin 200 Verados, Joystick piloting, 10" screens, vacuflush, sink in the head, sport tower with shade, and a bunch of other goodies. Will post the build tomorrow. Salt water use, not concerned about top speed, but want the redundancy of two engines, don't want to deal with stern drive issue (had them in prior boats) and like the durability I am hearing about the Verados.

Has anyone had an experience with twin Verado 200's. with Joystick? I don't need a big top speed, but enough grunt to get her on plane with maybe 8 people on board on the potentially choppy Long Island Sound.

Cheers!

[Big Block Power]

Higher HP isn't always for top speed. I personally would put at least twin 300s on her. Sounds like the boat will be loaded most of the time and you want grunt power. Me im going bigger if cost isn't the concern.

[Paul275]

I hear you, but T-250s, add $30k, and T-300s about $36k. That just makes the boat too expensive for 28 footer. I look at this way, the T-200s are close to the power of the largest stern drive package you can get on the R8, the 430hp big block. The twins offer me the joystick package, plus redundancy of two engines and the benefit of outboards in saltwater. We'll pull a tube at most, and the passenger load will usually be 2-5 average size adults. We are going with an ebony hull with a knockout red hull stripe. Keeping the engines black, with the caramel carbon interior.

Here is the build: Taking suggestions!
BASE MSRP$193,731
Selected EngineMercuryTwin 200 Verado w/PAS
Selected Options
Caramel/Carbon $1663
Mercury JPO Joystick $21577
Bow Tonneau Cover $495
Cockpit Tonneau Cover $1253
Glass Cockpit, Dual Garmin 8610 $5448
Wireless Phone Charger, w/Holder $277
Stereo Remote, Transom (Std. Sound) $415
Docking Lights-Stainless Steel $591
Portal Light (1 in Head Compartment) $797
Sof-Trac Mat, Swim Platform w/Flip-Down Swim Step $1045
Black Sport Tower w/Sunshade $15531
Transom Shower $743
Air Compressor w/Holder $262
Bow Center Cushion Insert $1052
Dinette Table w/Teak Accent $1352
Floor Covering, Sea Grass $2079
Head w/Electric Porcelain Toilet $2599
LED Interior Accent Lighting (RGB) $2183
Sink Console (head compartment) $2147
Trim Tabs w/Indicators, w/o Autoglide $1738
Windlass, All Chain w/Anchor $5120

[Big Block Power]

I hear you. I think the twin 200 will push it better than a IO 430.
I would get the mooring cover. It's a great cover.
Under water led lights also.
Congrats on the boat and thanks for going merc!

[Paul275]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Question, is it easier to install and take down the cockpit and bow covers as separate pieces, versus a larger mooring cover? No price difference so it comes down to what is easier. As I've never had a bowrider, if we aren't using the bow, could I leave the cover in place while underway?
As far a Merc is concerned, sounds like the Verados are just the best, the Joystick package is over the top awesome with skyhook and auto pilot. Can't wait to teach the Mrs to dock the boat. Really game changing products.

[Big Block Power]

It is a game changer.
I love 35 minutes north of where they are made. My brother works for them.
I would get both. Yes on cooler days the bow cover will be nice. To cover the boat where every you store it the mooring cover will keep it dryer. Once you get used to putting it on it will be easy. Some people don't like putting snaps in the hull. Can cause stress cracks.

[Paul275]

Tell your brother their product is widely admired. We are over the top excited to get our new boat.
thanks again for the advice.

[tgrace98]

Thanks for the suggestions.
Question, is it easier to install and take down the cockpit and bow covers as separate pieces, versus a larger mooring cover? No price difference so it comes down to what is easier. As I've never had a bowrider, if we aren't using the bow, could I leave the cover in place while underway?
As far a Merc is concerned, sounds like the Verados are just the best, the Joystick package is over the top awesome with skyhook and auto pilot. Can't wait to teach the Mrs to dock the boat. Really game changing products.

I have the mooring cover on my r7 and it takes 90 seconds to put the mooring cover on. It’s great. No snaps and it fits like a glove and covers the swim platform as well.

[Paul275]

Good to know, thank you TG98. The fewer snaps the better.

[tgrace98]

Good to know, thank you TG98. The fewer snaps the better.

only reason I would want the snap in covers is to leave the one in on the bow for the colder season rides. Windshield on my R7 is pretty tall and the bow door does a good job of blocking the wind. I noticed you can do a cockpit heater on the new R8 so I would think that would do the job instead of having the cover.

[Paul275]

Good to know, thank you TG98. The fewer snaps the better.

only reason I would want the snap in covers is to leave the one in on the bow for the colder season rides. Windshield on my R7 is pretty tall and the bow door does a good job of blocking the wind. I noticed you can do a cockpit heater on the new R8 so I would think that would do the job instead of having the cover.

I don't see the cockpit heater on the R8 OB option list. I would think the heat source is engine coolant, which would be a slam dunk on a stern drive set up. OBs would require a multi-kiloWatt electric heater.

[tgrace98]

Good to know, thank you TG98. The fewer snaps the better.

only reason I would want the snap in covers is to leave the one in on the bow for the colder season rides. Windshield on my R7 is pretty tall and the bow door does a good job of blocking the wind. I noticed you can do a cockpit heater on the new R8 so I would think that would do the job instead of having the cover.

I don't see the cockpit heater on the R8 OB option list. I would think the heat source is engine coolant, which would be a slam dunk on a stern drive set up. OBs would require a multi-kiloWatt electric heater.

ah never noticed it wasn't an option on the OB. I know it is on the stern drive.

[Paul275]

only reason I would want the snap in covers is to leave the one in on the bow for the colder season rides. Windshield on my R7 is pretty tall and the bow door does a good job of blocking the wind. I noticed you can do a cockpit heater on the new R8 so I would think that would do the job instead of having the cover.

I don't see the cockpit heater on the R8 OB option list. I would think the heat source is engine coolant, which would be a slam dunk on a stern drive set up. OBs would require a multi-kiloWatt electric heater.

ah never noticed it wasn't an option on the OB. I know it is on the stern drive.

The trivial things I pick up when I'm interested in something. But my wife can't give me three things to pick at the grocery store without me screwing up.

[dustinm]

I don't see the cockpit heater on the R8 OB option list. I would think the heat source is engine coolant, which would be a slam dunk on a stern drive set up. OBs would require a multi-kiloWatt electric heater.

ah never noticed it wasn't an option on the OB. I know it is on the stern drive.

The trivial things I pick up when I'm interested in something. But my wife can't give me three things to pick at the grocery store without me screwing up.

My wife sent me over to the butcher counter to get a roast, I came back with $100 of steaks. Just an eye roll from her.

[Krob1114]

ah never noticed it wasn't an option on the OB. I know it is on the stern drive.

The trivial things I pick up when I'm interested in something. But my wife can't give me three things to pick at the grocery store without me screwing up.

My wife sent me over to the butcher counter to get a roast, I came back with $100 of steaks. Just an eye roll from her.

Four pounds?