Cobalt Boats 212 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 9,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2011?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 has the edge at 41 lbs dry weight versus 874 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 296 2011. 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 tops out at 2 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many passengers can the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 has an official capacity rating of 6 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 measures 113" wide, compared to 102" for the Cobalt Boats 212 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 212 2007. That 118-gallon difference translates to roughly 354–590 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 and Cobalt Boats 296 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 and the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 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 212 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 212 2007

2007

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 296 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 212 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 measures 30,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 9,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 at 21,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 tips the scales at 874 lbs — 833 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 at 41 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 320 hp, the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 has a 318-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 296 2011's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 carries 123 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 212 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 is rated for up to 6 people. Passenger data for the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 at 30,2 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 at 21,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model212

Model296

Model Year2007

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam9 ft. 5 in. (2.9 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.87

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches113

Bridge clearance - Detail57-1/8 in. (1.45 m) With ski tower: 90-1/8 in. (2.29 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.49 m) With Arch: 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.29

Bridge clearance - Meters2.41

Bridge clearance - Inches90.125

Bridge clearance - Inches95

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise21°

Draft [drive up] - Detail26-5/8 in. (67.63 cm)

Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 25 in. (63.5 cm) Twin Engine: 27 in. (68.6 cm)

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches26.625

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [max] - Detail36-3/8 in. (92.39 cm)

Draft [max] - DetailSingle Engine: 37 in. (93.9 cm) Twin Engine: 39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Meters9.14

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches360.375

Draft [max] - Inches39

Weight - Detail4,100 lbs. (1,860 kg) (with small block engine)

Weight - DetailSingle Engine: 7,350 lbs. (3,334 kg) Twin Engines: 8,740 lbs. (3,964 kg)

Weight - kg1859.73

Weight - kg3964.39

Weight - lbs.41

Weight - lbs.874

Height - DetailOverall: 70-1/2 in. (1.79 m) With arch or tower: 102 in. (2.64 m) Without windshield: 53 in. (1.42 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.59

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches102

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Meters6.43

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet21

Length - Feet30.17

Length - Inches1

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]23 ft. 4 in. (7.11 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)

Length overall - Detail21 ft. 1 in. (6.43 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters6.43

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches253

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length [at waterline]not available

Length [at waterline]28 ft. 5 in. (8.69 m)

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 4.3 L MPI Alpha 220 hp (164 kW)

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 8.1 Gi DP (non-catalyst)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail123 gal. (457 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters465.61

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal123

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max320 hp (239 kW)

Engine max(2) 430 php (321 PkW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines2

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower375 php (280 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.8 l)

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Cobalt Boats 212 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 comes in at 21,0 feet, making it roughly 9,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2011?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 has the edge at 41 lbs dry weight versus 874 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 296 2011. 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 is rated to a maximum of 320 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 tops out at 2 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many passengers can the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 212 2007 has an official capacity rating of 6 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 measures 113" wide, compared to 102" for the Cobalt Boats 212 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 212 2007. That 118-gallon difference translates to roughly 354–590 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 and Cobalt Boats 296 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 212 2007 and the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 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 212 2007 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 296 2011 full specs