Confused...vp300

[NYrob]

So how is it the R3 R5 R6 and R7 can all be outfitted with the same standard VP 300 hp engine ? I assume that 50 years of boat building has given the engineers at Cobalt the confidence that this power option works well among the R series and compromises nothing, or am I just confused ?

[Snowman73]

I would say it all boils down to cost vs. size. I haven’t done this but it would be interesting to option out a R5 with a 300 vs. a R3 with a 350 or 380. Where does the price fall? I’m sure that for the average new boater - they don’t understand the performance variations between all the engine sizes and as such choose a smaller engine cause it fits the bill. When choosing which boat the salesman will always ask what payment can you afford? Your answer will dictate which engine they choose. From an engineers design standpoint - the 300 is probably on the lower end of satisfaction but not completely out of turn. Maybe a performance person will give their input here?

[dustinm]

Most people just like to putt around the lake, and that engine will do it. On the 10 series all the dealers stock boats have 240/280 V-6s, yet another "ya it will pull a tube" (actually this has a better HP to weight ratio than an R with 300hp). But its nice not to have the throttle all the way forward all the time. Like above it all boils down to how much people can borrow. Its better to have a big boat than a big engine. Look at all the 15 passenger pontoons with 150hp or less outboards.

[BobRae99]

So how is it the R3 R5 R6 and R7 can all be outfitted with the same standard VP 300 hp engine ? I assume that 50 years of boat building has given the engineers at Cobalt the confidence that this power option works well among the R series and compromises nothing, or am I just confused ?

My dealer tells me it comes down to price point and what options buyers value - which changes from region to region. For example, in western Canada the dealership group seldom sells a 10 series boat without a V8 but those boats will sell without a tower, equipping boats with biminis. No one in Alberta will buy a boat without a V8. In my area (prairie provinces - central west Canada), there are more tower sales and "luxury" options combined with less power. In the east, I'm told people buy both luxury options and larger motors - so higher price point purchasers.

Performance is a relative thing. Where I boat, I don't really have anywhere far to go and optioned my boat with a VP350. Interestingly, my dealer sells many R3s with a VP300. Why? There is almost no performance difference until you hit 4,000RPM so the smaller engine gets on plane and has similar mid range to the 350. But you do get a few mph more from 4,000 RPM and up.

Last weekend, I went out with a friend on a longer cruise to a town about 14 miles away. We were cruising at around 40 mph at 4,400 RPM. In that case, I can see how Big Block and others here say that at 380 or 430 would be of value. A 430 (a $16,000 upcharge from the VP350) adds almost 8 mph from that engine and 11 mph from the base engine. So, if I regularly motored longer distances, I think I'd go up in engine size to reduce RPMs and be able to cruise a bit quicker.

Finally, in addition to top speed, I learned something last weekend while towing a 200 lb wakeboarder behind my R3. Towing at 18 mph (he was practicing new tricks) and with hard cuts and jumps across the wake I noticed feeling his weight tugging on the back of the boat. The speed didn't fluctuate more than .5 mph or so, but I noticed it. I wonder if the VP380 would have had more torque at that lower speed and kept the speedo speed steady? I'm sure Big Block will say yes.

Bottom line? Know your budget, know your use and make sure you buy enough power to meet your needs (and not someone else's idea of how much power you should buy). I don't think the R3 is underpowered with a VP300, but I'm glad I got the 350. Next time? I'll get the 430, just because.

[Big Block Power]

So how is it the R3 R5 R6 and R7 can all be outfitted with the same standard VP 300 hp engine ? I assume that 50 years of boat building has given the engineers at Cobalt the confidence that this power option works well among the R series and compromises nothing, or am I just confused ?

My dealer tells me it comes down to price point and what options buyers value - which changes from region to region. For example, in western Canada the dealership group seldom sells a 10 series boat without a V8 but those boats will sell without a tower, equipping boats with biminis. No one in Alberta will buy a boat without a V8. In my area (prairie provinces - central west Canada), there are more tower sales and "luxury" options combined with less power. In the east, I'm told people buy both luxury options and larger motors - so higher price point purchasers.

Performance is a relative thing. Where I boat, I don't really have anywhere far to go and optioned my boat with a VP350. Interestingly, my dealer sells many R3s with a VP300. Why? There is almost no performance difference until you hit 4,000RPM so the smaller engine gets on plane and has similar mid range to the 350. But you do get a few mph more from 4,000 RPM and up.

Last weekend, I went out with a friend on a longer cruise to a town about 14 miles away. We were cruising at around 40 mph at 4,400 RPM. In that case, I can see how Big Block and others here say that at 380 or 430 would be of value. A 430 (a $16,000 upcharge from the VP350) adds almost 8 mph from that engine and 11 mph from the base engine. So, if I regularly motored longer distances, I think I'd go up in engine size to reduce RPMs and be able to cruise a bit quicker.

Finally, in addition to top speed, I learned something last weekend while towing a 200 lb wakeboarder behind my R3. Towing at 18 mph (he was practicing new tricks) and with hard cuts and jumps across the wake I noticed feeling his weight tugging on the back of the boat. The speed didn't fluctuate more than .5 mph or so, but I noticed it. I wonder if the VP380 would have had more torque at that lower speed and kept the speedo speed steady? I'm sure Big Block will say yes.

Bottom line? Know your budget, know your use and make sure you buy enough power to meet your needs (and not someone else's idea of how much power you should buy). I don't think the R3 is underpowered with a VP300, but I'm glad I got the 350. Next time? I'll get the 430, just because.

Well put. When your at a boat show you don't always want to be the most expensive so bring the base base boat you can get for price point. First time boaters don't realize the diff and many dealers won't teach it.
I never said I which I had a smaller engine!

It's takin me 3 years to finally get Bob to say I'm buying a 430
And I finally have proof!
300 in a r5 and larger no way but I'm sure it fits for some. Side note a dealer in loto bought a ton of crownline 266's and put a 350 mag in it. It was way over powered but they sold they all in a hurry. That's one big heavy pig for 300 ponies.
There is a buyer for everything.

[Snowman73]

So how is it the R3 R5 R6 and R7 can all be outfitted with the same standard VP 300 hp engine ? I assume that 50 years of boat building has given the engineers at Cobalt the confidence that this power option works well among the R series and compromises nothing, or am I just confused ?

My dealer tells me it comes down to price point and what options buyers value - which changes from region to region. For example, in western Canada the dealership group seldom sells a 10 series boat without a V8 but those boats will sell without a tower, equipping boats with biminis. No one in Alberta will buy a boat without a V8. In my area (prairie provinces - central west Canada), there are more tower sales and "luxury" options combined with less power. In the east, I'm told people buy both luxury options and larger motors - so higher price point purchasers.

Performance is a relative thing. Where I boat, I don't really have anywhere far to go and optioned my boat with a VP350. Interestingly, my dealer sells many R3s with a VP300. Why? There is almost no performance difference until you hit 4,000RPM so the smaller engine gets on plane and has similar mid range to the 350. But you do get a few mph more from 4,000 RPM and up.

Last weekend, I went out with a friend on a longer cruise to a town about 14 miles away. We were cruising at around 40 mph at 4,400 RPM. In that case, I can see how Big Block and others here say that at 380 or 430 would be of value. A 430 (a $16,000 upcharge from the VP350) adds almost 8 mph from that engine and 11 mph from the base engine. So, if I regularly motored longer distances, I think I'd go up in engine size to reduce RPMs and be able to cruise a bit quicker.

Finally, in addition to top speed, I learned something last weekend while towing a 200 lb wakeboarder behind my R3. Towing at 18 mph (he was practicing new tricks) and with hard cuts and jumps across the wake I noticed feeling his weight tugging on the back of the boat. The speed didn't fluctuate more than .5 mph or so, but I noticed it. I wonder if the VP380 would have had more torque at that lower speed and kept the speedo speed steady? I'm sure Big Block will say yes.

Bottom line? Know your budget, know your use and make sure you buy enough power to meet your needs (and not someone else's idea of how much power you should buy). I don't think the R3 is underpowered with a VP300, but I'm glad I got the 350. Next time? I'll get the 430, just because.

Next time I’m going to test a 380 and 430. But it better have a captains call too.

[tgrace98]

So how is it the R3 R5 R6 and R7 can all be outfitted with the same standard VP 300 hp engine ? I assume that 50 years of boat building has given the engineers at Cobalt the confidence that this power option works well among the R series and compromises nothing, or am I just confused ?

My dealer tells me it comes down to price point and what options buyers value - which changes from region to region. For example, in western Canada the dealership group seldom sells a 10 series boat without a V8 but those boats will sell without a tower, equipping boats with biminis. No one in Alberta will buy a boat without a V8. In my area (prairie provinces - central west Canada), there are more tower sales and "luxury" options combined with less power. In the east, I'm told people buy both luxury options and larger motors - so higher price point purchasers.

Performance is a relative thing. Where I boat, I don't really have anywhere far to go and optioned my boat with a VP350. Interestingly, my dealer sells many R3s with a VP300. Why? There is almost no performance difference until you hit 4,000RPM so the smaller engine gets on plane and has similar mid range to the 350. But you do get a few mph more from 4,000 RPM and up.

Last weekend, I went out with a friend on a longer cruise to a town about 14 miles away. We were cruising at around 40 mph at 4,400 RPM. In that case, I can see how Big Block and others here say that at 380 or 430 would be of value. A 430 (a $16,000 upcharge from the VP350) adds almost 8 mph from that engine and 11 mph from the base engine. So, if I regularly motored longer distances, I think I'd go up in engine size to reduce RPMs and be able to cruise a bit quicker.

Finally, in addition to top speed, I learned something last weekend while towing a 200 lb wakeboarder behind my R3. Towing at 18 mph (he was practicing new tricks) and with hard cuts and jumps across the wake I noticed feeling his weight tugging on the back of the boat. The speed didn't fluctuate more than .5 mph or so, but I noticed it. I wonder if the VP380 would have had more torque at that lower speed and kept the speedo speed steady? I'm sure Big Block will say yes.

Bottom line? Know your budget, know your use and make sure you buy enough power to meet your needs (and not someone else's idea of how much power you should buy). I don't think the R3 is underpowered with a VP300, but I'm glad I got the 350. Next time? I'll get the 430, just because.

Next time I’m going to test a 380 and 430. But it better have a captains call too.

Me too. But it’s going to have another 380 or 430 sitting next to it

[scottsyott]

Most people just like to putt around the lake, and that engine will do it. On the 10 series all the dealers stock boats have 240/280 V-6s, yet another "ya it will pull a tube" (actually this has a better HP to weight ratio than an R with 300hp). But its nice not to have the throttle all the way forward all the time. Like above it all boils down to how much people can borrow. Its better to have a big boat than a big engine. Look at all the 15 passenger pontoons with 150hp or less outboards.

So this is me. I am awaiting delivery of an R5 with a VP300, because it fits my boating style, not necessarily my budget. I could have afforded many things on the boat that I did not get. For example, a tower. Personally, I like the clean lines of a non-towered boat, and we don't pull skiers or wake boarders except on a rare occasion, and tubes just a hand full of times each year. I previously had a Sea Ray SunDancer 240 (26' @ 5500 lbs) with a 260hp Merc. 37mph. Never thought I needed to go faster. I just sold a 26' tritoon with 150 hp Mercury FourStroke. 40 mph. Never thought I needed more speed. The Admiral and the Master at Arms (my dog) prefer puttering at slower speeds. The kids are gone, so we just tool around the lake on sunset cruises, or head out to visit friends or sight see. So for me, mid-forties on an R5 is fine. I didn't buy it for resale, and I am not borrowing money to have it. This was the configuration that fit my lifestyle. If I want to go fast, I'll jump on one of the waverunners that will do 70mph, and that's all the fix I need.

[Snowman73]

Most people just like to putt around the lake, and that engine will do it. On the 10 series all the dealers stock boats have 240/280 V-6s, yet another "ya it will pull a tube" (actually this has a better HP to weight ratio than an R with 300hp). But its nice not to have the throttle all the way forward all the time. Like above it all boils down to how much people can borrow. Its better to have a big boat than a big engine. Look at all the 15 passenger pontoons with 150hp or less outboards.

So this is me. I am awaiting delivery of an R5 with a VP300, because it fits my boating style, not necessarily my budget. I could have afforded many things on the boat that I did not get. For example, a tower. Personally, I like the clean lines of a non-towered boat, and we don't pull skiers or wake boarders except on a rare occasion, and tubes just a hand full of times each year. I previously had a Sea Ray SunDancer 240 (26' @ 5500 lbs) with a 260hp Merc. 37mph. Never thought I needed to go faster. I just sold a 26' tritoon with 150 hp Mercury FourStroke. 40 mph. Never thought I needed more speed. The Admiral and the Master at Arms (my dog) prefer puttering at slower speeds. The kids are gone, so we just tool around the lake on sunset cruises, or head out to visit friends or sight see. So for me, mid-forties on an R5 is fine. I didn't buy it for resale, and I am not borrowing money to have it. This was the configuration that fit my lifestyle. If I want to go fast, I'll jump on one of the waverunners that will do 70mph, and that's all the fix I need.

I’m in your camp on this as well if we are Excluding budget. No one in my family enjoys going 53mph anyway. I personally never tested any other sizes but the 350 fits my style perfectly, for now.

[akorcovelos]

Bleh, that’s like buying an S class Mercedes with a V6. For a premium brand boat that “compromises nothing” 300hp is unacceptable.

[dustinm]

It does suck when you have a big block and a big prop to go along with it and then in no wake zones the thing idles above wake speed. I also didnt like doing evening boat cruises around the lake at 650rpm thats not fast enough to get oil where it all needs to go.

[akorcovelos]

It does suck when you have a big block and a big prop to go along with it and then in no wake zones the thing idles above wake speed. I also didnt like doing evening boat cruises around the lake at 650rpm thats not fast enough to get oil where it all needs to go.

If the engine isn’t maintaining oil pressure at idle there is something wrong.

[dustinm]

It does suck when you have a big block and a big prop to go along with it and then in no wake zones the thing idles above wake speed. I also didnt like doing evening boat cruises around the lake at 650rpm thats not fast enough to get oil where it all needs to go.

If the engine isn’t maintaining oil pressure at idle there is something wrong.

There are many areas of an engine that are lubed and cooled by splash oil. If you ever had a rocker arm cover off a running engine you will see via RPM how much the volume tapers off at low RPM. So yes you will see acceptable oil pressure on the gauge but rockers and springs will not.

[Snowman73]

My dealer tells me it comes down to price point and what options buyers value - which changes from region to region. For example, in western Canada the dealership group seldom sells a 10 series boat without a V8 but those boats will sell without a tower, equipping boats with biminis. No one in Alberta will buy a boat without a V8. In my area (prairie provinces - central west Canada), there are more tower sales and "luxury" options combined with less power. In the east, I'm told people buy both luxury options and larger motors - so higher price point purchasers.

Performance is a relative thing. Where I boat, I don't really have anywhere far to go and optioned my boat with a VP350. Interestingly, my dealer sells many R3s with a VP300. Why? There is almost no performance difference until you hit 4,000RPM so the smaller engine gets on plane and has similar mid range to the 350. But you do get a few mph more from 4,000 RPM and up.

Last weekend, I went out with a friend on a longer cruise to a town about 14 miles away. We were cruising at around 40 mph at 4,400 RPM. In that case, I can see how Big Block and others here say that at 380 or 430 would be of value. A 430 (a $16,000 upcharge from the VP350) adds almost 8 mph from that engine and 11 mph from the base engine. So, if I regularly motored longer distances, I think I'd go up in engine size to reduce RPMs and be able to cruise a bit quicker.

Finally, in addition to top speed, I learned something last weekend while towing a 200 lb wakeboarder behind my R3. Towing at 18 mph (he was practicing new tricks) and with hard cuts and jumps across the wake I noticed feeling his weight tugging on the back of the boat. The speed didn't fluctuate more than .5 mph or so, but I noticed it. I wonder if the VP380 would have had more torque at that lower speed and kept the speedo speed steady? I'm sure Big Block will say yes.

Bottom line? Know your budget, know your use and make sure you buy enough power to meet your needs (and not someone else's idea of how much power you should buy). I don't think the R3 is underpowered with a VP300, but I'm glad I got the 350. Next time? I'll get the 430, just because.

Next time I’m going to test a 380 and 430. But it better have a captains call too.

Me too. But it’s going to have another 380 or 430 sitting next to it

Just go for the dual 496 HO’s, TJ.

[akorcovelos]

It does suck when you have a big block and a big prop to go along with it and then in no wake zones the thing idles above wake speed. I also didnt like doing evening boat cruises around the lake at 650rpm thats not fast enough to get oil where it all needs to go.

If the engine isn’t maintaining oil pressure at idle there is something wrong.

There are many areas of an engine that are lubed and cooled by splash oil. If you ever had a rocker arm cover off a running engine you will see via RPM how much the volume tapers off at low RPM. So yes you will see acceptable oil pressure on the gauge but rockers and springs will not.

I know, but even at idle there’s enough lubricant getting to the heads to prevent any damage.