Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R3 2016 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 or the Cobalt Boats R3 2016?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats R3 2016 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 has a documented max rating of 2 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

Q: How many passengers can the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 carry?

The Cobalt Boats R3 2016 has an official capacity rating of 7 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 2012 or the Cobalt Boats R3 2016?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats R3 2016. That 118-gallon difference translates to roughly 354–590 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 and Cobalt Boats R3 2016 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 and the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 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 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R3 2016

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 296 2012

2012

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats R3 2016

2016

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R3 2016 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R3 2016 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 Cobalt Boats 296 2012 carries a rated maximum of 2 hp. Engine data for the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 carries 123 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats R3 2016. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Bottom line: The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 at 30,2 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Cobalt Boats R3 2016 at 24,0 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

Model296

Modelnot available

Model Year2012

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] - Detail3.08 ft

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Meters0.94

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inches37

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 - Feet24

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 - Detail24.00 ft

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.32

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches288

Draft Minnot available

Draft Min1.75 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 GiC DP

Engine/s standardnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Detail123 gal. (457 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available

Fuel tank capacity - Liters465.61

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal123

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeI/O

Drive typeinboard

Horsepower400 php (298 PkW)

Horsepowernot available

Engine max(2) 430 php (321 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Operational Info

HeadPorta Potti

Head1

Water capacity18 gal. (68 l)

Water capacity1

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 - Litersnot available

Holding tank capacity - Gal18

Holding tank capacity - Galnot available

Boat typenot available

Boat typePower

Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R3 2016 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 or the Cobalt Boats R3 2016?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats R3 2016 comes in at 24,0 feet, making it roughly 6,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 has a documented max rating of 2 hp. Engine specifications for the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.

How many passengers can the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 carry?

The Cobalt Boats R3 2016 has an official capacity rating of 7 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 2012 or the Cobalt Boats R3 2016?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats R3 2016. That 118-gallon difference translates to roughly 354–590 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 and Cobalt Boats R3 2016 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 and the Cobalt Boats R3 2016 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 2012 full specs ← Cobalt Boats R3 2016 full specs