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February 13, 2008

20

Welcome John O’Brien, Cobalt Enthusiast

Please welcome John O’Brien, our newest sign-up member of MyCobalt.net. John wrote me this note last week and with his permisson, I am posting it here. Welcome aboard John and we look forward to seeing pictures of your new 302!

Hi… I am a 63 yr old “Philadelpia lawyer” (wait! don’t delete me yet.) who has had a Cobalt 282 for the last four years. I have to admit to being a “boat junkie”. I owned my first boat at the age of 15 (an MFG 16′ w/ 40 HP Johnson). My latest new boat ( a March ’08 delivery of a 302- loaded) will be my 14th boat. I’ve been thru—not in chronological order—Sea Ray (42′), Albemarle(31′), Tiara (31′) ,Whaler ( 28′), Intrepid (31) and others. My “sickness” is fairly evident by now, correct? Irrespective of that record of ownership, I finally matured sufficiently enough to recognize and stick with a boat manufacturer that I truly enjoyed and which was the “right boat at the right time” for me, my family (6 total),my boating habits on Cape Cod—specifically, transiting from my marina in Falmouth to Woods Hole,or Buzzards Bay, or thru the Canal, very frequently to Martha’s Vineyard (a 9 nm trip from my marina) and fairly often to Nantucket with various visiting friends from Philly who, sadly, have only the “Jersey Shore” as a basis of comparison. The Cobalt 282 was fun, a great performer, BUT–as a bowrider– not the ideal boat to return from Nantucket in at twilight (it blows pretty hard out of the west/southwest around that time and “wet” is a consistent penance for having a borderline vessel for that trip.)

Thus it is that I have a 302 (again, a bowrider…they’re unbeatable party boats)…BUT … this model has a foot more beam, a 3′ increase in LOA, and a lot heavier hull plus twin 425 HP Merc counterprops; a newly designed Garmin hardtop on ss arch, a Garmin GPS/RADAR in dash w/ 24″Hi-Def Radome, ICOM VHF w DSC, remote spot & hailer on top, underwater stern light…if I missed anything, could you please let me know! Obviously this boat will hopefully be my last for quite awhile…maybe it’ll be part of my “estate” , ya’ never can tell !

Despite all these boats over all the years (as well as a long time “six-pack license” ) I still look forward to learning more about Cobalts from other owners regardless of the model they own. I also look forward to the sharing of info from other “Cobalters” which can only come from owning and driving a Cobalt.

John F. O’Brien, III

Read more from Club Member Pics, Cobalt 282, Cobalt 302
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  • michael

    hello, i ordered a 302 for mid may delievery for Lake Tahoe in CA/NV. i went with the twin 425s as well with B3 do you have your boat already, whats top speed are you getting.

    also, these other options you speak about, were they from coblat or aftermarket.

    i cant beleive i am getting one myself, just getting out of a 226 into this new 302.

    thanks again, mike

  • john

    Mike…Don’t have “it” yet. I’m told no later than the end of March. Like you, I’m curious as to the top end of the 425′s in the 302. Can’t find any specific performance or nmpg or range data on our boats anywhere. My aftermarket items (thru my dealer’s contacts) are the hailer, the VHF, a remote powerful spotlight (i run at night fairly often) and a hi-def radome add-on–all of which I pay $$$ over & above the Cobalt price tag. ALL reviews on the boat are outstanding, so we should be in for a great boating season…although you have me beat in the weather department. I shut down mid-Oct to mid-March…too cold on the Cape. Good luck with yours and if you get any reliable data, please drop me a message. Thx, John

  • Craig

    Hey John,
    Congrats on the 302 but come on…who are you kidding. Another two years and you’ll be into a Cobalt 46..you have the “illness”

    I have a 06 282 out of Hyannis and have also paid that wet penance many times heading back from Nantucket. I’m curious how the 302 handles the heavies.

    Best of luck

  • Mike D’Anna

    Started out with a Cobalt 222, then a 226 and now a 250. Is this what I have to look forward to? Can Cobalt keep making bigger boats to keep us going with “two footitis “.

  • Robert

    Dear all, good to know there are other freaks out there. I also stick to same manufacturer, Cobalt. Started with 262, then 282 and will be receiving my 302 in two days. excited as hell. I must say that i prefered my 262, as i found the 282 did not handle as well, for god knows what reason. i sincerely hope that the 302 will.
    Keep me posted of your thoughts and so will i best regards

  • Robert

    Dear All, I have received it! the 302 that is.
    Guys, it is extraordinary. Something out of this world. The space, the overall sense of freedom, the amount of storage space is almost too much, etc….the effect of the lights on the bimini is great, the speakers with aux cable for ipod is very well done etc….i put underwater lights, and that is really something special especially when docked. I also put the front spotlight (remote controlled) as on 303. In terms of width, it s huge and one has to get used to it when backing up in small space, for it is really much bigger than 282. Anyways i am in heaven, and all i can say is wow. Keep well and share your thougts. enjoy

  • David Mason

    I am looking for a 220 or 226 cobalt with either the 420 volvo or 425 merc. I would like an older model that does not have the extended swim platform but not too old. Thank-you

  • john

    Hi Men…sorry I couldn’t respond to any of the inquiries….BUt, I’m still awaiting delivery…the HI-DEF Garmin radome slowed theings down…this much i can tell you. Cobalt is still wrestling with what to incorporate by way of a “hardtop” (at least on the 302).I now have the hailer in place on the top, the stock Garmin radome ( Cobalt will switch when Hi Def radome arrives this week)… 360 degree remote spotlight installed…Icom VHF w/ Command Mic is done, so almost there. Hoping for my initial “splasj” within 3 weeks and will let all know “what it is”. Enjoy your boats, Guys…life is way too short…I just lost two friends , both of whom just tipped over unannounced…they’d love to be waiting for a new boating season.

  • Arnie

    My new 302 ships next week. I went with the red hull. It appears to be equipped exactly like Johns. I’m hoping we don’t run into any unforseen delays.

    Robert: What motors did you get. How she run???

  • http://meetkendall.com Kendall

    TEST COMMENT

  • sofia

    i am getting a new 2007, 282. One of you guys said it doesn’t handle as well. please elaborate, because it is a heck of a lot of money for it not to handle “as well”!!

  • Jeff

    AH-HA! I finally found the other DISEASED COBALT FREAKS. I got what I think was the last 226 in 2/07. Cobalt told me they only made 5 ’07s, and they were only titled 07′s because their bean counters made them (their fiscal year cut-off had already past & they still had 5 more 226 hulls). Anyway, Merc 375 BIII, & it is awesome. Biggest Cobalt I could fit in my garage with a folding tongue trailer. Keep thinking how I could fit a bigger one, but then I think, Nah, it’d just be slower. Most impressive to me is to cruise at 28-30 for a while, and then PUNCH IT: Better be sitting down because it WILL PUT YOU IN YOUR SEAT. Maybe a 302 some day, but I’m pretty far from water, need a reasonable trailer boat. The only real problem I’ve had with the boat … It’s been very hard for me to let anyone else even touch it. Can’t figure out why Cobalt quit making the lower, sleaker 226/ 246 smaller models. I guess there is the 220, but the 222 is too “fat” (tall) for me. 232/ 242/ 252 even worse.

  • Float200

    My first Cobalt! I just found a 2006 Cobalt 282 with Twin 496magHO’s!!!! Only 16hrs!!! Heavily optioned with SS arch. Wrapping up the financing now! Look forward to sharing stories with all of you. I am a previous Baja 272 owner(2 of them) when I was a single guy. Now married with twin boys, I wanted a fast boat with lots of room for family and friends. They say Cobalt only optioned a handful of 282′s with twin 496magHO’s. Understand the back sits lower in the water with this setup and really scoots near or above 70mph.
    With Yacht Certification, do you have to still do state inspection stickers? Any good transport company recommended for boat delivery? Thanks and happy boating.

  • Float200

    Thanks Kendall for CMT boat transport suggestion. Travis at CMT got back to me with a very detailed quote and even told me about another delivery he is making where I could save some cost and get on the same truck. Appreciate the help. Can we post picks or vids on here?

  • Frank

    I’m thinking about getting 282 myself, sounds pretty exciting with those 496′s just wondered how it performed. I’ve heard Cobalt put the 496′s in just one model year anybody know why they stopped offering them.

  • Andy

    My 282 will be delivered late August. Seems like time is standing still. Handling should be pretty sharp since this is a strong point to start with. Add twin screws and bravo 3′s and it gets even better. I assume the 282 is best handling boat of this size in it’s class. A 262 will beore nimble if a smaller boat works. Have not heard why Cobalt stopped, but have also learned the engine options for this set up were never offered. Special orders I guess?? Was told boat sits lower in water in back like a Formula. Maybe Cobalt did not want this look? Either way, it’s sure a lot of fun knowing there is 850hp on tap in a 28′ boat.
    Boat200

  • Float200

    Questions? Wish I knew where to post this technical question…Kendall?

    Will BravoIII’s stress my X drives more than a single prop? My above 282 with twin 496magHO’s 425hp each may be to much for BIII’s? Should I change to single props and gain the extra speed top end, or stick with the B3′s due to size of boat and handling? I have just been thinking since that’s all I can do till boat arrives and am curious if the B3′s are a good option for this set up? Thanks for input!

    Float200
    Andy

  • Float200

    Surveyored noted the pitch on the B3props are pitched for Tahow elevation at about 6000ft. He says Oklahoma elevation at 600ft requires the pitch to be different on each prop. Is this correct?

    Thanks.

  • Float200

    MY COBALT 282 ARRIVED YESTERDAY!!!!!! (August 23rd 2009) Maiden voyage will be this Saturday. Until then, TLC TLC TLC TLC………… Would love to post pic of it arriving on truck???

  • Float200

    Here we go: Aug 30th 2009 Maiden Voyage. Cobalt 282 twin 496mag HO’s:
    * 90 gallons and 5 people
    * Speedo pegged hard past 70mph everytime. Assume mid 70′s..no GPS
    * 45mph at just over 1/4 hrottle(s)
    * Noticed max RPM’s were only 4900-5000. Current props are 28 pitch.
    * No increase in RPM’s past 3/4 throttle.
    * This tells me the boat has tons more speed left
    * Hole shot and getting up to speed VERY MUCH impresses and makes boat feel like a bass boat. Hard to believe a 9′ beam and 8000lb boat can go like this! WOW!!!!!!!!!! Winds were 15-20 with lake chop. Temp was 80 degrees at 630′ elevation.