New R30 Build

[MBSOB]

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on this R30 build, and I would appreciate any thoughts before I do.

Twin Engine: MercruiserTwin 6.2 L MPI ECT-350 B3 DTS
White Hull, Navy Blue side, white edge/boot stripe.

SELECTED OPTIONS
Active Trim, Merc-twin
Axius Premier (DTS)-Merc twin
Seacore (Merc)-Twin Engines
Bow Tonneau Cover
Cockpit Tonneau Cover
Shade Sail, Bow
Glass Cockpit w/12'' Dual Screen Upgrade
Plat Sound w/Transom Spkrs.
White Arch, SS/Alum w/Hard Top & Retract Shade
Color-Accented Hard Top Headliner
Docking Lights-Stainless Steel
Flagpole w/Flag
Bow Center Cushion Insert
Cockpit Heater
Dinette Table w/Bow & Cockpit Receptacle
Floor Covering, Sea Grass
Head w/VacuFlush
LED Interior Accent Lighting (RGB)
Stainless Steel Foot Tread (helm only)
Battery Maintainer/Charger, 110v
Fire Extinguisher, Automatic System
Rearview Mirror, PTM w/Custom Cover
Trim Tabs w/Indicators w/Autoglide
Windlass, All Chain w/Anchor

[Big Block Power]

I would add a pair of 8.2s
Just saying!

[cmattj]

I would imagine the Sea Core comes with the upgraded “ salt water hardware package?

I would ask as it’s amazing in quality and shine.( yes I pocketed a few screws on my vist to Cobalt).

The build looks great as fresh water guy . Yes 8.2 would be great. 8.2 HOs with captain call exhaust would be even better.

White would be easier for me in salt water for longevity and maintenance.

And did you consider the 30SC with Twin 350 White Fusion Mercs? Seems to appeal to Florida boating.

Look forward to seeing this developing .

[R6outboard]

Great build. Sounds exciting. Only items that caught my attention would be.


1. portal light
2. sof-trac on the swim platform
3. underwater lights

and while we are at it.

4. swim platform lights.
5. wood trim
6. quilted pattern

[MBSOB]

Great build. Sounds exciting. Only items that caught my attention would be.


1. portal light
2. sof-trac on the swim platform
3. underwater lights

and while we are at it.

4. swim platform lights.
5. wood trim
6. quilted pattern

ha! adding everything that is left, are ya?

*skipped the portal light because there is already one in there and that window seems like another thing to break (Plus I like the clean lines without the window)
*does anyone use the underwater lights for 2k or are they just a gimic? Same with swim platform lights.
*sof-trac on the swim platform I am still thinking about. someone told me that its hard to keep clean, so I am on the fence about that one.

*Wood trim is a good call. Might be standard on the R30 though, but will check. Dont recall seeing it as an option.
*Dealer told me that the quilted accent on the upholstery was too busy and not to get it. Cant find pics of it anywhere.

[MBSOB]

I would imagine the Sea Core comes with the upgraded “ salt water hardware package?

I would ask as it’s amazing in quality and shine.( yes I pocketed a few screws on my vist to Cobalt).

The build looks great as fresh water guy . Yes 8.2 would be great. 8.2 HOs with captain call exhaust would be even better.

White would be easier for me in salt water for longevity and maintenance.

And did you consider the 30SC with Twin 350 White Fusion Mercs? Seems to appeal to Florida boating.

Look forward to seeing this developing .

Not sure what the SeaCore does with respect to hardware, but will ask. Thanks for the tip. For better or worse, I will be in saltwater all the time, so there is that.

The hull will be blue. The side will be navy. Agree white would likely be easier in the long run, but my wife likes the blue and not the white, so BLUE it is!

I did consider the 30SC. Ultimately decided that I wanted inboard motors because I really like the swim platform. Given that we are in saltwater, not ideal, but so be it. Going with the twin 350 Mercs on the R30 but inboard.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Just a preference for Mercs?

Performance numbers for VP certainly look a bit better based upon what I read here. I have a Merc in my boat, but no particular loyalty one way or the other

viewtopic.php?p=49568#p49568

[MBSOB]

Dealer telling me because of salt water the mercs are no brainer. I think because of the salt water package they can come with.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Interesting. I didn't realize that Mercs saltwater package performs better than VP OceanX.

Not something I've looked into as a lake boater

[Krob1114]

Interesting. I didn't realize that Mercs saltwater package performs better than VP OceanX.

Not something I've looked into as a lake boater

That might be an extension of the Merc vs Volvo Penta argument.

[Tuscany]

Personally, I would never purchase stern drives for salt in any way, shape, or form, period.
Outboards only.

Honestly, I don’t know if I would buy a Cobalt for ocean use. Awesome lake boats, but coastal?

[MBSOB]

Personally, I would never purchase stern drives for salt in any way, shape, or form, period.
Outboards only.

Honestly, I don’t know if I would buy a Cobalt for ocean use. Awesome lake boats, but coastal?

There is simply no question that ALL boats would do better over time if they were never in saltwater. And there are good sensible arguments to get OBs if you are going to be in saltwater. I have very young kids who want to swim and are jumping in and out of the boat when we drop anchor, so I am knowingly accepting the downsides of IOs in saltwater in order to have an unobstructed swim platform for the family to use. Seems to me that the downside of IOs in saltwater comes down to increased maintenance costs and perhaps longevity of some parts that sit in the saltwater over the long term. I get it and I accept it. I also think there are thousands of IOs in saltwater every year that do just fine. But I hear you.

I have heard it said that Cobalts are great lake boats but maybe not for coastal use.....I can never find anyone to explain what that means. What makes a cobalt less suited for saltwater than any other similar boat?

[jhnmdahl]

Twin anythings is nice and I think with 700 total HP you'll be fine, but the jump from 350 to 380 is relatively affordable and brings you from a 6.2L to 8.2L block - i.e., more torque across the band, even if it doesn't have the peak HP number of the 430. On the other hand, you'll probably save fuel at plane with the 350s, but it's hard not to go big, especially when it's someone else's money

[Big Block Power]

I don't think cobalt is only a lake boat. I think the reason cobalt isn't on the coasts as much is because they lacked in the OB models. OB have issues also in Salt water you just don't hear about manifolds and such. Cobalt has a good salt water package. We saw the stainless steel first hand at the factory. It was shiny!

[MBSOB]

I don't think cobalt is only a lake boat. I think the reason cobalt isn't on the coasts as much is because they lacked in the OB models. OB have issues also in Salt water you just don't hear about manifolds and such. Cobalt has a good salt water package. We saw the stainless steel first hand at the factory. It was shiny!

Thanks for your thoughts. Shiny is nice. I need to stop noodling on this and just pull the trigger. I placed the order but am making some last minute changes. Will post the build tomorrow when its final. BBP, I am sorry in advance that I only went twin Merc 350s. I know this upsets you.