Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2010 — Which Deep Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 and the Cobalt Boats 296 2010 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 296 2010 measures 30,2 feet overall (2010), giving it roughly 5,7 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 at 24,5 feet (2013). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 296 2010 tips the scales at 874 lbs — 826 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 at 48 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.
Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 430 hp for the Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 and 420 hp for the Cobalt Boats 296 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 296 2010 carries 123 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
The Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 is rated for up to 13 people. Passenger data for the Cobalt Boats 296 2010 wasn't available.
Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats 296 2010 at 30,2 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats 24SD WSS 2013 at 24,5 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
MakeCobalt Boats
Model Year2013
Model Year201
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 - DetailWithout Bimini: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m) With Arch or Tower: 8 ft. 1 in. (2.46 m)
Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.49 m) With Arch: 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)
Bridge clearance - Meters2.46
Bridge clearance - Meters2.41
Bridge clearance - Inches97
Bridge clearance - Inches95
Deadrise21°
Deadrise21°
Draft [drive up] - Detail25 in. (0.63 m)
Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 25 in. (63.5 cm) Twin Engine: 27 in. (68.6 cm)
Draft [drive up] meters0.64
Draft [drive up] meters0.69
Draft [drive up] inches25
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 - Detail4,800 lbs. (2,177 kg)
Weight - DetailWith Single Engine: 7,350 lbs. (3,334 kg) With Twin Engines: 8,740 lbs. (3,964 kg)
Weight - kg2177.24
Weight - kg3964.39
Weight - lbs.48
Weight - lbs.874
Length - Feet24.5
Length - Feet30.17
Length [over all with swim platform]24 ft. 6 in. (7.47 m)
Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standardVolvo Single V8-300C DP
Engine/s standardVolvo 8.1 GXi DP
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
Drive typeI/O
Drive typeI/O
Horsepower300 php (221 PkW)
Horsepower420 php
Engine max430 php (321 PkW)
Engine maxnot available
Max no of enginesnot available
Max no of engines2
Operational Info
Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)
Water capacityFresh: 18 gal. (68 l)
Maximum capacity1,850 lbs. (839 kg)
Maximum capacityYacht certified
Maximum people13
Maximum peopleYacht certified
Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)
Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85
Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14
Holding tank capacity - Gal1
Holding tank capacity - Gal18