Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R5 2015 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 or the Cobalt Boats R5 2015?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats R5 2015 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats R5 2015 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 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 R5 2015 carry?

The Cobalt Boats R5 2015 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 R5 2015?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats R5 2015. 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 R5 2015 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 and the Cobalt Boats R5 2015 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 R5 2015

Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats 296 2012

2012

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Cobalt Boats

Cobalt Boats R5 2015

2015

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R5 2015 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 vs Cobalt Boats R5 2015 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 R5 2015 has a 378-hp advantage over the Cobalt Boats 296 2012'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 296 2012 carries 123 gallons versus 5 gallons in the Cobalt Boats R5 2015. 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 R5 2015 at 26,0 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] - Detailnot available

Draft [max] - Meters0.99

Draft [max] - Metersnot available

Draft [max] - Inches39

Draft [max] - Inchesnot available

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 - Feet26

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 - Detail26.00 ft

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Meters7.92

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length overall - Inches312

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)

Horsepower380 hp

Engine max(2) 430 php (321 PkW)

Engine maxnot available

Engine makenot available

Engine makeVolvo Penta

Operational Info

HeadPorta Potti

Headnot available

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 R5 2015 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 or the Cobalt Boats R5 2015?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 is the longer of the two at 30,2 feet overall. The Cobalt Boats R5 2015 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 4,2 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Cobalt Boats R5 2015 is rated to a maximum of 380 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 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 R5 2015 carry?

The Cobalt Boats R5 2015 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 R5 2015?

The Cobalt Boats 296 2012 has the bigger tank at 123 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the Cobalt Boats R5 2015. 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 R5 2015 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Cobalt Boats 296 2012 and the Cobalt Boats R5 2015 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 R5 2015 full specs