Thinking about a 2020 R7

[Jblocker]

Actual 2 ft of depth unfortunately

[sailor55330]

Actual 2 ft of depth unfortunately

2ft of actual water, yes, you can get through it. 3ft is better. I am basing this on my depth finder experience in my R3. I do cross areas that are 2ft at time, but not for the length you are describing. Keep in mind, I only go a a couple dozen feet, but it can be done if you trim up substantially. The down side? Well, you're going to rub a little paint off of the skeg for sure. The boat is going to wander from side to side like it's drunk being trimmed up that high. If the bottom is soft, then probably no damage, especially if it's calm. If there is any chop, you are likely going to bounce off the bottom.

Honestly, if it's really 100 yards and any chance of chop, I wouldn't do it.

What you're talking about Matt is called "offset". It's the ability to set your depth finder either at the hull or at the lowest point of the boat. I always try to keep mine at the lowest point (outdrive) of the boat and then keep a little in reserve on the alarm. Think about it. If you set the depth alarm to the bottom of the boat, you've got no wiggle room. If you set it to the outdrive, you've got wiggle room, but if things shallow up quickly, you'll never get it slowed down in time. We go to a sandbar that literally goes from 30ft to 18" in less than 3 feet of forward distance. It's literally a cliff on both sides. You can walk off the edge like a cartoon. My bow can be in 18" of water and my drive is in 30ft. It's crazy.

[Big Block Power]

I like to know the actual depth of the water. I hate to see 2 feet of water and then jump in thinking I'm going to be able to stand up then all of a sudden it's over my head at 3feet of water.

[Bfun220]

I like to know the actual depth of the water. I hate to see 2 feet of water and then jump in thinking I'm going to be able to stand up then all of a sudden it's over my head at 3feet of water.

Reminds me of this.

[Big Block Power]

I like to know the actual depth of the water. I hate to see 2 feet of water and then jump in thinking I'm going to be able to stand up then all of a sudden it's over my head at 3feet of water.

Reminds me of this.

Yep thanks dad. I set it up for you.

[cmattj]

Actual 2 ft of depth unfortunately

2ft of actual water, yes, you can get through it. 3ft is better. I am basing this on my depth finder experience in my R3. I do cross areas that are 2ft at time, but not for the length you are describing. Keep in mind, I only go a a couple dozen feet, but it can be done if you trim up substantially. The down side? Well, you're going to rub a little paint off of the skeg for sure. The boat is going to wander from side to side like it's drunk being trimmed up that high. If the bottom is soft, then probably no damage, especially if it's calm. If there is any chop, you are likely going to bounce off the bottom.

Honestly, if it's really 100 yards and any chance of chop, I wouldn't do it.

What you're talking about Matt is called "offset". It's the ability to set your depth finder either at the hull or at the lowest point of the boat. I always try to keep mine at the lowest point (outdrive) of the boat and then keep a little in reserve on the alarm. Think about it. If you set the depth alarm to the bottom of the boat, you've got no wiggle room. If you set it to the outdrive, you've got wiggle room, but if things shallow up quickly, you'll never get it slowed down in time. We go to a sandbar that literally goes from 30ft to 18" in less than 3 feet of forward distance. It's literally a cliff on both sides. You can walk off the edge like a cartoon. My bow can be in 18" of water and my drive is in 30ft. It's crazy.

Nice read sailor as yes..... thats what I determine usable water below me. But your also stating your gauge reading with the wiggle (+1 ish foot) is giving you a water level of 5-6 Feet actual were as your gauge would read only 2 feet as it below your offset.

My concern is that a true water level of 24 inches although chest high for BBP , is knee level for others. This is Push pole time.
Sailor pass me Summer Shandy beer at TRL and we will dive further into this.

[AsLan7]

Hello, I am new to this group and hoping to get some advice.

I have a home on the water in the panhandle of Fla and currently have a Yamaha 24ft Jetboat....long story short, we want a bigger boat and have fell in love with the R7 at a boat show....I’ve got two questions or dilemmas:

1) my main problem is water depth...we live on a lake that feeds into the bay, the lake is plenty deep but the opening to the bay has a stretch of about 100 yards that can get as low as 2 ft and sometimes during low tide slightly lower....how will the R7 react in shallow water or has anyone else faced this or similar?

2) I’ve read plenty about saltwater and I/O....I feel ok with this as my boat will stay on a lift most of the time but does anyone have any experience with maintaining the I/O in salt water?

The Yamaha has worked great for us in the shallow water and I’ve had no issues during my 6 years of owning the boat, but my wife and I have fallen in love with the R7 and the overall Cobalt quality.....just afraid it might not work for us due to our living situation and water depth.....any thoughts?

Thanks!

Yamaha has a 27' model now - it is an interesting design. Perhaps this would work for you?

https://www.yamahaboats.com/27-ft-boats/275se/

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

We test drove the Yamaha and Chapparal jet boats. They certainly excel in the shallower water. Overall we just couldn’t get past the shortcomings compared to a Cobalt (or other i/o hulls). That being said, it can certainly be the right boat in niche situations.

Any pics of your Cobalt? We love them here. Loce hearing your engine input as well.

Again welcome aboard mate!

.

[sailor55330]

100% agree Matt. Always set my offset to show the clearance between the lowest hanging point on the boat. Better safe than spendy—-thats how I see it
I wish I could get to TRL, but not meant to be

Please be sure BBP has a reliable set of water wings for TRL...

[akorcovelos]

Bunch of wimps, trim up and send it.

I was going to say that's deep for your lake. Just post your last picture.

Oh this one? No problem, just gotta hit WOT on plane. Docking can be a challenge but I have mad skills.

75C24058-5CCC-45D9-BE24-565C1C3B60B2.jpeg

[shrfdeputy]

On my boat the actual water depth is about 2.5' deeper than what it actually says. I know this because I actually measured it once after I grounded my boat. We have a lake near us where you just simply can't go on one side of it without running into some seriously shallow water. It was a pretty expensive mistake so I decided to know for sure.

When my boat is reading 4' deep I can't jump off the back and touch the bottom. When it is reading 2' deep I can jump off he back and be in water just above waist deep. With the drive pulled up I can easily maneuver around in areas like this. I would not want to take my boat in water that was ACTUALLY 2' deep though.

[tgrace98]

Bunch of wimps, trim up and send it.

I was going to say that's deep for your lake. Just post your last picture.

Oh this one? No problem, just gotta hit WOT on plane. Docking can be a challenge but I have mad skills.
75C24058-5CCC-45D9-BE24-565C1C3B60B2.jpeg

Now I see why they call it the mud puddle

[Jblocker]

Ok, had sea trial today on R5 (same draft as R7) and we had no issues getting in and out of my inlet...it was a rising tide but not high tide...that was a big relief, now have to decide on R7 and maintenance in saltwater or wait to see what’s available with the new R series.....locals still recommend OB here in Florida , but the 30sc, although a gorgeous boat, is a bit bigger and more expensive than we were planning.

Thoughts?

[Big Block Power]

I Tammy don't see any money issues at all here. Money really is not part of the problem. Let's just go to the proper saltwater boat and go twins on the 30sc.

Really with the closed cooling with the new engine packages maint is much lower then the old days. So really your on with either.
Let's get pictures of your new boat already. Hope this helps.

[cmattj]

Well that’s good news to demo a sacrificial lamb so to speak.
If you’re ok with the water surroundings and rinse and flush then it would be a nice set up!

One note ... Outboards not having a Gimble bearing will give “trim up”ability to surfacing the prop should you be in shallow water.
Ok what’s next?. Keep us posted!

[tgrace98]

So there are tons of rumors floating around that the new R series will have an outboard option. But that being said Cobalt tends to release 1 size the first year then the rest the following to see how the market reacts to the new model. So if you are wanting something in the 27ft range you will probably be waiting until the 2022 model for a 27ft OB model. So if money is no object get the R7 and then if you like the new R series with the OB option trade up in 2 years.