Cobalt Boats 232 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008?

The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 232 2006 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 252 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 232 2006 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 252 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 232 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 is certified for 15. 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 232 2006 and Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008?

The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 232 2006. That 68-gallon difference translates to roughly 204–340 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 and Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 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 232 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 232 2006

2006

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 232 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 232 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Cobalt Boats 232 2006 at 23,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 tips the scales at 5 425 lbs — 5 379 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 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 232 2006 carries a rated maximum of 425 hp. Engine data for the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 carries 73 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 232 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 caps at 13. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 25,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobalt Boats 232 2006 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 13 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model232

Model252 Bowrider

Model Year2006

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 m)

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail63 in. (1.60 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With arch or tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.6

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches63

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise20℃

Deadrise21℃

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail4,600 lbs. (2,087 kg) (with small block engine)

Weight - Detail5,425 lbs. (2,460 kg)

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg2460.74

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.5425

Height - DetailOverall: 79 in. (2.01 m) With arch or tower: 114 in. (2.90 m) Without windshield: 63 in. (1.60 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.9

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches114

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Meters7.29

Length - Meters7.8

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet25

Length - Inches11

Length - Inches7

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 11 in. (7.90 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 7 in. (8.4 m)

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m)

Length overall - Meters7.29

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches287

Length overall - Inches307

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.0 GXi SX 270 hp (201 kW)

Engine/s standardVolvo Single 5.7 GI SX 280 php (209 PkW)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

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

Maximum capacity2,585 lbs. (1,173 kg)

Maximum people13

Maximum people15

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Cobalt Boats 232 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008?

The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 232 2006 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 2,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 252 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 232 2006 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 252 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 232 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 is certified for 15. 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 232 2006 and Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 share an 8 ft. 6 in. (2.6 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008?

The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 232 2006. That 68-gallon difference translates to roughly 204–340 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 and Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 232 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 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 232 2006 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 full specs