Cobalt Boats 262 2011 vs Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 or the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 comes in at 25,6 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 262 2011 or the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 262 2011. 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 26SD 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 tops out at 6 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 262 2011 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 has an official capacity rating of 2 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and Cobalt Boats 26SD 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 2011 or the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012. That 68-gallon difference translates to roughly 204–340 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and the Cobalt Boats 26SD 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 2011 vs Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 262 2011

2011

View full specs →

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 262 2011 vs Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 — A Close Look at Two Deep Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and the Cobalt Boats 26SD 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Cobalt Boats 262 2011 at 25,6 ft versus Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 at 26,2 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 tips the scales at 5 425 lbs — 5 370 lbs more than the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 at 55 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 430 hp, the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 has a 424-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 262 2011's 6-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 262 2011 carries 73 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 is rated for up to 2 people. Passenger data for the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 wasn't available.

Bottom line: Performance buyers should lean toward the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 and its 430-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 with its 6-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model262

Model26SD

Model Year2011

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)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Meters1.5

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Bridge clearance - Inches59

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

Weight - Detail5,500 lbs. (2,495 kg)

Weight - kg2460.74

Weight - kg2494.76

Weight - lbs.5425

Weight - lbs.55

Length - Feet25.58

Length - Feet26.17

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

Length [over all with swim platform]26 ft. 2 in. (7.97 m)

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

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters7.8

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches307

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines430 php (321 PkW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Engine/s standard320 php (239 PkW)

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 5.7 GXiC DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal. (360 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxVolvo Penta 5.7 GXiC DP

Engine max430 php (321 PkW)

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower320 php (239 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacity15

Maximum capacityYacht certified

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

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

HeadPorta Potti

Cobalt Boats 262 2011 vs Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 or the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 is the longer of the two at 26,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 comes in at 25,6 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 262 2011 or the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 has the edge at 55 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 262 2011. 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 26SD 2012 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 tops out at 6 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 262 2011 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 has an official capacity rating of 2 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and Cobalt Boats 26SD 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 2011 or the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2011 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012. That 68-gallon difference translates to roughly 204–340 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 262 2011 and the Cobalt Boats 26SD 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 2011 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 26SD 2012 full specs