One of the most desirable items on a Cobalt is not an accessory, but rather that iconic logo badge on the side of the hull. It connotes quality, luxury, style and performance, telling every boater in the know that you have indeed arrived.

Cobalt earned its reputation over decades of delivering superb boat-owning experiences, and the new R33 carries forward the panache of the Cobalt name. It does so not just with the badge, but with a big, stylish and exquisitely appointed runabout design that’s adept at day cruising, watersports, rafting and anchoring up, motoring to dinner at a waterside eatery, and even overnighting. 

We tested the sterndrive version (it’s also available with twin or triple outboards) featuring twin Volvo Penta 380 hp V-8s with Ocean X Duoprop drives. The Volvos propelled the R33 to plane in 4 seconds and reached 30 mph in 8 seconds. Top speed was an exhilarating 54.2 mph at 6,000 rpm. 

For fuel-efficient cruising, however, you’ll want to throttle back to 4,000 rpm, where the R33 runs at a brisk 32.3 mph and burns 19 gph for 1.7 mpg. That equates to a cruising range of nearly 230 miles based on 90 percent capacity of the 150-gallon fuel tank. 

The R33 can do it all in some of the biggest lakes, rivers and bays, thanks to Cobalt’s next-generation deep-V hull design featuring fiberglass stringers and Kevlar-reinforced construction. It offers 33 feet in length overall and a stable 10-foot-6-inch beam. 

A storm had roiled up the waters on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, where we tested the R33, providing a good opportunity to test the ride of this Cobalt in rough conditions. It did not disappoint, taking on the steep 2- to 3-footers as if they were not there. Cornering was smooth, confident and predictable, and the Duoprops held their bite even in hard turns at speed.

The helm area is a piece of art, featuring a pair of Garmin 12-inch multifunction displays flush-mounted into the dash, which has an upholstered brow to reduce glare. The MFDs allow you to view engine-operating parameters and free the dash of traditional instrument clusters. A switch panel, an inductive phone charger, and a controller for the Fusion stereo (networked with Harman Kardon amps and 14 speakers) reside on the port side of the wheel. 

To starboard of the wheel is the control binnacle for the Volvos, a keypad for the Lenco trim tabs, and the joystick controller, which a flip-down/flip-up armrest cleverly protects from inadvertent use. An electric helm chair on our test boat let us easily and quickly adjust the seating to our liking; it features a flip-up bolster for a taller point of view from the wheel.

Want to take a big crew? Family and friends can easily step aboard using the starboard side door and enjoy the abundant seating, including comfortably wide seats for the helm and port console. The port seat swivels to join the cockpit’s social area, which includes plush L-shaped seating along the port side and stern, with a big storage area under the port seat. 

The backrest on the stern seat can pivot back to create forward-facing seating, or it can swing forward to create an aft-facing rumble seat. There’s also an optional cockpit galley with an available electric cooktop and fridge, as well as a sink and countertop abaft the helm seating. 

Upholstery work on the R33 is world-class, with double stitching and contrasting inlays with classic diamond-tuck patterns. Snap-in 40-ounce marine carpet covers the deck yet removes easily. An integral fiberglass hardtop with forward-raked supports on our test boat looked good and protected the midcockpit from occasional drizzles on test day, and will provide shade on nicer days. An additional sun awning extends from a pocket within the hardtop to shield occupants in the aft cockpit from UV rays. 

The bow area serves as another inviting social area, with wraparound seating and backrests to face forward while lounging. The removable dinette table can be used in the bow or cockpit area.

Cobalt’s R33 delivers fun with a big aft E-Step swim platform that lowers at the push of button. You can also deploy a step in the middle to ease the climb back aboard. 

With the Cobalt Splash & Stow system, a big inflatable mat rolls out from the giant stowage compartment under the stern pad. An optional air compressor lets you pump up the fun. There’s also a dedicated storage pod for a Yamaha Seascooter.

A posh cabin resides in the starboard console and features a berth, smart TV, storage cabinet and skylight for comfy, cozy overnighting. An optional air-conditioning system cools the cabin. An enclosed head compartment with 5 ¹/₂ feet of headroom is located in the port console. 

If you’re looking for a comparison, check out the Sea Ray SLX 350 ($389,169 base with twin 300 hp MerCruiser 6.2L MPI Bravo III-X sterndrives with Axius joystick). It offers comparable amenities, but 18 inches less length and less horsepower than our test boat.

If you want to treat a big crew to luxury and fun on big waters—and prove to everyone that you have arrived—Cobalt’s R33 might well be the boat for you.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 380 hp Volvo Penta V-8s/Ocean X Duoprop sterndrives
• Drive/Props: Sterndrive/Volvo F6 stainless-steel Duoprop set
• Gear Ratio: 1.95:1 Fuel Load: 95 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Wraparound windshield features polished stainless-steel frame.
• Shore-power charging system has galvanic isolator to prevent electrolysis.
• Volvo Penta joystick system eases docking.
• Optional Seakeeper gyrostabilizer eliminates roll in rough seas.

Low Points

• Rainwater leaked into the compartment under the stern pad during testing.  
• Door for the walk-through to the bow rattled loose during testing.
• Countertop for the summer galley could use a fiddle.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Cobalt Boats – Neodesha, Kansas; 620-325-2653; cobaltboats.com

The post 2023 Cobalt R33 appeared first on Boating Mag.

To provide day boaters with even more comfort and room, premium luxury manufacturer Cobalt Boats has announced the introduction of the all-new R33 Sterndrive luxury runabout. Offering sleek lines, agile handling, superb performance and advanced appointments, the R33 Sterndrive is a yacht-certified example of bigger being better – and faster: Driven by Volvo or Mercruiser twin engines generating up to 860 horsepower, the R33 can reach speeds in excess of 60 mph.

The R33 continues Cobalt’s trend toward contemporary design, with its deeper cockpit and greater freeboard, which in turn enable a more spacious interior and larger bow and cockpit areas. Along with such standard amenities as a Garmin glass cockpit with multiple touchscreen displays, ultra-fast USB-C charging stations, 42 (!) cupholders, a wealth of storage space, an integral swim step and a cabin that accommodates sleeping as well as seating. The R33’s unique offerings include the industry’s first Harman Kardon premier marine audio system – a Cobalt exclusive – along with a Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilization system.

In addition to an array of color and audio system configurations, functional options include a choice of L-seating or a galley, a removable Ice Mule soft-sided portable cooler, a solid teak dinette table, even larger 12” Garmin display panels, stainless steel LED docking lights, a side-entry door and RGB accent lights. Also available are a smart TV for broadband streaming; a hydraulically actuated swim platform; ‘Fresco Chil’ upholstery that reduces temperatures by up to 20° F. on dark surfaces; a dash-mounted mobile phone cradle with wireless charging; an intuitive joystick docking controller; teak flooring for the cockpit, cabin, head and swim platform; and the first one-touch, all-electric planar folding tower and sunshade.

Read Next: More Cobalt Boats Tests

“Incorporating a wealth of innovative technology to enhance the day boating experience, the new R33 Sterndrive features advancements in design, luxury, convenience and overall performance,” said Jason Turner, Cobalt’s president. “We’re looking forward to sharing this exciting boating statement with our dealers and the boating public,” he added.

Currently entering production, the Cobalt R33 Sterndrive is available for order through Cobalt’s World Class Dealer Network.

About Cobalt: Headquartered in Neodesha, KS, Cobalt Boats LLC, is a publicly owned, industry-leading manufacturer of luxury family day boats. Combining uncompromising product quality with customer-inspired innovation and value, Cobalt, a division of Malibu Boats, has earned an international reputation for unmatched customer satisfaction through its World Class Dealer Network. Learn more at cobaltboats.com.

The post New Sterndrive R33 Luxury Runabout from Cobalt Boats appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

As outboards grow in popularity, many builders have capitalized by just hanging such engines on existing hulls.

Cobalt took a different route and started with a new hull designed for outboards, and a new interior that takes advantage of every inch of space to create a delightful family runabout, part of the R Series of Cobalts that the builder terms as the “ultimate runabouts.”

The facts: At just 2 inches shy of 28 feet in length overall, the boat is designed for all-day outings. There is an enclosed (and quite civilized) head compartment for you-know-why (more later), easily enough seating for an 11-person soccer team, luxurious appointments (check out the yummy quilted upholstery), and a lot of thoughtful touches, from phone chargers to a removable cooler.

Engines

More facts: Our R8 test boat boasted twin Yamaha 300s (singles and doubles from Yamaha or Merc to 425 hp are available), and these kicked us along at a top speed of over 64 mph. Chopping the throttles to 43 mph, the R8 gets 1.8 mpg, and it registered a quiet 86 dB(A). Why outboards? They require minimal winterizing, and because the outboards lift entirely clear of the water, the R8 proves well-adapted to salt water.

Interior and Accessories

You’ll spend most of your time in the cockpit, where flip-back seats grants fore- or aft-viewing from the two settees on each side. I noticed the coamings are high, which not only makes good backrests, but is also a safety feature for kiddies aboard. An optional table mounts for dining. A galley console with sink and grill is available.

The skipper’s office is comfy, with the optional bucket seat that moves in every conceivable direction. A bolster allows raised seating to look over the windshield. The dash has plenty of acreage for twin -10-inch Garmin 8610 MFDs above the rows of lighted and labeled push buttons for systems. Even better, the Yamaha Helm Master joystick fell exactly to hand when I wasn’t using the shift and throttle levers.

The companion seat offers a flip-flop backrest for either looking forward or joining others around the table, and the two rear-most seats’ backrests can create forward-facing lounges or rear-facing seating.

Despite the outboards, the R8 offers plenty of room to walk back and forth, plus there is the Cobalt patented fold-down swim platform that makes getting in and out of the water easy.

The walk-through windshield leads to wraparound seating, which again converts to an expansive sun pad or can be used for meals with an available table. Cobalt earns big points for the huge stowage bins under the seats. The anchor windlass is tucked under a foredeck hatch and, with an all-chain rode, can be run from either forward or at the helm. An oversize water-ski locker (5-plus feet) is in the sole between the consoles.

About the head: It has 50 inches of headroom (pun intended) and enough space for a sink, counter, and choice of a portable marine head or electric porcelain toilet. There’s no shower (that’s optional on the stern), but plenty of room to change clothes. In the console, under the helm with its forward hatch, lies a cavernous space that could include a cushion for a kiddie nap.

You can’t fault Cobalt on construction, with no wood whatsoever in the hull to rot. Foam coring, fiberglass stringers, 16 layers of hand-laid fiberglass at the keel, Kevlar reinforcing, and impeccable mold work are markers of this builder.

Access to systems is also great, with the batteries directly under hatches, neatly loomed and secured wiring, and the fuel tank’s plumbing under another hatch. That fuel tank, by the way, is directly over the center of gravity so that the balance of the R8 doesn’t change whether you have a full or empty tank.

Families need sun protection, and Cobalt offers several choices, including a powder-coated aluminum tower with slide-out aft shade, another that folds flat for trailering (or low bridges), and even a simple Bimini.

Underway, the R8 is just plain fun. The SeaStar power-assist steering eases handling, and reduces the turns for low-speed maneuvering or docking while making the response more accurate at higher speeds. Lenco trim tabs have the Auto Glide feature, which automatically compensates for load and power settings. Just set the throttle, and the tabs adjust perfectly. You can override the setting if Aunt Edna decides to change sides, but I slalomed up and down Lake Maitland in central Florida without a hint of cavitation, even in sharp turns. And with a 21-degree deadrise in the hull plus twin full-length strakes, the R8 was soft-riding and well-behaved when I ran across our wake.

Shopping? Check Chapparal’s 280 OSX ($224,215 with twin Yamaha 250s).

Thoughtfully designed, elegantly outfitted and impeccably built, the Cobalt R8 Outboard lives up to its “ultimate runabout” cachet. This is one that will be fun now and will stay in the family for a long time.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha 300 XCA
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Saltwater Series II 15″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 80 gal. Water On Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• Stow 5-foot skis under the sole and utilize the gelcoated stowage under every seat and in cubbyholes.
• Hinges on lockers and the engine hatch are oversize and sturdy; many hatches boast a gas assist.
• Deep gutters with rubber gaskets keep water out of lockers and help muffle engine noise as well.

Low Points

• Unlike comparable craft, there’s no opening port in the head.
• Grab rails for crew using the aft rumble seat would be appreciated.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Cobalt Boats – Neodesha, Kansas; 620-325-2653; cobaltboats.com

The post 2021 Cobalt R8 Outboard appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Disclosure: I’m a fallen-away California surfer with chops from Steamer Lane to K69 in Mexico, and I used to pity those who lived far from an ocean because they could never surf—wrong!

With the new Cobalt R8 Surf, you can surf any lake, river or large puddle. Even better, you can create perfect curls to your taste.

Sure, you can also use the boat for family outings, water-skiing and whatever else. But Cobalt drew from Malibu, its corporate owner, to create an amazing wave-maker. You can load a water-ski boat with people and water-ballast bladders, but it can’t dial in a wave at the touch of a button like the R8 Surf.

This is one rad-looking boat, from the huge speakers hanging on the tower like engines on a 747, to the racks on each side for a quiver of boards, to wild colors such as the Knock-Out Red on our review boat. You can tailor the colors in six areas, from the upper and lower hull, the boot stripe and bottom, and even to the Surf Gate.

Interior and Accessories

This nearly 28-footer takes full advantage of its trailerable 8 ½-foot beam to maximize the inside space and, because it is NMMA Yacht Certified, you can plant someone in every seat, which means up to five in the bow, three at the helm and companion seat, as many as eight in the cockpit, and three more on the flip-up rumble seat aft.

The helm is a masterpiece of ergonomics, with twin Garmin 7- or 10-inch screens for navigation and engine instruments. Use one monitor with a rearview camera to watch the surfer without having to turn around. Opposite the helm is a surprisingly civilized enclosed head with 50 inches of headroom, a necessity for all-day outings.

The tower on our test boat was the available Prisma folding version (nonfolding is standard) equipped with a slide-out shade over the aft cockpit, pockets for lines (the tow ring is above the top), and sleeves for more boards on top. The wide transom platform has the patented Cobalt flip-down “beach” to make water access easy. Oh, there’s a head with a portable toilet in the portside console, as Chaparral Boats includes in its 26 Surf ($146,666, powered like our test boat). The Chaparral is 17 inches shorter than the Cobalt and carries 15 gallons less fuel.

Wakes and Waves

OK, OK, enough about the boat. Let’s talk waves because the only reason you’ll buy the R8 Surf over the standard R8 is to create some great curls.

You’ve entered the world of push-button wakesurfing. We had Sam Langley, a championship ripper, aboard to show us what can be done with the R8 Surf, and the first thing he did after loading the tower racks with his choice of boards was to dial in the boat.

He started at the Zero-Off dash panel, which sets and controls boat speed precisely using GPS. For Langley, that was 11.3 mph. Then he dialed in the Surf Gate trim at 3, which is what he preferred for his demonstration. Choose 5 and riders will say, “Over my head!” And at 7, it’s “Oh, wow, awesome!”

While he did this, Alex Barry, a longtime Cobalt team member, punched the fill buttons on the Garmin screen, pumping 2,300 pounds of water into the six hard tanks under the sole. These fill (and empty) in just seven minutes, and Cobalt carefully placed them over the center of gravity to eliminate bow rise, which can block the skipper’s vision.

Tanks full? Numbers dialed in? Surfer in the water? Now all the skipper has to do is push the throttles forward and the R8 Surf takes care of the rest. Besides the ballast, the key to the size and shape of the curl is the Surf Gate, a Malibu Boats innovation that is like a trim tab that hinges out from the side of the stern.

The skipper can choose whether the wave is right or left, for the surfer’s preference. Are you a goofy-footed rider (right front forward)? It’s no matter because another touch on the Garmin screen switches the Surf Gate side quickly, allowing the surfer to go up and over the wake to find a new wave waiting on the other side.

One item I haven’t mentioned is power for the R8 Surf, which is a 380 hp Volvo Penta 380 CE Duoprop Forward Drive (FWD). This is the middle choice at 380 hp between the standard 350 hp and the top 430 hp, and it proved great for surf use.

With the props forward of the lower unit, this drive’s Duoprop contra-rotating propset pulls rather than pushes. It tucks the props safely under the boat, which is especially important because surfers rip almost to the transom. The FWD also gives great leverage so the skipper can add or subtract trim to meet the conditions.

Langley surfed on a 52-inch Key Board Phase 5, a Sean Silveira design for pro riders, and, oh man, was he smooth.

The R8 Surf’s wake has a clean wave face of at least 20 feet, it allowed Langley to carve, cut back and bottom-turn from the transom well into the foam. Even more important, Langley reported the push, or energy, of the wave as powerful, and I could see that from the helm.

The R8 Surf is a great boat, with a top speed of nearly 48 mph. And with its 21-degree transom deadrise, it will carve through the afternoon chop better than boats with flatter bottoms.

Looking for a boat that throws a great surf wake and retains several key attributes of a bowrider? Test-ride this Cobalt R8 Surf.

How We Tested

• Engine: 380 hp Volvo Penta V-8-380 G5 Duoprop FWD
• Drive/Prop: Forward Drive/Volvo Penta K4
• Gear Ratio: 2.32:1 Fuel Load: 70 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• Amazing stowage under the sole (5-foot skis are no problem), under every seat, and in cubbyholes, all gelcoat-finished for easy cleaning.
• Hinges on lockers and even the engine hatch are oversize and sturdy, and many have gas assists for safety.
• Deep gutters with rubber seals keep water out of lockers as well as knock down engine noise.

Low Points

• Volvo Penta Forward Drive doesn’t swing up as far as a conventional sterndrive, so you need to be careful of your props around sandbars and with trailers.
• Grab rails for anyone on the rumble seat aft would be appreciated.
• An opening port in the head, as found aboard comparable boats, would be welcome for natural light and ventilation.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Cobalt Boats – Neodesha, Kansas; 620-325-2653; cobaltboats.com

The post 2021 Cobalt R8 Surf appeared first on Boating Mag.

The agreement is subject to adjustment for any settlement or judgement in connection with pending patent litigation between Cobalt and Sea Ray Boats, which is owned by Brunswick Corp.

The combined business is anticipated to deliver approximately $7.5 million in synergies and operational improvements, expected to be realized by the fourth year post-closing, and approximately $18 million in expected tax benefits.

READ THE FULL STORY AT SOUNDINGS TRADE ONLY TODAY

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There’s an old saying that goes: You can’t have everything, because where would you put it? Cobalt Boats has come up with an elegant attempt at an answer: The Cobalt R30 is a large luxury day boat with the room to fit a crowd and the amenities to entertain them. This yacht-certified bowrider has a fantastic interior layout that can accommodate a large crowd on the water. The arrangement is made all the better by the extra room gained from Cobalt’s Free Space Reclamation build process. By shaving fiberglass off the hull and deck in the mold while maintaining full strength and structural integrity, Cobalt adds nearly a foot of interior width. This allows for more seating and more stowage space.

The main cockpit sports a plush transom bench that can seat four, a jump seat behind the captain’s chair at the helm, and a doublewide bench in front of the port console that has a fore-and-aft-adjusting backrest so the crew can sit comfortably in several different ways. A Yeti cooler hides inside the fiberglass base. The head inside the port console is spacious and well-appointed, with a fiberglass sole with vinyl walls, Corian countertop housing a stainless-steel sink, and a porcelain pump-out toilet.

The bow cockpit has space to both sides for passengers to fully recline, with flip-up armrests that are sturdy enough to support the full weight of an adult male standing atop them. (I know this because I tried it.) The anchor locker is easy to access and drains outboard, and the anchor smartly hides underneath the bow. The recessed stainless-steel grab rails provide safety up front without sacrificing any style points.

While at anchor, the aft sun pad provides another lounging point, and it features twin pop-up backrests, giving loungers different comfort options. When it’s time to get in the water, raise or lower the electrically actuated swim step into the water at the push of a button.

Our test boat was powered by twin Volvo Penta V8-300 sterndrives, which propelled the R30 to a near-60 mph top-end speed. We planed in 3.7 seconds and hit 30 mph in 6.5 seconds. The twin Duoprops gave the R30 exceptional bite in carving S-turns and making hard-over turns at speed. The twin counter-rotating propsets also made handling in close quarters and docking the R30 a breeze.

High Points
* Dash features a hand-stitched brow that protects the inset gauges from glare.
* Electrically actuated swim step feature makes entering the water and reboarding easier than ever.
* Aft sun pad features two independent backrests that allow the lounger to sit up or fully recline.

Low Points
* Dash does not have room to upgrade to large-screen electronics displays.
* Countertop in the head compartment could be fiddled to prevent objects from sliding off it.

Toughest Competitor
Check out Sea Ray’s SLX 310 ($222,680 with twin 250 hp MerCruiser Axius 4.5L MPI engines). It’s another day boat that can host a crowd.

Price: $203,112 (with test power)

Available Power: Sterndrive

How We Tested
Engines: Twin Volvo Penta V8-300s
Drive/Props: G-DP/F5 Duoprops
Gear Ratio: 2.14:1
Fuel Load: 75 gal.
Crew Weight: 360 lb.

More Information
Cobalt Boats – Neodesha, Kansas; 800-468-5764; cobaltboats.com

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Like its ocean-borne counterpart, wakesurfing is huge fun, but the majority of the population never gets invited. With the real deal, that’s a result of simple geography. To paraphrase the Beach Boys, not everybody has an ocean. With wakesurfing, however, the limiting factor has always been the location of the boat’s propeller. In a sport that places the rider in close proximity to the boat’s transom, the average sterndrive, with its rear-mounted prop, is deemed too risky for wakesurfing. As a result, this genre of wakesports has become a members-only club, with inboard and V-drive owners the only ones to make it beyond the velvet rope.

In 2015, Volvo Penta changed the rules. With an eye on the burgeoning surf crowd, the longtime maker of inboards and sterndrives took a cue from its successful IPS pod drive and put the prop in front of a sterndrive’s lower unit. The aptly named Forward Drive quickly caught the attention of builders of sterndrive-powered boats missing out on the surf craze and opened the doors of wakesurfing to an eager and wider new audience of boaters.

But can a Forward Drive-equipped runabout compare to the gold standard of a V-drive-powered towsports boat? And can a V-drive compare to a sterndrive’s versatility apart from generating surf? To find out, we put together two flagship models from each category, called in a pair of expert surf riders, and put each type of propulsion through its paces.

Vive la Difference
The V-drive was represented by the 25-foot Malibu Wakesetter 25 LSV. Powered by an Indmar 6.2L Monsoon 450 HO engine, it features the classic V-drive layout, with the engine spun 180 degrees and pushed to the rear to maximize cockpit space and, in the case of wakesports, take advantage of weight at the stern. The drive shaft extends forward to a gear box, where it is then redirected aft and out through the hull. Abaft the propeller, a movable rudder influences direction. Our Forward Drive candidate, Cobalt’s 25-foot-8-inch R5 WSS Surf, likewise positions the engine in classic sterndrive fashion under a stern lounge. The drive linkage then exits out through the transom, where it is redirected downward through the outdrive, then forward to the propeller. Like a conventional sterndrive, steering is the result of vectored thrust. The drive and propeller pivot in unison in relation to the driver’s input at the helm. Both systems position the prop well under the hull and out of reach of riders playing in the wake.

Prop location, however, has little to do with building the perfect wake. For both manufacturers, this portion of the equation starts with ballast, plumbed to be easily filled and drained at the touch of a button. Malibu features four rigid tanks built into the hull, spread between the bow and stern and capable of adding 1,475 pounds to the boat’s load. In addition, our test boat also utilized Malibu’s optional Power Wedge II hydrofoil. While most foils offer lifting-only action, this pulls the stern downward, mimicking an additional 1,500 pounds of ballast when lowered, and the plug-and-play ballast can add still another 1,500 pounds of wave-creating weight.

Cobalt features three internal ballast tanks located port, starboard and center capable of adding 2,100 pounds to the boat’s load. The drive can also be trimmed, or it can be raised to effectively force the stern deeper into the water and further enhance wake size.

The true magic, however, happens thanks to each boat’s wake-shaping hardware. Malibu’s Surf Gate system features two vertical, hinged tabs at each corner of the hull adjacent to the swim platform. Extending one of these tabs outward disrupts the convergence point of the water coming off the hull sides, causing the boat to heel over to one side, greatly increasing both the size and shape of the wake.

Like the majority of Forward Drive manufacturers, Cobalt opts for surf tabs: oversize, extended trim tabs that can be pivoted downward on the desired side to likewise enhance wake size and shape. Unlike most of its competitors, Cobalt relies upon a larger tab size and a unique, curved shape.

Surf’s Up
With ballast filled to capacity and a comparable passenger load, we ran numerous passes with the author at the wheel and both professional wakeboarder Jeff House and Wakeboarding magazine’s contributing editor Craig Kotilinek surfing the wake to judge each’s characteristics.

In terms of sheer wave height, Malibu held the advantage, producing a clean wake that ran between 3¼ to 3½ feet on average. That wake felt larger and stronger to both riders, with a steeper face that offered more forward push. The workable area of the wake extended as much as 20 feet behind the transom of the boat and seemed to wrap around the rider in a gentle arc. Even the trailing curl and whitewash offered some degree of forward push.

The Cobalt wake averaged between 2¾ to 3¼ feet in height, with a more ramplike shape that pushed the rider out and away from the wake and featured slightly more turbulence. The workable area of the wake extended to about 15 feet off the transom but fell away rapidly beyond that point. Kotilinek noted that the Cobalt’s pocket was larger than most Forward Drive models but didn’t offer quite as much forward push. He also observed that a Forward Drive’s prop wash can be more disruptive for beginning riders when starting; an easy solution is to have the driver angle slightly away from the rider until they’re on top of the water. Because the Forward Drive features counter-rotating props, prop torque is not an issue.

Driver controls proved simple for both models. Malibu provides complete customization of the wake via touchscreen control of ballast load, Power Wedge angle, Surf Gate and speed. An optional analog control knob is also available. Cobalt opts for physical buttons to fill and empty ballast, set the GPS-based Zero Off cruise control, and deploy tabs to the surfer’s preferred side. Once preset, both systems allow you to simply throttle up; control takes over once you reach the desired speed. As the left or right surf orientation is gate- or tab-based, both allowed drivers to switch the wake’s focus on the fly, transitioning between the left and right sides in roughly three seconds for the Malibu and four for the Cobalt. From the driver’s perspective, while both boats ran bow high at boarding speeds (10 to 12 mph), the Malibu ran at a shallower angle, making it easier to see forward. Cobalt offers a Performance Mode that deploys the tabs to get on plane even with a full ballast load. With the Malibu, you can adjust the angle of the optional Power Wedge for similar results.

Power Struggle
Away from the wakesports with minimal load and no ballast or surf enhancement, each model displayed characteristics inherent to its category. Thanks in part to its ability to trim and reduce the hull’s wetted surface, the Forward Drive-powered Cobalt held a notable advantage in top speed, powering to 46.6 mph despite the Malibu’s additional 20 hp. With a shallower deadrise, downward prop-shaft angle and less underwater hardware to overcome, however, the Malibu jumped onto plane more quickly (4.7 seconds versus 6.2) and posted a superior from-0-to-30 mph time (7.4 seconds versus 10.5). At surf speeds of 11 mph, fuel consumption was comparable for each boat, averaging in the neighborhood of 7 gph. The sterndrive Cobalt burned approximately 9 gph at a 26 mph cruising speed, the V-drive Malibu just over 11.

With its vectored thrust, the Forward Drive held an advantage in low-speed handling, able to be turned nimbly to both port and starboard in reverse. In fact, reverse is superior to a conventional sterndrive, as the props are deep in the water and away from the effects of the exhaust. With no directional thrust and without water passing over the rudder in reverse, the V-drive was subject to prop torque and the rotation of its propeller. It backed predictably to port but lacked the same level of control to starboard.

Other considerations? Forward Drive’s ability to trim is handy in shallow situations, but the forward position of the dual props means a Forward Drive does not trim as high as a conventional sterndrive; it leaves the drive exposed by about a foot below the hull even when fully trimmed. That exposure, as well as the V-drive’s prop, shaft and rudder, mean both boats need to sit higher than outboards, jets or other sterndrives on dedicated trailers to avoid damage when towing. V-drive hardware is fixed; the Forward Drive features both breakaway couplings between vertical shafts and a “kick-up” release to lessen damage from an underwater strike. Both types of propulsion provide exceptional handling at speed, with the Forward Drive surpassing its conventional sterndrive counterpart thanks to the forward position of the prop. The typical Forward Drive hull’s deeper V and ability to trim, however, give it an advantage in rough water. The V-drive is slightly less complex than the Forward Drive. Stainless shafts and Nibral (nickel, bronze and aluminum) props also hold a corrosion advantage over the Forward Drive’s painted aluminum housing and stainless-steel props.

Finally, the Forward Drive proved much quieter at speed. Credit it in part to the drive’s exhaust outlet below the waterline.

Let’s Go Surfing Now
So who’s the winner? That depends on the buyer and what they want.

In terms of pure wakesurfing nirvana, it’s a V-drive. Wake size, shape and characteristics are simply superior. But by eliminating the safety concerns of an exposed propeller, the Forward Drive has opened up the sport to a much larger audience. The wakes, and the ease of controlling them, are within the ballpark of those produced by a V-drive. The ability to trim, better top speed, and superior low-speed and reverse handling also all favor the Forward Drive.

In short, with the option of both V-drive and Forward Drive propulsion, everybody wins … and everybody surfs.

While V-drive and Forward Drive might currently have more of the spotlight, a third type of propulsion — jet drive — is also making its case for surf supremacy. With only an enclosed impeller tucked within the hull confines, jets certainly boast the necessary safety advantage. Several manufacturers have also gotten into the game of shaping wakes. Chaparral’s 243 Vortex VRX offers 1,350 pounds of ballast along with the Aerial Surf Platform, an extension integrated into the existing swim platform that is contoured below to shape the wake for surfing. Yamaha’s 242X E-Series features 1,400 pounds of ballast in bags tucked inside storage compartments and plumbed to easily fill and empty via dash controls. How’s the jet wake? Definitely surfable, although we have not found it yet up to the standards of either the V-drive or Forward Drive. The wake itself it not as clean, as the jet tends to create more turbulence. The pocket also tends to be smaller. But additional ballast, or just more friends in the boat, improves the wake significantly.

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The new CS3 from Cobalt Boats is truly a new design from stem to stern. Cobalt designed the CS3 to be a gateway boat the way the 3 Series is to the BMW line of cars. That is to say, Cobalt did not skimp on quality and performance to build a bowrider with a more affordable sticker price.

You can see that at the dock with the CS3’s sporty profile and graphics. The swim platform extends well aft of the transom and features Cobalt’s signature flip-down swim step. When actuated by a simple stainless-steel lever, the swim step drops down to create a seat or step in the water that makes for easy reboarding after a towing session or a swim at anchor. Note, too, how the swim platform is protected on either side by integrated L-shaped fenders — they look like hockey sticks — with stainless-steel rail inserts. These help both first-time and veteran boaters keep their hull sides free from dings in the gelcoat, or worse. Also note there are two transom walk-throughs, one to either side of the sun pad mounted on the engine hatch, so access to the swim platform and that flip-down swim step is quick and easy, with no climbing necessary.

Once inside the cockpit, you’ll note the spacious feel of the interior. Cobalt achieves this with its Free Space Reclamation process during the build, which adds nearly an extra foot of interior width to the cockpit. The process works by shaving excess materials off both the hull and deck in the mold and building to precise tolerances. There’s seating along the transom and both gunwales, with an adjustable backrest on the port console seating so the co-pilot can face forward or backward. Anyone tapped for spotter duty during a tubing, skiing or boarding session will appreciate this handy feature. The full windshield keeps everyone in the main cockpit protected from wind and spray, and the optional sport arch adds shade from the sun.

So you have high expectations in terms of performance? The Cobalt CS3 does not disappoint. When paired with the 300 hp Volvo Penta sterndrive package, it topped out close to 50 mph. Planing speed was particularly impressive, taking just 2.9 seconds from a dead stop. It reached 30 mph in a zippy 5.5 seconds. That’s a lot of oomph out of the hole. More important for the captain, the boat tracks true at low speeds, carves graceful, sporty turns at 30 mph, and handles any lake chop thrown its way without any discernible pounding, flexing or rattling.

Comparable Model: Sea Ray 230 SLX

The post Cobalt CS3 appeared first on Boating Mag.

We Say: Cobalt has been outfitting its R Series runabouts for watersports duty with its WSS line, which stands for Water Sports Series. With the R5WSS Surf, you can wakesurf too. How? The Forward Drive places the props forward rather than aft of the gear case so they pull the boat through the water rather than push it. In doing so, Volvo Penta moved the props 21 inches farther forward where they are safely tucked under the platform and away from the surfer. Steering in reverse is excellent.

The R5WSS Surf has other amenities to make it surfable such as the Zero Off GPS speed control, which can set the speed to create the desired wake. Activate the surf tabs and fill the ballast tanks to port, center and starboard to sculpt the wake. A flip-down swim step on the swim platform makes it easy for surfers to get in and out of the water. The sport arch features Samson swiveling board racks and stereo speakers to rock your surf sessions.

On board, Cobalt’s Free Space Reclamation process creates a roomy cockpit. The high freeboard means no splash on quick pickup turnarounds, and you can actually walk through instead of crawl to the bow. When it’s time to run, the R5WSS Surf bests many inboards, climbing onto plane in 4.2 seconds and hitting 30 mph in 9.6 seconds. Top speed is 46 mph.

Who’d Want One: Families looking for a versatile runabout that easily converts for surf duty.

Another Choice: The Regal 2300 RX Surf ($93,510) is also equipped with Forward Drive and a surf package.

Bottom Line: $132,915 (with test power); cobaltboats.com

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Regal 2300 RX Surf
The Regal 2300 RX Surf was the best of the lot in terms of both the wave’s drive and shape. The transfer system, while slow, allows you to go from side to side while surfing. The wave face is perfectly clean, with an ideal shape that could work equally well for skim-style riders looking to do spins as it would for surf-style riders learning airs. The standard 1,500 pounds of ballast could be augmented with a full complement of observers, and the wave would stay clean.

Other Cool Features
*Wave presets make creating a wave on either side mercifully easy.
*Transfers from side to side are within reach of the average surfer.
*Touchscreen simplifies the entire helm experience.

Wipeouts
*Touchscreen’s presets aren’t adjustable, so the only latitude in tailoring your wave is by trimming the Forward Drive.

Length: 24’0″
Beam: 8’6″
Weight: 4,280 lb.
Price: $93,510
Engine/Gear Ratio: VP V-8 300/2.14:1
Ballast: 1,500 lb.

More Information: regalboats.com

Four Winns TS242
The Four Winns TS242 generates a lot of wave for its relatively small ballast capacity. A slightly splashed face creates a surprising amount of push with just enough vert to keep things interesting without spilling over into a pity wave, which can be difficult for beginners. The right lip at the end of the substantial pocket is just right and catches you when you drift back on tricks, but it won’t completely swallow your ankles.

Other Cool Features
*Rear walk-through provides easy access to your next set.
*Large bow creates a separate social zone.

Wipeouts
*Tabs aren’t intuitively labeled, which makes creating a wave more difficult than it should be. The throttle has an “all-or-nothing” point that can yank surfers out of position on starts.

Length: 24’5″
Beam: 8’6″
Weight: 4,660 lb.
Price: $104,615
Engine/Gear Ratio: VP V-8 350/2.14:1
Ballast: 1,300 lb.

More Information: fourwinns.com

Monterey 238SS Roswell Edition
The wave was smooth and unaffected by prop wash throughout, but you have to like a steep wave to enjoy the Monterey 238 SS. Try airs and lip tricks with a short board, and you’ll have a blast. The pocket was medium-size and had a pronounced lip at the end that could grab your ankles if you drop back too far, but it also let you know exactly where your boundaries were.

Other Cool Features
*Butter-smooth throttle gives first-time surfers a perfect pull out of the water.
*Roswell extras complete the whole surf-boat experience.

Wipeouts
*Surf tab labels don’t correspond well with creating a surf wave, which can be confusing for the driver.

Length: 23’0″
Beam: 8’6″
Weight: 3,950 lb.
Price: $83,961
Engine/Gear Ratio: VP 300 5.7/2.14:1
Ballast: 1,810 lb.

More Information: montereyboats.com

Cobalt R5 WSS Surf
While an aesthetically perfect wave, the Cobalt R5 WSS Surf’s wake shape lacked drive and had a sharp falloff at the end of the pocket, which made it more difficult to save tricks. However, the pocket is bigger than one made by some competitive models, and the wave is ultimately clean, with a face that will appeal to almost any type of rider. Adding more weight might put more drive into the wave.

Other Cool Features
*Surf presets make creating a wave intuitive, even for novice surf drivers.
*Aesthetics are second to none.

Wipeouts
*Grab handles and cleats have a tendency to snag the surf rope just about every time you pick up the rider.

Length: 25’8″
Beam: 8’6″
Weight: 4,880 lb.
Price: $132,915
Engine/Gear Ratio: V-8 380/2.32:1
Ballast: 2,100 lb.

More Information: cobaltboats.com

Starcraft SCX 231
The Starcraft SCX 231’s wave might look a little rough, but it delivered in terms of forward push, which is arguably the most important point of any surf wave. Look for a more vertical wave face suited to lip tricks and surf-style riders with shorter boards. The trough is deeper than most boats this length, which means the pocket is only medium-size. The wave’s push can make up for what’s lacking in the pocket and face splash.

Other Cool Features
*Unique seating configuration gives the boat an open feel.
*Swim platform is smooth and won’t snag the surf rope.

Wipeouts
*While the interior design is unique, the boat’s handling is a bit squirrelly.

Length: 25’4″
Beam: 8’6″
Weight: 3,300 lb.
Price: $84,600
Engine/Gear Ratio: VP V-8 300/2.32:1
Ballast: 1,050 lb.

More Information: starcraftmarine.com

Wave Theory
Inboard-powered wakesurf boats create waves with more volume and, thus, more power. Water ballast systems allow the boats to take on hundreds of gallons of water, creating a deeper hole behind the boat. The nearly flat bottoms of these boats also result in waves better suited to surfing. Also, these boats are often fitted with an array of trim systems that allow the captain to adjust and refine the shape of the wake. Forward Drive-powered wakesurf boats rely on drive trim and trim tabs to create surfable waves. However, when surfing is over, the deep-V hull, combined with the low drag of a sterndrive drivetrain, allows for fast, smooth transport across choppy waters.

Summary
Inboard watersports boats produce wake waves that let pro surfers shred. These Forward Drive surf boats are well on their way to claiming a piece of the inboard surf pie by creating great waves for recreational wakesurfing. The Forward Drive system touts impressive fuel economy (particularly at cruising speeds) and high top-end speed compared to inboards, but every sterndrive we tested created turbulence that ranged from noticeable to powerful enough to take the board out from under surfers on submerged starts. To avoid this, initially turn the drive away from the surfer when starting out.

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