Boating On Lake Norman

[zjcLKN]

To the forum,

First I hope this is the right area to post this. I am located in Charlotte, NC just south of Lake Norman. I have grown up in VA boating on rivers and the bay. Mostly with boston whalers, grady white, an old trophy. Nothing like a bowrider/Cobalt. Now we are boating on Lake Norman, and after renting a boat last weekend my wife is really wanting to buy a boat (great position to be in where I am gettingencouraged to go buy a boat). While I would love nothing more than to get a boat for this summer, I am also money conscious and know I can get a better deal at a boat show in Feb or by getting a previous year model in the spring for next summer. I have always had an eye for cobaly bowriders and there is a dealer on the lake that seems to be very reputable which in my opinion can make all the difference in boat ownership. I am looking at the R3, the bryant calandra, or a chap of similar size. I could go with a new boat or honestly I would be fine with a used boat that was well maintained. I know this is a cobalt forum, but just wondered if anyone could weigh in on comparison between the three. Again this is premature in that I haven't even found the boats so I can't compare power and other options. Mostly would use for cruising as we do not yet have kids. I will say this, ride is important. The boat we were in was a little 19ft starcraft and it got a little choppy which my wife was not a huge fan of. So this is probably more for people on Lake Norman but would the R3 or even the CS23 work well for boating out there. Thanks guys.

Z

[AsLan7]

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Hey Z. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

What a Great Lake you have for boating. I can tell you hands down you want a Cobalt for Norman with the amount of boats that can kick up waves. You will never regret the ride with the deeper deadrise V bottom hull and reverse chine lifting strakes. Your wife will thank you.

R3 is nice. R5 is also one to consider if you see one around for that lake. Having a Cobalt dealer there is a huge plus for parts and servicing.

Nice ride = Cobalt. Build quality = Cobalt. Higher resale value = Cobalt. More power = Cobalt.
Wife impressed with ride = Cobalt.
Did I mention the ride.

Others will chime in shortly.

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[Big Block Power]

I will tell you the r3 will ride better than the CS series. More freeboard diff hull. The Cobalt will hold its value much better than any of those other boats you mentioned. We have done of those other boat prev owners on here and they will chime in. You won't beat a Cobalt ride though nor will you beat the quality. Can't go wrong. Buy what you can afford and welcome and good luck. Just get a 430 in the r3 and I'll be happy!

[bmccabe592]

Check out Lake Norman Marine for new and used cobalts They are great people

[sailor55330]

I have the R3 and at times, I boat on a lake that throws silly wakes. Imagine an inland lake that you can go from end to end in less than 30 mins with 40-50ft cruisers on it. Regardless, it's not uncommon for 3-4 chop from those boats. I have only had water lightly splash the windshield one time in 3 years of ownership. The R series is an extremely dry boat. Somehow, they managed to make a crazy smooth and dry boat that carves extremely well. We have looked at property on Lake Norman so I get the size of the water you are considering. The R series is built for that type of water, IMHO.