Cobalt Boats 296 2011 vs Cobalt Boats A36 2021 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 or the Cobalt Boats A36 2021?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 is the longer of the two at 36,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 comes in at 30,2 feet, making it roughly 5,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 tops out at 2 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 A36 2021 carry?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 has an official capacity rating of 10 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 or the Cobalt Boats A36 2021?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 has the bigger tank at 189 gallons, versus 123 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 296 2011. That 66-gallon difference translates to roughly 198–330 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 and Cobalt Boats A36 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 and the Cobalt Boats A36 2021 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 296 2011 vs Cobalt Boats A36 2021

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 296 2011

2011

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats A36 2021

2021

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 296 2011 vs Cobalt Boats A36 2021 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 vs Cobalt Boats A36 2021 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 380 hp, the Cobalt Boats A36 2021 has a 378-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 296 2011's 2-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 A36 2021 carries 189 gallons versus 123 gallons in the Cobalt Boats 296 2011. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 at 36,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 at 30,2 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

Model296

Modelnot available

Model Year2011

Model Yearnot available

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam9 ft. 5 in. (2.9 m)

Beamnot available

Beam - Meters2.87

Beam - Metersnot available

Beam - Inches113

Beam - Inchesnot available

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Bimini: 4 ft. 11 in. (1.49 m) With Arch: 7 ft. 11 in. (2.41 m)

Bridge clearance - Detailnot available

Bridge clearance - Meters2.41

Bridge clearance - Metersnot available

Bridge clearance - Inches95

Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available

Deadrise21°

Deadrisenot available

Draft [drive up] - DetailSingle Engine: 25 in. (63.5 cm) Twin Engine: 27 in. (68.6 cm)

Draft [drive up] - Detailnot available

Draft [drive up] meters0.69

Draft [drive up] metersnot available

Draft [drive up] inches27

Draft [drive up] inchesnot available

Draft [max] - DetailSingle Engine: 37 in. (93.9 cm) Twin Engine: 39 in. (99 cm)

Draft [max] - Detail3.50 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters1.07

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches42

Weight - DetailSingle Engine: 7,350 lbs. (3,334 kg) Twin Engines: 8,740 lbs. (3,964 kg)

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg3964.39

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.874

Weight - lbs.not available

Length [at waterline]28 ft. 5 in. (8.69 m)

Length [at waterline]not available

Length - Feet30.17

Length - Feet36

Length [over all with swim platform]30 ft. 2 in. (9.19 m)

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Detail36.00 ft

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters10.97

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches432

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min2.58 ft

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull materialnot available

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typenot available

Engine and Drivetrain

Max no of engines2

Max no of enginesnot available

Engine/s standardVolvo Penta 8.1 Gi DP (non-catalyst)

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail123 gal. (457 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters465.61

Fuel tank capacity - Liters715.44

Fuel tank capacity - Gal123

Fuel tank capacity - Gal189

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Horsepower375 php (280 PkW)

Horsepower380 hp

Engine max(2) 430 php (321 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo

Operational Info

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

Water capacity27

Maximum capacityYacht certified

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum peopleYacht certified

Maximum peoplenot available

Holding tank capacity - Detail18 gal. (68 l)

Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available

Holding tank capacity - Liters68.14

Holding tank capacity - Liters37.85

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Holding tank capacity - Gal1

Sleeping capacitynot available

Sleeping capacity2

Cabinsnot available

Cabins1

Headnot available

Head1

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Cobalt Boats 296 2011 vs Cobalt Boats A36 2021 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 or the Cobalt Boats A36 2021?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 is the longer of the two at 36,0 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 comes in at 30,2 feet, making it roughly 5,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2011 tops out at 2 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 A36 2021 carry?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 has an official capacity rating of 10 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 or the Cobalt Boats A36 2021?

The Cobalt Boats A36 2021 has the bigger tank at 189 gallons, versus 123 gallons on the Cobalt Boats 296 2011. That 66-gallon difference translates to roughly 198–330 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 and Cobalt Boats A36 2021 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 296 2011 and the Cobalt Boats A36 2021 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 296 2011 full specs ← Cobalt Boats A36 2021 full specs