Considering a new R6

[LefthookNC]

Hello -

New to the group. Im sure this is a discussed topic, but I am heavily considering a new R6. I have had 2 cobalts in the past (1995 220, 1999 232 big block) and just recently sold my fountain 29 that I had for 9 years. I'm ready to slow down and cruise again, and really like the R6. I have looked at a few other brands, but always seem to gravitate to the cobalts again. My main question for an R6 is the ride quality on a choppy lake day. I know coming from a twin motor go fast boat will be a different experience, but I am a weekend warrior on a busy inland lake (Lake Norman) and want something that can handle the day at low cruise speed 20-35 mph to get to my local coves to meet up with friends. Can anyone provide some input on the ride quality in such condition, and if they are happy with their late model R6... the good and the bad? Also anyone who has some feedback on the seating layout in real world scenarios, rather than the imaginary experience in the dealer showroom. The new ones sure are impressive boats with a lot of tech! Thanks in advance.

[AsLan7]

.
Hey LhNC...so glad you found us.

Great boat line up in your past. Similar to mine.

There have been some growing pains with Cobalt in terms of quality issues now that Malibu has purchased them. The ride quality is still there however and the higher freeboard will be a plus for you on that lake. Others will chime in shortly.

Any pics?

And welcome aboard mate.

.

[stifflkd]

Seating is very port oriented. I definitely would recommend trim tabs. It is also a very heavy boat for its size, I would go with the 350 and probably lean toward the 380

[LefthookNC]

Thank you for the feedback. I agree on the seating, makes sense. The current boat I'm lookin at has the VP 350 HP, heavy options, but no trim tabs. Coming from an offshore boat, I understand how much the tabs are utilized, but never had them on my previous bow riders. Most of the time we will be boating with 4-6 total passengers. Seems like the 380 is desired, but most in stock boats have the 350. Is it enough motor? I'm going to test drive one this week and see how she runs. I will most likely bring a few people along and try to create a realistic passenger scenario and see how the power and balance feels with a 350hp and no tabs.

[VTENGR]

We have an R6 with a 350, no trim tabs. Boat on Lake Lanier in GA, which I would consider a busy lake. Peak days there's lots of chop, boat does well cruising <30mph. Faster then that the Captain starts to give me grief. Hope that helps.

[billk2632]

I have an R5, I am also at Lake Norman - and keep my boat at Lake Norman Marina - assume that is where you are looking at the R6. Speaking for the R5, it handles LKN just fine - better than fine - and as you know LKN can get quite sporty on a busy weekend. I came from a 18ft SeaRay that was really too small for that lake - would pound your fillings out! I don't have trim tabs and have never felt like I wanted them, but I should point out we are usually lightly loaded no more than 3 people usually. I have the VP 300, mine is a 2014, so it's the 5.7, and I feel like it has plenty of power - I think the 350 would be plenty for an R6. We cruise at @25mph and top end is 48 or so depending on fuel, water etc. The thing I noticed right off on the R5 is how fast it gets on plane, the low speed it planes at and how little bowrise there is. I have had several different boats - SeaRays, Correct Craft and spent time on many other brands. The Cobalt is hands down the best boat I have had, handling, quality, looks. I see lots of new boats being at that marina -- the new R's look very nice in my opinion.
One thing I want to mention since you are looking at boats at Lake Norman Marina - they have a 2015 R7 that seems like a pretty good deal, I don't know why it has not sold - maybe you are set on a new R6, but if not the R7 would be something to look at.

https://www.lakenormanmarina.com/invent ... -11459110i

[jhnmdahl]

Lefthook, if smooth ride in chop is your biggest concern, the old R5 and R7 have a deeper V angle in the hull than the current even-numbered hulls like R6 and R8 (which are still better than most boats that size). If you can find an R7 with a 380 engine for a similar or lower price, that might be a great option too.

Edit - just saw a member point out an R7 near you, in good shape and well-optioned (it has the big Volvo 430!) made back before Malibu bought Cobalt. I'd give it a good look.

[Jab555]

We bought an R5 without trim tabs and it handled the chop very well because of the deep hull and the weight of the boat (lake Washington can get pretty bad). We added trim tabs early last season and all I can say is that it is the best thing we ever did for an upgrade. Not only did it allow you to fine tune the handling in chop and cut through the waves better, it also helped out so much for uneven weight distribution. Like mentioned above, there is so much seating on the port side that everyone will sit over there. Then you end up driving at an angle or asking them to move.

Assuming relatively similars rides between the r5 and r6. I would highly recommend getting a bought with trim tabs or having the dealer add them afterwards. I got the Lenco brand with the light indicators on the controls.

Last thing to note, on windy and choppy days with trim tabs you can adjust the roll angle to reduce water spray over the bow.

[CobaltDeadHead]

I'd compare ride quality of the R6 against an R5. Recent reports on this forum are that the new R series hulls do better for surfing, but the old handled chop better.

[LefthookNC]

Thank you all for the feedback. It is very spot on and appreciated. I test drove the new R6, and it was very impressive. I actually took delivery of it last Friday. What a machine it is! To my surprise, the 350 has a lot of out of the hole torque, quick to plane and carries itself nicely. Probably the most impressive is its acceleration in calm water from 25-45 mph. If I ordered one, I may have opted for the 380, but definitely was not a deal breaker. As a Mercury die hard the past 20 years, I must say these VP engines are pretty impressive. I bought this boat to enjoy myself and cruise at 25-35 mph with my family and friends. I went out last Saturday afternoon, and it was an absolute washing macing in the main channel, and the boat just worked its way right through the chop (heavy cruiser wake/traffic) at 22-25 mph without any slamming or jarring. This was a nice change, as my last boat was a twin engine 700hp Fountain that didn't get on plane until 35-40 mph and really showed its best ride quality at 60+, an experience that took the relaxation out of the passengers (and my nerves) on a busy weekend day. I did find out that the new R series can have factory tabs added at anytime, and the dealer can install them over the winter if I feel they are necessary. I believe you all are right in the value that trim tabs can add.

I have to give a shout out to Lake Norman Marina. They are a class act dealer, and treated my family and I with first class service.

I do agree that the more aggressive hull on the odd number boats are great for rough water (also the R5 and R7 are stunning hull designs), but ultimately I wanted a new boat, warranty, all the new tech and features... you know, a 180 from my years of power boating and sometimes 5 figure repairs. It was just time for a change. I must say, in the limited time I have had to mess with the new boat, I have really been blown away with the build quality and hardware used. The boats are really well done. I have a lot to learn on how to operate all the features, and get used to docking a single engine (I was pretty good at backing in with twins).

I have immediately received numerous compliments from fellow boaters on the dock, so i must have bought a decent looking color combo lol. Hopefully this week I will take my first evening ride and play with all of the lighting, and mess with the navigation. I think this is going to be a whole new experience on the lake form what I am used to.

Again, thank you all for the feedback, and hopefully this helps the next person considering an R6.

[Krob1114]

Next post: pics please.
Welcome.

[R6outboard]

Lefthook, Congrats! Enjoy that boat. Pics!

[Scooby]

If you are looking at the R6 I would consider looking at the 2017 R7. I am an owner of a 2023 R6 and it is the worst boat I have ever owned. Build quality was horrendous and 2 seasons later I am finally getting some things fixed but my local dealer does horrible work. So, the overall experience is that they are not checking the boats before they leave the manufacturing site and the design has many engineering flaws such as cheap thin boards under the seats that flex, bend and break, bolts and screws that are not properly secured throughout the boat that fall off, swim platforms that crack on the sides anytime they bump up against a dock… even with a fender on, windshields that are loose and gelcoat that is not properly smoothed and buffed throughout the boat. Customer service is horrific as well. They make you feel like you bought a Bayliner!

I can HIGHLY recommend NOT buying an R6. Now if you told me you were looking at a pre-Malibu owned Cobalt like a 2017 R7 I would say go for it if the price is right! Better build quality overall and engineering is far superior, meant to last.

Last thought is the R6 does have a VERY heavy overbuilt hull and does handle chop well, runs pretty flat for me without trim tabs but does bounce a bit in the front end above 30mph in medium chop. It should run flat and over the top of chop at that speed but instead bounces. Could be because I don’t have trim tabs but my 2015 Four Winns H230 was far better running flat at higher speeds than the R6 even though it didn’t cut through the chop as well.

[AsLan7]

If you are looking at the R6 I would consider looking at the 2017 R7. I am an owner of a 2023 R6 and it is the worst boat I have ever owned. Build quality was horrendous and 2 seasons later I am finally getting some things fixed but my local dealer does horrible work. So, the overall experience is that they are not checking the boats before they leave the manufacturing site and the design has many engineering flaws such as cheap thin boards under the seats that flex, bend and break, bolts and screws that are not properly secured throughout the boat that fall off, swim platforms that crack on the sides anytime they bump up against a dock… even with a fender on, windshields that are loose and gelcoat that is not properly smoothed and buffed throughout the boat. Customer service is horrific as well. They make you feel like you bought a Bayliner!

I can HIGHLY recommend NOT buying an R6. Now if you told me you were looking at a pre-Malibu owned Cobalt like a 2017 R7 I would say go for it if the price is right! Better build quality overall and engineering is far superior, meant to last.

Last thought is the R6 does have a VERY heavy overbuilt hull and does handle chop well, runs pretty flat for me without trim tabs but does bounce a bit in the front end above 30mph in medium chop. It should run flat and over the top of chop at that speed but instead bounces. Could be because I don’t have trim tabs but my 2015 Four Winns H230 was far better running flat at higher speeds than the R6 even though it didn’t cut through the chop as well.

.
Thanks for the feedback Scooby. So glad you found us.
Any pics of your Cobalt?

And welcome aboard mate.

.