When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Cobalt Boats 222 2009 and the Cobalt Boats 230 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Cobalt Boats 222 2009 at 21,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 230 2012 at 21,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 230 2012 tips the scales at 415 lbs — 374 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 222 2009 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 Cobalt Boats 230 2012 tops out at 430 hp. Engine specs for the Cobalt Boats 222 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 5 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 12 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.