Cobalt Boats 262 2012 vs Cobalt Boats A28 2013 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 or the Cobalt Boats A28 2013?

The Cobalt Boats A28 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 comes in at 25,6 feet, making it roughly 2,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 or the Cobalt Boats A28 2013?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats A28 2013 has the edge at 546 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 262 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 A28 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 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 2012 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 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 2012 and Cobalt Boats A28 2013 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 2012 or the Cobalt Boats A28 2013?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 9 gallons on the Cobalt Boats A28 2013. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 and Cobalt Boats A28 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 and the Cobalt Boats A28 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 262 2012 vs Cobalt Boats A28 2013

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 262 2012

2012

View full specs →

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats A28 2013

2013

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 262 2012 vs Cobalt Boats A28 2013 — A Close Look at Two Deep Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 and the Cobalt Boats A28 2013 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 2012 at 25,6 ft versus Cobalt Boats A28 2013 at 28,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 tips the scales at 5 425 lbs — 4 879 lbs more than the Cobalt Boats A28 2013 at 546 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 A28 2013 has a 424-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 262 2012'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 2012 carries 73 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Cobalt Boats A28 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 is rated for up to 2 people. Passenger data for the Cobalt Boats A28 2013 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats A28 2013 at 28,5 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 at 25,6 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

Model262

ModelA28

Model Year2012

Model Year2013

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] - Detail30 in. (0.76 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.53

Draft [drive up] meters0.76

Draft [drive up] inches21

Draft [drive up] inches3

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 - Detail5,460 lbs. (2,477 kg)

Weight - kg2460.74

Weight - kg2476.61

Weight - lbs.5425

Weight - lbs.546

Length - Feet25.58

Length - Feet28.5

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 6 in. (8.68 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 standard300 php (224 PkW)

Engine/s standardMerCruiser Single 8.2 Mag ECT B3X

Fuel tank capacity - Detail73 gal. (276 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail90 gal. (341 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters276.33

Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69

Fuel tank capacity - Gal73

Fuel tank capacity - Gal9

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Engine maxVolvo Penta 5.7 GiC DP

Engine max430 php (321 PkW)

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower380 php (283 PkW)

Operational Info

HeadPorta Potti

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacity15

Maximum capacitynot available

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

Maximum peoplenot available

Cobalt Boats 262 2012 vs Cobalt Boats A28 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 or the Cobalt Boats A28 2013?

The Cobalt Boats A28 2013 is the longer of the two at 28,5 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 comes in at 25,6 feet, making it roughly 2,9 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 or the Cobalt Boats A28 2013?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats A28 2013 has the edge at 546 lbs dry weight versus 5 425 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 262 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 A28 2013 is rated to a maximum of 430 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 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 2012 carry?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 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 2012 and Cobalt Boats A28 2013 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 2012 or the Cobalt Boats A28 2013?

The Cobalt Boats 262 2012 has the bigger tank at 73 gallons, versus 9 gallons on the Cobalt Boats A28 2013. That 64-gallon difference translates to roughly 192–320 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 and Cobalt Boats A28 2013 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 262 2012 and the Cobalt Boats A28 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 262 2012 full specs ← Cobalt Boats A28 2013 full specs