Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 7,2 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 296 2011?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 46 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: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 has a documented max rating of 2 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 passengers can the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 242 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 296 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008

2008

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 296 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Cobalt Boats 296 2011 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 measures 30,2 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 7,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 at 23,0 feet (2008). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 tips the scales at 874 lbs — 828 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 296 2011 tops out at 2 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 296 2011 carries 123 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.

The Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 is rated for up to 13 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 242 Bowrider 2008 at 23,0 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

Model242 Bowrider

Model296

Model Year2008

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam9 ft. 5 in. (2.9 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters2.87

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches113

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

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Meters2.41

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Bridge clearance - Inches95

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise21°

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches27

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches37

Draft [max] - Inches39

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

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

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg3964.39

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.874

Length - Meters7.29

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet23

Length - Feet30.17

Length - Inches11

Length - Inchesnot available

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

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

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.29

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches287

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length [at waterline]not available

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

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

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

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines2

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower375 php (280 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max(2) 430 php (321 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

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

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum people13

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detail11 gal. (42 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Holding tank capacity - Liters41.64

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Gal11

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 23,0 feet, making it roughly 7,2 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 296 2011?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 has the edge at 46 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.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 has a documented max rating of 2 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 passengers can the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 has an official capacity rating of 13 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 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008. 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 242 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 296 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 242 Bowrider 2008 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 242 Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 296 2011 full specs