R7 cancelled??

[Big Block Power]

Everyone compares the interior difference between the new and old R's. My bigger concern was in the hull change. 21 degree deadrise to 17 and the elimination of the extended running surface would have made me look elsewhere had there not been one last R5 on the lot.

I agree. This is where Cobalt has always stood apart, ride. They lose that I will never buy another new one again or step up to an even digit.

Did you drive a CS before you bought it?

[dustinm]

Everyone compares the interior difference between the new and old R's. My bigger concern was in the hull change. 21 degree deadrise to 17 and the elimination of the extended running surface would have made me look elsewhere had there not been one last R5 on the lot.

I agree. This is where Cobalt has always stood apart, ride. They lose that I will never buy another new one again or step up to an even digit.

Did you drive a CS before you bought it?

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

[Big Block Power]

I agree. This is where Cobalt has always stood apart, ride. They lose that I will never buy another new one again or step up to an even digit.

Did you drive a CS before you bought it?

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

[dustinm]

Did you drive a CS before you bought it?

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

I will say I was just a fair weather boater before I took a test ride in my first Cobalt. That ride got me hooked, should have never taken it. After that I just take for granted how a Cobalt should feel.

Its fine that Cobalt wants to explore new markets but keep a few choices for the classic cruiser type people. I mean its not like they don't have the hull molds.

[BobRae99]

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

I will say I was just a fair weather boater before I took a test ride in my first Cobalt. That ride got me hooked, should have never taken it. After that I just take for granted how a Cobalt should feel.

Its fine that Cobalt wants to explore new markets but keep a few choices for the classic cruiser type people. I mean its not like they don't have the hull molds.

Ford has stamping presses for some of their old cars too, but like Cobalt, they innovate and move on. Now there are some legacy manufacturers that have brought out the old tooling - Jaguar is building a limited number of E types for $400,000 or so for those who are nostalgic.

[CobaltDeadHead]

Cobalt is slapping the face of traditionalists made the company what it is, well the company it used to be. Getting rid of the 3,5 and 7 is the dumbest business move ever.. If I wanted a Malibu I would have bought one.. If it wasn’t for being a pandemic market and boat sales soaring because nobody will travel their sales of the new models would not be so strong.. just wait a few years and watch the traditional looking cobalt of the last 30;years come back.

Hope you are right. I'm not a fan of the new Rs at all. The interiors look like they were designed by a modern industrial office furniture company. They will age fast and look out of date. And how well Cobalts age is one of the things that separates them from the competition. I don't see the new Rs having the same timeless quality Cobalt is known for.

You can innovate without changing the DNA. Some car companies such as Audi have done this very well.

[Big Block Power]

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

I will say I was just a fair weather boater before I took a test ride in my first Cobalt. That ride got me hooked, should have never taken it. After that I just take for granted how a Cobalt should feel.

Its fine that Cobalt wants to explore new markets but keep a few choices for the classic cruiser type people. I mean its not like they don't have the hull molds.

I would never take for granted what a boat rides like. My Cobalt 200 and 222 ride way diff then my 220. I honestly wouldn't own a 222. The Nautis love theirs. The Nautis could hate my 220 and that's ok. Tim's R7 is the bomb to ride in. I didn't drive it yet but in a few months I'll let the Tank have some lemonades while I take the helm to give him a break. I'm thinking I will love it also.

But now My Donzi I would take way before my Cobalt. You talk about a boat driving on rails! That baby did. Once you drive a notched hull boat you don't know What your missing. But hey it depends What you want your boat to ride like. Do you want a caddy yep they have that in the 222 and r series and the 262 plus others. You want to a sports car I think you get that in the 10 series boats. A7 would even say his 262 is a sports car. The cs and 220 give you that. It's all in the eye of the beholder.
I think the new R series will hold up very well in 15 years from now. Malibu is a leader in the tow boat league. They are not just a cheap manufacturer. I think we will be just fine in our CoBu!

[Kyboater]

Did you drive a CS before you bought it?

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

Last year when I bought my brand new R3 I didn’t water test it or any other R series. I had only been on the R series at boats shows or a showroom. I didn’t water test my 2005 220 either. I was not disappointed in either one.

[BobRae99]

I will !!! So far the CS still has a 20 degree deadrise.

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

Last year when I bought my brand new R3 I didn’t water test it or any other R series. I had only been on the R series at boats shows or a showroom. I didn’t water test my 2005 220 either. I was not disappointed in either one.

I didn't water test an R3 before I ordered one either. Coming from one year (first ever boat) in a 210 I was initially disappointed. Totally different ride and handling - much heavier feeling and less sporty. But in choppy water, it walked away from the 210 and any other hull in my marina. I grew to love the ride/handling after a few times out. Still, when I move to the new generation R series (R6 or R8) I will water test the boat first. $200,000 is a lot of money to me.

I'm sure Cobalt did their homework. Not to offend anyone here, but I'm sure we'd all rank as "amateurs" when it comes to dissecting hull design elements in a comprehensive fashion.There is no doubt that a shallower overall dead rise (flatter bottom boat) will make it slap more, but dead rise specified for a boat is almost always "at the transom" and boats have different profiles as you move forward. How deep is the mid section? Forward Vee? How are the chines placed and directed, etc.

As has been pointed out, both Cobalt and Malibu have been building hulls for decades and are both very successful manufacturers. I don't think you get to where they are by blowing hull designs. And if they do? Life isn't over, I'll buy something else next time.

[dustinm]

Just curious. That would be a good thread. Who water tested their brand new boat before they bought it. I bet you it's less than half

Last year when I bought my brand new R3 I didn’t water test it or any other R series. I had only been on the R series at boats shows or a showroom. I didn’t water test my 2005 220 either. I was not disappointed in either one.

Not to offend anyone here, but I'm sure we'd all rank as "amateurs" when it comes to dissecting hull design elements in a comprehensive fashion.

Very true Bob.

[Big Block Power]

Last year when I bought my brand new R3 I didn’t water test it or any other R series. I had only been on the R series at boats shows or a showroom. I didn’t water test my 2005 220 either. I was not disappointed in either one.

Not to offend anyone here, but I'm sure we'd all rank as "amateurs" when it comes to dissecting hull design elements in a comprehensive fashion.

Very true Bob.

I'm a little offended! But I'm ok with that. Thanks Bob for hurting my feelings

[Dadof3girls]

For whoever asked about who water tested their R series before they purchased. I bought a new R7 loaded with. 430 and never took a test drive. Part of me was like, you are an idiot buying this priced boat without taking a test drive! I came from a Centurion Enzo 244 which which is a great boat, but I knew the Cobalt would be awesome regardless. I still shake my head I spent this amount of money and didn’t test drive it! But I love my R7!!

[Krob1114]

For whoever asked about who water tested their R series before they purchased. I bought a new R7 loaded with. 430 and never took a test drive. Part of me was like, you are an idiot buying this priced boat without taking a test drive! I came from a Centurion Enzo 244 which which is a great boat, but I knew the Cobalt would be awesome regardless. I still shake my head I spent this amount of money and didn’t test drive it! But I love my R7!!

I wanted Cobalt too. R(fill in you number).

[BobRae99]

I wonder how many people buy a $250,000 car without driving it first? There are tons of posts here about which engine to power a new boat with. It seems to me if it was easy to go to your dealer, hop into boat "A" with a 380 and 6 friends and then into boat "B" with a 430 and 6 friends, you'd know pretty quickly. Same thing with ride quality and handling. I suspect we don't do this because boat dealers don't tend to have several boats with different motors in them sitting in the water waiting for people to test drive them.

So far so good for me though - 2 boats without test drives and so far I'm happy.

[Tuscany]

Sometimes....People tend to suffer paralysis from analysis..

You know a new Cobalt is going to be great.
A new Ford truck is going to be great..
A new Ram truck is going to suck..
A new Ferrari will be great.