New Cobalt Owner - R5 on order!

[ryandmartin]

Ordered a new R5 last weekend from East Coast Flightcraft here in New England. I’m new to Cobalt boats, but with all I continue to read, and continually more happy and excited with the decision.

Build date is 5/14, couldn’t come a day sooner. At risk of the recommendations that will cost me more $$, here’s my build spec:
R5
Volvo Penta 350hp
Navy blue hull w/ red boot stripe
Terra brown interior
Premium binimi cover, ez fold
Dinette table
Makassar trim
Transom shower
ACR dual battery

Just joined the forum. Look forward to chatting to and learning from you all.

[akorcovelos]

Welcome from Illinois, you won't regret buying a Cobalt, they are the best! Also, pics or it didn't happen!

[AsLan7]

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Hey RdM, welcome to the Cobalt Chat forum. So glad you found us!

The navy blue with red boot stripe is my favorite color. That will look soooo sharp paired with the Terra brown interior.

Can't wait for pics.

....and welcome aboard mate!

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[cmattj]

Congratulations, and we will be awaiting your pics. Very exciting!

[BobRae99]

Congratulations. I just ordered an R3 last week and have “spray date” (gel coat spray into the mould, which is the first production step) of 5/15.

Not knowing you preferences, I might suggest premium sound if you like listening to music. If you are using the boat on an inland lake or shallow coastal area and will anchor, have you considered a windlass? Other than that, you might see a bit more performance with the VP380 if you will carry a lot of people. Finally, a pump out head might be a good option. Other than that, hard to go wrong with Cobalt. This will be my second one in 2 years.

[ryandmartin]

Thanks for the responses. Definitely excited. @bobrae99 sounds like we have similar start dates. I’m thinking about trying to get there end of May for a factory tour, maybe see her during construction on the floor.

As for the build options, here are the thoughts going through my head (some small bit influenced by the dealership owner recommendations)...
- thought about premium sound. Dealer said the standard system is very good and “unless you’re an audiophile, probably stick with premium”. I played around with the standard system on the water. Huge fan of music, but upgrading in a windy, water environment, made some sense sticking standard (and not having a tower for speakers).
- I grew up on boats and always had to pull the anchor up. Actually kind of liked it (is that nuts?). Have two young boys so feel they should get life experience. In all seriousness, never really considered a windlass... saw it as a luxury and only really needed single-handling, which wouldn’t happen.
- I test drove the R3 with a 300 and 5 passengers onboard. Was actually surprised how quickly it got up and went. Figured the R5 with a 350 was more than compensating for the extra size and weight. Also heard the 380 is the same engine with a different tune/chip (assuming this can be re-tuned later?)
- pump out... we’re just getting the porta potti. Heard the pump out option is just a porta potti you can’t “porta”. So if the pump out is closed, you can’t empty. If that’s true, if anything I’d go to the porcelain toilet since it has a separate holding tank. If it’s just a porta potti I’d want to empty without a pump out.

Let me know if I’m off base on anything or should reconsider. Thanks for your warm welcome and advice!

[Big Block Power]

Ok 350 is a 5.3 block and the 380 and 430 is the 6.2 block. Huge diff. Yea I rather have smaller too. I know it's not my money but guys put some hp in your boats and enjoy it. You will enjoy hp not regret hp. You will regret less hp. Your paying so much for these new rides the extra for the engine is worth it. And no you won't be able to just retune the ecu on these. Unless someone really gets into doing it. Slide another job for you!!!!

[BobRae99]

Thanks for the responses. Definitely excited. @bobrae99 sounds like we have similar start dates. I’m thinking about trying to get there end of May for a factory tour, maybe see her during construction on the floor.

As for the build options, here are the thoughts going through my head (some small bit influenced by the dealership owner recommendations)...
- thought about premium sound. Dealer said the standard system is very good and “unless you’re an audiophile, probably stick with premium”. I played around with the standard system on the water. Huge fan of music, but upgrading in a windy, water environment, made some sense sticking standard (and not having a tower for speakers).
- I grew up on boats and always had to pull the anchor up. Actually kind of liked it (is that nuts?). Have two young boys so feel they should get life experience. In all seriousness, never really considered a windlass... saw it as a luxury and only really needed single-handling, which wouldn’t happen.
- I test drove the R3 with a 300 and 5 passengers onboard. Was actually surprised how quickly it got up and went. Figured the R5 with a 350 was more than compensating for the extra size and weight. Also heard the 380 is the same engine with a different tune/chip (assuming this can be re-tuned later?)
- pump out... we’re just getting the porta potti. Heard the pump out option is just a porta potti you can’t “porta”. So if the pump out is closed, you can’t empty. If that’s true, if anything I’d go to the porcelain toilet since it has a separate holding tank. If it’s just a porta potti I’d want to empty without a pump out.

Let me know if I’m off base on anything or should reconsider. Thanks for your warm welcome and advice!

I suggested the windlass based on my age (61). I was think that in 5 or 6 years I might find it a strain to haul the anchor up, clean it off and throw it in the anchor locker, but who knows - it’s an expensive option.

I’d check back with the dealer on the pump out porta potti. I was under the impression that it connects to a holding tank as well. The Cobalt website could do a better job describing options.

I listened to the premium sound on the R3 in the dealer’s showroom and I found it to be fine, but nowhere near audiophile. It adds a 10” sub woofer in addition to larger amps and updated speakers. My 210 (the entry level series) had standard sound and it sounded pretty flat. I haven’t heard the standard sound in the R3 or the R5, so I can’t sayhow much better the premium sound is.

As to the power choice, my 210 had a V6/280 and got up on plane in 2.7 seconds and topped out at 46 mph. Many people here would not have bought the boat without a V8, but I found it more than adequate. The R3 with a 300 planes in the same time as the 210 and goes 50 mph. I chose the 350 in case I loaded the boat with people and equipment and wanted to tow. It gives a similar plane time and 54 mph. I suspect the 350 in the R5 would give you performance similar to the 300 in the R3. The dealer has the prop charts which give time to plane and top speed for each boat/engine/prop combination.

I know BB has a different view, but I think most people rarely run their boats at top speed or carry a heavy crew load such that the boat would feel sluggish. If you are one of those people, then you might consider more power.

I’m thinking of doing a factory tour about a week or so after the spray date (May 15th). By then I expect they would be installing the engine, gas tank etc and electrical. Before that date, I’d get to see the factory, but I’m thinking my boat would just be a hull sitting in the mould curing.

It’s kind of an exciting time. I’m looking forward to the boating season.

[Norris_Boating]

One thing the forum talked me out of was the tannu covers, just get the mooring cover. This way there aren't any snaps on the boat, the mooring cover goes on just as easy and covers more of the boat.
And as Big block said the 350 and 380 are NOT the same engine, that is the 380 and 430. And nobody has actually done a tune up to get the extra HP out of the 380. (still waiting for you guys to figure it out and bump me up!!)
IMO the 350 is good for the R5.
I didn't want people using my porta potti because I don't want to clean it out! So I had them leave it out (included in a box for future install if desired)
What flooring did you get? several here have recently installed SeaDek or similar product through out the boat and it looks great. You can have them not install the carpet if that is something that appeals to you. that way you don't have to take the snaps out and fill in the holes. Again they will include this as an uninstalled option in case you want to add it latter.
You are going to love the boat and welcome!

[tgrace98]

Congrats on the new R5! I just took delivery on my R7 and you are going to love it. I’ve got the 6.2 380hp motor in mine. If you can stomach the upgrade I would suggest it. It’s a great motor and would be fun in an r5. No one ever wishes they had a smaller motor.

[ryandmartin]

Ok, I’ll bite.

Let’s say I’m willing to spend $5-6k more than my current build price. Has to be worth it, but I’d do it. I’m not entirely convinced I need a bigger engine than the 350, especially if everyone thinks I’ll be in an R7 within a few years anyways. FYI, kids are 8,5, and 3. Towing, water skiing, heading to islands 12-20 miles offshore.

I could go to the 380 (from the 350), could swap the sea grass flooring for the pump out porta potti, could remove a bunch of options (flooring, shower, dinette (I have a wife?)), and go to the 430.

Let’s spend some money.

[Brunosr]

Hello Ryan,

Congratulation on your new boat!! I was just told that my new R7 will be arriving this week!! I also boat from East Coast Flightcraft on Lake Winnipesaukee. Where will you be using your new boat?

[Big Block Power]

If your already thinking move up go with the bigger engine you will get the diff back on resale. Get fender clips. What about led lights? Sea dek or sea grass is the only way to go. Captains call? Did we add a tower yet. Upgraded stereo forsure. Surf?

[rfholman]

I've got my new R5 on order so this is my first chat. Expecting delivery in early May. Have enjoyed watching the builds so here's mine-
R5
Volvo Penta 380
Black hull, Red edge strip, white bottom (I'm a big University of Georgia fan...Go Dawgs)!
Premium sound, sat radio
Black arch
Sea Grass flooring
Windlass
Mooring cover
Head, electric porcelain
Flagpole (for my UGA flag!)

I started with the 350 but moved to 380 since I agree that you will never regret more power. Windlass was my real splurge.

[AsLan7]

I've got my new R5 on order so this is my first chat. Expecting delivery in early May. Have enjoyed watching the builds so here's mine-
R5
Volvo Penta 380
Black hull, Red edge strip, white bottom (I'm a big University of Georgia fan...Go Dawgs)!
Premium sound, sat radio
Black arch
Sea Grass flooring
Windlass
Mooring cover
Head, electric porcelain
Flagpole (for my UGA flag!)

I started with the 350 but moved to 380 since I agree that you will never regret more power. Windlass was my real splurge.

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Hey rfholman, welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

That’s a nicely equipped R5. Any chance you are going to add captain’s call? How about trim tabs?

Great to have you here my friend.

Welcome aboard mate!

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