2023 R8 E-step

[jaydeewhite]

A question for any R8 owners with the electronically operated swim step…

We just took delivery of a 2023 R8 with the e-step. In the DOWN position, the step floats up and does not lock in place. You can step on it, but without weight on it, it floats up 45 degrees, and bangs up and down when another boat goes by or when it’s wavy on the lake. We are being told that is how it is how it is designed and will not lock down. It doesn’t seem safe and is super-annoying to have it banging against the stops.

Also, we are being told that the step cannot be operated manually at all, contrary to what the dealer told us when ordering the option. It is also contrary to Cobalt’s own marketing videos.

Curious if R owners who have this option experience the same.

[AsLan7]

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So glad you found us jdw....

Hopefully a few here will be able to chime in shortly.

Any pics?

And welcome aboard mate.

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[undercoverVOL]

we have the manual one... the bolt has already snapped that latches it in the down position, most likely due to waves from other boats. real day ruiner.

[billk2632]

There is a love hate with that step. The pin that locks it on the manual one is a weak point. If you watch the step while the boat rocks in anything above small waves, as the bow goes down and the stern rises, there is a lot of pressure on the step, enough to break the pin. I love the step on my boat, but I am very careful about not leaving it down when there are anything above very small waves. I suspect the electric version does not have the pin and relies on the motor to keep it up or down and letting the motor "lock" it in place when down would probably damage it knowing what has happened with the manual pins.

[Krob1114]

we have the manual one... the bolt has already snapped that latches it in the down position, most likely due to waves from other boats. real day ruiner.

Ours lasted over 2 years or so on the same lake. Futrell got me another one under warranty. I haven't installed it yet and have found that I may not install it as it will break again. I still have it in the bag and will install it when I sell the boat, which at my age, may be never.

I'm ok with it moving a little with waves, it's easier to use without the pin, and there is no noticeable noise from movement when it's in the up position.

[Norris_Boating]

Who is telling you this is how it is supposed to work, the dealer that told you it can be manual or electronic? I would request a refund for that option as that is not how it was marketed and you wouldn't have added that on had you known that is how it operated.
That would really bug me if that is how it operated.

[jaydeewhite]

Thanks for everyone’s reply. We based our decision for the option on this video from Cobalt:
Our dealer also confirmed same functionality when we were specing it.
Previously we owned a 2014 WSS26SD that had the manual pin and step would lock in the down position. We thought the electronic step would be a nice upgrade, but maybe not.

I’m being told by the dealer (and by extension a CSR at cobalt) that the step was designed to NOT lock down when deployed and that the “floating” was part of the design. Also that manual deployment is not possible—the pull-pin is not functional. This directly contradicts Cobalt’s own video.
I will try to grab a video of it this weekend.

[undercoverVOL]

we have the manual one... the bolt has already snapped that latches it in the down position, most likely due to waves from other boats. real day ruiner.

Ours lasted over 2 years or so on the same lake. Futrell got me another one under warranty. I haven't installed it yet and have found that I may not install it as it will break again. I still have it in the bag and will install it when I sell the boat, which at my age, may be never.

I'm ok with it moving a little with waves, it's easier to use without the pin, and there is no noticeable noise from movement when it's in the up position.

How long have you been without it?

We thought about leaving it uninstalled. We were worried with surfing, that the quick start may make it bounce back into water, but it is really heavy too. We didnt wanna chance it.

[CobaltDeadHead]

I know nothing about the e step, but it seems like you have a sound argument OP.

As for the manual, kind of surprised to hear they still have issues with it. Known problem for years. You'd think someone would have figured out a more robust part.

[Krob1114]

we have the manual one... the bolt has already snapped that latches it in the down position, most likely due to waves from other boats. real day ruiner.

Ours lasted over 2 years or so on the same lake. Futrell got me another one under warranty. I haven't installed it yet and have found that I may not install it as it will break again. I still have it in the bag and will install it when I sell the boat, which at my age, may be never.

I'm ok with it moving a little with waves, it's easier to use without the pin, and there is no noticeable noise from movement when it's in the up position.

How long have you been without it?

We thought about leaving it uninstalled. We were worried with surfing, that the quick start may make it bounce back into water, but it is really heavy too. We didnt wanna chance it.

I think ours broke halfway through the 2021 season. Haven't missed it. It's actually easier now as it only takes one hand. Mine is still in the bubble wrap bag.
Have you posted a picture of your boat yet? Every time I see a nice Cobalt headed to Eden lsle Marina; I wonder if it's you.

[undercoverVOL]

Ours lasted over 2 years or so on the same lake. Futrell got me another one under warranty. I haven't installed it yet and have found that I may not install it as it will break again. I still have it in the bag and will install it when I sell the boat, which at my age, may be never.

I'm ok with it moving a little with waves, it's easier to use without the pin, and there is no noticeable noise from movement when it's in the up position.

How long have you been without it?

We thought about leaving it uninstalled. We were worried with surfing, that the quick start may make it bounce back into water, but it is really heavy too. We didnt wanna chance it.

I think ours broke halfway through the 2021 season. Haven't missed it. It's actually easier now as it only takes one hand. Mine is still in the bubble wrap bag.
Have you posted a picture of your boat yet? Every time I see a nice Cobalt headed to Eden lsle Marina; I wonder if it's you.

I havent posted one yet. I don’t think i even have a photo of the outside of it.

On the swim step, with how much my family is out, im sure it will break again within the next season. Gonna take your advice and not fix it - I just get worried with surfing.