New R5 purchase - lead time?

[greenhut]

We just put a deposit on a 2019 R5 (time to move on from our 2004 Bryant 232). Was able to negotiate 30% off list for boats in the dealer network. As a result, we have had to compromise on a couple things. Sales person indicated lead time on a new R5 if we ordered now would be about 14 weeks - is this accurate, or a steer towards in stock boats?

Preference would have been for the VP 380, but cant find a single R5 in the southeast with anything but a 300 (unless its a surf). We are wet testing the R5/300 Tuesday, but how do current owners with this combo find the power? Im coming from a VP 8.1Gi big block in the Bryant... We test drove a new Bryant Calandra with the 300 and found it very noisy - hoping the cobalt sound insulation is superior.

Cant wait to join the Cobalt family

[Big Block Power]

I wont even comment. You know what I think Already. Ok I changed my mind. I think anything under a 350 is too small. I would think that lead time is prob accurate. A new boat, hull, or just a new R name is coming soon just a fyi.

Oh and welcome.

[greenhut]

Thanks

These days it is typically my wife and I on the boat 80% of the time, add our girls 10%, and more than 4 people about 10% of the time. I hear you - love the 8.1 in our Bryant. Will see how the wet test feels...

Is the R6 a relatively sure thing for 2020? I looked for info, but only found the thread here that has no real details yet.

[AsLan7]

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

I’m a 380 hp fan as well but understand you don’t want to miss the summer. Me personally—I’d wait for a used 380 or order one new with the wait. It’s not what you want to hear but when spending that amount of money you should get exactly what you want.

Again, welcome aboard mate!

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[ryandmartin]

I went down the same thought process when I ordered back in March. There were a number of brand new R5's sitting with the dealer (across two locations they had). Luckily, I found this forum during the process -- someone, somewhere, claimed Cobalt hasn't built the same exact boat in the last 25 years. I'm sure it's helpful that they rotate models every now and then, but when you really start to dig in to the options and preferences everyone has, it really hasn't surprised me.

Here was my thought process at least.... I built my boat with the dealer and put down a $1000 deposit to lock in my build date, then started looking at inventory. Similar to what BBP said above, I anchored myself in at least getting a 350hp, and was really shooting for 350-380hp. Felt the 430hp would be paying for something I didn't really need (or want), but I'd compromise up there if everything else matched.

It felt like >60% of the R5s in stock were only 300hp. The other options each 350hp in stock R5 had were pretty far out of alignment with what I'd want. Didn't like the tower, went full bore on the upgraded head, terrible color combo, whatever the reason they just weren't close to "80% of what I'd want".

So that breakdown of the inventory really locked me in on ordering... it's was more of a 4-6 week impact for me though, since my delivery date is end of June, and realistically would have started using the boat around Memorial Day. Spending that kind of money and thinking about the long run of owning the boat for many years, I didn't feel that making so many compromises was worth getting it in the water 4-6 weeks earlier.

[tgrace98]

Greenhut. Order it and get the motor you want. You will never go back and put the bigger motor in it. I purchased my as a stock boat r7 because it was the color combo I wanted but had a few things missing I could live without or add on later.

Those items were

Tower speakers
Dinette Table
Bow filler cushion

All of these I plan on adding over the winter.

The harbor where I bought my boat from stocks all their r5’s with the 380 now. They use to do the 350s but Said every custom order had the 380 in it so they started optioning their stock boats with 380s

14 weeks sounds about right and with the time of the year it is you will mostly end up with a 2020 for the price of a 2019. They go up in price every year so sounds like you have worked a sweet deal. Pull the trigger and enjoy the Bryant for one more summer.

[Big Block Power]

Yea when we were at the factory they told us over the life of Cobalt there were only a few boats that were ever optioned the same. I forget the number. Maybe 2? We can't show it but we saw a rendering of the new R series. No release date but I bet it's coming out soon. It wasn't called a r6 so who knows what they will call it. They're is one thing I wouldn't compromise on and that's the power. You will regret it everytime your in the boat. Even if it's just you and the wife. My largest grin on my face is when I jump in the boat all by myself and nail it.

[BobRae99]

Thanks

These days it is typically my wife and I on the boat 80% of the time, add our girls 10%, and more than 4 people about 10% of the time. I hear you - love the 8.1 in our Bryant. Will see how the wet test feels...

Is the R6 a relatively sure thing for 2020? I looked for info, but only found the thread here that has no real details yet.

Cobalt will introduce the new R6 and R8 for the 2020 model year. I have this first hand from Cobalt. I checked because I have an R3 on order. The R6 will show up in the spring. If you want to be confirm, you should either talk to your dealer or reach out to Cobalt.

[tgrace98]

Thanks

These days it is typically my wife and I on the boat 80% of the time, add our girls 10%, and more than 4 people about 10% of the time. I hear you - love the 8.1 in our Bryant. Will see how the wet test feels...

Is the R6 a relatively sure thing for 2020? I looked for info, but only found the thread here that has no real details yet.

Cobalt will introduce the new R6 and R8 for the 2020 model year. I have this first hand from Cobalt. I checked because I have an R3 on order. The R6 will show up in the spring. If you want to be confirm, you should either talk to your dealer or reach out to Cobalt.

it will be the 2021. The 2020's will start hitting the line in July and first ones at dealers will be in August. My guess would be the model change will be announced at the Miami boat show next Feb.

[BobRae99]

The R6 will be introduced this October. I don’t know when the first boats will be delivered, but certainly by spring. There will be sales overlap.

[Big Block Power]

The R6 will be introduced this October. I don’t know when the first boats will be delivered, but certainly by spring. There will be sales overlap.

So tgrace there you have it. Boom!

[greenhut]

Thanks for all the great advice and info!

We are strongly leaning towards waiting on a boat with the 380. Still doing the wet test of the 300, but suspect coming from a 375hp big block on a 23' bowrider, we wont be satisfied. Looked at virtually every in stock R5 within 1000 miles of Atlanta, and with the Exception of The Harbor (as mentioned by tgrace), virtually every boat has the 300, and just a few with the 350. I'd really like the Gen-V for the newer tech. If I've researched correctly, the 380 is lighter than the 300, more fuel efficient, quieter, and of course more powerful...

And wow, even if we find a R5/380 we like, it seems waiting to see what happens with new models would make sense since we are so close to potential release. We can "slum" it for another season in our Bryant

[tgrace98]

Thanks for all the great advice and info!

We are strongly leaning towards waiting on a boat with the 380. Still doing the wet test of the 300, but suspect coming from a 375hp big block on a 23' bowrider, we wont be satisfied. Looked at virtually every in stock R5 within 1000 miles of Atlanta, and with the Exception of The Harbor (as mentioned by tgrace), virtually every boat has the 300, and just a few with the 350. I'd really like the Gen-V for the newer tech. If I've researched correctly, the 380 is lighter than the 300, more fuel efficient, quieter, and of course more powerful...

And wow, even if we find a R5/380 we like, it seems waiting to see what happens with new models would make sense since we are so close to potential release. We can "slum" it for another season in our Bryant

So I went from a vp 8.1 in a cobalt 262 to the r7 with the 6.2 380. So very similar to what you are looking to do. Believe me get the 380. It feels a lot like the 8.1 just more power and torque. You will not regret it. Planing time and throttle response is unreal.

[Big Block Power]

I take it you don't want a low hour used one if There is one out there?
Gordys and shoreline here in WI have 350s in stk. Singleton stks 300s.
Beacons has a 380.
https://www.beaconmarinellc.com/invento ... 4-2642150i

[greenhut]

Low hour used might be ok. Most I have found are asking more or similar to 30% off MSRP - pre haggling, but of course with the larger engine. Also, I dont need a trailer, but would need one to transport. Found what looks to be a nice one in Little Rock AK, but a bit of a hike, pricey, I dont have a tow vehicle, and am a bit uneasy about such a large transaction (Clear title, etc).