First time buyer: how do I learn about all the Cobalt options?

[trentbosworth]

Hi everybody,

After too many years on a lake spent renting cheapo bowriders from the local marina, I'm ready to take the plunge and buy my first boat, and I can't imagine getting anything but a Cobalt. The only restriction I know for certain is that I need to be in the 23' range on size - that's the boat size my dock can accommodate - so either an R3 or a CS23.

Every time I try to figure out all the various options listed on the 'design your dream' page, I get completely lost. I've sent a ton of questions to the dealer for my area, but I can't seem to get answers - I think his business is going so well right now that he doesn't need to spend time educating me about how to buy a boat.

Does Cobalt offer anything that describes all the various options and trade-offs in detail? I'm not looking for a glossy catalog, I want something to help me decide on things like engine size, battery charger options, or even just dumb stuff like an explanation of the bimini options.

I've read a bunch of generic "how to buy your first boat" articles but I want to get into the nitty-gritty - I'm hoping to buy something that will last a long time, I want to get it right the first time.

Thanks in advance for any pointers!

Trent

[AsLan7]

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Hey Trent. Welcome to the CobaltChat forum. So glad you found us!

I'd be surprised if the dealer gets back to you. They are swamped trying to keep up with demand in this market.

Maybe we can help you here.

Let's take it in small bites. Start with graphics and ask questions here. Then engine size. Stereo. etc. Lots of knowledge on the site.

The good thing is you have narrowed down your size category. That being said, where & how do you plan on using your boat?

Again, welcome aboard mate!

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[trentbosworth]

Thanks for the quick response!

Boat will be used almost exclusively on Lake George, in the Adirondacks. Normally it will just be me, the wife, our two kids, but we like to have guests, so I want to have room enough for 8 people comfortably, maybe 10.

We don't have any waterskiers or wakeboarders, but tubing is always fun. We also want to be able to make it around the lake quickly - it's 32 miles end-to-end, and gets pretty choppy in the wider parts. I'd like to imagine being able to cruise at ~25 mph with a load of 8 folks in rough water, but I have no idea if that's realistic.

So let's start with the very basics: what's the difference between the standard package and the sport package?

[tgrace98]

Thanks for the quick response!

Boat will be used almost exclusively on Lake George, in the Adirondacks. Normally it will just be me, the wife, our two kids, but we like to have guests, so I want to have room enough for 8 people comfortably, maybe 10.

We don't have any waterskiers or wakeboarders, but tubing is always fun. We also want to be able to make it around the lake quickly - it's 32 miles end-to-end, and gets pretty choppy in the wider parts. I'd like to imagine being able to cruise at ~25 mph with a load of 8 folks in rough water, but I have no idea if that's realistic.

So let's start with the very basics: what's the difference between the standard package and the sport package?

For 8 people and chop I would for sure go for the R3, Possibly the R5 if that is in your budget.

For the R3 I would suggest at least the VP350 motor or the 380. Prop charts show about the same performance but obviously the bigger motor will give you better mid range.

I am assuming you are asking the difference between the standard R3 and the Surf. The surf model has a forward facing prop and ballast for wake surfing. If you do not plan to do that then shy away as they are quite a bit more expensive.

Beyond that I suggest the Premium sound package as it is an all JL system minus the head unit. And they add speakers to the transom for when you are coving out.

Ok what is next on the list?

[AsLan7]

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+1 above....and a fan of the 380. You will never look back and say "I wish I would have purchased less power".
Also search the site regarding CS23 and R3 info. Some great resources for ya'.

For instance....

Here

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Here

&

Here
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[Big Block Power]

My part. Welcome.
Let's get to the engine for your r3. I agree with TTT.
Let's get the largest you can afford. The 300 has the fastest on plan speed but hey you don't need that. You want to cruise with a crap load of people. So min is a 350. So what's left in the budget? 380 430,6.2 or 8.2. Do you like merc or Volvo. I think your lake George dealer is a Volvo dealer though. So let's get captains call. It sounds like you are 20 again. Nothing wrong with that right?


From what we have learned on here is the tower binimi is larger. So hey let's get a tower. I love mine. Won't own one without a power assisted one. I'm lazy in my old age even though I feel 20 brrrrmmmmm man that exhaust sounds great

Let's add tower speakers later if you think you need them.
Do you need to go to the Bathroom all the time. Get a r5

Colors. Well I think there is only 1 color of choice. Yep you guessed it Dreamsicle!!

Flooring. Well I'm getting marine mat snap down in my dream boat. If you want to settle go for seagrass. But hey your getting young and hip so let's do marine mat.
So now you want to sit down in that fancy captains chair so let's surround yourself with stainless steel go for that big option it's nice. Ok wood panels. Me nothing fancy I'll do stock. No Madagascar wood for me.
Dual Garmins are the bomb. Get the rudder indicator and fuel gph sensors added right away.
Hey your cool and getting 20 so lets light this baby up with led's everywhere. It's in right now. Underwater, tower courtesy swim platform. You name it it's worth it. Filler cushions are a must add every one you can buy. Table you bet. You need to put your wife's red wine glass somewhere that it will spill from. Great option. I loce mine. Covers. You have a great place on the lake and she will be living on the hoist so let's get the fancy mooring cover. Worth every penny. EVC option for that bad boy engine you bought.
Ok I don't know if I forgot anything but this is your boat and my dream boat

[trentbosworth]

I love all the enthusiasm here - if Cobalt owners are this excited to talk about their boats, that convinces me that this is the right kind of boat to buy!

I'm still stuck on my very basic question about trim levels. People keep talking about the Surf option. When I go to "design your dream", there's a choice between "Standard Package" and "Sport Package". Is "Sport" the same as "Surf"?

[Big Block Power]

The WSS was Water Sports Series.
So yes surf now. I tried to build a r3 again and I didn't see a sport series option but that 430 popped right up and I clicked on it

[Kyboater]

Here is a prop chart on the R3. Maybe this can help weigh all the pro/cons when it comes to the engine. Like everyone says, I’ve never known anyone to say “darn I wish I had a smaller engine”. With that said I am satisfied with the performance of the Merc 300hp in my R3.

Any questions I can help with send them my way. I’ll give my 2 cents.

[CaptainTom]

Welcome!

The sports package is not the same as the surf package. The sports package is just a set of flashy colors you can get only on the 10 series models (i.e., the 220S, CS22 and CS23). It's just aesthetics. There isn't even a price difference if you get the sports package.

The surf package is much more and is available on the 10 series models and the R series models (i.e., R3, R5, R6 and R7). The surf package gets you a forward facing Volvo Penta engine (you pick the HP and pay more as you go up in HP). The surf package also includes surf tabs, ballast tanks, a tower and tower racks for wakeboards. It is a very expensive option and is what all of the cool kids are doing (except me). For the size of your lake, I would get the R3 and I would get the surf option. Also, I say Surf "package" but Cobalt considers it more of an entirely different boat and in a lot of respects it is.

[Big Block Power]

Well that explains why I could not find sports package on the site. I only searched r series.

[Stagdad]

For a bigger lake like George, I would lean to the R series. If you are not interested in surfing then I would save my money and put it towards the more powerful engine, it is till going to pull a tube or occasionally a skier with no problem.

[trentbosworth]

Everyone seems to agree that the R series is better than the CS series for handling chop and using on a big lake like the one I'm on.

Can someone explain to me like I'm 5 why the R is so much better for these conditions? The two boats look almost identical in terms of size. I'll swing the $$ for an R but I'd like to understand what I'm getting for it.

[tgrace98]

Everyone seems to agree that the R series is better than the CS series for handling chop and using on a big lake like the one I'm on.

Can someone explain to me like I'm 5 why the R is so much better for these conditions? The two boats look almost identical in terms of size. I'll swing the $$ for an R but I'd like to understand what I'm getting for it.

R3 has 700lbs more of weight and a taller freeboard. Weight is a major factor when it comes to crushing wake.

[BigGib]

It has more deadrise too correct? If so, that will help it cut more and slap less