Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 comes in at 23,9 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 58 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 273 2012. 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 273 2012 has a documented max rating of 430 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 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 242WSS 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is certified for 8. 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 242WSS 2009 and Cobalt Boats 273 2012 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 242WSS 2009 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 and Cobalt Boats 273 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 and the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 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 242WSS 2009 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009

2009

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 273 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 and the Cobalt Boats 273 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?

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 measures 27,5 feet overall (2012), giving it roughly 3,6 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 at 23,9 feet (2009). At 46 lbs and 58 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 tops out at 430 hp. Engine specs for the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 carries 95 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009. 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 242WSS 2009 is rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 13 passengers and at 23,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model242WSS

Model273

Model Year2009

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With Arch or Tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m) With Arch or Tower: 7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Meters2.31

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Bridge clearance - Inches91

Deadrise21°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (0.69 m)

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] - 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 - Detail5,800 lbs. (2,631 kg)

Weight - kg2086.52

Weight - kg2630.83

Weight - lbs.46

Weight - lbs.58

Length - Feet23.92

Length - Feet27.5

Length [over all with swim platform]25 ft. 11 in. (7.9 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

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

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.38 m)

Length overall - Meters7.29

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Inches287

Length overall - Inches33

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 GXiC DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (189 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail95 gal. (360 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel tank capacity - Gal95

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeI/O

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower320 php (239 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine max430 php (321 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacityFresh: 10 gal. (38 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

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

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum people13

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

HeadPorta Potti

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal1

Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 comes in at 23,9 feet, making it roughly 3,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 has the edge at 46 lbs dry weight versus 58 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 273 2012. 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 273 2012 has a documented max rating of 430 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 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 242WSS 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 13 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is certified for 8. 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 242WSS 2009 and Cobalt Boats 273 2012 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 242WSS 2009 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009. That 90-gallon difference translates to roughly 270–450 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 and Cobalt Boats 273 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 242WSS 2009 and the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 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 242WSS 2009 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 273 2012 full specs