220S, CS22 or 23, or R3 - freeboard heights?

[66fibersport]

Hello,

New to Cobalt and looking for some advice. Boating on Keuka Lake and considering the 220S (like the large sun deck); CS22 or 23 (exterior looks nicer) or a used R3. Will be used for tubing and wake boarding and cruising. Will make sure it has a Merc and an arch.

Keuka seldom gets rough and any of the Cobalt should keep us dryer than our 66 Century Fibersport Resorter (forsale BTW). Should I even care about freeboard?

What I cannot find is the difference in freeboard of the 220S (AUS site said 2' 10"), CS 22, CS23 and the R3.

If I move up to the R3 I must then likely upgrade my tow vehicle which has a 5000# limit.

Looking for any comments and suggestions.

Thanks

[Whippled263]

Hello and welcome to the site and cobalt boats. I as well boat/live on Keuka lake! I wouldn't be concerned with free board height on any of the boats you listed if Keuka is where you will be doing most of your boating. If it were me I would go the R3 route but you will def. have to upgrade your tow vehicle

[66fibersport]

Thanks. Know of a good place to store indoors for winter?

[Big Block Power]

The 220s and the cs are very similar. The r3 has a much higher freeboard. You really have to drive them. I don't like a high freeboard boat. But I love the r7. The 222 I didn't like at all. So you want to feel like your driving a sports car or a big suv? R3 will be your suv.

[66fibersport]

thanks. So which is the "sportier" boat - the 220S, CS22 or CS23?

[Big Block Power]

thanks. So which is the "sportier" boat - the 220S, CS22 or CS23?

That's up to you. Really 2 different interiors. I myself like the cs. But the sunpad can be a big game changer.

[dustinm]

Well you can get a 380 in a CS23 so I would say its probably sportier

[Whippled263]

Thanks. Know of a good place to store indoors for winter?

Yes! I know of the best place to store during the winter. Its heated, concrete floor, no mice or rats, secure. In hornell NY. $80 a month. Ive kept my boats here for 10 years.

[66fibersport]

perfect - what is the name of the business or phone number? I think the Bath FD use to do something similar for motorcycles in the past.

[Whippled263]

Its not a business. Its my good friends building. We store all our toy there. Let me reach out to him. PM me your name, boat size, and phone number

Chris

[ajcampen]

You need to get a new tow vehicle either way you go. The 220 is like 3700 lbs dry. Get a larger engine an additional 300 lbs. arch 300 lbs. trailer 1200 lbs. 50 gallons gas 350 lbs. your already creeping at 600lbs and that doesn’t include people and gear in the car. I wouldn’t want to exceed 80% of the car tow capacity to be safe. But to each their own. I have a 220s and tow with an Nissan Armada and love it. 8200lbs tow capacity. I’ve towed as far as 12 hours with the boat and barely know it is behind me unless going up a steep incline

[sailor55330]

So, as an R3 owner I’ll add this...everyone seems to sell the R3 as a boring fuddy duddy—it’s not by any means. I’d look at it this way....if the CS series is a Ferrari, then the R series is more like an Aston Martin. Sure, it’s not quite as in your face but not really a Geo Metro either. I’m betting in the long run you’d prefer the Aston as a more all around daily driver


Oh, and yeah, budget for a new tow vehicle. Mine on trailer specs right at 5900 minimally loaded. I tow with a Sequioa and would t want much less

[Krob1114]

You need to get a new tow vehicle either way you go. The 220 is like 3700 lbs dry. Get a larger engine an additional 300 lbs. arch 300 lbs. trailer 1200 lbs. 50 gallons gas 350 lbs. your already creeping at 600lbs and that doesn’t include people and gear in the car. I wouldn’t want to exceed 80% of the car tow capacity to be safe. But to each their own. I have a 220s and tow with an Nissan Armada and love it. 8200lbs tow capacity. I’ve towed as far as 12 hours with the boat and barely know it is behind me unless going up a steep incline

I once bought the Nissan Armada just for towing. I could forget the boat was there most times, plus plenty of room for passangers.
Once we got boat slip, I sold Armada due to high mileage.

[Krob1114]

Hello,

New to Cobalt and looking for some advice. Boating on Keuka Lake and considering the 220S (like the large sun deck); CS22 or 23 (exterior looks nicer) or a used R3. Will be used for tubing and wake boarding and cruising. Will make sure it has a Merc and an arch.

Keuka seldom gets rough and any of the Cobalt should keep us dryer than our 66 Century Fibersport Resorter (forsale BTW). Should I even care about freeboard?

What I cannot find is the difference in freeboard of the 220S (AUS site said 2' 10"), CS 22, CS23 and the R3.

If I move up to the R3 I must then likely upgrade my tow vehicle which has a 5000# limit.

Looking for any comments and suggestions.

Thanks

To me, the back of the boat in the R3 made all the difference. I love the back rest that flips foward or backwards.

[Chrispval]

Drive them all. Candelwood east in Connecticut has a in the water boat show coming up I think next week.
But be sure to order your boat locally from German brothers. Peter AND Rick are fabulous, they sold my R3 in a week, and I am sure will be helping me on my next purchase.
You will only know what boat is right for you after driving them.
One other factor is your lift capacity (i assume you keep it in the water).
I wouldn’t worry about a tow vehicle or even a trailer if you only boat keuka. You can save thousands get the R5! German brothers will pick it up and store for you indoor heated and deliver it clean and oil changed in spring for what I found to be an unbeatable price. The full service of their marina really makes boating enjoyable.