So, should I buy a Cobalt?

[Bfun220]

Or, maybe you prefer this

[AsLan7]

Or, maybe you prefer this

.
Now that's literally being pulled by 1 horse power.

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[BobRae99]

Sooo...
I had my first test drive of a CS 22 with a VP 280 hP DP. Unfortunately, it was dead calm. So while the boat was great, pretty hard to tell if it is the RIGHT BOAT for Georgian Bay. So for any of you that have some good experience with the CS22 or similar size of Cobalt, what are your thoughts on how this boat will handle big water? The marina where I did the test drive is on an inland lake. Fairly large lake, but not anything like Geoargian Bay. Lots of Cobalts going into the water this weekend, although this marina is one of Canada's largest Cobalt dealers so it adds up.

Looking forward to your opinions.

For what its worth, I boat on Lake Winnipeg and found my 2016 210 to be very stable and dry in medium chop. My friend who has a 22' Regal says his boat is faster than mine, but that in any kind of chop my boat will continue to hold speed while his gets bounced around. Cobalts aren't the fastest (weight, deep hull) but they ride well in chop and are very dry. After being impressed with how well my 210 was, I was blown away by the ride in the R3. Again, even heavier boat and deeper hull.

You can re test again on a rougher lake or ask the dealer how the hulls compare between the CS series and the 220 in terms of characteristics. In the end, I think Cobalts will give you a drier and better ride than most similar size boats out there.

Despite my boats solid and dry ride, once Lake Winnipeg kicks up more than 2 ro 2.5', I just head in to shore. I don't get much enjoyment pounding along through rough chop, preferring to wait the weather out on shore and try again in the evening when the water calms down.

[psoundboater]

Thanks BR. Not thinking that any 22' boat is going to be much fun in 3' waves - more thinking about whether it gets dicey. No matter how well you plan up here, a calm day can turn nasty faster than you can get home sometimes! Really just worried about being able to get home, even if it is not that much fun! My Dad grew up in Winnipeg and told stories bout summer on Lake Winnipeg but I have never been.

[Big Block Power]

Of you are set on sticking to a 22ftish type boat. I would go with a r3 before any of the others. Or a 23sc. Going to handle that water much better than a cs model.

[BobRae99]

Of you are set on sticking to a 22ftish type boat. I would go with a r3 before any of the others. Or a 23sc. Going to handle that water much better than a cs model.

He’d do even better in an A29, but then there is the budget issue.

[BobRae99]

Thanks BR. Not thinking that any 22' boat is going to be much fun in 3' waves - more thinking about whether it gets dicey. No matter how well you plan up here, a calm day can turn nasty faster than you can get home sometimes! Really just worried about being able to get home, even if it is not that much fun! My Dad grew up in Winnipeg and told stories bout summer on Lake Winnipeg but I have never been.

I think the safety on a big lake in any small craft depends on good planning and not venturing too far from shore. I’ve been tempted to make the 20 mile run across the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg but haven’t done so yet. I’m always concerned about the wind speed and weather change over the afternoon.

I’ve Sea Doo’d on this lake since 2003 and seen 6’ waves after sustained high winds and it’s nothing I’d ever want to be out in in a bow rider. I use a wind app to look at wind forecast (speed and duration) and monitor the marine weather station.

We have plenty of fun staying within a couple of miles of shore, travelling up or down the shoreline looking for a quiet place to anchor. That way we are never far from land if this big lake blows up unexpectedly. Friends on Lake of the Woods Ontario have a totally different experience and can motor for hours almost anywhere on that lake system and regardless of wind always find a place to put in while waiting for winds to die down.

I think the CS will be fine on your lake, with good judgment prevailing.

[akorcovelos]

How about wakeboarding behind an F50?

[Big Block Power]

How about wakeboarding behind an F50?

I'll drive

[AsLan7]

How about wakeboarding behind an F50?

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That's pretty cool akor.

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[Norris_Boating]

Sooo...
I had my first test drive of a CS 22 with a VP 280 hP DP. Unfortunately, it was dead calm. So while the boat was great, pretty hard to tell if it is the RIGHT BOAT for Georgian Bay. So for any of you that have some good experience with the CS22 or similar size of Cobalt, what are your thoughts on how this boat will handle big water? The marina where I did the test drive is on an inland lake. Fairly large lake, but not anything like Geoargian Bay. Lots of Cobalts going into the water this weekend, although this marina is one of Canada's largest Cobalt dealers so it adds up.

Looking forward to your opinions.

This is a great forum but sometimes they can get a little ADD on the topics! LOL
I can't speak to Georgian Bay because I have never been there, but in my experience cobalt's have the best ride for the size. I had a 220 and my buddy had a similar size crownline and we were having a casual fun race to a marina. His boat was faster in smooth water so I expected to loose, but this water was choppy. The next thing I know he is slowing down and finally ends up in my wake following me. He explained that his boat occupants were yelling at him to slow down it was too ruff of a ride, meanwhile nobody in my boat said a word about that and I had my mother in law in the bow.
My brother brought his Yamaha jet boat to my lake and after driving his and then driving mine he sold his and bought a cobalt.
I could go on and on with stories like that. SO I guess what I am saying is for the size of the boat you are looking at a Cobalt will handle any rough water better than any other brand that I know of (size for size). Just for comment though I think the R series would ride better than the CS series, but it is a pretty big price jump.
I would ask the marina if there are any cobalt's on Georgian bay and if they wouldn't mind taking you for a ride. Most people are quick to show off their boats and happy to do it.

[Big Block Power]

Sooo...
I had my first test drive of a CS 22 with a VP 280 hP DP. Unfortunately, it was dead calm. So while the boat was great, pretty hard to tell if it is the RIGHT BOAT for Georgian Bay. So for any of you that have some good experience with the CS22 or similar size of Cobalt, what are your thoughts on how this boat will handle big water? The marina where I did the test drive is on an inland lake. Fairly large lake, but not anything like Geoargian Bay. Lots of Cobalts going into the water this weekend, although this marina is one of Canada's largest Cobalt dealers so it adds up.

Looking forward to your opinions.

This is a great forum but sometimes they can get a little ADD on the topics! LOL
I can't speak to Georgian Bay because I have never been there, but in my experience cobalt's have the best ride for the size. I had a 220 and my buddy had a similar size crownline and we were having a casual fun race to a marina. His boat was faster in smooth water so I expected to loose, but this water was choppy. The next thing I know he is slowing down and finally ends up in my wake following me. He explained that his boat occupants were yelling at him to slow down it was too ruff of a ride, meanwhile nobody in my boat said a word about that and I had my mother in law in the bow.
My brother brought his Yamaha jet boat to my lake and after driving his and then driving mine he sold his and bought a cobalt.
I could go on and on with stories like that. SO I guess what I am saying is for the size of the boat you are looking at a Cobalt will handle any rough water better than any other brand that I know of (size for size). Just for comment though I think the R series would ride better than the CS series, but it is a pretty big price jump.
I would ask the marina if there are any cobalt's on Georgian bay and if they wouldn't mind taking you for a ride. Most people are quick to show off their boats and happy to do it.

And they might just have a yellow Ferrari to go wakeboarding in. Lol

[psoundboater]

OK. Update. At this point, I am looking at a CS23 or a CS22. Both are new 2019 boats. Looking for advice on whether or not it is worth about $12kCAN or $8500US. Options very similar but 22 is white, 23 is sandstone and ebony - really did not want white. 22 is 280 HP DP Volvo V6, 23 is 300 HP DP V8. I know a longer boat is generally better but not sure 14" makes that much difference and the V8 is $5kCAN more than the V6 which seems considerable for 20 more HP! Has anyone else gone through this debate?

[Norris_Boating]

OK. Update. At this point, I am looking at a CS23 or a CS22. Both are new 2019 boats. Looking for advice on whether or not it is worth about $12kCAN or $8500US. Options very similar but 22 is white, 23 is sandstone and ebony - really did not want white. 22 is 280 HP DP Volvo V6, 23 is 300 HP DP V8. I know a longer boat is generally better but not sure 14" makes that much difference and the V8 is $5kCAN more than the V6 which seems considerable for 20 more HP! Has anyone else gone through this debate?

Feel good you are not alone! Every one who has ever bought a boat has gone through this debate.
If you go smaller you will likely wonder if you should have gone bigger, say boat is crowded or bouncing a little. If you go bigger, in those same situations you will say, wow, glad I didn't go smaller.
General rule is if you can afford it go bigger. But if the price tag makes you finally stressed go smaller.

[psoundboater]

Thanks, NB. I have certainly heard that before. If it was a choice between a 22' and a 26' boat, I could see the wisdom here. Just not so sure that I will notice 14" in hull or 20 HP and not sure if the fact one is a V8 and the other a V6 changes anything? I must clarify that I was quite impressed with the power in the V6 when I tested the CS22 - seemed like more than enough push for a boat that size. I still need to purchase a lift for this thing so budget is not unlimited!

Still hoping someone has tested both of these boats/sizes and can comment on whether or not there is a difference on the water. For our expected use, it will be unlikely we will have more than 6 people in the boat much, if at all. So space is not an issue. Cobalt adds all 14" in the aft section so the spacing ahead of the windshield is identical - likely makes production more efficient and all of the upholstery, etc. will be identical.

Keep the comments coming!