Cobalt Newbie- Looking for a R6

[Paul275]

Greetings all!
Former 3 boat owner here, all aft cabin cruisers, deciding on buying a really nice day boat. The Cobalt brand has taken us by storm, we just love how the boat is made, and like the enduring value. Would like to think that the boat itself is a destination, in addition to where we can go with it. We just test drove an R6 with the 350hp engine. Really nice, solid, beautiful machine. Surprisingly quiet, and we like that. Thinking hard about a custom order.

I've built a bunch of boats and seem to have settled into a low 150s build. I am sure that I will be back with some additional questions, but perhaps I can get some help with the following:
1. How can the R5 weigh 1,000 lbs less, it is 1" shorter?
2, Besides styling, are there any performance differences in the R5 v. R6? I would think that at 1,000 lbs less, the R5 would do much better with the 350hp.
3. Does anyone use their boat in the western Long Island Sound? Are there water conditions that challenge the boat, to the point that is would be unsafe? 3' to 4' are not uncommon in the Sound.
4. Does anyone bottom paint these gorgeous hulls or should I be thinking rack storage or a lift in salt water?
5. Does anyone think the Ocean X package is worth the money?

thanks in advance, will surely have more questions soon.

Paul

[Big Block Power]

What about going with the outboard? BobRae will take over on 5th he weight issues. Dead rise is diff between the 2. I would think the r5 would be better in the rough water but they are both going to be really good no matter what. No please don't paint TN he bottom
Rack store it.

[Paul275]

Thanks BBP. I am also thinking OB, particularly if I don't rack store. On the other hand, the look of the stern drives without the engine hanging off is incredible. Plus, we love that fold down swim platform.

[Big Block Power]

Thanks BBP. I am also thinking OB, particularly if I don't rack store. On the other hand, the look of the stern drives without the engine hanging off is incredible. Plus, we love that fold down swim platform.

Can you get a chance to drive both? Yes there is a huge advantage to the io, but salt I'm going OB. They redesigned all of the stringers in the hull. That's where the weight came from, they took away some dead rise at the transom so it still gets on plane good. But they did lose a few mph. Ride quality hard to say. It's still too early. You can't go wrong with either though. Go black hull then bottom paint black and it will be harder to tell.

[J9lake]

We just bought the R6 yesterday with a 380. Coming out of an R3 and never really considered the R5. Nothing wrong with it, but we like the bigger swim platform, sunpad and 10” twin garmins. Loved how it drove and totally agree that it was quieter. Weight is stronger system. Good luck. Can’t go wrong.

[Paul275]

Can you get a chance to drive both? Yes there is a huge advantage to the io, but salt I'm going OB. They redesigned all of the stringers in the hull. That's where the weight came from, they took away some dead rise at the transom so it still gets on plane good. But they did lose a few mph. Ride quality hard to say. It's still too early. You can't go wrong with either though. Go black hull then bottom paint black and it will be harder to tell.

Will try to sample an OB, but not sure the dealer will have one until the spring. Agree with salt and OBs. The I/O power packages just start corroding as soon as you put them in the salt water. The tilt out option is priceless on the OBs. Great suggestion on the black hull - may go navy though. That would solve a lot of problems, as rack storage isn't ideal for how I want to use the boat.

[Paul275]

We just bought the R6 yesterday with a 380. Coming out of an R3 and never really considered the R5. Nothing wrong with it, but we like the bigger swim platform, sunpad and 10” twin garmins. Loved how it drove and totally agree that it was quieter. Weight is stronger system. Good luck. Can’t go wrong.

Congrats, the boat must fly with the 380. I thought it did pretty well with the 350.

[J9lake]

I'm sure it will. Likewise, I drove it with the 350 and it was great. YOLO.

[AsLan7]

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

Outboard with bottom paint on a navy hull works. I say go for that option.

Again welcome aboard mate!

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[Paul275]

Thanks very much...the research goes on.

[Krob1114]

Welcome. No opinion here, just reading. Good luck with your choice.