Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 323 2011 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 323 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 is the longer of the two at 32,8 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 6,8 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 323 2011?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 323 2011 has the edge at 123 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 323 2011 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 323 2011 is certified for 10. 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: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 measures 127" wide, compared to 102" for the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 323 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 has the bigger tank at 174 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. That 167-gallon difference translates to roughly 501–835 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and Cobalt Boats 323 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and the Cobalt Boats 323 2011 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 323 2011

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 263 2007

2007

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 323 2011

2011

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 323 2011 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 323 2011 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.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 measures 32,8 feet overall (2011), giving it roughly 6,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 at 26,0 feet (2007). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 tips the scales at 537 lbs — 414 lbs more than the Cobalt Boats 323 2011 at 123 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 323 2011'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 323 2011 carries 174 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.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 is rated for 10 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 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 323 2011 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Cobalt Boats 323 2011 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 32,8 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 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

Model263

Model323

Model Year2007

Model Year2011

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. 6 in. (2.59 m)

Beam10 ft. 7 in. (3.23 m)

Beam - Meters2.59

Beam - Meters3.23

Beam - Inches102

Beam - Inches127

Bridge clearance - Detail57 in. (1.45 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 6 ft. 5 in. (1.96 m) With Arch or Tower: 8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters1.45

Bridge clearance - Meters2.69

Bridge clearance - Inches57

Bridge clearance - Inches106

Deadrise22℃

Deadrise22°

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

Draft [drive up] - Detail24 in. (0.61 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.56

Draft [drive up] meters0.61

Draft [drive up] inches22

Draft [drive up] inches24

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

Draft [max] - Detail35 in. (0.90 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.89

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches35

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

Weight - Detail12,300 lbs. (5,579 kg)

Weight - kg2435.79

Weight - kg5579.18

Weight - lbs.537

Weight - lbs.123

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 - Feet32.83

Length - Inches8

Length - Inchesnot available

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

Length [over all with swim platform]34 ft. 9 in. (10.59 m)

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

Length overall - Detail32 ft. 10 in. (10 m)

Length overall - Meters8.13

Length overall - Meters10.01

Length overall - Inches32

Length overall - Inches394

Engine and Drivetrain

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

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta twin 5.7 GiC DP

Fuel tank capacity - Detail70 gal. (265 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail174 gal. (659 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters264.98

Fuel tank capacity - Liters658.66

Fuel tank capacity - Gal7

Fuel tank capacity - Gal174

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeInboard/Outboard

Drive typeI/O - Twin

Engine max500 hp (373 kW)

Engine maxTwin 430 php (321 PkW)

Max no of enginesnot available

Max no of engines2

Horsepowernot available

HorsepowerTwin 300 php (224 PkW)

Operational Info

Water capacity10 gal. (37.9 l)

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail28 gal. (106 l)

Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters105.99

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal28

Body / Hull

Hull materialnot available

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typenot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Cobalt Boats 263 2007 vs Cobalt Boats 323 2011 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 323 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 is the longer of the two at 32,8 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 263 2007 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 6,8 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 323 2011?

For trailering, the Cobalt Boats 323 2011 has the edge at 123 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 323 2011 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 323 2011 is certified for 10. 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.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 measures 127" wide, compared to 102" for the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 or the Cobalt Boats 323 2011?

The Cobalt Boats 323 2011 has the bigger tank at 174 gallons, versus 7 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 263 2007. That 167-gallon difference translates to roughly 501–835 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and Cobalt Boats 323 2011 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 263 2007 and the Cobalt Boats 323 2011 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 323 2011 full specs