Looking to buy R5-6-7. Opinions?

[Anchor86]

Recently decided to upgrade our ‘99 Searay bowrider that has been awesome. Looking at R5-6-7 and have a few questions and hoping I can get some advice. Boat on the St lawrence River in NY and are very fair weather boaters in a low traffic area. No watersports but that will change in a few years as grandkids arrive. Majority of time it’s my wife and I with our golden. Love the look of the odd series but a newer R6 may be enticing. Looking for opinions on the differences between R5 & 6, especially from those who had made the transition. Cobalts very scarce in my area. Closest dealer 4 hrs away. Looked at a `16 R7 , beautiful, but seemed huge compared to my `23 Sea Ray.

Thank you!

[billk2632]

So, I made a similar jump recently - went from a 1999 SeaRay 185BR to a 2014 R5. So far I am very happy with the Cobalt, not saying my two SeaRays were not good boats - I was also looking for a SeaRay 240 Sundeck. I think the Cobalt is a step up from the SeaRay, especially in terms of fit finish - everything on the Cobalt feels almost overbuilt. Mine has the Volvo Penta V8 300 (300hp GM 5.7) - we use the R5 much like it sounds you will, cruising, anchor out, usually no more than 3 of us and no water sports. It has plenty of power for me - top speed around 45-48 or so. The things I noticed right off first time I ran it -- it jumps on plane with almost no bow rise, think it is primary due to the extended hull on the odd R's - the evens do not have this, at lease not as much. I also have grown to like the VP power setup - maintenance seems easier than my Mercruisers. Also, the ride is great, handles a busy, rough Lake Norman with no issues and no creaks and rattles. It feels a lot like my much bigger and heavier SeaRay 290. Other features that were must haves for us were a nice head, windlass and the swim step. My R5 is 10yrs old now, has 300hrs and I have had zero problems and it still looks about perfect -- it does lead a cushy life stored in indoor dry storage.

I can't speak much on the R6/R8, I've seen lots of them (I keep my boat at a Cobalt dealer/marina) and initially didn't care for the sharper styling, but it has grown on me - I still like the odd series styling and other things like the tufted/rolled upholstery. Being at a dealership, I hear about problems with the screens/electronics (I have old fashion gauges), but that is on about every newer boat now. But based on the number of Cobalt's around there and seeing them out on the water every week, there can't be too many problems.

[Anchor86]

Thanks for the feedback!
My searay is a 230 signature, 460hrs and has been great. Just looking to upgrade while we can. Want to make sure I “upgrade enough”.

[Anchor86]

Looked at a `23 leftover R6 today and was honestly not impressed. Feels like I’m sitting up high like on my neighbors pontoon boat? Will be looking for a gently used R5 or R7 for sure. If anyone wants a great deal on a brand new leftover 23 R6 , message me.

IMG_5650.jpeg

[Krob1114]

I'm in the market for a used trailer. Never thought to look at a Four Winns trailer.

[Anchor86]

That’s just a trailer the dealer has it on . Only 2 of 4 bunks were being used

[stifflkd]

I have a 2021 R5. Bought one of the last R5's made. Had it not been on the lot I would have went in a different direction. Big difference in hull design between the even and odd series. The odd has a much deeper V and extended surface. The even series is the first build with Malibu DNA and I believe the intent was to focus on surfing. If you do decide on a R5/R7 I would look at a the late model that includes the twin Glass panels and the Gen 5 VP's.

[Krob1114]

I have a 2021 R5. Bought one of the last R5's made. Had it not been on the lot I would have went in a different direction. Big difference in hull design between the even and odd series. The odd has a much deeper V and extended surface. The even series is the first build with Malibu DNA and I believe the intent was to focus on surfing. If you do decide on a R5/R7 I would look at a late model that includes the twin Glass panels and the Gen 5 VP's.

+1. Unless you want to surf. I felt that our 2019 was built before there was too much Malibu influence.

[Anchor86]

I have a 2021 R5. Bought one of the last R5's made. Had it not been on the lot I would have went in a different direction. Big difference in hull design between the even and odd series. The odd has a much deeper V and extended surface. The even series is the first build with Malibu DNA and I believe the intent was to focus on surfing. If you do decide on a R5/R7 I would look at a the late model that includes the twin Glass panels and the Gen 5 VP's.

Thanks! Appreciate the advice. Let the search begin!

[Anchor86]

What year did Gen 5 VP and twin glass start?

[stifflkd]

Gen 5 = 2016ish? Twin Glass = 2017

[CobaltDeadHead]

I agree on the gen 5 VP, though even though they perform better in many ways than Merc (faster acceleration and better mpg by the numbers) the volume cruising at higher RPMs is concerning.

The twin glass even though it looks really sweet, I'm not sure I agree with vs the single Garmin with gauges before. I say this because last summer I ended up coincidentally sitting next to the finance manager of our local Cobalt dealer. He said that they have many more service orders with the twin glass vs the old style. Encouraged me to avoid them. He also felt the Odds were the better performing boats in every way than the Evens unless you want to surf.

Good thing he was in finance and not sales! Between the problems I've read here from people buying Malibalts and that conversation, I don't see myself ever buying a Cobalt newer than 2018 unless the designs and quality goes back to what they once were. I'll go Formula years down the line if I feel like buying a boat newer than 2018.

[Norris_Boating]

Buy an odd series as your upcoming grandkids will likely not surf for long time, by then surfing fad may be over or changed significantly. With that being said we surf behind my R7 and I have had several people do a variety of tricks, 360, 180s and such. It is really good for everything minus the most advanced users.
If you are likely to have more than 10 people on your boat get an R7, otherwise get an R5.
If you get a odd surf I would get an R7 as they still have the ski locker available. I have had zero issues with my twin screens and would recommend them to anybody.
Good luck!

[Krob1114]

In reference to the problems with the twin Garmin screens, we've never had any issues,
I really like having my lake map with contour lines on one screen and gauges on the other.

[JimGilly]

chose the R5 and am very happy with our R5; I like the smaller rounded helm look of the R5, not a fan of the newer big square looking helm. Our use is similar to yours, mostly the two of us, grand kids from time to time. Our lake is your typical TVA inland lake, so the R5 is entirely adequate, but on a large body of water you may want something larger.