Advice on buying 2019 R3 Surf

[Gezellig1]

Hello all
Complete newbie to this forum and to Cobalt. As I’ve Contemplated purchasing an R3 surf over the past two weeks, I found you all and have appreciated the wealth of knowledge here (also, the candid opinions offered freely!

We are on a 650 acre lake that limits boats to 24 feet. We also have one marina that exclusively sells and services cobalt. We have a 24 foot pontoon that we love, so for a while I considered a used 20 foot MC or other strictly surf boat as we have four kids between nine and 16 and want to get more into the water sports including surf. No used Cobalt surfs available yet.

However, It seems that the R3 really can do it all. Comfortably putz with 10 people, cove out for the afternoon, take the kids tubing, and surf. Any thoughts or experiences? My main concern is losing the comfort of the Manitou vtoon when we have a bunch of folks to take out (only really a couple times a year). We asked an R3 owner on the lake yesterday, and she told me to buy a pontoon when we are old! Also, I can see that the R3 wave is not the same quality as an MC, however, will that really matter? We are not planning to be professional surfers…

Beautiful boat, expensive, my more succinct question is—will the surf quality be good enough to justify the price, and will we miss our vtoon?! Thanks

[Norris_Boating]

Welcome to the forum! Obviously we are all going to recommend the Cobalt over anything because we all bought them
As a surf owner I can tell you that the wave is great, not as good a a newer mc but it works well for us. Kids have been getting better all summer, can go really far after dropping the rope, we can toss them things from the boat and they can toss them back. They are learning how to do different cuts and such.
I am having trouble dropping the rope but I think I weigh too much for my board.
I have found out Board selection is very important and your kids will use a different board than adults.
I am very happy with the ability to surf as I wouldn't like the ride of a MC.

[Big Block Power]

Yes will you miss the room of a toon. Yes the r3 will do what you need it to do. If your looking for a great ride and a good wave then the r3 is a great choice. If your looking for more room and storage and want and not great ride but a ok ride then Malibu would be my choice. You have lots of kids that will be riding for years. The tow boat and a r3 won't be much of a diff in price.

[AsLan7]

Go for it. You will love the ride and surf compromise. Just remember the props move down when you try to trim the outdrive up. Not good for shallow bottoms.

R5 size would be a nice balance between 3 and 7 if you can afford the upgrade.

So glad you found us! Welcome aboard mate!

.

[Gezellig1]

Thanks so much for the feedback so far guys! Storage is really not an issue since the lake is so small, we don’t typically go out for an entire day it’s back-and-forth if we need to. I would LOVE to upgrade to the R5, and frankly would not have hesitated if I could, but it is too long for our lake since the integrated swim platform brings the title length over 24 feet

@Big Block power—does the Malibu give enough extra seating room to justify the effort of buying a boat “off lake”? I do love the idea of having the sale and service here. I don’t even own a trailer for my toon as there would never be a need to take it out. Malibu would require me to trailer and haul to KC for anything more than basic services, i think.

[BobRae99]

650 acres? What is the length and width? Do you a lot of wind/wave action?

I’d talk to the dealer to arrange a sea trial of an R3 Surf. If he doesn’t stock one, perhaps he can connect you with someone who has one. Most owners are happy to show their boats.

My friend has a Centurion Surf boat. It throws a monster wave with lots of push for surfing, but not so great in wavy waters.

From what I’ve read, MasterCraft, Centurion produce the best waves, with more push and forward drive boats, with the R Surf series are more than adequate for non pro surfing.

[Big Block Power]

Thanks so much for the feedback so far guys! Storage is really not an issue since the lake is so small, we don’t typically go out for an entire day it’s back-and-forth if we need to. I would LOVE to upgrade to the R5, and frankly would not have hesitated if I could, but it is too long for our lake since the integrated swim platform brings the title length over 24 feet

@Big Block power—does the Malibu give enough extra seating room to justify the effort of buying a boat “off lake”? I do love the idea of having the sale and service here. I don’t even own a trailer for my toon as there would never be a need to take it out. Malibu would require me to trailer and haul to KC for anything more than basic services, i think.

I would say no. If you don't want to trailer and it becomes a Hassel you won't enjoy it. Buy from your lake then.

[Tuscany]

Hello all
Complete newbie to this forum and to Cobalt. As I’ve Contemplated purchasing an R3 surf over the past two weeks, I found you all and have appreciated the wealth of knowledge here (also, the candid opinions offered freely!

We are on a 650 acre lake that limits boats to 24 feet. We also have one marina that exclusively sells and services cobalt. We have a 24 foot pontoon that we love, so for a while I considered a used 20 foot MC or other strictly surf boat as we have four kids between nine and 16 and want to get more into the water sports including surf. No used Cobalt surfs available yet.

However, It seems that the R3 really can do it all. Comfortably putz with 10 people, cove out for the afternoon, take the kids tubing, and surf. Any thoughts or experiences? My main concern is losing the comfort of the Manitou vtoon when we have a bunch of folks to take out (only really a couple times a year). We asked an R3 owner on the lake yesterday, and she told me to buy a pontoon when we are old! Also, I can see that the R3 wave is not the same quality as an MC, however, will that really matter? We are not planning to be professional surfers…

Beautiful boat, expensive, my more succinct question is—will the surf quality be good enough to justify the price, and will we miss our vtoon?! Thanks

Yeah, sorry to be the guy with the alternative opinion, but I don’t see the R3, 10 people, and comfort in the same sentence. Seriously, I don’t see 10 people on my R7 and comfort in the same sentence, but that’s just me, and I’m a little OCD.

Be very sure that the hull is the right size because “room” is the one single thing you can not change after purchase.
An R5 isn’t that much more.
Lastly, considering that Cobalt includes the swim platform in their total size, actual hull size is debatable, and theoretically, you are still under 24’ hull size with the 5.
Might be worth checking in to.
JMO.

[Gezellig1]

Thanks Tuscany. Unfortunately, the marina confirmed that the R5 is not an option, they would love to sell them on this lake.
I do value your opinion, space is the thing that most frightens me about a change. As mentioned, I did consider the two boat option so as to not compromise, but getting a bigger dock with 2nd well and maintenance on two boats seems like a lot of added aggravation.
The R3 definitely wins in sports and ‘coving out’ for a few hours, loses in space and booze-crusing. We probably just need to decide if worth the tradeoff.

Side question: does anyone know the approximate fuel consumption difference between this and a yamaha 175hp on the back of a 24 foot tritoon? I aae I’ll be spending more in gas, just not sure how much more?

[BobRae99]

My R3 VP/350 DPS went into the water on July 2 with a full tank of gas and about 1 hour on the engine hour meter. I just filled it yesterday with 13 hours on it and put in 154 litres (40 US gallons) so it has been using about 3 - 4 gallons/hour. This includes a 10 minute idle speed out of the marina and back plus regular cruising during the break in period. We also did a bit of waterskiing once we were past the 11 hour mark (about 30 minutes total).

Most of my cruising has been around the 27 - 32 mph range (varying speed always to aid in break in). Towards the end we were cruising at a higher speed (32 - 36 mph).

Based on my expeience so far, I'd say you might expect a burn of 5 - 6 gallons/hour at regular extended cruise - running at 25 - 30 mph. Volvo Penta recommends a max of 4,600 RPM for extended cruise, which brings up about 38 mph with a 1/2 tank of gas and 6 people on board my boat.

I'm not sure how that compares with the 24' tritoon.

[greenhut]

I'd also suggest you have a look at the Bryant Callandra. We are in the process of moving from a 2004 Bryant to an R5. The Callandra makes impressive use of it's 23' Having said that, we chose the R series, but worth a look, cheaper, and worst case, a bargaining chip.

[JTinMO]

Hello all
Complete newbie to this forum and to Cobalt. As I’ve Contemplated purchasing an R3 surf over the past two weeks, I found you all and have appreciated the wealth of knowledge here (also, the candid opinions offered freely!

We are on a 650 acre lake that limits boats to 24 feet. We also have one marina that exclusively sells and services cobalt. We have a 24 foot pontoon that we love, so for a while I considered a used 20 foot MC or other strictly surf boat as we have four kids between nine and 16 and want to get more into the water sports including surf. No used Cobalt surfs available yet.

However, It seems that the R3 really can do it all. Comfortably putz with 10 people, cove out for the afternoon, take the kids tubing, and surf. Any thoughts or experiences? My main concern is losing the comfort of the Manitou vtoon when we have a bunch of folks to take out (only really a couple times a year). We asked an R3 owner on the lake yesterday, and she told me to buy a pontoon when we are old! Also, I can see that the R3 wave is not the same quality as an MC, however, will that really matter? We are not planning to be professional surfers…

Beautiful boat, expensive, my more succinct question is—will the surf quality be good enough to justify the price, and will we miss our vtoon?! Thanks

You are tied to the R3 length limit on Lake Viking. No way around that. Unless you have some massive reason to buy another brand, I would stick with Cobalt on that lake due to the marina being there for service. They will go out of the way for you if you buy from them (or buy a second hand Cobalt). I tow my Cobalt there for service from KC and Randy and crew do well.

I have the pontoon vs bowlder debate with my wife and inlays all the time. Inlaws have a pontoon and go boating to essentially be in a living room on the water. Having friends out boating means they all sit on the seats and drink a coke. That ain't me. I'm in the water, kids are tubing, etc. Active.

On such a small lake as you are on, the R3 will be fine and I bet you will be very happy with it. 10 persons is doable as well. You won't be doing that all the time either. I would buy for the usage of what you need 75% of the time. There will always be outlier times where you want a bigger boat, etc.

[Lockey14s]

why is there a size limit on the lake? just curious. If its due to erosion and wake concerns i wouldnt be buying a wake boat as they might soon ban those from the lake as well. they can throw out a monster wake thats way bigger than say a 25' boat could ever make.

[JTinMO]

It's a small lake, and private. So they make the rules on their own. I have no clue how they decided what they did. They have a simple max 24' boat length limit. But unlimited horsepower (as far as I know). So watersports are popular (skiing, tubing, surfing, etc).

Frankly I would take the length limit over speed or horsepower limits on a lake any day.

[Gezellig1]

Well, I bought it! Thanks all for the advice. I’ll post some pics in the introduction area tomorrow (too busy surfing today to post!)