Cobalt Boats 250 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2013?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 5,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2013?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 has the edge at 874 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 tops out at 2 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many passengers can the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 has an official capacity rating of 15 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 2013 measures 113" wide, compared to 102" for the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. 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 250 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2013?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 73 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 and Cobalt Boats 296 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 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 250 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2013

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 250 2006

2006

View full specs →

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 296 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 250 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2013 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 measures 30,2 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 5,2 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 at 25,0 feet (2006). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 tips the scales at 5 025 lbs — 4 151 lbs more than the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 at 874 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 power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 has a 423-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 296 2013's 2-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 carries 123 gallons versus 73 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 is rated for up to 15 people. Passenger data for the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 at 30,2 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 at 25,0 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

Model25

Model296

Model Year2006

Model Year2013

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

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.62

Bridge clearance - Meters2.41

Bridge clearance - Inches103

Bridge clearance - Inches95

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise21°

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

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches24

Draft [drive up] inches27

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches39

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

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

Weight - kg2279.3

Weight - kg3964.39

Weight - lbs.5025

Weight - lbs.874

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 - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.82

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches111

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Meters7.62

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Feet30.17

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

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

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.62

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches3

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length [at waterline]not available

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

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardVolvo Single V8-380C DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail123 gal. (457 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Liters465.61

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel tank capacity - Gal123

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max425 hp (317 kW)

Engine max(2) 430 php (321 PkW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines2

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower380 php (283 PkW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta potti

HeadPorta Potti

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

Maximum capacity2,050 lbs. (930 kg)

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum people15

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Cobalt Boats 250 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 296 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2013?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 5,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2013?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 has the edge at 874 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 tops out at 2 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many passengers can the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 250 2006 has an official capacity rating of 15 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 2013 measures 113" wide, compared to 102" for the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. 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 250 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 296 2013?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2013 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 73 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 250 2006. That 50-gallon difference translates to roughly 150–250 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 and Cobalt Boats 296 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 250 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 296 2013 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 250 2006 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 296 2013 full specs