Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 250 2006 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 250 2006?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 250 2006?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 5 025 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. 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 250 2006 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 242 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 242 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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 242 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 250 2006?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 242 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 250 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 250 2006

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008

2008

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 250 2006

2006

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 250 2006 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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 242 Bowrider 2008 at 23,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 250 2006 at 25,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 tips the scales at 5 025 lbs — 4 979 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 250 2006 tops out at 425 hp. Engine specs for the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 carries 73 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 250 2006 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 250 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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 242 Bowrider 2008 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

Model242 Bowrider

Model25

Model Year2008

Model Year2006

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 3 in. (1.60 m) With arch or tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Detail62 in. (1.6 m) With ski tower: 103 in. (2.62 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Meters2.62

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Bridge clearance - Inches103

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise22℃

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Detail39 in. (0.99 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches39

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

Weight - Detail4,719 lbs. (2,141 kg) (with small block engine) 5,025 lbs. (2,279 kg) (with big block engine)

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg2279.3

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.5025

Length - Meters7.29

Length - Meters7.62

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet25

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 11 in. (7.64 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 0 in. (8.23 m)

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

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 0 in. (7.62 m)

Length overall - Meters7.29

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Inches287

Length overall - Inches3

Height - Detailnot available

Height - DetailOverall: 75-1/4 in. (1.91 m) With arch or tower: 111 in. (2.82 m) Without windshield: 60-1/4 in. (1.53 m)

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Meters2.82

Height - Inchesnot available

Height - Inches111

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Single 5.0 GXI SX 270 php (201 PkW)

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 Gi SX 280 hp (209 kW)

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 typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxnot available

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

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

Maximum capacity2,050 lbs. (930 kg)

Maximum people13

Maximum people15

Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (42 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Headnot available

HeadPorta potti

Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 250 2006 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 250 2006?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 is the longer of the two at 25,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 250 2006?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 5 025 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. 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 250 2006 has a documented max rating of 425 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 242 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 242 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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 242 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 250 2006?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 242 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 250 2006 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 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 242 Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 250 2006 full specs