Buying Cobalt R6

[dsthomas]

So a source told me (salesmen at our dealer that the r6 will come with the Malibu Surf system instead of the Cobalt True Wave System. I’m not sure what that means because I don’t know much about the Malibu system except that it adds surf gates to the mix. My understanding from my source / salesmen is that the R6 was designed from the ground up with surfing in mind. Where as the R3/R5/R7 just had a surf system adapted to them. Not sure how much of that is true, but it would explain the dead rise change. Unless it somehow does help the ride as well. Anyway, that’s what I have heard from a salesman, take it for what it’s worth.

[Table Rockin]

I have no doubt this is true.

[Big Block Power]

I have no doubt this is true.

Yep 100%agree I think I saw the Bu system on it already. The dash was supposed to have the Bu guages but it didn't work out. So back to glass.

[BobRae99]

So a source told me (salesmen at our dealer that the r6 will come with the Malibu Surf system instead of the Cobalt True Wave System. I’m not sure what that means because I don’t know much about the Malibu system except that it adds surf gates to the mix. My understanding from my source / salesmen is that the R6 was designed from the ground up with surfing in mind. Where as the R3/R5/R7 just had a surf system adapted to them. Not sure how much of that is true, but it would explain the dead rise change. Unless it somehow does help the ride as well. Anyway, that’s what I have heard from a salesman, take it for what it’s worth.

I have no doubt the dead rise change was made to improve the surf characteristics. Looking at dedicated Surf boats, they have increased their dead rise a bit to improve less than flat water capability so the difference between the two is very little at this point. Of course, dedicated surf boats have other hull design elements that make them as good as they are.

The question will be what the professional surfers think about the new hull, surf system and the surf waves the boat produces. I'd consider a surf model, but not if the surf wave doesn't deliver most of what the surf boats do. Otherwise, I think it would be a waste of money.

[Norris_Boating]

The question will be what the professional surfers think about the new hull, surf system and the surf waves the boat produces. I'd consider a surf model, but not if the surf wave doesn't deliver most of what the surf boats do. Otherwise, I think it would be a waste of money.

I don't think I agree with this, my surf isn't nearly as good as top of the line surf boat, but we have a lot of fun with it and my neighbors have a pure surf boat and hate just cruising in it.

[Table Rockin]

It’s funny...watched a YouTube video on centurion boats and their Ri series now has a 20 degree dead rise. Surf boats going deeper deadrise while traditional bow rider goes more shallow. Your guess is as good as mine as to the future of this industry.

[Big Block Power]

It’s funny...watched a YouTube video on centurion boats and their Ri series now has a 20 degree dead rise. Surf boats going deeper deadrise while traditional bow rider goes more shallow. Your guess is as good as mine as to the future of this industry.

That's Prob at the bow or midsection but not at the transom I bet. But yes they are changing in a hurry.

[BobRae99]

It’s funny...watched a YouTube video on centurion boats and their Ri series now has a 20 degree dead rise. Surf boats going deeper deadrise while traditional bow rider goes more shallow. Your guess is as good as mine as to the future of this industry.

That’s right, both Centurion and Cobalt now have the same 20 degree deadrise at the transom. Centurion used to be 18 degrees and Cobalt used to be 22 degrees. Some may be satisfied with the Cobalt surf wave, but there is at least one thread on the forum seeking help with getting a better wave out of their Cobalt. I’m not saying you can’t surf behind one and I haven’t tried which is why I wouldn’t buy one until I read some reviews from someone who has. I do the same thing when I shop for a new car. There has to be some difference between a Nautique 25 at $250,000 and an R5 surf at $160,000 besides metal flake paint or the Nautique is a huge rip off (or the Cobalt R5-R6 an epic deal).

[Table Rockin]

I'm guessing the new R series Surf models wont be as great as a dedicated tow boat for surfing. An improvement over the previous models yes but otherwise why would anyone purchase the dedicated versions....including Malibu's? No my guess is they are still working towards getting the best balance possible between surfing and cruising. This is just another phased evolution towards this direction. But for those who want the best wakes for towing of any kind will still gravitate to dedicated tow boats. Or at least that is my guess prior to seeing actual surf performance on this new R series hull.

[dsthomas]

I agree with Norris and Table Rockin, my friend has a 2016 Master Craft X23, I think this is the MC flagship surf model recently replaced by their X24, anyway I learned to surf on his MC and thats what made me want to trade our A25 for our R7 surf. Is the MC wave better? Yes. Can I do everything on my R7 wave that I could do on the MC wave? Yes. Am I a pro surfer? No ;P) But we still get a transom walkthrough, high freeboard, maneuverability, and better fuel economy of our cobalt. My buddy’s MC has 3,000 lbs of built in ballast and he still experiments with weights and fat sacs etc to try and improve his wave, that’s just human nature.

What’s interesting is that I’ve looked at a few of the inboard forums and there are a few comments on there about how the I/O Forward Drive Surf market is producing some decent waves and getting better all the time. It’ll be interesting to see what they think of the R6 Surf!

[J9lake]

Just purchased the R6 with VP380! So I’ll be the guinea pig for all of this. Test drove it back in August and liked the ride a lot. Really like the enlarged 10inch display, the wider sunpad and swim platform, and overall look. Got some fun accessories too. Looking forward to the weight helping out on the choppy days and found it to be quieter than the R3 and R7 (IMO) which I own and test drive, respectively. Can’t wait for next summer!

[dsthomas]

Just purchased the R6 with VP380! So I’ll be the guinea pig for all of this. Test drove it back in August and liked the ride a lot. Really like the enlarged 10inch display, the wider sunpad and swim platform, and overall look. Got some fun accessories too. Looking forward to the weight helping out on the choppy days and found it to be quieter than the R3 and R7 (IMO) which I own and test drive, respectively. Can’t wait for next summer!

Post some picture... PLEASE

[J9lake]

Won't have any until May... argh!!

[netexan]

I ended up ordering the R6 with the 380. Should be here mid October but I won't be surprised if it slips a bit.

[sailor55330]

Not sure if this is old news but learned this weeken that the motors in the new r series have been pushed back to the transom. Nearly flush from what I was told and now has storage space front of the engine. Engine farther back could help with wave shape and wetted hulk surface. Was also told the boat has a new grid stringer system a actually felt like a lighter boat on the water.

On a side note—anyone having a boat show? Sounds like ours isn’t going to happen. At least that’s the prediction