Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 has the edge at 58 lbs dry weight versus 537 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. 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 263 2007 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 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: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. That 88-gallon difference translates to roughly 264–440 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and Cobalt Boats 273 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and the Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 263 2007

2007

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 273 2012

2012

View full specs →

Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 at 26,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 273 2012 at 27,5 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 tips the scales at 537 lbs — 479 lbs more than the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 at 58 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 263 2007 has a 70-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 273 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 273 2012 carries 95 gallons versus 7 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

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: Performance buyers should lean toward the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and its 500-hp ceiling. If fuel economy and quieter running matter more than top-end speed, the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 with its 430-hp rating is the more economical daily driver.

General Boat Info

MakeCobalt Boats

Model263

Model273

Model Year2007

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: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.5 m) With Arch or Tower: 7 ft. 7 in. (2.31 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.45

Bridge clearance - Meters2.31

Bridge clearance - Inches57

Bridge clearance - Inches91

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise21°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail27 in. (0.69 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches27

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

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Inches39

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

Weight - Detail5,800 lbs. (2,631 kg)

Weight - kg2435.79

Weight - kg2630.83

Weight - lbs.537

Weight - lbs.58

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 - Feet27.5

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]28 ft. 10 in. (8.79 m)

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

Length overall - Detail27 ft. 6 in. (8.38 m)

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Meters8.38

Length overall - Inches32

Length overall - Inches33

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 - Detail95 gal. (360 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters359.61

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal95

Fuel typeGas

Fuel typeGas or Diesel

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O

Engine max500 hp (373 kW)

Engine max430 php (321 PkW)

Horsepowernot available

Horsepower320 php (239 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Water capacity10 gal. (38 l)

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Headnot available

HeadPorta Potti

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail10 gal. (38 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal1

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 273 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 is the longer of the two at 27,5 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 1,5 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 has the edge at 58 lbs dry weight versus 537 lbs for the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. 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 263 2007 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 is Coast Guard rated for 8 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 273 2012 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.

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

Both the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 273 2012?

The Cobalt Boats 273 2012 has the bigger tank at 95 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. That 88-gallon difference translates to roughly 264–440 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and Cobalt Boats 273 2012 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and the Cobalt Boats 273 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 263 2007 full specs ← Cobalt Boats 273 2012 full specs