Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 262 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 262 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 is the longer of the two at 25,6 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 262 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 has the edge at 5 425 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008. 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 262 2012 has a documented max rating of 6 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 252 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 252 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 is certified for 2. 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 252 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 262 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 262 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 73 gallons and 73 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 262 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 262 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 252 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 262 2012

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008

2008

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 262 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 262 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 against a deep vee Cobalt Boats 262 2012 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 at 25,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 262 2012 at 25,6 ft. At 5 425 lbs and 5 425 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 262 2012 tops out at 6 hp. Engine specs for the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 73 gal and 73 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 caps at 2. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 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 262 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 2 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model252 Bowrider

Model262

Model Year2008

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail5 ft. 3 in. (1.6 m) With arch or tower: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

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

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise21℃

Deadrise21°

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail5,425 lbs. (2,460 kg)

Weight - Detail5,425 lbs. (2,461 kg)

Weight - kg2460.74

Weight - lbs.5425

Length - Meters7.8

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet25

Length - Feet25.58

Length - Inches7

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 7 in. (8.4 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]27 ft. 7 in. (8.41 m)

Length overall - Detail25 ft. 7 in. (7.8 m)

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches307

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Engine/s standardVolvo Single 5.7 GI SX 280 php (209 PkW)

Engine/s standard300 php (224 PkW)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines430 php (321 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine maxVolvo Penta 5.7 GiC DP

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacity2,585 lbs. (1,173 kg)

Maximum capacity15

Maximum people15

Maximum people2,585 lbs. (1,173 kg)

Headnot available

HeadPorta Potti

Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 vs Cobalt Boats 262 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 262 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 is the longer of the two at 25,6 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 comes in at 25,0 feet, making it roughly 0,6 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 or the Cobalt Boats 262 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 has the edge at 5 425 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008. 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 262 2012 has a documented max rating of 6 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats 252 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 252 Bowrider 2008 is Coast Guard rated for 15 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 is certified for 2. 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 252 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 262 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 262 2012?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 73 gallons and 73 gallons respectively. Range will depend heavily on motor choice, throttle usage, and whether you're on flat lake water or coastal chop.

Are the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 and Cobalt Boats 262 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 252 Bowrider 2008 and the Cobalt Boats 262 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 252 Bowrider 2008 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 262 2012 full specs