Cobaltchat.com

I thought I posted this boat which is by us.
https://www.beaconmarinellc.com/invento ... 4-2642150i

Or go to this bad boy

https://www.beaconmarinellc.com/invento ... 4-2642144i

So what did you wind up with?

New R5 owner here, new to us anyway--2016 with the 300 engine! I was a bit nervous about this 300HP too--we had the 7.4GI in our 220 that was 1,000 pounds lighter and was also 300hp but torquey with that big block engine. We are in Lake Tahoe at 6250 ft. and I was really worried the 300 wasn't going to be enough, or I that I might have to prop down for better hole shots (and then lose my top end speed).

I have to say, the 300 feels like more than enough, even at 6200 ft! The boat goes on plane in about 3 seconds and any time you GUN the throttle under 4,000 rpm, it's going to knock people down, if they aren't already sitting down. Volvo did an amazing job making almost all of the available HP and Torque of this engine available from just off idle up to nearly 4,000rpm. The HP charts speak for themselves on this engine; there is almost no difference on the 300/350 chart at 1,000-3,000 rpm range and it's only after 4,000 rpms that the extra 50 HP kicks in to give you that extra 5mph top speed. Torque is identical down low.

I know I'll never win the "bigger is better" battle with this feedback, but I do know that Cobalt does not under-power, even at the stock configs. That's why you see so many 300hp R5s out there--because it's actually enough for 90% of the applications.

I agree that running at 4,000rpms cruising speed with smaller engines isn't going to be everyone's taste...and nothing beats a bigger blocks sound! But I can also tell you that these recent Volvo's GM engines have amazing power on tap down low, and unless I was going to be loaded down with 8+ people all the time in a wakeboard configuration with extra ballast weight, there's no real need to go much bigger IMO... Sure, someone with a 380 might change my mind just for the "fun" of that little bit extra oomph down low, but I can tell you that it's certainly not "needed" at all for our use with 4-6 of us; we don't wakeboard or ski much and on Lake Tahoe it's rare to ever be smooth enough to go more than 35mph anyway!

On the R7 I would most likely size up to the 380, but considering that the 300 is also the base engine in the R7, Cobalt found it to be sufficient there too... It's a $12,000 difference from 300 to 380 and that's quite expensive considering the HP/Torque chart curves aren't going to make up that difference for what it's actually costing you...

Congrats on your R5! Yeah - the engines are torquey for sure. We did decide to order a 2020 R5 pre-price increase with the 380. Keep our boats a long time, and used to 375hp so that’s the way we went. More config details in signature.

greenhut wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 1:19 am Congrats on your R5! Yeah - the engines are torquey for sure. We did decide to order a 2020 R5 pre-price increase with the 380. Keep our boats a long time, and used to 375hp so that’s the way we went. More config details in signature.

Congrats double-likewise! Looks like you spec’d it great! The R5 is a beast of a boat even stock and only gets better from there. Be sure to share some pics!

Cobaltfan wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 1:39 am Congrats double-likewise! Looks like you spec’d it great! The R5 is a beast of a boat even stock and only gets better from there. Be sure to share some pics!

Thanks

We can't wait. Perhaps should have waited on the R6, but between loving the R5, the 2020 price increase on the R5, price increase from R5->R6, and waiting until next season, decided to pull the trigger. We'll see - may be sorry...

CF where did you find your used r5 then? Your dealer? Sorry I missed that somewhere. Glad your happy with the power. That's all that matters these bb guys don't know what they're missing.
Just what ever you do don't drive or get in a boat with a 380 or then you will kick yourself in the arse. And that 12k turns into a 120k

Big Block Power wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 7:12 am CF where did you find your used r5 then? Your dealer? Sorry I missed that somewhere. Glad your happy with the power. That's all that matters these bb guys don't know what they're missing.
Just what ever you do don't drive or get in a boat with a 380 or then you will kick yourself in the arse. And that 12k turns into a 120k

Found it online. I bought it from a guy in NH and had it shipped out west. Did a lake test with it in NH and determined the 300hp would be enough, plus, it was a great deal that I just couldn’t pass up!

Cobaltfan wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:53 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 7:12 am CF where did you find your used r5 then? Your dealer? Sorry I missed that somewhere. Glad your happy with the power. That's all that matters these bb guys don't know what they're missing.
Just what ever you do don't drive or get in a boat with a 380 or then you will kick yourself in the arse. And that 12k turns into a 120k

Found it online. I bought it from a guy in NH and had it shipped out west. Did a lake test with it in NH and determined the 300hp would be enough, plus, it was a great deal that I just couldn’t pass up!

Very cool. Is the flat lander prop working OK in Tahoe. Can you hit max rpm.?

Big Block Power wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 1:58 pm

Cobaltfan wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 12:53 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Sat Jul 13, 2019 7:12 am CF where did you find your used r5 then? Your dealer? Sorry I missed that somewhere. Glad your happy with the power. That's all that matters these bb guys don't know what they're missing.
Just what ever you do don't drive or get in a boat with a 380 or then you will kick yourself in the arse. And that 12k turns into a 120k

Found it online. I bought it from a guy in NH and had it shipped out west. Did a lake test with it in NH and determined the 300hp would be enough, plus, it was a great deal that I just couldn’t pass up!

Very cool. Is the flat lander prop working OK in Tahoe. Can you hit max rpm.?

No, unfortunately it hasn't been smooth enough yet to really try it out, plus the wife gets scared when she hears me gunning the engine.

I had it up to about 5200 one day fairly briefly and I think just hit 40mph or so, but didn't give it any time for the speed to build up or to see if it would go 5400+. Max is 5600 right?

I've been cruising at about 3850 rpm or so which is just about 29mph on the Garmin GPS (analogue speedo is off/lower by like 5mph it seems). Does that seem about right? I have the 2.32 drive ratio...

This is a good read.
5800 is your goal.
It looks like your off maybe 300 rpms? Which is showing your pitch is too low. Odd. Do you have FH5 props. Let's keep the wife at the dock once and s what she does at wot
https://www.boattest.com/oem/3211316/en ... 1000124/0/

Those engines are fuel injected - you shouldn't take a major hit at altitude anymore.

- Mark