Cobalt Boats 263 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 282 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 282 2008?

The Cobalt Boats 282 2008 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 263 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 263 2006 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 282 2008 tops out at 260 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 263 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 282 2008 is certified for 8. 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: How do the fuel tanks compare on the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 and Cobalt Boats 282 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 7 gallons and 9 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 263 2006 and Cobalt Boats 282 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 282 2008 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 263 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 282 2008

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 263 2006

2006

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 282 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 263 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 282 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 263 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 282 2008 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.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 has a 240-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 282 2008's 260-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 7 gal and 9 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.

Both boats are rated for 8 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats 282 2008 at 29,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats 263 2006 at 26,0 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

Makenot available

Model263

Modelnot available

Model Year2006

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - Detail57 in. (1.45 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters1.45

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches57

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise22℃

Deadrisenot available

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

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

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

Draft [max] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

Weight - Detail5,064 lbs. (2,297 kg) (with small block engine) 5,370 lbs. (2,436 kg) (with big block engine)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg2435.79

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.537

Weight - lbs.not available

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 - Feet29

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

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

Length overall - Detail29.00 ft

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Meters8.84

Length overall - Inches32

Length overall - Inches348

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters340.69

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal9

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typenot available

Engine max500 hp (373 kW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeMercruiser

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower260 hp

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Water capacity18

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum peoplenot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Cobalt Boats 263 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 282 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 or the Cobalt Boats 282 2008?

The Cobalt Boats 282 2008 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 263 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats 263 2006 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 282 2008 tops out at 260 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 263 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 282 2008 is certified for 8. 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.

How do the fuel tanks compare on the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 and Cobalt Boats 282 2008?

Both boats carry similar fuel loads — 7 gallons and 9 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 263 2006 and Cobalt Boats 282 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 263 2006 and the Cobalt Boats 282 2008 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 263 2006 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 282 2008 full specs