Is something stirring at Cobalt?

[MnLakeBum]

I have zero regrets in buying an R5 Surf and knew when we bought it that we'd own it for 15+ years before considering a replacement. Likely I will sell it to a buddy or one of my kids when the itch for a new one comes. Boat styling, especially from Cobalt, is classic and I have no doubts my R5 will still look great in 20 years.

[liquid]

New R series boats are in the works. R6 will be first, followed by R8 and R4 last. I've yet to read a review of an R series boat that wasn't gushing with praise over the boat's attributes. So, anyone who has a one or two-year-old R5, R7, I wouldn't feel bad about being missing out on a new boat in about a year's time. I'll proceed with my purchase as well. I might have thought about it if I wasn't already under contract with the dealer having already sold my trade, but the new R4 won't arrive until the 2021 model year and for me, that is a long time to wait. If I decide to move up, it will be an R6 Surf in 3 years, so I'm now looking forward to my (yet to be produced) R3.

This is awfully specific. Do tell.

Also - I'll take anyone's embarrassingly old R5 surf off their hands when these "super" R's come out.

[jhnmdahl]

There is a reason a bunch of us still have E46 style BMWs and love them, while there are three new body styles in the 3 series since then. Newer isn’t always so much better than a classic older design.

[akorcovelos]

e46 is a great example of classic style not losing appeal. I remember seeing a new e46 M3 and my jaw dropping. I mean, it's no e30, but you can't expect to improve upon God's Chariot. I still have people stunned to hear my Cobalt is 23 years old, nobody should delay a Cobalt purchase because a new model is coming out 'soon', these aren't cell phones.

[liquid]

There is a reason a bunch of us still have E46 style BMWs and love them, while there are three new body styles in the 3 series since then. Newer isn’t always so much better than a classic older design.

True. 17 years and counting on the greatest hull to ever roll off a production line.

[Ytmsn]

There is a reason a bunch of us still have E46 style BMWs and love them, while there are three new body styles in the 3 series since then. Newer isn’t always so much better than a classic older design.

True. 17 years and counting on the greatest hull to ever roll off a production line.

Oh jeesh. Now it's a GHOAT.

[liquid]

There is a reason a bunch of us still have E46 style BMWs and love them, while there are three new body styles in the 3 series since then. Newer isn’t always so much better than a classic older design.

True. 17 years and counting on the greatest hull to ever roll off a production line.

Oh jeesh. Now it's a GHOAT.

Also GLOAT.

[tgrace98]

New R series boats are in the works. R6 will be first, followed by R8 and R4 last. I've yet to read a review of an R series boat that wasn't gushing with praise over the boat's attributes. So, anyone who has a one or two-year-old R5, R7, I wouldn't feel bad about being missing out on a new boat in about a year's time. I'll proceed with my purchase as well. I might have thought about it if I wasn't already under contract with the dealer having already sold my trade, but the new R4 won't arrive until the 2021 model year and for me, that is a long time to wait. If I decide to move up, it will be an R6 Surf in 3 years, so I'm now looking forward to my (yet to be produced) R3.

unless the R8 has a 9ft+ beam and 2 motors. I will be keeping my R7

[liquid]

New R series boats are in the works. R6 will be first, followed by R8 and R4 last. I've yet to read a review of an R series boat that wasn't gushing with praise over the boat's attributes. So, anyone who has a one or two-year-old R5, R7, I wouldn't feel bad about being missing out on a new boat in about a year's time. I'll proceed with my purchase as well. I might have thought about it if I wasn't already under contract with the dealer having already sold my trade, but the new R4 won't arrive until the 2021 model year and for me, that is a long time to wait. If I decide to move up, it will be an R6 Surf in 3 years, so I'm now looking forward to my (yet to be produced) R3.

unless the R8 has a 9ft+ beam and 2 motors. I will be keeping my R7

BobRae - Can you confirm the 9 ft beam and twin 525's please? TIA.

[BobRae99]

New R series boats are in the works. R6 will be first, followed by R8 and R4 last. I've yet to read a review of an R series boat that wasn't gushing with praise over the boat's attributes. So, anyone who has a one or two-year-old R5, R7, I wouldn't feel bad about being missing out on a new boat in about a year's time. I'll proceed with my purchase as well. I might have thought about it if I wasn't already under contract with the dealer having already sold my trade, but the new R4 won't arrive until the 2021 model year and for me, that is a long time to wait. If I decide to move up, it will be an R6 Surf in 3 years, so I'm now looking forward to my (yet to be produced) R3.

unless the R8 has a 9ft+ beam and 2 motors. I will be keeping my R7

BobRae - Can you confirm the 9 ft beam and twin 525's please? TIA.

I have no information on the details of the new boats. I only asked about the timeline of the introduction of the new R series models. I don't know if they are completely new hulls, tweaked hulls, new or tweaked interiors, etc. I assume by the new numbers, all of the boats may grow a bit in size, but I have no information on that, just me speculating.

I'm not sure who Cobalt views as being its "cross-shop" competitor in the 10 and R class. is it Regal? If so, Regal in its 2300 looks to maximize cockpit space by pushing the front bulkhead forward a bit, making the co-pilot seat a single (as opposed to a double on the R series) and the side bench seats longer with a shorter rear sun deck.

Cobalt gained a fair bit of cockpit space in the 220s as compared to the 2016 210. The 220 seems much larger in the cockpit than you'd think an increase of 1' would yield, but it is a significant increase in cockpit space. Of course, the bow seating isn't as comfortable or roomy as in the 210 (at least is my impression). There just seems to be more cockpit floor space on the Regal 2300 than the Cobalt R3.

if Cobalt is looking for more cockpit space in the revised R series, maybe they'll add 8 - 10" to each series LOA and create more space in the cockpit at the same time? Maybe the R4 will have a slightly deeper hull to allow for a head compartment. I'm not sure if that is a popular option or not in the current R5. I guess if Cobalt wants to maintain share in a competitive market, they need to refresh their lines, as the auto manufacturers do.

Anyway, I expect good things will continue to come from a boat builder that has been in business for 51 years.

[Alaskabound]

I have no regrets buying the 220s in 2017. It has a classic look that, in my opinion, is better than a lot of the other brand boats that were at the boat shows this year. We were not sure of the 280 hp until we test drove it and were very satisfied. About the only issue is that, as bob Rae said, there is excellent room in the cockpit but it is at the expense of side storage. Bottom line for me is buy something now if you like it as you never know what new models will bring. Then if something great comes along, you can always trade.

On another note, we are still in Orange Beach, AL at our “snowbird” spot, delayed by a construction project. Not having our boat here, we went down & watched the boats on the intracoastal yesterday & boy, were they out in force. Can’t wait to get out in ours.

Dub

[Tuscany]

I never close the door. In the end, it’s just boat that depreciates a little less than most, and our hours will be low. For us, it’s a toy that we don’t use much in comparison to most. Having said that, if my dealer has a buyer for my current boat at some of the wild resale numbers I am seeing, it’s adios, and I’ll be all over an R8 if I can buy it at the same discount that I received for my R7..which I’m sure I can.

For me, everything is always for sale.

[NautiGirl]

I never close the door. In the end, it’s just boat that depreciates a little less than most, and our hours will be low. For us, it’s a toy that we don’t use much in comparison to most. Having said that, if my dealer has a buyer for my current boat at some of the wild resale numbers I am seeing, it’s adios, and I’ll be all over an R8 if I can buy it at the same discount that I received for my R7..which I’m sure I can.

For me, everything is always for sale.

Except for your puppies!

[AsLan7]

I never close the door. In the end, it’s just boat that depreciates a little less than most, and our hours will be low. For us, it’s a toy that we don’t use much in comparison to most. Having said that, if my dealer has a buyer for my current boat at some of the wild resale numbers I am seeing, it’s adios, and I’ll be all over an R8 if I can buy it at the same discount that I received for my R7..which I’m sure I can.

For me, everything is always for sale.

.
Same philosophy here, T. Everything I have is “up for sale” for the right price. (Other than family & pets like team Nauti mentioned).

Can’t take it with ya.

.

[BobRae99]

I never close the door. In the end, it’s just boat that depreciates a little less than most, and our hours will be low. For us, it’s a toy that we don’t use much in comparison to most. Having said that, if my dealer has a buyer for my current boat at some of the wild resale numbers I am seeing, it’s adios, and I’ll be all over an R8 if I can buy it at the same discount that I received for my R7..which I’m sure I can.

For me, everything is always for sale.

Once you have a boat, it isn't really about the price of the new boat, its about the difference between the two that you have to come up with.