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Took delivery of a 2019 R3 surf in May. Is there a better way to shut the engine down than turning the key off. This procedure shuts the screens down and they need to reboot everytime, which has it's own issues. This is a problem when switching surfers or swimmers in the water. I would figure a water sports edition would address this problem. I could use the tether to kill the engine only, or I noticed a kill switch on the engine itself which could be utilized on the dash of some sort.
Does anyone have any input about this issue?? Among many that I have come across in the past month of operating this boat.
Note: I am coming from a dedicated surf boat to the R3, which has been delightful on ride quality and maneuverability. There are many little things that need to be addressed before this boat can totally compete in the surf boat world.
Any input would be helpful, thanks

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Hey WH. Welcome to the Cobaltchat forum. So glad you found us!

Some others on the forum have also had issues with their new model Cobalt that need to be addressed.

That would certainly be annoying every time you turned the key off.
What happens when you turn the key from the ON position (while the engine is running) VERY quickly to the accessory position? Do the screens still reboot?

I know if I do this with our 263, I can keep the Bluetooth music playing without interruption most of the time. I’m guessing the screens may do the same if you’re quick enough. Starting engine does interrupt it though.

Others will chime in shortly.
Btw, any pics??? We love them here.
...and again, welcome aboard mate!

A7 you are right. If you shut the engine off and quickly switch to on the screens stay on.

Wedge another thing I would recommend is if you are running older firmware to get them up to date. It’s simple all you do is load it on a micro sd card and stick it in your left display. I went from version 12.0 to 15.0 and the boot time went from a minute to about 20 seconds.

tgrace98 wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:01 pm A7 you are right. If you shut the engine off and quickly switch to on the screens stay on.

Wedge another thing I would recommend is if you are running older firmware to get them up to date. It’s simple all you do is load it on a micro sd card and stick it in your left display. I went from version 12.0 to 15.0 and the boot time went from a minute to about 20 seconds.

Nice work TG...that firm ware update improvement is a great heads up for everyone. Are you a 98 HS grad?

I will gladly swap you my guage set for your glass dash. Prob solved.

ajcampen wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:30 pm

tgrace98 wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:01 pm A7 you are right. If you shut the engine off and quickly switch to on the screens stay on.

Wedge another thing I would recommend is if you are running older firmware to get them up to date. It’s simple all you do is load it on a micro sd card and stick it in your left display. I went from version 12.0 to 15.0 and the boot time went from a minute to about 20 seconds.

Nice work TG...that firm ware update improvement is a great heads up for everyone. Are you a 98 HS grad?

The first car I ever bought myself was a 1998 Honda prelude. And it just stuck for all my usernames

Awesome advise from everyone, I will flash for update this week. I used the kill switch all week and has worked great, but how long will that last. Not made for that!!!!! I will give the accessory position a try.
Now, on to the next issues.

The owners manual says not to use the kill switch unless it’s an emergency because it can cause engine damage. I assume this has something to do with water inversion, but I wouldn’t make that a habit.

I don't see how the engine knows the difference from the kill switch shutting the electric down or the key. There is no procedure involved when key is shut off, there is also a kill switch on the engine itself. I don't know what water inversion means, that's new to me.

No luck on the accessory side of the key. Turn all the way thru to accessory and screens go off. This is very frustrating. I will keep using the kill switch at this point. This R3 is an amazing boat, but Cobalt has missed the mark on the surf side of this vessel. As a past owner of a dedicated surf boat and use this boat as a surf and water sports boat most of the time, it has been frustrating to say the least.
I guess it's not the best if both worlds, best of one and mediocre on the second.
I will be contacting Cobalt directly because my dealer has no interest in making me completely happy with this boat at this point.

Wedgehead wrote: Mon Jul 15, 2019 10:08 pm No luck on the accessory side of the key. Turn all the way thru to accessory and screens go off. This is very frustrating. I will keep using the kill switch at this point. This R3 is an amazing boat, but Cobalt has missed the mark on the surf side of this vessel. As a past owner of a dedicated surf boat and use this boat as a surf and water sports boat most of the time, it has been frustrating to say the least.
I guess it's not the best if both worlds, best of one and mediocre on the second.
I will be contacting Cobalt directly because my dealer has no interest in making me completely happy with this boat at this point.

You don’t go to the accessory position. Turn the motor off then quickly go back to the on position without starting the motor. The hour meter will not run and your garmins will stay on. I do this all the time when I am getting the anchor into position so I can see the depth on the screens

Wedge,
I know what you mean and that can be very annoying at first. Turn the key off then back to the "on" position.
I have never ran a true surf boat so nothing to compare it to but have found after figuring out a few quirks I love the surfing option.
Where do you download the new firmware? I haven't looked tbh going to go check it out an see if I can find it.

Norris_Boating wrote: Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:02 am Wedge,
I know what you mean and that can be very annoying at first. Turn the key off then back to the "on" position.
I have never ran a true surf boat so nothing to compare it to but have found after figuring out a few quirks I love the surfing option.
Where do you download the new firmware? I haven't looked tbh going to go check it out an see if I can find it.

The update is all covered in this thread

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2602

Curious as to what other shortcomings as a surf boat you see in the R3 Surf?

Wake board racks instead of surf racks, standard Roswell rack only will hold 1 surf board each and bungee will not reach to secure.
No Flush mounted cleats, the cleats grab ropes all day long. And the the grab rail around swim deck has opening on the sides that grab ropes also.
Tanks leak down due to siphoning, no vacuum break in the lines to prevent that.
Pump control icons are super small and can not hit precise enough when bouncing in the water to start or stop pumps.
No storage whatsoever for ropes or jackets on the R3.
You have to be 7+ ft to attach rope to tower tow point, with out standing on seats.
Duo prop water bubble will flip board over surfers head if the surfer is not far enough to the outside of the boats sides when starting. Which is almost impossible to achieve most of the time.
Have to trim down to 15 percent to prevent, then back to 43 to 47 percent to create surfable wave.
Not having an engine kill on dash is really frustrating and dangerous, because short cut is to leave engine running which is not ideal.
These issues you really wouldn't know until you spend a good amount of time in the boat.