New boat buyer here....lots of questions....

[glioblastoma]

I'm hoping that I can get some good advice and recommendations. My family and I have enjoyed renting an R3 at the lake, and we happened to talk with the boat dealer about an R6 that is on sale. It's a 2025 factory demo with about 15 hours on it. The list price is $210,000 - but they are selling for $147,500. Full warranty including a seven year warranty on the engine.

Specs:
350 Volvo engine
Folding aluminum arch with bimini
rear facing camera
Dual Garmin glass cockpit
fire extinguisher, automatic system
cockpit and bow covers
battery maintainer / charger
premium sound with transom speakers
LED accent lights
custom paint
trim tabs with indicators without autoglide
sof-trac mat throughout

Is this a boat that I do not want to pass up? I'm wanting to pull the trigger; however, being potentially new to boat owning, I have some reservations.....

Would probably put 20% down and finance. If I were to resell this in three to five years, would I be able to easily sell it for roughly what I paid for it?

Thanks for the help.

[jhnmdahl]

It used to be that you could reliably get 25% or so off the cost of a new Cobalt by visiting the right dealer, but that became harder to do post-COVID. This does seem like a decent deal given the boat's essentially new, as long as it's exactly what you want. In three to five years, I'd expect it to be north of $100k assuming it's still in great shape, but probably not close to $150k.

I'm sure others will chime in with their own observations and experiences too.

[AsLan7]

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So glad you found us gb…..

A 26’ (really 27 ish with the platform) is under powered with a 350. That’s why it’s not selling IMHO.

If you don’t plan on doing much water sports and like to just cruise occasionally then this is the boat for you.

And welcome aboard mate.

.

[glioblastoma]

Appreciate the information. We will probably do some tubing, but that is probably about it.

Is there that much of a difference between the 350 and the 380? We will probably take a second look at it in the water and try it out. What specifically should we be aware of?

Thanks again.

[jhnmdahl]

Appreciate the information. We will probably do some tubing, but that is probably about it.

Is there that much of a difference between the 350 and the 380? We will probably take a second look at it in the water and try it out. What specifically should we be aware of?

Thanks again.

That's kind of a tricky answer. The peak horsepower goes up by 10%, but you move from a 5.3L block with the 300 and 350 to a 6.2L block with the 380 and 430. The 300 and 350 have the same torque curve until well over 4000rpm, as do the 380 and 430 (the most egregious example of this was the 5.7L V8-225 and V8-300, which were the same engine and same torque curve until around 4500 rpm). On the 350, the torque curve isn't as flat and the top speed is 5800 rpm, while the 380 has a higher and flatter torque curve with a top speed of 6000 rpm. In a nutshell, it's a 10% jump on paper that feels like a 15-20% jump in the water.

350 specs, including torque curve: https://pubs.volvopenta.com/publications/47714272

380 specs, including torque curve: https://pubs.volvopenta.com/publications//47713057

The R6 is only 8'6" wide (same as most of their smaller boats), but weighs 5800 lbs dry. I know I'd be fine with the 350 on that boat for tooling around Minnesota lakes and pulling a tuber or skier as long as it had the dual prop outdrive, but several others here would not.

[jwill323]

Appreciate the information. We will probably do some tubing, but that is probably about it.

Is there that much of a difference between the 350 and the 380? We will probably take a second look at it in the water and try it out. What specifically should we be aware of?

Thanks again.

That's kind of a tricky answer. The peak horsepower goes up by 10%, but you move from a 5.3L block with the 300 and 350 to a 6.2L block with the 380 and 430. The 300 and 350 have the same torque curve until well over 4000rpm, as do the 380 and 430 (the most egregious example of this was the 5.7L V8-225 and V8-300, which were the same engine and same torque curve until around 4500 rpm). On the 350, the torque curve isn't as flat and the top speed is 5800 rpm, while the 380 has a higher and flatter torque curve with a top speed of 6000 rpm. In a nutshell, it's a 10% jump on paper that feels like a 15-20% jump in the water.

350 specs, including torque curve: https://pubs.volvopenta.com/publications/47714272

380 specs, including torque curve: https://pubs.volvopenta.com/publications//47713057

The R6 is only 8'6" wide (same as most of their smaller boats), but weighs 5800 lbs dry. I know I'd be fine with the 350 on that boat for tooling around Minnesota lakes and pulling a tuber or skier as long as it had the dual prop outdrive, but several others here would not.

This is a great answer!! The phrase that comes to mind is "there's no replacement for displacement" Also having the larger or largest engine package available often helps in the resale market and finally there are very few boaters who will tell you that their boat is over powered or that they wish they had opted for a smaller engine.

[NautiGirl]

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So glad you found us gb…..

A 26’ (really 27 ish with the platform) is under powered with a 350. That’s why it’s not selling IMHO.

If you don’t plan on doing much water sports and like to just cruise occasionally then this is the boat for you.

And welcome aboard mate.

.

Just to clarify the R6 is 25'9'' with the platform. Since the platform is part of the hull cobalt no longer provides measurements that dont include it. The platform is about 2ft give or take so its about a 24ft hull.

That said, I am not one to argue about buying the largest engine possible when purchasing a boat. BBP actually kicks you out of the big block club if you ever suggest anything other than the largest engine package offered.

John is right, the large win with going to the 380/430hp option would be the move from the 5.3l to the 6.2. I love our 8.2l but I wont lie and say the 6.2 in our 222 wasnt a super solid engine.

Take it for a water test, load it down, and see what you think. With a dual prop its still most likely going to perform well. Also dont discount the used options out there, there is a really nice R5 for sale on the facebook group right now...lot of value for what they are asking...and a lot of people would argue the odd series boats ride much better as compared to their even series counterparts.

Good luck /w the purchase! Let us know what you decide.