Considering a Cobalt R3

[nicotomacelli]

Hi folks!

Been poking around, looking at different boats for a while now. We recently rented a Cobalt R3 when we were in Lake Chelan a couple of weeks ago and totally fell in love with it. I've looked at the comparable options in that class of boat and I keep coming back to the R3. It looks like the R3 came/comes with a few different motor options? Anything I should steer clear of or gravitate towards? Most of the usage will be either cruising on the lake or towing teenage girls on an innertube.

This will be my first boat with a motor. I had a J24 sailboat about 20 years ago for a bit but moved onto other things from sailing.

Any other words of wisdom before I embark on this journey?

[billk2632]

I bought a Cobalt R5 a few years ago after owning SeaRay's for 20+ years - hands down the Cobalt is a better boat. The R3 is my boats little brother - I don't have any experience with an R3, but I can say this from having the R5.

-Get one with a Volvo Penta power package. After having Mercruisers in my SeaRays, I think the VPs are better. Not that Mercury is bad.

-My R5 has the VP 300 - older style GM 5.7 / 300 HP. Plenty of power for me and my R5, would think it would be fine for an R3. You can get a 350hp and 380hp version - think the R3 is a rocket with a 380. The newer Gen 5 Volvo engines are based on a GM 5.3 and 6.2 - you'll see these starting in 2015 models - they have some nice features like variable valve timing, more monitoring and electronic shifting/cruise control. Definitely more complex but overall I think just as solid as the older generation motors.

-A lot of folks believe the odd R's (3, 5, 7) are better all around boats than the newer evens. I can't say, never even been on an even R - I don't know the odd R's were more of a pre-Malibu design, one major difference is the extended hull which gives faster / flatter planning and a smoother rough water ride. I was really surprised at how quick my R5 planned and how it handled rough water compared to my SeaRay.

-They seem built solid, no rattles shaking, even when you hit that occasional big wake or are in steep chop. Everything almost seems over built, heavy fittings, all stainless, sturdy vinyl and interior finishes. My boat is a 2014 and still looks new - has the simplicity of little older engine, analog gauges, but still runs great.

-I could go on, but those are the points that come to mind.

[nicotomacelli]

Wow. This is great stuff. Thanks for sharing. Definitely helpful.

[AsLan7]

.
So glad you found us Nico…….

Many say the even R series are better in the surf model line producing better surf waves.

The R3 will be a fantastic first boat for you to make family memories. It’s well built and a very manageable boat to trailer and maneuver.

Enjoy…and welcome an aboard mate.

.

[Slapshot]

I have owned a 2019 Cobalt R3 for 3 years now after owning Mastercraft boats. It is a great boat and I highly recommend it. We boat on a smaller lake and have water access to Lake Michigan and it handles 2-3 foot stuff very well. It is well built and good fittings. The 300hp Volvo Penta is plenty for us, we are past the Watersport days. My only complaint is the Bimini installed, clearly a different supplier with cheaper fittings and an awkward way to raise and lower which you have to do every time. I think it came from the factory with that Bimini but there may be other types available.

[nicotomacelli]

Thanks. The one I'm eyeing currently is a 2020 R3 with the 300hp motor. We're starting to get close to the end of boating season in Seattle, so hoping to maybe catch a fall deal.

[jhnmdahl]

V8-300 should be plenty for that boat, especially with a duo prop outdrive. Some people (myself included) prefer the older R series like the R3 over the new R series because they had a deeper V hull angle, resulting in a bit more stable ride and a boat that handles waves and rough like it's a few feet longer than it is. Downside is that the new boats may be better for wake surfing, but that's not my primary use.

[nicotomacelli]

Yeah, wake surfing isn't something that we're really into. At most, we pull the teenagers on a tube otherwise its going to be for lake cruising during Seattle summers.

[Krob1114]

V8-300 should be plenty for that boat, especially with a duo prop outdrive. Some people (myself included) prefer the older R series like the R3 over the new R series because they had a deeper V hull angle, resulting in a bit more stable ride and a boat that handles waves and rough like it's a few feet longer than it is. Downside is that the new boats may be better for wake surfing, but that's not my primary use.

+1

We bought the 2019 R3 brand new off the floor in 2019. Stock 300 engine is plenty for our use. We do like the premium sound.
I also like owning a pre-Covid boat.

[stifflkd]

You may want to consider jumping to an R5 if within reach. No one ever regrets going larger. Plus the head compartment is a huge benefit IMO, especially with a family.

[Smklein]

We purchased a 2017 R3 surf in 2021 and love it. We are also in Seattle on Lake Washington and it does amazing on the choppy waters. I love the boat. There are a few things I would take into consideration though like where will it be docked? Seattle Boat is the only Cobalt certified service center in the area — which is crazy to me. They are the only place you can get parts and no other servicing Marina will touch them unless it has something to do with the Volvo penta engine or winterizing it. We had to replace a surf tab and that was a long procedure to say the least. I’m having issues with our ballasts currently as we are starting to wake surf a bit. Hence the reason I saw your post. I’m trying to figure out the issue on this site first, but haven’t found too much. Also, if you are on the lake and plan to install a lift. Do not get a lift from G^*+#o. Good luck and have fun!

[nicotomacelli]

We purchased a 2017 R3 surf in 2021 and love it. We are also in Seattle on Lake Washington and it does amazing on the choppy waters. I love the boat. There are a few things I would take into consideration though like where will it be docked? Seattle Boat is the only Cobalt certified service center in the area — which is crazy to me. They are the only place you can get parts and no other servicing Marina will touch them unless it has something to do with the Volvo penta engine or winterizing it. We had to replace a surf tab and that was a long procedure to say the least. I’m having issues with our ballasts currently as we are starting to wake surf a bit. Hence the reason I saw your post. I’m trying to figure out the issue on this site first, but haven’t found too much. Also, if you are on the lake and plan to install a lift. Do not get a lift from G^*+#o. Good luck and have fun!

Thanks! This is really helpful. Docking is the one thing that is keeping me from purchasing. I've been looking around but havent had much luck getting places to call back.

[BobRae99]

I purchased a 2019 R3 new (in 2019) with a VP350. It has been an excellent boat (now with 108 hours). It has not needed any repairs and the build quality is rock solid. You won't regret purchasing a Cobalt. As to engine power, the power curves for the VP 300 and 350 are pretty similar until around 4,500 rpm, at which point the 300 flattens out and the 350 keeps rising a bit, providing a few mph of top end. If memory serves an R3 350VP hits about 52 mph while the 300 tops out at around 48 mph. The time to plane for both is around 2.9 seconds. Good luck.

[jhnmdahl]

One other factor worth mentioning - the R3 is in kind of a "sweet spot" for being a boat you can just hitch up to a truck or SUV and tow around without much difficulty (figure 6500lb or so loaded up and with a trailer). An R7 is about a thousand pounds heavier, plus any additional gear, gas, trailer weight, etc. that can put you very near or over the base towing weight of a lot of SUVs or 1/2 ton trucks.

[Krob1114]

I purchased a 2019 R3 new (in 2019) with a VP350. It has been an excellent boat (now with 108 hours). It has not needed any repairs and the build quality is rock solid. You won't regret purchasing a Cobalt. As to engine power, the power curves for the VP 300 and 350 are pretty similar until around 4,500 rpm, at which point the 300 flattens out and the 350 keeps rising a bit, providing a few mph of top end. If memory serves an R3 350VP hits about 52 mph while the 300 tops out at around 48 mph. The time to plane for both is around 2.9 seconds. Good luck.

Bob, we bought our boats at the same time:

300 hours.jpg

I guess it's our longer season. I got YouTube TV so I can watch games on our boat. We may have 2 or 3 more trips to the lake.