Closer than I thought--R5

[sailor55330]

So, I actually sat down to talk some numbers on an R5 recently. Here's the rundown:

Black with Accent Edge Shale Graphics
Dual ACR
Tonneau covers
Dinette Table
EZ fold bimini
Electric Head
Seagras
RGB interior lights
PRemiums sound
VP 350.

I would really like to have the transom tilt control....tossed on the arch vs bimini. No interest in Captain's call. Docking lights and maybe swim platform lights.

What say y'all. Does anyone know if there is an upcharge order custom from the factory vs dealer stock? Not first choice of colors, but price seemed ok.

Also really bummed to hear that Eagle trailers are no longer available---the company has stopped making customer trailers for manufacturers. All the Cobalts at the show were sitting on EZ Loader, which I really have no interest in based on past experience.

Also, FYI--I did see the new A29. Love the lines, but the interior really didn't do much for me. (it was equipped with the 430 BBP)

[Snowman8]

Looks good. I would suggest to upgrade to the VP380 though. That what is in ours and though it has plenty of power I wouldn’t want anything less myself. One place not to skimp on is engine size! Boating in an underpowered boat full of people trying to pull a tube or water skiers isn’t fun. My 380 jumps out of the water with 6-8 people inside the boat while pulling 2 tubes!

[Big Block Power]

Sailor it could depend on when they ordered that boat. Was it before the mark up or current pricing. Your spending that much money get the color and options you want. Did you ask the dealer if they work with any other trailer manufactures? Get the docking lights and platform lights. So you ever have to store the boat inside? I don't think you do so get the tower. I don't know too many people that have a tower regret it. Get the 380 merc you will get all that money back when I buy it I'm ok with black and shale!!
So what is your choice on the color. If you order you will want to do it soon as the show orders are coming in fast!
Good luck sailor!!

[sailor55330]

BBP--The wife really wants shale. Not my first choice, but it's only a color. I would personally choose white for maintenance reason. I am tossed on the 380 vs 350. As for the pricing, not sure, but I think it's based on the new pricing. When I matched up the sell sheet, the MSRP's matched to what's on Cobalt's site currently. I'm not a huge fan of the new style docking lights, so that's a coin flip. I don't really do watersports other than some tubing, so again, kind of a coin toss between tower and bimini. It's not easy to rank everything..... If I was going to do a trailer, I would probably look at the same manufacturer as Tuscany did. I know EZ loader is a good make, but I cant imagine trying to load a boat that size without adjustable bunks---it would be a B**tch to get straight.

BIggest factor is the towing vehicle. I really think I'm over my safety limit if I step up and I don't really have a desire for a new truck and boat spend.

It does sound like the R6 is going to be significantly different than the current R series....that might push the timing a bit. This is fun, it sucks, it's exciting, frustrating, and discouraging at the same time.

[Big Block Power]

I think your thinking the trailer wrong. A properly fixed bunk trailer will not load bad. It should load perfectly everytime. I've had very few adjustable trailers. Loadmaster Makes a great trailer. I had one under my Donzi. Ez loader would not be my 1st choice but if it's built for that boat you will be fine. The tower may have better binimi coverage and can make docking easier as it gives you something to grab onto. I rather have someone grab the tower vs the binimi poles. Yes the docking lights are what they are but it's still a must have just like a 380. Shale well maybe that's one thing you give your wife.

[tgrace98]

In my dealing last year I got a couple bucks more off on a stock boat but it’s because it had options I didn’t care to have and made the dealer give them to me for free. Besides that same % off msrp.

And I agree with everyone else. Get the 380

[sailor55330]

Maybe I just had a bad experience with an EZloader....when I had the "custom" trailer under my Glastron, it was a total nightmare to load. Never once in 2 years did the boat load straight or the same way twice. Even friends who were life long trailer boaters were amazed at how difficult and finicky it was. To clarify, by adjustable I mean swivel top bunk brackets. You can find them on Google.

I mean they have pivoting brackets that angle the bunks to the hull upon contact---basically grab the nose and straighten the boat upon first touch, forming a "V" that allowed the boat to always settle perfectly. The bunks themselves could not be adjusted forward or backwards and the bunk support points are welded to the frame These trailers I saw had the bunks bolted tight with no adjustment and the bunks were nearly flat You basically had to come in on top of them and hope you were lined up left to right....I'll pass.

380 vs 350. 7K option....someone's gonna have to really sell me on 30hp. I'm probably the only one here who has never really wished for more engine.
1-2MPH of top end is meaningless where I boat and sound really doesn't play a part for me. I used to love a roaring engine but not so much anymore. Heck, I don't think I've ever had room to do a top end run in my R3...maybe above 5k rpm once or twice. I either run out of water or into idiots.

As for the tower and docking---these boats are a piece of cake. Remember I learned on a full keel sailboat with 12,000lbs of displacement and only an 18hp Universal Diesel to maneuver it with and a that's a whole lot more windage. Couple that with putting a 10'10" beam boat into a 12ft wide slip....naw, Cobalts are easy.

It's a fun discussion and I welcome the various viewpoints

[Big Block Power]

I knew exactly what your talking about on adjustable bunks. Ive had them. I have fixed bunks and eagle trailers were also. Bfun has one. I find a 4 bunk trailer easier to load them a 6 bunk trailer. My first year was a total PIA loading my boat. Till I found the right spot to dunk it too it would load horrible. The last 2 years no issues. My ramp is horrible and it makes a huge diff. The larger engine isn't all about top end. That's 1 tiny part of the engine. 5.3 vs 6.2 is worth every bit of the 7k.load both boats up and hit the throttle. That's all it will take. Yes for your usage the 350 maybe enough. Ok time to bring bobrae into this. He started with the 240,he didn't need anything bigger. Boom next boat he did what a bigger engine, next boat his going to order boom a bigger engine or will be. Ok no more bobrae. I get your docking skills im sure much better than mine. I couldn't get that sail boat in that dusk of I tried. It's about the person on the dock trying to help you. That might be your wife or just a dock person or a kid. Grabbing the tower is much stronger and easier. It will happen. They grab the binimi and boom something happens. Just my 2 cents and your 100k. Just trying to help with my future boat
I personally like the looks of the tower better. But hey your boat sits outside so maybe the mooring cover wouldn't keep the rain or with the tower? Would it be dry with a binimi? That would prob be my bigger buying point. Anyways this will be fun and let's get her done soon. I get your ez loader fear. I think John has one under his. But I bet you could order a loadmaster and they would ship it to your dealer. Or a prestige. Honestly I'm not a huge fan of my trailer 6 bunks. Again. My 4 bunk Heritage was much nicer and they are basically the same trailer.

[sailor55330]

It's all good BBP....

You have people on the dock or in the boat trying to help you? Sheez....talk about boating luxury. My passengers usually ask "what can I do" right after I tie up the last dockline! Ramps do make a huge difference on loading, for sure. I go back and forth on the tower...somedays I like them and then somedays, not so much. At least you're being honest in that you want me to order these options so that you can enjoy them when it's yours....If I do go tower, promise me you'll remember to lower it before garage boating.....

[tgrace98]

ok let's talk towers. I have the folding tower with bimini on my R7 and I love it. It will fold down to the point so that it is about an extra 10in taller than the windshield line. But I noticed you said that often you are on your own to do everything on and with the boat. Folding out the canvas bimini on the folding arch is a 2 person job. I always have to have the wife help me either fold it up or extend it out. Not to much of a deal for us because our boat lives in a slip on a lift 365 days a year. So it is folded out from Memorial day till October as it is normally 90+ for us those months.

[Snowman8]

Sailor it could depend on when they ordered that boat. Was it before the mark up or current pricing. Your spending that much money get the color and options you want. Did you ask the dealer if they work with any other trailer manufactures? Get the docking lights and platform lights. So you ever have to store the boat inside? I don't think you do so get the tower. I don't know too many people that have a tower regret it. Get the 380 merc you will get all that money back when I buy it I'm ok with black and shale!!
So what is your choice on the color. If you order you will want to do it soon as the show orders are coming in fast!
Good luck sailor!!

Why the 380 Merc? The VP 380 will be up out of the hole and up on plane before the Merc even starts moving! I was a die hard Merc guy until I drove my VP 380.

As far as trailers, definitely look at Loadmaster if you aren’t tied to the trailer your dealer sells. PM me and I can tell you more about if interested.

[Big Block Power]

Sailor it could depend on when they ordered that boat. Was it before the mark up or current pricing. Your spending that much money get the color and options you want. Did you ask the dealer if they work with any other trailer manufactures? Get the docking lights and platform lights. So you ever have to store the boat inside? I don't think you do so get the tower. I don't know too many people that have a tower regret it. Get the 380 merc you will get all that money back when I buy it I'm ok with black and shale!!
So what is your choice on the color. If you order you will want to do it soon as the show orders are coming in fast!
Good luck sailor!!

Why the 380 Merc? The VP 380 will be up out of the hole and up on plane before the Merc even starts moving! I was a die hard Merc guy until I drove my VP 380.

As far as trailers, definitely look at Loadmaster if you aren’t tied to the trailer your dealer sells. PM me and I can tell you more about if interested.

Its because I live 30 minutes from mercury marine!!!
Plus it's a 8.2 big Block
Plus it rumbles!!! Even without captains call it's sweet. But why would you order a bb block without captains call. Oh the knuckle head that ordered mine did. I'll never forgive him for that either
He needs torgue that bad boy will give it to him!!
6.2 vs 8 2 no choice there for me!!

Mobil 1 vs QS
Just kidding 6.2 is a great engine. If you're buying new in Wisconsin the dealers here won't even order a Volvo! Except Gordy he's 3hours away from the factory. But still puts some mercs in his boat.

Ok plus 1 day that is my dream job to work for them. One of these days
Honestly thank God these engines are so reliable, I think if Volvo had issues we would see how hard it is to get parts and stuff from them and the cost would be crazy.
Just saying.
At least Merc is right here.
Ok just listen to this!! Enough said

[cmattj]

Maybe I just had a bad experience with an EZloader...

There is no perfect trailer . sure we get luckey and the bunks sits perfect between the hull chine, and strakes with out actually touching them, but that margin of error is needed to insure they aren't resting on them.
Ill take a crooked boat or multiple times to re-dunk and re-set it on retrieve... over have a hull pushed in from sitting on the bunk wrong. (too tight )

380 vs 350. 7K option....someone's gonna have to really sell me on 30hp. I'm probably the only one here who has never really wished for more engine.

What if I told you that extra power is almost free?? As you negotiate your current boats value.... remember what dealers look at for a base offering for trade, and for them to remake a profit on your old boat.
In Stock boats always seem to have the base engine for price points to compete . IMHO

So lets trade yours in with no option differences other than the "engine" shall we ?? Here is a 2017 R5 I used with no add except Engine.

Upgrade to 350 HP from base..
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Upgrade to 380HP...
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Lets get Crazy and go 430 hp.
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So looking at the Average low Retail.

It is not like you will loose money in the end regardless of which package you go with , but you can at least know you will get your money back regardless of the power you choose.

So can we go 8.2HO ?? White ?? Boot-stripe ?? Windlass??

[cmattj]

Ok just listen to this!! Enough said

Should be a Ring Tone

[Big Block Power]

Ok just listen to this!! Enough said

Should be a Ring Tone

It's mine