Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 243 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 243 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 is the longer of the two at 23,9 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 21,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 243 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 385 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 has a documented max rating of 430 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 243 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 243 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 4 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 243 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 are built by Cobalt Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 243 2012

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008

2008

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 243 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 243 2012 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 are deep vee designs with fiberglass construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 measures 23,9 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 21,9 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 at 2,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 tips the scales at 385 lbs — 339 lbs more than the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 at 46 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 tops out at 430 hp. Engine specs for the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 4 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model202 Bowrider

Model243

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail4 ft. (1.22 m) With arch or tower: 7 ft. 7 in. (2.3 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With Arch or Tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.31

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches91

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise21℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detail21 in. (0.53 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [max] - Detail36 in. (0.92 m)

Draft [max] - Detail37 in. (0.94 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.91

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches36

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail3,850 lbs. (1,746 kg)

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg)

Weight - kg1746.33

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - lbs.385

Weight - lbs.46

Length - Meters6.2

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet2

Length - Feet23.92

Length - Inches4

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]22 ft. 5 in. (6.83 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 4 in. (6.20 m)

Length overall - Detail23 ft. 11 in. (7.29 m)

Length overall - Meters6.2

Length overall - Meters7.29

Length overall - Inches244

Length overall - Inches287

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Single 4.3 GXI SX 225 php (168 PkW)

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 GiC DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail40 gal. (151 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters151.42

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal4

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 php (224 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max430 php (321 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacity1,650 lbs. (748 kg)

Maximum capacity2,250 lbs. (1,021 kg)

Maximum people12

Maximum people13

Headnot available

HeadPorta Potti

Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 243 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 243 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 is the longer of the two at 23,9 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 21,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 243 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 385 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobalt Boats 243 2012 has a documented max rating of 430 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many people can each boat hold?

The Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 12 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 is certified for 13. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 243 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m) beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 243 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 4 gallons and 5 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 243 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 243 2012 are built by Cobalt Boats. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Cobalt Boats 202 Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 243 2012 full specs