What Do I Gain (Lose) Going To An R3?

[BobRae99]

I’ve started a more serious search for a new leftover R3 or a lightly used R3 to replace my 210. One dealer I contacted said the R3 handles differently than the 210, which is sportier.

It got me thinking what will all the pluses of the larger R3 be and are there any negatives, aside from cost. I’m looking for one with a VP 350 DP, Bimini and premium sound system.

Any thoughts?

[NautiGirl]

Compared to your 210 the R3 is longer deeper and heavier. Yeah, it may handle a bit differently than your 210. No one can tell you if that is a good or a bad thing. To make things even more confusing you are looking at moving from a V6 to a V8, which also drive different.

Go drive one and see what you think.

[Big Block Power]

Does a 2 door Vehicle handle diff then a 4 door? Maybe maybe not. How you think it handles is diff then how I think it handles. I think your boat is a slug but the r3 is a rocket. But really you think yours is a rocket and the r3 is a slug. Only way to know is for you to put your butt in the driver's seat. The 210 is your first boat right. The r3 could be a huge diff but you may hate it or you may love it.

[tgrace98]

Obviously the things you will gain is power, ride quality in rough water, and room for more passengers. The boat will also plane out faster with the larger motor. Will go faster and will most likely cruise at a higher speed

Things that you will lose when going larger is a larger boat won’t be as nimble. But with the sportier design of the r series this could be a wash.

I know the feeling you are having. When I went from a 22ft boat to a 27ft Baja I hated it the first few times I drove it. It was huge, hard to dock, and just felt like a barge to me. My 262 is a completely different animal compared to that. It is as easy to dock as a 22ft boat and is very nimble for its size. My advice go sea trial one and see what you think.

[Big Block Power]

2 feet in a boat makes a huge diff in ride and room. I don't think I drove the 220 before I bought it. I thought how much diff can it be from the 200. I went from a 300 hp to a 375. Really I stayed in the same series. Go to a totally diff series that's a totally diff ride and boat. Yep just buy it. You'll loce it.

[cmattj]

What Do I Gain Going To An R3?

Wider interior.
Wider beam.
Higher freeboard .
Better passenger seating and comfort.
Better power options
Easy to tow and stow
Better resale and marketability.

So.....

What Do I (Lose) ?

Not being able to tell people “ Yep that’s my R3”

[akorcovelos]

So many variables to consider, you just need to drive one. You can get a good feel for the difference just sitting in one versus your current boat. I looked at Cobalts, SeaRays, and Crownlines, and after a weekend of looking at all 3 in the same size I decided right away I didn't like the Crownlines. Didn't drive any of them, but sitting in the Crownline I didn't like how high the gunnels were, and how big the bow seating was versus the main seating.

It was also easy to tell the SeaRay was more targeting day cruising, and the Cobalt was more Sport/Luxury, similar to BMW versus Mercedes.

That's why boat shows are nice, you can narrow down what you like just from being in all the boats you're considering in one day. Sea trials are a must, but you need to have a level of commitment before you can drive one, at least if you're buying from a dealer. Private sellers typically will take anyone interested on a test drive, but all the dealer I worked with wanted an accepted offer and deposit before even running the boat on muffs, let alone a sea trial.

[BobRae99]

Thanks for the comments. My problem is, if a deal is to be had, it will be in December/January and where I live, everything is frozen over at that time of year. As a result, I won't really have a chance to test drive one before decision time, unless I fly south and try one at a dealer that has one in the water. I'm not sure how that would work? I'd have to approach a dealer and say "hey I'm from Canada and won't be buying a boat from you, but can you put an R3 in the water for me so I can go for a test drive? Maybe I should reach out to my dealer and get him to try and arrange something?

I bought my 210 last March just before the boat show. At the boat show, the dealer had an R3 surf on display and I thought it was a beautiful boat, but out of my range at that point. The only thing that has given me pause since then is a dealer I spoke to with an R3 who wasn't prepared to sell a new boat out of his market but mentioned that the R3 was a completely different boat from the 210 and would handle much differently.

That is why I was posting here. I guess you are right - I need to find a dealer that will demo the boat on the water for me. Somehow, I doubt I'd be disappointed, regardless of how differently the boat handles.

Thanks for everyone's input.

[JTinMO]

I don't have an R3, but similar sized 232 (predecessor to the R3). The R3 has upgraded finishes and upholstery first. Other than that, the boat is wider, more freeboard, etc. over your 210. I test drove a new 220 last spring, then the CS23. I decided I wanted the 23-24' length, and more freeboard for my family and guests comfort in rough waters. The 232 we bought used rides like a dream. I'll take it over a sportier smaller boat with a rougher ride. I have young girls. Having a smoother ride for them and friends gives me peace of mind.

Like others said, I would be shocked if you had any regrets going with the R3, even without a test drive.

[Ytmsn]

My first Cobalt was a 240. It was 180°s different and handled 100% better from the 24' Galaxy cuddy cabin I had. It's still hard to imagine how bad that Galaxy handled and rode.

Then I bought my 262 with the expectation of "bigger boat, harder to handle." Boy was I wrong. Maybe it's just the 260 series, but that thing handles like a Ferrari compared to an Impala when comparing it to the 240. And it makes my old Galaxy feel like one of those Chinese go-karts with no suspension you see sitting in front of a feed store.

A 220 will be bigger, but as Matt says they all get smaller in the water. Go for it. You wont regret it! Sure it will handle different...but better.

[NautiGirl]

Is an R3 going to fit into your slip?

[ajcampen]

You just picked up that boat a year ago. Why don't you take next season, enjoy your current boat. Go for test rides on other cobalt models and make a more informed decision. no need to rush, you have a boat you can enjoy.

[Big Block Power]

Is an R3 going to fit into your slip?

If not he'll make it fit. Lol

[NautiGirl]

You just picked up that boat a year ago. Why don't you take next season, enjoy your current boat. Go for test rides on other cobalt models and make a more informed decision. no need to rush, you have a boat you can enjoy.

You get out of here with that logic right now. RIGHT NOW!

[ajcampen]

You just picked up that boat a year ago. Why don't you take next season, enjoy your current boat. Go for test rides on other cobalt models and make a more informed decision. no need to rush, you have a boat you can enjoy.

You get out of here with that logic right now. RIGHT NOW!