Cobalt Boats 262 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 comes in at 25,6 feet, making it roughly 0,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 has the edge at 514 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 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: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 tops out at 430 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 people can each boat hold?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 is certified for 15. 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 262 2006 and Cobalt Boats 262WSS 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 262 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 262 2006. That 66-gallon difference translates to roughly 198–330 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 and Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 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 262 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 262 2006

2006

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012

2012

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 262 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 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.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Cobalt Boats 262 2006 at 26,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 at 25,6 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 tips the scales at 5 425 lbs — 4 911 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 at 514 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 500 hp, the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 has a 70-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012's 430-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 262WSS 2012 carries 73 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 262 2006. 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 262WSS 2012 is rated for 15 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 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 262WSS 2012 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 15 passengers and at 25,6 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 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

Model262

Model262WSS

Model Year2006

Model Year2012

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Inches102

Bridge clearance - Detail57 in. (1.45 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 - Meters1.45

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches57

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise21°

Draft [drive up] - Detail22 in. (0.56 m)

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

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches21

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

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches37

Weight - Detail4,834 lbs. (2,193 kg) (with small block engine) 5,140 lbs. (2,331 kg) (with big block engine)

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

Weight - kg2331.46

Weight - kg2460.74

Weight - lbs.514

Weight - lbs.5425

Height - DetailOverall: 73 in. (1.85 m) With arch or tower: 107-1/2 in. (2.73 m) Without windshield: 59-3/4 in. (1.51 m)

Height - Detailnot available

Height - Meters2.74

Height - Metersnot available

Height - Inches107.5

Height - Inchesnot available

Length - Meters8.12

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Feet26

Length - Feet25.58

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 6 in. (8.68 m)

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

Length overall - Detail26 ft. 8 in. (8.12 m)

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

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Inches32

Length overall - Inches307

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 GXiC DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine max500 hp (373 kW)

Engine max430 php (321 PkW)

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower300 php (224 PkW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta potti

HeadPorta Potti

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacityYacht certified

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

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum people15

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Cobalt Boats 262 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 is the longer of the two at 26,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 comes in at 25,6 feet, making it roughly 0,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 has the edge at 514 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 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.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 tops out at 430 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 people can each boat hold?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 is certified for 15. 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 262 2006 and Cobalt Boats 262WSS 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 262 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 262 2006. That 66-gallon difference translates to roughly 198–330 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 and Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 262 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 262WSS 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 262 2006 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 262WSS 2012 full specs