The Cobalt Boats 282 2006 vs Cobalt Boats 302 2010 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 282 2006 at 28,0 ft versus Cobalt Boats 302 2010 at 29,8 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Cobalt Boats 302 2010 tips the scales at 988 lbs — 209 lbs less than the Cobalt Boats 282 2006 at 779 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.

Both boats share a closely matched power ceiling — 320 hp for the Cobalt Boats 282 2006 and 300 hp for the Cobalt Boats 302 2010. Real-world performance will come down more to which motor is actually bolted on, its load at the time, and whether it's a 4-stroke or 2-stroke setup. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 302 2010 carries 15 gallons versus 9 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 282 2006. 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 302 2010 is rated for 9 passengers, while the Cobalt Boats 282 2006 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 302 2010 could be the deciding factor.